Sett the Beat

Stewdents! I am back in your midst, the corny jokes, lame innuendos and all round fun that comes with writing this blog has been sorely missed in my life this year! I am now a working man, studying is over and somebody was silly enough to think that hiring me would be a good idea...strange times abound! As I sit in the office staring at yet another report about how badly the global economy is doing I cannot but help myself as I start to daydream about that next amazing track that I will hear in the near future. It is a feeling that I am sure is shared by many of you who do me the courtesy of reading my musical ramblings. So without further ado I will give you your latest fix of musical madness.

1. GOVS - There Comes a Time

First up this weak we have the righteous masterpiece that is GOVS. Dreamy vocals overlaid with towering synth form the base as this song morphs your mind and gets those dear old feet out yours tapping. GOVS have managed to create a sound that easily transitions from half-beat to double beat and back again yet feels like it flows throughout in the easiest manner possible. These Australians really know how to throw a little synth party, I love me a little synth party and you should too!

2. Josh Wantie - Timekeeper

Next up we have something a little bit different, a guitar and vocal driven track from a local Durban talent and all round legend 'Josh Wantie', His latest track has got to be the pick of the bunch, it starts off sounding similar to a lot of singer-songwriter stuff that has been coming out lately but the song manages to captivate you with a melody that angels would be proud of and a sneaky little beat that gets the head bopping along, it has found its way onto my playlist that is dominated by indie-pop at the moment and that is no mean feat. It will find a snug little spot in your heart as Mr Wantie croons his way through your life.

3. HONNE - The Night

The middle of this week's playlist comes courtesy of the UK's HONNE, the duo have been putting together some rather inspired R&B lately, I'm gonna be honest and say that I'm just about as white as they comes, I pretty much define the expectation of a white man in South Africa...I look like Mr Bean when I dance, I love a spot of tennis on the weekend and I scream loudly at the TV during any sporting program where my team is playing (It doesn't help that I support Newcastle United who tend to lose more often than not). All this being said...even I feel that I can groove along to this stellar track from the duo. It exudes soul and sass and makes you get down and dirty with the beat while the vocals keep your head above water for a little bit of air to keep you grooving on. It was said best by another blogger 'they seamlessly blend sensual percussion, light synths, and evocative vocals to create another captivating down-tempo offering'. Go get your groove on!

4.  Dustin Tebbutt - The Breach

Another Australian makes his way onto one of my playlists. This haunting track comes courtesy of New England local, that's the Australian version of NE there, 'Dustin Tebbutt'. Apparently Mr. Tebbutt moved up to Sweden for 2 years to record music in the extreme cold...I for one am more fond of a sneaky cold beer on a sunny beach than the cold but I could never have scuplted the masterpiece that is 'The Breach'. The sprawling track carries the feel of the icy winter that morphs into a a beautiful spring as the song moves from verse to verse. It tells the story of a man coming back the warmth of the sun! Yeah I got deep there guys, don't hate now...once you listen you too will get all deep and 'feely' as well.

5. Albany Lore - The Cynic's Surrender

The final track this week is a powerful ballad from none other than Matt Rightford. Well the track pretends to be a ballad and then around 1 minute in it morphs into a symphonic orgy that is beautifully driven by vocals that manage to transcend the synth, sax various sounds that characterize this beautiful debut from a local lad. I cannot get over how beautifully this track is put together, it has pervaded my conscious and lodged in my brain for months on end. I cannot do it justice with words alone, it effortlessly takes you to another place altogether and oh boy that place is spectacular. I am waxing lyrical about this track because it is THAT good!

That's it for this week's playlist! See you again soon!

The Prodigal Son Returns

The stew is back baybaaaaay! It has been far too long since I have gotten around to providing the internet with my favourite form of indulgence...its music for all of those who's minds took a trip into the gutter! This honours year is finally slowing down and I have had some time to breathe once again, in the interim I have accumulated over 100 tracks that need to be shared with you all, so without further ado its time for the music to take centre stage!

1. New Navy - Heaven

First up this week is some dreamy indie-pop from Aussie kids New Navy. These Sydney natives just inspire me to pick up a good book, put my feet up and take a relaxing bath with 'Heaven'. Smoothe vocals, beats that just bubble under the surface as the song builds up and an aura of serenity pervade throughout as 'I could be in heaven' washes over your soul...these guys really make a good go at taking me beyond with this song. Definitely a song for a chilled afternoon in the sun!

2. Salt Cathedral - Holy Soul

Next up we have some charming female-lead indie-pop from the opposite side of the world. Salt Cathedral are 3 piece band based out of New York who have been performing together for around a year and a half now. Their sound is one of undertsated elegance, intro effortlessly leads into verse and into subsequent chorus, all lead by the soaring vocals of Julianna Ronderos. She is ably supported by a beat you can get your hips into and some snyth being artfully used throughout the track. One could even compare them to the early work done by London Grammar, that is high praise indeed from me!

3. Klo. - Make me Wonder

Oh hawt dayuuuuum, this track is a sizzler, it makes a white boy like me want to attempt to groove (it ain't a pretty sight). A beat to die for, vocals that gives a grown man goosebumbs and production levels way up high. This is one of my favorite tracks from the entire year, it has been blaring from my tiny car speakers for months. The duo from Melbourne have only just started to make waves on the scene but with some more offereings like this I can't see why they won't be huge. Even after months of listening I have yet to find a part of the song that does'nt seem to fit perfectly. I cannot be effusive enough in my praise for this duo! Get on it and listen!!

4. cx1331 - Unit

Yes that title is correct, that is the artist and track name. This sneaky little track popped up a few months ago and has RAC written all over it, beats that inspire a smile even on a rainy day, a groove to get those shoulders popping and all round a hell of a good time. Every time this track pops up it brightens up my day and makes me wish that I had half of the beat-making ability that this guy has. I'm actually just going to stop now and tell you to go and have a listen, you won't regret it.

5. The Whitest Boy Alive - Burning

The final track this week is an ode to a group that broke up earlier this year. WBA have been inspiring writers in coffee shops all over the world for the last few years now, their musicality and groove just fits right in with a perfect flat white and a laptop screen, even now I can feel the creative juices flowing, this is a very rare thing for me. Sadly they are no longer with us but we can enjoy their back catalogue or alternatively one can listen to 'Kings of Convenience' which has the same front man and who are one of my favourite bands of all time.

Thats it for this week. I don't want to spoil you too much just yet, too much good music and your ears may not cope! I hope that you all have a fantastic week and that these tracks brighten up your days as much as they do mine. See you all again next time!