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Live Review: Tkay Maidza, SVNO, Greentea Peng: Best Songs of The Week

7 August 2020 | 10:49 am | Emma Jones

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!

Tkay Maidza - You Sad

Coming alongside her new EP, Last Year Was Weird Vol. 2, also out today, Tkay Maidza shakes things up again with 'You Sad'. We've already heard 'Shook', 'Awake' ft. JPEGMAFIA and 'Don't Call Again' ft Kari Faux, with each release adding something different to the Tkay catalogue and further cementing the fact that she is one of the most versatile, ambitious and exciting artists around right now. There is no one doing what Tkay is doing, and if there was any doubt at all about this, her new EP puts that firmly to rest. Absolutely here for it!

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SVNO - Like We Do (Ft. J Emz)

The coming together of members of two of Australia's most exciting hip hop outfits is a momentous occasion, and that's exactly what we have here with Planet Vegeta's SVNO tapping ONEFOUR's J Emz for a formidable new release in 'Like We Do'. SVNO's voice is positively glorious, taking us all to church with his powerfully soulful delivery, while J Emz shows just why ONEFOUR are one of the biggest hip hop forces in the world right now with his verse. A fittingly big moment for two rising stars!

GREENTEA PENG - Hu Man

After coming across GREENTEA PENG thanks to her feature on The Streets' 'I Wish You Loved You as Much as You Loved Him' earlier this year, I've been hooked. This week, she returns with the warm breeze that is her new single, 'Hu Man'. Featuring a finger-plucked guitar, a Bossa Nova groove and her signature rich and husky vocals, GREENTEA PENG offers up a meditative response to these troubled times and while it might sounded easy breezy on first listen, reveals itself as a much deeper commentary on identity, ego, and how we need to remember to keep unity and peace at the front of our minds.

Swish Music, DC Ralph, AG Supreme - Blow ft. Dau Dau, Unamii, Showt!me

The Queensland collective hits another home run with their latest release, 'Blow'. Off the back of 'Showtime' and a remix of the track featuring NERVE and HOODZY, 'Blow' not only sees Dau Dau and Unamii proving they are serious forces to watch in the scene, but also introduces us to DC RalphAG Supreme and Showt!me who are all now very much on our radar. Read our quick chat with the collective here and get on board: Swish Music is just getting started!

Omar Apollo - Stayback

Coming alongside the news that his debut album is on the way, Omar Apollo delivers a downtempo, laidback groove with 'Stayback'. He's been hailed by NME as 2020's answer to Prince, and if that wasn't evident before, the comparison rings true more than ever on 'Stayback'. With a bass line that would make Thundercat fans very happy indeed and electrifying guitar flourishes, Omar Apollo's dramatic vocal performance takes centre stage as he takes you through the snaking single, acting as a sort-of guide through the unpredictable but entirely captivating song. It's an exciting new development from the globally-rising star, and one that has us very excited indeed come album time.

Sasha Sloan - Lie

Sad girl Sasha Sloan has announced her debut album is on the way this week and is heralding its arrival with a stunning new single titled 'Lie'. It features her gorgeous vocals over blooming atmospherics, heavenly guitars and a crisp beat to create a swirling daydream of a song you can't help but get lost in. In a video on social media, Sloan gave fans a little bit of an insight into what we might expect from the record saying each song represents a different side of who she is, from the girl who hates what she sees in the mirror to the girl who made her teenage self proud, and if 'Lie' is anything to go by, we're in for something seriously special.

Machinedrum - Kane Train (Ft Freddie Gibbs)

Quickly becoming one of this year's most anticipated albums, Machinedrum has announced a new record is on the way and celebrated the news by releasing a new single with none other than Freddie Gibbs. Titled 'Kane Train', it's Freddie at his absolute best, and is one of many, many collaborations on the album. Chrome SparksRochelle JordanSub FocusFather and more are all along for the ride, and with this record clocking in at Machinedrum's NINTH album, we can be assured this is going to be something seriously good.

GRAACE - Body Language

Over a bass-y beat, Graace makes her welcome return on new single 'Body Language'. Once again working with Hayden James after the resounding success of James' smash-hit 'Numb', the pair deliver an impressive new sound for Graace, settling into a more electro-pop vibe with this latest release. It's seductive, bold and alluring, and shows Graace still has plenty more left to give. We can't wait to hear more.

Kuya James - Why Dem Pills? Ft. Stevie Jean

Two of the NT's finest, Kuya James taps labelmate Stevie Jean for 'Why Dem Pills?'. What originated as a joke between Kuya James and songwriter/fellow Settle Down Records family member Serina Pech making fun of some particular rappers turned into a downtempo, groove-laden jam with Stevie Jean providing the perfect vocals for Kuya James's rich production. Following on from 'Sabaw' featuring Serina Pech and 'Trust' featuring Emily Wurramara, 'Why Dem Pills?' is the third single from the NT producer and comes alongside the news his debut album, ISA, is on the way — a record we are now very eagerly anticipating.

Jonny Reebok - Aphrodite Dub

Longtime Purple Sneakers readers might be across the name Jonny Reebok as we've been lucky enough to have been along for the ride for two years now (!!!). So, it gives us great joy to see the promising producer join the ranks at one of our favourite labels, Soothsayer. The tastemaking crew has snapped him up and is getting ready to release a AA side, sharing the first taste today. Titled 'Aphrodite Dub', the immersive track is an impressive and immersive cut from the producer who said it was inspired by a desire to “create dark, heavy club music and keep you on all ten toes with bass heavy direction." Mixing UKG, jungle and dub, it's a cruisy track that packs a serious punch when it comes to showing off Reebok's refined production skills, and one that has us very keen indeed to see what else he's had cooking.

Words by Emma Jones

Images: All supplied

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