Flying Lotus & Kendrick Lamar. 

Two of the most lauded artists of the past few years have teamed up for an exciting collaboration. Producer Steven Ellison aka Flying Lotus, known for his experimental and complex instrumentation, has laid down a magical platform for Kendrick Lamar's hard hitting and contemplative verses. The film clip is superbly on point given the themes of the track - what we've come to expect from these two artists at the top of the game. Flying Lotus's new album comes out October 7th and can be streamed here tonight (October 3rd) it is shaping up to be not just an album but an audio-visual experience. Recommended highly by the tunemonkeys.

Hockey Dad.

These young fellas are throwing a breathe of fresh air at Indie rock in Australia. Their EP and first serious release "Dreaming" is a great chronicle of Australiana and what the 'kids' are about in this modern era (Drummer Billy only graduates high school this year). Their music sits somewhere between the Drums and FIDLAR with raucous hi-hat fun and jangly guitar riffs and their name Hockey Dad, as I understand it, comes from a Simpsons reference that entails you have had to have spent some of your formative years in the 1990's to pick up. It's catchy as all hell and surf rock you want to thrash on your way to the coast, because that's more often than not where you'll find the boys. This track is my pick of the EP it's titled 'Lull City' but for a good laugh check out their videos for 'Seaweed' and 'I Need a Woman'.

Perfume Genius. 

Mike Hadreas (Perfume Genius) has learned to punch on "Too Bright", his latest effort. The strong emotional ballads he is know for are now accompanied by driving rhytms, emphatic synths and an air of confidence. An empowering display, Hadreas' new album is a big middle finger to the judging eyes of his lifelong hecklers. Its an unapologetic step towards driving down the sunset strip with a giant technicolour flag in a convertible Cadillac and doing so just make others uncomfortable. There are a few sombre moments on the album but they add the welcome contrast from the emotionally charged, 80's inspired, drones of 'Queen' and 'Grid' and 'Longpig'. "Too Bright" is an inspiring coming-to-terms album of homosexual experience once considered a seemingly raw deal; now an artistic engine.

Glue Trip.

If you can slightly hear the endearing mispronunciation of english in this track that is because Glue Trip are a duo out of Brazil. You may also notice the relaxing strum of acoustic guitars, arguably a touch of South American flavour that sets the pace to a calm leisurely stroll. This track titled "Old Blood" is pure chilled out bliss with whirling synths and subtle woodwinds. Let's hope there's more from these guys in 2014.

Big Scary.

Big Scary are Tom Lansek & Jo Syme, a humble pairing of talented songwriters who are responsible for the most brooding yet uplifting self analytical music release of the year. "Not Art" is possibly the most interesting way to introduce your album to the world. They may as well have called their second LP "Not Music" and just waited for the confused looks and poor record sales. But art is exactly what it is and I have a feeling that they know that. The whole album is both lyrically and thematically incredibly honest but somehow exists under a title of pure dishonesty. But that is the beauty of this release. It is incredibly self ware of its place within the wider music scene - especially the indie scene that is fixated on being considered 'artistic'. 

Not Art is a more refined Big Scary sound that is still genre-dabbling without feeling like they're still unsure of their sound. There are so many highlights off the album, 'Why Hip Hop Sucks in '13' is a great beat-driven hybrid that gives a direct nod to 90's Hip Hop genius DJ Shadow,'Harmony Sometimes' is a chamber soul song that showcases the pair immense skill for song craft and 'Belgian Blues' is a Jeff Buckley-esque moody track that is the loudest you'll hear the guitars get on the album, but here's 'Twin Rivers' a beautiful floaty piano song that speaks to our inner introvert that would rather just stay at home and listen to music.

Parquet Courts.

There is something about the punk rock formula that allows guitarists to push through the impending arthritis and slam down a crunchy chord on high rotation without it becoming simply boring. What ends up happening is that it creates a platform for the repetitious guitar riff and direct rhythm section to sit back and cruise while the subtle vocal inflections and performative flare shine through and grab the limelight with each passing verse. With Brooklyn post-punk band Parquet Courts,  the limelight is on everything; the hooks are catchy, the lyrics are personable, the instrumentation is creative (keep and ear out for the recorder solo in this song), and the vibe is no bullshit. 'You've Got Me Wondering Now' is the latest single from the guys and it is an honest stab at how shitty your significant other can make you feel. And the lyrics are a good fun read, check them out on their Soundcloud.

