Live Review: SOPHIYA, LKGD, ASHWARYA: 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!

SOPHIYA - LINGO

Rising Melbourne MC SOPHIYA has announced her debut EP this week with a bang by releasing a brand new single titled 'LINGO'. It's hard-hitting as usual with production courtesy of PAX, and has that same braggadocios nature we've come to expect from her, but amplified as she raises the bar even further. With the addition of some auto-tuned vocals in between her spitfire rhymes, SOPHIYA showcases her versatility as well as her self-assured nature and we cannot get enough.

LKGD - Star 69 (Ft. Sammy J)

One third of Planet Vegeta, LKGD steps into his own spotlight with 'Star 69'. Teaming up with New Zealand reggae and soul veteran Sammy J, 'Star 69' is an infectious, bubbling RnB bop evoking the likes of Channel Orange-era Frank Ocean with the impressive vocals. An impressive new move for LKGD, consider us hooked!

ASHWARYA - BIRYANI

21-year-old Indian-born Melbourne native ASHWARYA fuses rap, pop, bhangra drumming and R&B trilling on 'BIRYANI'. The eagerly-anticipated follow up to her explosive debut, 'PSYCHO HOLE', we are not over-exaggerating when we say ASHWARYA needs to be on your radar, and 'BIRYANI' only further cements this. It's mind-melting, genreless, dynamic and so fresh, and elevates ASHWARYA as a serious one to watch as she continues to make the second half of 2020 hers.

Woodes - Dancing In The Rain

Titled 'Dancing In The Rain', Woodes provides a bit of comfort and relief with this liberating new single. In a letter to her fans, she said the single is about "making the most out of a tough situation, finding silver linings for growth and change," and is particularly poignant given she's in Melbourne with stage 4 lockdown still in place. The letter also advised of her decision to push back the release of her debut album, Crystal Ball, now out November 13th. While that means we have to wait a little longer to dive into the beautiful world this album will surely be, if 'Dancing In The Rain' (and 'Queen Of The Night' and 'Euphoria' before it) is anything to go by, the wait will be more than worth it.

Didirri - Loose Belt Drive

It's September, the world is burning and the pandemic is still dismantling the world as we know it. So, it's only natural people would start to feel a little (or a lot) burnt out by now. Thankfully, we're not alone, and one particular song this week might give some comfort to those currently going through it. Our favourite troubadour, Didirri, returns with 'Loose Belt Drive'. In his own words, Didirri said, "Loose Belt Drive is a metaphor for anyone feeling worn out, as anything that is belt-driven eventually wears out. It’s a part designed to be replaceable." It's vintage Didirri, and a powerful new single at a time when we need it most.

Brendan Maclean - Gemini

Brendan Maclean follows up his Bop Of The Year, 'Easy Love', with a brand new single titled 'Gemini'. Teaming up with Yeo for production, this new single is an explosive, heartfelt slice of dark pop. It reels you in with its bold verses, but its the hook that completely grabs you. Maclean is no stranger to exceptional pop music, so it is no surprise this would be another winner, but there's something about how well suited his soaring vocals are for the booming bass and hard hitting 808s that make this one of his most exciting moves yet.

Cry Club - Nine of Swords

Coming alongside the news of their debut album due out November 13th, Cry Club are back with a vengeance on 'Nine of Swords'. The noisy-pop duo deliver one of their best efforts yet with this single, complete with a goosebump-inducing chorus featuring pleading vocals courtesy of Heather Riley. The longing in their voice, the desperation and chaotic yearning, makes for a powerful listening experience and one that stays with you long after its finished. All about "overcoming your personal anxieties and moving past the unhealthy coping mechanisms you’ve created," 'Nine of Swords' is Cry Club at their very best.

Kota Banks - Never Sleep (Ninajirachi Remix)

Two of our favourites on one track? We love to see it! Remixing her NLV Records labelmate's single, Ninajirachi takes Kota Banks' 'Never Sleep' straight to the club. In her own words, Banks summed it up when she said, "Ninajirachi IS dance music," and we couldn't agree more. Both having equally exciting years this year, this 'Never Sleep' remix reimagines the already forward-thinking sounds of Kota's original, turning it to a propulsive, glitchy dream. We need more of these two on a track STAT!

Young Franco - Two Feet (Ft. Pell & Dana Williams)

Young Franco’s journey in creating positive spirits is continuing right across 2020 with his new single ‘Two Feet’ featuring Pell and Dana Williams. Stemming from influence from the Beastie Boys and Timbaland, the song began in cypher format with Franco’s hip hop infused grooves and witty self aware bars from Pell, before Dana added her flare to the chorus, and this free-flowing nature and fluid movement allows all three to really shine and elevate the song to a whole new level.

Beabadoobee - Worth It

There is no denying 2020 has been an exceptional year for Beabadoobee. She's one of the UK’s most exciting recent breakthrough artists, and this week she returns with a punchy rock tune custom made for our warmer months ahead. All about "teenage infidelity and the mistakes one can make when they’re tempted to do things," it's more heartfelt indie rock from an artist set to define this year. It also precedes her debut album, Fake It Flowers, out next month, and if 'Worth It' is anything at all to go by, we're in for something special here.

PIRRA - Limousine Lies

Pirra, now based in Wollongong and led by Luritja frontwoman Jess Beck, have released their latest single Limousine Lies; a cruising dancefloor filler that delivers on the introspective lyricism that the group have made their signature. Teaming up with ARIA award winning producer Konstantin Kersting, it's the perfect follow up to the band’s euphoric 2019 track Under The Skyline and February single 'The Peak'.

Images: Sophiya by @fern.ari, LKGD - supplied, Ashwarya by Byron Spencer

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