STACK #206 Dec 2021

MUSIC REVIEWS

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LP Churches

Milan Ring I'm Feeling Hopeful

FEATURE ARTIST

Album number six for LA-based Laura Pergolizzi sees the pop maestro searching for connection and rejoicing in the divinity of romance. Spanning 15 tracks, the record is unabashedly passionate, boasting grand production that serves as a fitting vessel for Pergolizzi’s jubilation and towering, unmistakable vocal. Even when doubt clouds her perspective there’s still a note of hope present, with the uplifting Rainbow buoyed by a stunning whistled melody, while the rousing choir of voices on One Last Time brings necessary emotional weight to the song. Churches is a dazzling, triumphant release cementing the fact that no one does sweeping, love-soaked pop better than Pergolizzi. (PIAS) Holly Pereira

On her anticipated debut, rising Sydney-based star Milan Ring defies expectations by not only writing but recording, executive producing and mixing the record in its entirety. Effortlessly weaving from a rapped verse to a soaring harmony, Milan Ring’s vocal is as multifaceted as the many different sounds explored on the record, with the album’s blend of hip hop, R&B, rock and gospel always daring, but most of all masterfully executed. Whether she’s singing about mental health or relationships, Milan Ring’s candour shines as much as her collaborations with Barkaa, BLESSED and Jean Deaux excite. An enthralling listen, I’m Feeling Hopeful is an ambitious first offering that is nothing short of impressive. (Astral People/PIAS) Holly Pereira

Hard Feelings Hard Feelings Firstly, let’s all give a big round of applause to Amy Douglas – one half of Hard Feelings (and Horse Meat Disco’s collaborator of choice) – for devising the best slashie self-descriptor ever: “singer/songwriting/rock and rolling/disco diva-ing/house-ing professional bad influence.” Douglas’ Hard Feelings accomplice is the illustrious Joe Goddard (Hot Chip, The 2 Bears) – his surname even begins

with ‘God’, ferchrissakes! – and this collaborative DreamTeam’s eponymous debut contains tantalising tales of longing and forbidden love (“‘Cause this is not a movie, darlin’/ And they could never know about us…”). Douglas' voice is multifaceted: consistently powerful, but also interchangeably sweet, sultry or sassy – whatever’s required to best serve each song. “I’m like Supergirl/ I’m like Joan of Arc, boy...” – that you are, babe! And her lyrics draw us in more than any convo we could possibly be having in da club: “Where do you go when the happy home becomes a haunted house?/ A skeleton in every closet/ A ghost in every room/ A poisoned well in the backyard...” Goddard’s immaculate, nuanced production is a multidimensional, percussive wonderland. We can actually imagine him smirking delightedly while adding the final flourish to standout belter Take You Down , with its down’n’dirty, hip-slinging backbeat. Have you ached for eyeballing hot strangers across sweaty dancefloors while locked down? This transatlantic duo’s self-proclaimed “opera of sad bangers” sounds like your favourite DJ dropping back- to-back choons – and taking your limbs hostage – at the future disco of your dreams. Hard Feelings is the perfect ‘shut up, I’m dancing!’ record. (Domino) Bryget Chrisfield

Taylor Swift Red (Taylor's Verson) It is not an unreasonable

Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars + Anderson .Paak) An Evening with Silk Sonic Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are a match made in soul heaven: engaging, vibrant, and with a self-awareness that stops the nostalgia from becoming a tired exercise in repetition. An Evening With Silk Sonic basks in the impeccable chemistry that showcases both artists' obvious respect and devotion to the genre. Undeniably smooth vocals paired with surprisingly humorous lyrical work make the record a joyful delight, in which Silk Sonic pay homage to their muses so well, it's hard to remember that they aren't in fact a product of the 1970s. (Warner) Jacqui Picone

The Wombats Fix Yourself, Not the World

Joan As Police Woman, Tony Allen & Dave Okumu The Solution Is Restless The Solution Is Restless sees music icon Joan Wasser – better known as Joan As Police Woman – teaming Dave Okumu to create her most experimental work to date. Leaning into her jazz side more than ever, Wasser’s voice takes on a languid quality as Allen’s dexterous percussion sets a glorious pace on 11-minute opener The Barbarian. Elsewhere, Wasser pays tribute to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden on Take Me To Your Leader and teams up with Damon Albarn on the expansive Get My Bearings . As Allen’s last musical project before his passing, the record serves as a testament to his genius whilst also shining a light on the power of collaboration in music. (PIAS) Holly Pereira up with late-Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen and The Invisible’s

statement to make that Taylor Swift’s Red is one of the great pop albums. Imbued with the heartbreak of youth, a desperation to comprehend getting older and a steady dose of melancholy, Red was always an opportunity for young people – especially young women – to reflect on their experiences of sadness. Revisiting this album a decade later, Swift has managed to retain the authenticity that made it such a poignant masterpiece. Joined by never-before-heard tracks and the devastating 10-minute All Too Well , Red (Taylor’s Version) becomes a new feather in the hat of an artist who only continues to reach higher with each entry into her

Fix Yourself, Not The World is a surprisingly reserved record for kings of the indie banger The Wombats. A slower, funkier, and bass- heavy piece, it plays with the listener’s expectations, and urges you to sink into the lyrical work more than ever. In what could be the older and wiser brother to 2015’s Glitterbug , The Wombats look to greet the morning with a little more surety and sobriety, and leave the generation-defining club days behind them. (Warner) Jacqui Picone

'reimagined' discography. (Universal) Jacqui Picone

22 DECEMBER 2021

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