Live Review: #TrustedForTaste Best Songs of The Week — March 19

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!

Gordon Koang - Y Dah (Sleep D Remix)

After already sharing Andras' impeccable remix of his song 'South Sudan', Gordon Koang has now unveiled a new remix EP and the second single, this time care of Sleep D. The duo stepped up to remix 'Y Dah', keeping the original melody and track in tact while switching things up and moving 'Y Dah' into a chugging, shifting, restrained electronic cut. Released today via Music In Exile, the combination of Koang, Andras and Sleep D is a real moment in Australian electronic music. We hope this isn't the last we hear from them all working together.

Sofia Kourtesis - Juntos

Released today via Ninja Tune's Technicolor imprint, Berlin-via-Peru's Sofia Kourtesis has released her third EP titled Fresia Magdelena. Her finest work to date, Fresia Magadelena marks a pivotal moment in her journey as an artist as she infuses more of herself than ever before, and even featuring her own vocals. 'Juntos' is a highlight among many, with Kourtesis' unique approach to house and dance music created by a peculiar, eccentric and thoroughly authentic approach on full display.

Juno Mamba - Siargao Dreams

Nearly a year on from the release of his debut EP, Light Echoes, Juno Mamba has returned with a brand new single titled 'Siargao Dreams'. A reminder (not that we ever forgot) of the deeply emotive, provocative and intricate music he makes, Juno Mamba delivers another propulsive, meticulous and transportive slice of blissful yet commanding electronica on this new single. It's still that rich, expansive, all-consuming sound we've come to love from him, but with a refined edge that only comes from experience. Moving from a cautious trickle to a racing rush before completely disappearing just as it threatens to take over completely, 'Siargao Dreams' has us eagerly anticipating that there's plenty more where this came from.

Das Druid - Without It

Meanjin/Brisbane band Das Druid is back in 2021 with an extra member, a newly re-invigorated sound and plenty of music waiting to be heard. They're kicking things off with the blissful 'Without It', and while they're maintaining that Madchester vibe they've been exploring since their inception, there's an added lushness to this new single that has us totally hooked. Gentle piano keys float above a chugging drum line, while soft atmospherics swirl with the echoing vocals to create a warm haze you want to get lost in. We can't wait to hear more.

Telenova - Bones

We heard the first taste of the newly minted Pointer Recordings last week with 'Heatsink' by Imbi and Slim Set, and today the Remote Control imprint is back for round two with Telenova's 'Bones'. Comprised of Angeline Armstrong, alongside Edward Quinn (Slum Sociable) and Joshua Moriarty (Miami Horror), 'Bones' is cinematic indie pop at its finest. It sounds at once nostalgic while thoroughly modern, and is sure to get stuck in your head from the very first listen. Not that we're complaining with vocals like Angeline's!

Folamour - The Journey (Ft. Zeke Manyika)

Following on from his earlier single 'Just Want Happiness', French export Folamour continues his shake up of any and all expectations placed upon him with the release of 'The Journey'. Featuring Zeke Manyika, this is also the title track of his forthcoming new album out this July, and is an innovative take on deep house with Manyika's vocals floating above the pulsing production. Folamour said 'The Journey' is "directly resulting from the will to concentrate a lived experience, a piece of life in a text, in a moment of music inviting to plunge into this story," and is the perfect formal introduction to what is sure to be a seriously impressive album.

Birdz - Fly (Ft. Ngaiire)

Naarm/Melbourne's Birdz has tapped Ngaiire for his brand new single, 'Fly', out today via Bad Apples. Easily the most uplifting single you'll hear this week, 'Fly' speaks to the strength and beauty of resilience, and showcases the explosive results of when two powerhouses come together united by purpose. Birdz said of the single, “As Indigenous people, we carry with us the oldest living cultures in the world. That’s something sacred that no one can ever take from us - it’s that energy that holds our heads up high no matter what the world throws at us.” Produced by trials, 'Fly' is a powerful fusion of Birdz' hard-hitting hip hop and Ngaiire's incredible singing. Can't get enough.

Matahara - Blue Dreams

We had the pleasure of introducing Matahara recently with the premiere of her recent single, 'Alas, Alas'. Today, she releases her debut EP titled Triple Alliteration, which features brand new single 'Blue Dreams', and confirms her place as an artist to watch indeed. Blending pop, electronic, dance and RnB, Triple Alliteration is a fearless exploration of Matahara's experiences with romance, break ups, loneliness and the realities she faced when leaving behind her home to make a new one in a new country. 'Blue Dreams' is a gorgeous, sunny, and breezy amalgamation of all of this, with Matahara combining many experiences with boys to create the boy of her dreams. It's so lovely, we absolutely cannot get enough.

Pillow Pro - Lucky (Ft. Endless Prowl)

Emerging Naarm/Melbourne based RnB/pop duo Pillow Pro have released a brooding new single 'Lucky' (feat. Endless Prowl). All about love and lust and the turmoil that comes with those feelings and experiences when they're intense, it reflects on taking chances, being vulnerable and finding peace even when the outcome isn't known. It's a bit hyperpop, a bit RnB, a bit DIY and a whole lot of goodness wrapped up in raw relatability. So, so, SO good!

Chromeo - 6 Feet Away/Go The Distance (The Jungle Giants Remix)

In a pairing that now makes so much sense now it exists, The Jungle Giants have been tapped to remix indie dance kings Chromeo. Throwing right back to those formative indie dance sounds, this remix sounds like its been taken from the late 00's/early 2010's with its warped vocal chops, strutting bass line, feel-good keys and a euphoric build. The original track is lifted from Chromeo's infectious and hilarious Quarantine Casanova EP which they created when the pandemic first started, and while the subject matter is all about social distancing and self isolation, this remix proves connection is still possible in the time of COVID-19.

Words by EMMA JONES

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

#TRUSTEDFORTASTE BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK — MARCH 12TH

#TRUSTEDFORTASTE BEST SONGS OF THE WEEK — FEBRUARY 26