Darkside.

With Nicholas Jaar's 2010 record - Space Is Only Noise, we were smacked across the lips with what ambient electronic music could be; a minimalist yet groove-laden deep and spacious sound with an unrivalled crisp-ness. Two years on Jaar teams up with guitarist Dave Harrington for the project they labelled 'Darkside'. It could be speculation, but we like to think that they chose the name as a direct homage to the album that invented space rock. But don't expect to hear rock on their debut LP Psychic, the album is about as definable as the concept - but it's damn good. Who would of thought Harrington's blues guitar licks would sound like a ear full of warm caramel up against Jaar's deep echoey drawl. The two are perfectly mingled - a concept that on paper shouldn't sounds as sonically pleasing but it is a credit to the precise production and complex arrangement of these songs that makes Psychic an incredible piece of music. 'Paper Trails' is the most easily digestible upon first listen of the whole album but if you want more of that spacious ambient funk but don't want to dive into the whole dark abyss of this album head first (although we'd suggest that you're seriously depriving yourself) give 'The Only Shrine Iv'e Seen' a listen next.

Shining Bird.

Leisure Coast is not only the title of Shining Bird's debut album, but an overriding sentiment; a reflection of their unrivalled patriotism to the the stretch of coastline they call home in the New South Wales South coast of Australia. Their music seems to pay homage to the land and culture that brought them up with many nods given to the 1980's Australian music scene and even its television culture. The film clip for "Distant Dreaming" is an absolute throwback which induces an overload of nostalgia - but a very comforting reference to those who fit within its demographic. It is also the single off the recently released album which inundates you with these vibrant floating atmospheres that take you elsewhere -where you'd rather be - the Leisure Coast.

Beck.

Beck has always been praised for his innovations in sound, often being heralded as ahead of his time. Now 43 and 10+ albums deep, Beck is still trying to keep things fresh. He announced the release of an entirely acoustic album sometime this year but before doing so, just to let us know he's still got it, he decided to drop the dramatic single titled 'Defriended.' This track is a darker sound than what he's been churning out over the past few releases, but it still shows off Beck's trademark instrumentation and rhythmic creativity.

Thundercat.

Ladies and Gents the funk is back. Thundercat, bass in hand, continues his genre dabbling transition through various styles, recently sticking on a disco inspired floor filler that Nile Rodgers would surely be tipping his hat to. Stephen Brurner just excites us, his 2011 debut "The Golden Age of Apocalypse" was the first time we were exposed to his brain which revealed more than a few ideas and more than a few killer collaborators. Fellow genius, Steve Ellison AKA Flying Lotus just so happened to be one of those collaborators and their partnership produced some of our favourite tracks from last years "Until the Quiet Comes"but this dream team continues for Thundercat's latest single titled "Oh Sheit it's X". 

Rokwell & Groom.

Perth is one of those little pockets of the world that has a strangely large proportion of cool people living there for its size. Usually you may find a handfull of talented young guitarists with big dreams but perth seems to have a good spattering of talent in all music genres at the moment. Our recent find is Rokwell & Groom, a two part team that features Australia's up and coming art-rock princess Felicity Groom and Diger Rokwell AKA Ash Hosken a producer and instrumentalist who has supported acts such as Bonobo, DJ Krush and Flying Lotus with his creative live shows. This song 'Impossible Alps' is a moody 80's throwback with a modern chill-wave vibe. Groom's ascending, echoing melodies are really well supported by Rokwell's chord progressions on this track. It's something you could have expected from the Eurythmics.

Charles Bradley.

