Live Review: Handsome, BBG Smokey, George Alice: Best Songs of The Week

Each week, we receive countless submissions of exciting new music, so we’ll be taking you through a weekly wrap up of all our favourite new tunes every Friday called #TrustedForTaste. Follow our Spotify playlist to never miss our updates!

For more new music and news, head to the Purple Sneakers website. Read on for new music from Handsome feat Essie Holt, BBG Smokey, George Alice, Kota Banks, Lily Papas, Marcus Whale, Kuya James, and Jordan F.

Handsome - The Walker (Ft. Essie Holt)

A triple treat of goodness, Handsome has teamed up with Essie Holt for a cover of Christine and the Queens. Taken from Remote Control's new compilation Bloom and Simmer (out June 26th), you can really hear just how much Handsome loves this song and its this that makes this release so special to listen to. Speaking of the release, she said, "There are so many elements that excite me about releasing this song. Its political sentiment is both educational and powerful. Making this song with Essie Holt was truly wonderful. It just felt so right - to release a cover of a song by a queer woman, with two queer women about the power of our community, in pride month. Hopefully, it is a reminder to some that we are here for each other." I could not get enough of this if I tried!

BBG SMOKEY - GUIDANCE

The second release from Melbourne collective 66 Records comes from BBG Smokey. Titled 'Guidance', it's a hard-hitting trap-infused track for fans of Roddy Rich that shows BBG Smokey's fierce skills on the mic. Speaking of the track, he said, “I made ‘Guidance’ when I was in pain; my brothers getting locked up, like my brother G Murda was locked up at that time. The current situation I face in life is when one brother goes in, another brother comes out; that's the pattern, only if all my brothers was out at the same time. But “Guidance” is also about the people that betrayed me that I used to call my brothers. Anyways I’m now locked up so free me. #FREESMOKEY."

George Alice - Stuck In A Bubble

George Alice might only be 17 but she is making music far beyond her years. Returning this week with the highly anticipated follow up to her massive debut track 'Circles', the South Australian artist is now two for two when it comes to indie pop bops. Teaming up with NASAYA, 'Stuck In A Bubble' is in the same vein of BENEE or CLAIRO in that its instantly relatable in its lyrics, immediately infectious in its undeniable hook and so much fun to listen to with unsuspecting arrangements and production. Speaking of her new single, George Alice said she hopes it "can be heard as an anthem for people young and old who feel like their ground isn’t steady, they don’t have plans, and ultimately are just a little confused about the world around them." We can probably expect this is going to be another big year for the rising star, and we're here for it!

Kota Banks - Let U Leave

Queen Kota Banks is back with another future smash hit this week in 'Let U Leave'. Once again teaming up with the incomparable SWICK, this time she is channelling Craig David and UKG to deliver an uptempo pop anthem that sees Banks swap her undeniable sass for a slightly softer side. Speaking of her new single she said, “The song’s about my constant struggle to be vulnerable and talk about my feelings... it’s not my forte and I often pay the price. I was looking back on situations with the benefit of hindsight, so there’s a hint of nostalgia, a bit of disappointment in myself, and also the feeling of sweetness/ innocence/newness that I seem to want to freeze before time ruins it.” It's another slam dunk for Australia's queen of futuristic pop!

Lily Papas - Jackson

Lifted from a forthcoming LP out later this year, Lily Papas is set to impress with her latest single. Titled 'Jackson', the rising star pairs her absolutely gorgeous vocals with gentle guitar plucks and lush dream-pop production to create a total winner of a song. Speaking of her new single, Papas opened up saying, "Jackson came from a feeling of wanting to move on from a hurtful place I had trapped myself in for a long time. It’s about a relationship that began with lies and distrust and how the deceit consumed me. We fell in love and have this beautiful relationship, but the pain of the dishonesty is still haunting me. ‘Jackson’ is about my own inner battle but also about the feelings of the relationship." Influenced by the likes of London Grammar, Lily Papas is wasting no time making this year hers and with singles like 'Jackson' under her belt, there's no stopping her.

Marcus Whale - Lucifer

Marcus Whale returns this week with 'Lucifer', the title track of his forthcoming new album out July 24. Following on from previous singles 'A Ghost' and 'Proud and Dirty', this latest single sees Whale delve further into the world he has spent the last four years creating. According to a press release, the Lucifer album "mines the grand drama of good and evil from Catholicism to make a case for Lucifer, the brightest and most beautiful angel, as a light for those forsaken by God." While previous releases from this album explored deep and dark club sounds, on the title track we hear Whale lean into a more spacious sound. His incredible voice is on full display here as he delivers an utterly stunning vocal performance above hums, atmospherics and threatening production, masterfully combining for an arresting, captivating and evocative listening experience.

Kuya James - Trust Ft Emily Wurramara

Back for round two this week, Northern Territory producer KUYA JAMES returns with his second single of 2020 in 'Trust'. Following on from the hard-hitting 'Sabaw' featuring Serina Pech, Kuya James doubles down on the hypnotic grooves and richly textured beats in 'Trust' featuring the incredible Emily Wurramara. The result is a masterclass in exciting production and expert songwriting, and we cannot get enough.

Jordan F - Need You (Ft. Fluir)

Sydney producer Jordan F is here with a technicoloured groove to kickstart your weekend. Teaming up with Fluir, 'Need You' is his latest effort and sits somewhere between Tuxedo, SG Lewis and Cosmo's Midnight in how downright funk-filled and effervescent it is, encapsulating the promise and rush of a summer night. Fluir sounds absolutely sublime with her hushed vocals swirling in the mix, and together the pair deliver a much-needed burst of warmth for these cold winter nights.

Words by Emma Jones

Images: Supplied

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

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