STACK #197 Mar 2021

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Jess Locke Don't Ask Yourself Why

Jess Locke expands her repertoire of anthems for the disenchanted on Don’t Ask Yourself Why , the Melbourne songwriter’s third release and most cohesive statement yet. Effortlessly oscillating between high energy and quiet contemplation, Locke’s lyrics are the centrepiece of the record as she gives voice to her existentialist dread and complexities with remarkable insight – revealing her insecurities and self-destructive moments in a steadfast tone. Taking her production up a gear gives further weight to her words, with the full band arrangements heightening tension and enhancing Locke’s overall sound. This is a record that possesses great depth and humanity, two traits that will be associated with Locke’s music for many years to come. (EMI/Universal) Holly Pereira

Noga Erez KIDS KIDS is the latest album

and agency. The need to confront, rather than escape, difficult truths. “I don’t know what really, really happens at the end of the road,” Erez chants on End Of The Road , as a playful beat skips beneath. It’s accompanied by a video where the artist faces forward, “walking toward the unknown with a smile”. KIDS blends bright pop precision with deep contemplation. Its bold melodies and addictive rhythms are punctuated by uncertainty and danger, like the synth blasts and unsteady bass lines on You’re So Done . Through her reflections and risk taking, Noga Erez delivers an album of meaningful insights and visceral thrills. A moment in time that's sure to endure. (City Slang/Inertia) SimonWinkler

from Noga Erez. It carries the universal quality of a timeless classic, but also relates very specifically to the era of its creation. No News On TV , for

instance, arrived as a single midway through 2020. A swift rock break propels the listener through a concise three minutes. Lyrics evoke the internal struggle and external inertia of lockdown. Noga Erez intentionally draws us into thoughts around freedom

XX FEBRUARY 2021

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