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Live Review: Willaris. K serves a double helping of electronic mastery with new two-track release

18 December 2018 | 11:23 am | Clare Neal

WILLARIS. K (aka Jack McAllister to friends and fam) is one artist who has seemingly sprung up overnight like an exotic mushroom in a deep electro-mood...

WILLARIS. K (aka Jack McAllister to friends and fam) is one artist who has seemingly sprung up overnight like an exotic mushroom in a deep electro-mood cave. To wrap up a stellar 2018, the producer has dropped a two track (but by no means small) release featuring the lead single ‘Natural Selection’ and second track ‘Cobaki Sky (Prequel)’. The former track was premiered on the notorious Aussie radio show triple j's Good Nights and the latter via Soothsayer, communicating big vibes to big audiences across Australia and beyond.

Although this release only quantifies two tracks, it is clear that McAllister has delivered quality over quantity, with over twelve minutes of listening time equating to an indulgent amount of new noise. Lead single ‘Natural Selection’ is a hefty eight minute mood setter and positively a narrative to any keen ear, as cheeky chika-chicka drums set the pace early on. The track gradually intensifies as new sounds are introduced into the mix to climatic effect before mellowing out into an echoing end. It’s a punch in the face from a boxer in fluffy gloves (read: hard hitting but soft enough that the sensation is moreish).

Second track ‘Cobaki Sky (Prequel)’ is undeniably another sweet tune à la Willaris. K, but completely different in terms of structure and atmosphere. This track is half the length of ‘Natural Selection’ and serves as more of an ominous, linear soundscape, perhaps a “prequel” of things to come. Echoing synth oscillations contrast with the almost random punctuations of some other amazing noise that straddles the timbres of both a piano and chimes. I imagine that if you were to listen to the sounds of nature on an alien planet, it might sound something like ‘Cobaki Sky (Prequel)’.

[embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/4SImgEowx7ER9gLW6vBhPk?si=G1GnQMk_R62hTzJtQvqgnw[/embed]

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This release serves as the first since Willaris. K dropped his debut Alchemy EP earlier this year, a body of work that saw him sell out shows all around Australia and cement his name into the pavement of the Aussie electronica scene.

Having already landed spots on HUGE festival lineups, including Coachella, Watergate Berlin, BIGSOUND, Laneway, Spilt Milk and Splendour, McAllister is set to bring his skills to the stage again soon with performances at Beyond The Valley, Lost Paradise and Days Like These festivals across Victoria and New South Wales as we roll into the new year.

Exhausting and inspiring, watching the growth of Willaris. K will surely be a great pleasure for the artist's rapidly growing fanbase.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

29 December - Beyond The Valley - VIC

30 December - Lost Paradise - NSW

9 March 2019 - Days Like This - NSW

+ More Australian and international shows announced soon

Photo by Brock McFadzean

Words by CLARE NEAL

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