Live Review: #TrustedForTaste Best Songs of The Week — February 12

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!

Jesswar - Medusa

One of our Artists to Watch for 2021, Jesswar is wasting no time making this year hers with not only the release of a new single but the news her debut EP, Tropixx, is on the way. 'Medusa' is just as booming, badass and braggadocios as her 2020 'single 'Venom' with Jesswar taking absolutely no prisoners as she shows off exactly what she can do. It's all systems go for Jesswar.

Cakes Da Killa, Proper Villains - What's The Word

After they released the immediately iconic Muvaland last year, Cakes Da Killa and Proper Villains are back for more this week with the release of 'What's The Word'. It's another driving slice of house with Cakes Da Killa's rapid rhymes, making for an irresistible heater to really kick off your socially distanced weekend ahead.

Ninajirachi & Kota Banks - Secretive!

Two of our favourites are back together and we couldn't be happier. Ninajirachi and Kota Banks join forces on another new track following their collaborative 2020 EP, True North. Picking right up where they left off, it's a fast paced, sassy and addicting release showing off just why these two are so damn good. Check out the incredible visuals here too:

Gordon Koang - South Sudan (Andras House Remix)

South Sudan superstar and beacon of happiness and positivity Gordon Koang has shared a brand new release this week, recruiting the ever-exceptional Andras for a special remix of his song 'South Sudan'. Taking from a forthcoming remix EP, South Sudan / Y Dah (Remixes), the release will be comprised of re-workings of tracks from his recent album, Unity, and this one kicks things off in real style. Featuring a hypnotic house rhythm, this new version of 'South Sudan' showcases the harmonious amalgamation of distinct styles coming together as one. It's a dream.

Close Counters - Speak In Truth (Ft. Allysha Joy)

Another absolute favourite of ours, Close Counters is back this week with another total jam in 'Speak In Truth'. This time tapping the always brilliant Allysha Joy for some sensational vocals, her voice is the perfect accompaniment for the shuffling, soulful, broken beat production from the duo, melding together house, neo-soul, hip-hop and disco. It's a switch up in styles and one we can get behind.

Personal Growth - Healing Process

Brisbane producer and Southbound affiliate Personal Growth has released the title track from his forthcoming new album, Healing Process. Revealing the forthcoming record on social media, he said "last year was [an] absolute mess for my mental health and through all of that I've written a few songs documenting the up's and downs's of it whether they be good or bad it's all just apart of the healing process." We love the sentiment! 'Healing Process' is an intense slow burn for fans of Shlohmo's more eerie material. Complete with spooky, rising synths, crashing percussion and a shuffling beat, it trudges its way to a glorious summit before dissipating and leaving you completely transformed, much like the journey its named after. Listen to it on Bandcamp here.

L. Flora - Poison Ivy

Brisbane band L. Flora return with the warm glow only brilliant neo-soul can provide in their new single 'Poison Ivy'. Using poison ivy as a metaphor for the toxic nature of jealousy and how it entangles the mind, this new single is an impressive level up from the band's 2018 debut album, and paints an exciting picture of what might be to come from the band when their new EP drops March 12th. Get lost in the soulful, emotive world of 'Poison Ivy'!

Westerman - Drawbridge (Unknown Mortal Orchestra Remix)

Following on from his 2020 album, Your Hero Is Not Dead, Westerman has now released a remix of his song 'Drawbridge' courtesy of none other than Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Taking the originally acoustic introduction to the album, UMO flip it upside down and inside out, turning it into a reverb-drenched psychedelic freakout for a trip down the rabbit hole. It's short and sweet, clocking in under two minutes, but it's more than enough to whisk you far, far away.

Leon Vynehall - Mothra

Alongside the news his second album is on the way, Leon Vynehall gifted us with not one but two new singles this week. Paired with 'Ecce! Ego'!, 'Mothra' is a slowly unfurling, skittering and atmospheric release which showcases the meticulous, intricate nature of Vynehall's work, and has us very eager to hear more from Rare, Forever ahead of its April 30th release via Ninja Tune. Read our interview with Leon here.

KUČKA  - No Good For Me

It was a big week for KUČKA this week with the news that her long awaited debut album, Wrestling, is on the way (read more here). To celebrate, she also released another new single in the form of 'No Good For Me', and we are obsessed. It's KUČKA's fantastical but relatable artistry on full display, and is a single that unveils more and more of itself with each listen. It's officially KUČKA season!

Words by Emma Jones

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

#TRUSTEDFORTASTE BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK — FEBRUARY 5

#TRUSTEDFORTASTE BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK — JANUARY 22