Live Review: #TrustedForTaste Best Songs of The Week — March 5

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!

Genesis Owusu - Easy

Genesis Owusu released his debut album, Smiling With No Teeth, this week, which doubles as one of the best records of this year. It might only be March and therefore very early to make that call, but you only need to hear the record once to know this rings true. In an album filled with so many moments and highlights, it's hard to pick just one to feature in this playlist, however 'Easy' particularly shines bright given its clever subversion of the narrative of a failed relationship to instead reflect that of BIPOC and life under colonisation. Owusu remains one of the country's finest artists, and Smiling With No Teeth is a major moment in 2021.

Jesswar - XXL

With the long awaited release of her debut EP, Tropixx, out today, Jesswar levels up. Across six tracks, including previous releases 'Medusa' and 'Venom', she displays a menacing ferocity, hungry ambition and an outright refusal to be pigeon holed or told how to be. Alongside the EP's release comes some absolutely stunning visuals for 'XXL', the final track on the EP and one of Jesswar's finest moments to date. Filmed at Phoenix Central Park, choreographed by Bhenji Ra and directed by Natasha Foster at Entropico, Jesswar once again creates space to spotlight and celebrate female power and community. In her own words, she said of the release, "XXL is big, this video is a statement that our community gets bigger, more acknowledged, together." Watch the clip HERE.

Personal Growth - One Of The Better Days

Just weeks after releasing his latest single 'Healing Process', Brisbane/Meanjin producer Personal Growth has unveiled one final taste before the release of his debut album next week. The single, 'One Of The Better Days', this single marks a significant shift in energy from its counterpart with an overall uplifting vibe. Starting off with a sparse, atmospheric moment, Personal Growth kicks things right into gear for a booming, full-throttle and glistening rise. It's restrained and controlled, and has us very excited indeed for the official release of Healing Process next week.

Donatachi - Cry

Just in time for this year’s Eora/Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Eora/Sydney producer Donatachi has released a cover of the 1998 track “Cry” from Australian band The Mavis's. In their own words, Donatachi said, “I grew up in a tiny town with less than 100 people and being able to see these five weirdos on Rage wearing iridescent crop tops, platform sneakers and pink contacts absolutely shred really had such an effect on me. I’ve wanted to pay homage to this perfect pop song for so long and I hope that it can give a queer kid somewhere the same feeling of belonging that The Mavis's gave me.” It's hyperpop perfection, and a showcase of just why Donatachi remains a firm favourite of ours here at Purple Sneakers.

Pacific Heights - In Bloom (Ft. Georgia Lines)

Following on from two stellar singles at the end of 2020 and one already stunning single this year, Pacific Heights once again gives us immersive, emotional, yearning electronica with 'In Bloom'. Teaming up with Georgia Lines, 'In Bloom' is a euphoric, sonic hug in the verses, and a summer dance party in the hook and we cannot get enough. Turn this one up and let it all out.

Mel Blue - Endlessly

Purveyors of soulful, feel-good RnB, PS favourites Mel Blue return with another groove-laden funk cut in 'Endlessly'. Complete with another earworm hook, 'Endlessly' is a seductive, intergalactic floor filler which shows Mel Blue upping the ante and delving further into disco stylings a la SG Lewis. We couldn't love it more. Dive in!

Andras - Scallops

The king Andras returns with a double release this week titled 'Scones/Scallops'. Just in time for Bandcamp Friday, these tracks are the perfect tonic for a trouble week with the gentle but chugging 'Scallops' whisking us away to better times. The prolific producer just does not miss, and 'Scones/Scallops' is the latest example of this.

Emotional Oranges - Body & Soul (Ft. Biig Piig)

We love ourselves a bit of Biig Piig here at Purple Sneakers, and she sounds absolutely glorious on the new collab with Emotional Oranges titled 'Body & Soul'. Taken from Emotional Oranges' forthcoming JUICEBOX project, this soulful, RnB infused, groove-driven track is as feel-good as it gets.

Charley - Hard For Me

Eora/Sydney-based, Bundjalung/Gold Coast-raised Charley is a newcomer on the scene making waves with the release of her debut single, 'Hard For Me'. It's a fun, honest and glossy pop bop which showcases Charley's exceptional vocals over bouncing, spacious production, and has us hoping there's plenty more where this came from.

Lily Papas - Freak

Lily Papas returns with her fourth and most impressive single yet in 'Freak' this week. Channeling her inner Lana Del Rey, she lets herself be taken over by the dark side for the night and gives into the intoxication that came from being mesmerised by her partner in a pivotal moment for them both. It's expansive, refined and shows off another side to Papas that we hope to see more of.

Words by Emma Jones

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

#TRUSTEDFORTASTE BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK — FEBRUARY 26

#TRUSTEDFORTASTE BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK — FEBRUARY 12