Melbourne’s dreamy psych-jam specialists, Beaches, have finally released their second full-length album, She Beats, and it’s a sneaky little gem. If you’re not familiar with them, Beaches is a band of five women who have a penchant for making swirling, droney music with overdriven guitars and insistent bass lines. On She Beats, the band refines…
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Of all the genres of music that have a firm place in popular culture, hip hop appears to be the most damaging to women. That is, it presents a picture of females as bitches, as sexually aggressive groupies and as nothing more than an arse with no personality. This has led to hip hop artists…
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With Savages’ Silence Yourself, there is no wastage. There is no excess, nothing superfluous, nothing unnecessary. It’s obvious that this is the result of a very conscious decision. The album’s monochromatic artwork includes a passage aimed directly at the listener, demanding that they block out all the noisy distractions of the modern world and just…
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Ethereal, floaty and lyrically complex, Cromwell’s debut LP, Lobotany proves that this band has promise. Coming out of Canberra, Cromwell comprises of Becki Whitton (vocals), SSSDDDGGG (guitars and pedals) and Dave Flutsch (drums). Their music is difficult to describe – intricate melodies mingle with Whitton’s incredible voice to create soundscapes that are unique and delicate….
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Kurt Vile’s Wakin on a Pretty Daze would be the soundtrack to a movie about someone’s languid, lonely life. It feels like an ode to the spacious corner of our minds, the one that contains mumbled fantasies and quiet dreams. This album encompasses a sprawling, unhurried sound that draws you into Kurt’s mind. The album is bookended…
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Munro Melano’s debut EP Running Round is short and sweet – but it’s the kind of short and sweet that leaves you hungry for more and a little dissatisfied that the three-track EP wasn’t a full-length album instead. Although it’s a quick listen, Running Round does not disappoint. With a slow, steady drum intro and…
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‘Dreams are like stars. They’re there during the day, but you just can’t see them’. That’s the Carl Sagan quote that Gareth Liddiard of The Drones paraphrases to explain the music on the band’s sixth studio album, I Sea Seaweed. If I’d been hoping to get a solid answer about the album’s concept, I would…
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The vibrancy and animation you find in the Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s debut self-titled album is a genuine ear opener. Composed of seasoned professional musicians who have perfected the ability to improvise, their overall sound can be described as nothing short of fresh and magical. Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio, Bomba, Bustomento), whom I was…
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Glow, last year’s EP from guitarist and composer Kaki King sees a return to her guitar-driven roots. Complex and constantly evolving, her sound has captivated audiences over her 10 year career. Set to tour Australia in May, the talented musician spoke to Lip about her inspirations, her favourite works and travelling. Some artists prefer to…
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I’ve been going on a massive new music binge of late, combining old favourites with some new discoveries. Telling you I’m doing so, but not sharing, would be a tease, so this week I’m bringing you a top 10 list of Aussie songstresses from the last ten years or so. Some you may not have…
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Teen Girl Scientist Monthly is the kind of band name that sees you saying it twice just to make sure you got it right the first time. In contrast, their new album, from the strong bass and feisty vocals of the very first track, makes it easy to understand what they’re all about. Modern…
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Janine Rostron is a bit of a personal hero of mine- I’m just going to chuck that disclaimer out right from the start. Go and watch her latest single Misxgyny Drxp Dead under the moniker Planningtorock and you’ll know exactly where my kiddish adoration springs from. Her commitment to pushing boundaries in sound, video and…
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Enigmatic. Mysterious. At times exuding such warmth that the listener cannot help but melt. Haunting. Evocative. Beautiful. Brighter Later’s The Wolves is all of these things. Casual listeners beware, this record demands attention. The Wolves is the debut LP from the Melbourne-based collective (primarily the musical outlet of writer, radio producer and songwriter Jaye Kranz)….
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The conceit of Rumer’s (née Sarah Joyce) album Boys Don’t Cry, is simple—it’s a cover album of lesser-known songs from the seventies by male artists. Rumer’s deep vocals inhabit each track fully, imbuing every song with a bittersweet strength. The selection of tracks is such that each complements another and is done with care, to…
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