You can hear that Charles Bradley has been a little down on his luck at times. That deep rasp doesn't come without a couple of dry whiskey's accompanied by a few too many cold nights. Soul music may have fallen into a James Brown shaped hole in the last decade but its reinvention will come from those who pour themselves into the music and its themes; fame and popular notoriety is far from Bradley's morning motivators. His second album "Victim Of Love" was released last week and as the title would suggest Bradley tussles with Man's age old nemesis - love.

Born Ruffians.

"Needle", the sneak preview of the new Born Ruffians album begins with a Fleet Foxes-esque interlude as if you'd thought they'd moved on from their signature rompy style and childlike twang, but then - Frontman Luke Lalonde dives head first into one of his catchy-as-all-hell melodies and it is at this very moment that you realise you are not going to get this song out of your head for the rest of the day. The full album is set to release April 16.

Kurt Vile.

You could easily liken Kurt Vile to some of the classic songwriters in music. We think this because he has a sound that seems timeless and effortless because it is so deeply rooted in the past. His acoustic guitar gently compliments his classic vocals like Neil Young did with subtle chord transitions and wandering melodies. "Walking On A Pretty Daze", Vile's third album, comes out April 9 and it'll be a double album full of mellow treats like this song titled 'Never Run Away'.

The Drones.

"I Sea Seaweed", the 4th album from the Australian alternative rock group The Drones, is much like the rest of their releases - full of beautifully crafted and heart-wrenching lyrics, dark, pounding and often incongruent rock riffs but most importantly Gareth Liddiard's raspy vocal melodies. This album is full of quite lengthy ballads, the shortest song [previewed below] clocks in at just over 4 minutes, while the albums curtain call 'Why Write A Letter That You'll Never Send' is a nine minute epic and possible the album's most emotionally charged. Basically if you haven't spent some time with a Drones record you are missing out on quality time with some of the best modern songwriters and interpreters of folk rock music.

Fox + Sui.

Melbourne based duo Andras Fox and Sui Zhen are the architects of a dreamy pop that reminds you of that time when you were 4 foot and curious. Their use of field recordings really compliments a subtle beat and Sui's etherial vocals. They only have an EP out titled "Taboo"but it's amazing and is going cheap on their bandcamp page. If you like I would recommend supporting some talented local artists.

Maxmillion Dunbar.

Dude. What a freakin' fresh sound. We can already tell after less than a handfull of listens that this track titled 'Woo' of Andrew Field-Pickerings's newly released sophomore album "House Of Woo" is going to wet some whistles. Its glistening production quality is a testament to Field-Pickering's hours behind a laptop screen perfecting every single sound on this album. The beats are so crisp and crunchy you could host a party just as an excuse to listen.

Kindness.

Adam Bainbridge is the logical evolution of disco . . and funk . .  and to an extent, house. His style has pushed these genres into a room together and said hey guys lets just see how it sounds. His record "World, You Need A Change Of Mind" was released mid way through last year and it features some vastly interesting and diverse tracks. From the funky slap bass groove 'Doigsong' to the outrageously 80's saxophone triumph in 'That's Alright', but our favourite track is the chillwave melow beat of 'House' which has that bouncy polyrhytmic piano/beat relationship that makes the song just glide on.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Last time we posted about Unknown Mortal Orchestra they didn't even have a photo of themselves on the internet and were reasonably and ironically unknown. What they did have though was a sound original and exciting enough to warrant further attention. Fast forward 2 years and they have a critically acclaimed debut album under their belt and lo-fi sound that is uniquely theirs. This allows UMO to explore all the possible directions within 'their' sound leading to stuff like this r&b throwback titled 'So Good At Being In Trouble'. Stay tuned for their new album due out sometime early next month.

Toro Y Moi.

We feel like we are posting about Toro Y Moi every second month. It's probably because we are though. Chaz Bundick is so prolific he has just released his third full length album in as many years not to mention the EP's he throws out like newspapers. The newest record "Anything in Return" is described by Chaz as a pop-ier album than his signature chillwave predecessors. The criteria he set out for success was whether or not his girlfriend would subconsciously dance to it. Well Chaz, i'm not your girlfriend but i'm dancing. The single 'Say That' is damn groovy and the film clip is subtly hilarious.