A revolving cast of contributors showcase some of the best new music releases from the past week.
Eno x Dirty – Easter Eggs & Good Sportsmanship
Easter Eggs & Good Sportsmanship, the debut EP from Auckland hip hop duo Eno x Dirty, has been described by Noisey as a sound that mixes familiarity with a unique approach. “You could say it’s a revivalism, but one that’s done right.”
What's exciting about this new project is that these two are from Grey Lynn. But what matters is the dexterity in Dirty’s lyricism and delivery, mixed with the class in Eno’s production. This debut EP is one you won't regret pushing play on and it deserves to be played on repeat. It's concise from intro to end. – Aleyna Martinez
Helen – ‘Motorcycle’
‘Motorcycle’ is the new single from Oregon-based band Helen, fronted by Liz Harris of Grouper. The track is a stunning piece of music with a wonderful echoey atmosphere that conjures up emotion in a single listen. Unfolding organically, this track references dirge art-rock bands like My Bloody Valentine, and The Pixies, yet simultaneously remains incredibly original and creative.
The intro and outro are excellent, guiding the listener in and out of the track with whispering vocals, their contrast is what really makes the song come alive. Taking trebly guitar vibrations and a raining layer of rhythm engulfing fuzz, the song doesn’t feel stark for a moment.
Despite clocking in at only 1:50, this track is memorable, making it an effective trailer for their upcoming album, but also completely standalone in its own right. – Elizabeth Beattie
Austin Mahone - ‘Dirty Work’
Austin Mahone taps into the nouveau-funk vibe on ‘Dirty Work’, the lead single off his debut studio album. Although the track’s highly questionable lyricism (“girl I’ve been puttin’ in, puttin’ in overtime / you ain’t gotta tell me what’s on your mind”) seems at once overconfident and uncertain about its innuendo, the track has some undeniable hooks courtesy of its bassy synth lines and horn riffs. Mahone sounds and feels similar to Nick Jonas’ recent 80s throwback steez on this, and he’s clearly a vocally talented kid.
Like that other male teenage pop sensation whose name shall not be mentioned, Mahone got his start back in 2010 posting self-recorded videos to YouTube. Less than two years later, he was signed to Universal, named an ambassador for Lil Wayne’s Trukfit clothing line, and later a "Digital and Brand Strategist" for Aquafina… all with only two EPs under his belt. (Either he or someone in his camp has a very solid, if not nuanced, understanding of brand synergy, but I digress.)
Interestingly, the five singles preceding ‘Dirty Work’ were released for free on his Soundcloud page and when he announced the release date for this, fan demand pushed it out early. Mahone’s first album is due out later this year. Consider me curious. – Sarin Moddle
Camera Shy – ‘Colors Radiate’
Lucid and siren-like, Camera Shy is the gentle love child of ex-Whirr singer Alexandra Morte and current bass player of Whirr and Nothing, Nick Bassett (formerly of post-metal band Deafheaven). Both Morte and Bassett are no greenhorns when it comes to creating ambient and illusory soundscapes, with both Whirr and Deafheaven pushing the boundaries of noise rock with - it pains me to use the term – shoegaze-like tendencies. Camera Shy takes a turn down an adjacent road, familiar to these sounds.
‘Colors Radiate’ strips back the thick and ubiquitous noise that drips through every crack in the likes of Whirr and Deafheaven. What is left behind is the infectious melodies and dizzy state of mind. Relaxed acoustic chords play over an unimposing drumbeat washed right over with Alexandra’s ‘verbed out voice. It’s been described as music for making out and it’s hard to disagree. In an impressive but not unsurprising effort from these two, it’s not clear whether this project will continue past this release with both parties heavily involved in other projects, but I do hope so. – Joshua Thomas
What's your pick? Tell us about it in the comments section.
