STACK #166 Aug 2018

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Blood Orange Negro Swan

Mitski Be The Cowboy

Devonté Hynes doesn’t take his responsibility as an artist of colour lightly; Negro Swan a deep reflection on oppression. Drawing upon his own experiences, along with the those of other people of colour and queer communities, Hynes brings an all-star cast to tell these stories, with songs featuring the likes of A$AP Rocky ( Chewing Gum ) and Puff Daddy ( Hope ), along with powerful spoken word interludes from transgender rights activist Janet Mock. Negro Swan is a tender, beautifully meditative and confident masterpiece, that will make you remember that hope exists in a world that is unfair towards and unaccepting of marginalised humans. (Domino) Holly Pereira

Now five albums in, Mitski has cemented her reputation as one of the most cherished melancholic souls in music. The title of the album is beguiling, but each song possesses a remarkable sincerity. The romantic sentiment is strong on opener Geyser , but later flips on A Pearl , a bittersweet tale of letting someone down gently. While the piano ballad A Horse Named Cold Air shows off the nuances of Mitski’s voice, it’s Lonesome Love that hits the hardest. Mitski writes with a candour you’d come to expect from a friend, and it’s this quality that makes her music so easy to embrace. (Dead Oceans/Inertia) Holly Pereira

Phantastic Ferniture Phantastic Ferniture “The moment you stop trying so hard, magic will happen,” was the advice of my old high school teacher. That sentiment, with a sprinkling of spontaneity, permeates Sydney four-piece Phantastic Ferniture’s self-titled debut album. Folk star Julia Jacklin and old

friends Elizabeth Hughes, Ryan Brennan and Tom Stephens formed the group after a late night “OMG, we should start a band” convo, with the only rule being that there were no rules. The result is nine songs that uplift, and offer a moment away from reality. Single F-ckin 'N' Rollin stars, Dark Corner Dance Floor is brimming with energy, Uncomfortable Teenager struts along like someone destined for more, Gap Year is a sweeping breath of fresh air, and album closer Mumma y Pappa flirts with a darker side. Phantastic Ferniture isn’t an album to overthink; it’s the kind of album you need to let soundtrack something fun you’re doing with your life – the band certainly did. (Caroline) Tim Lambert

Immortal Northern Chaos Gods

Bruce Dickinson Scream For Me Sarajevo In 1994 Bruce Dickinson received an offer to play a gig in Sarajevo. Nothing unusual for a touring band. This show, however, would be different, because Sarajevo was in the midst of the Bosnian war, with no end date in sight. The recently released documentary tells the story of that show, and how the Bruce Dickinson solo band delivered to those in attendance that night. It's a stunning, emotional rollercoaster that highlights the futility of war; it also shines a light on the joy that can be found amongst such horrors when people armed only with instruments are brave enough to enter a war zone.

After an acrimonious split with former vocalist/bassist Abbath in 2015, Demonaz (guitar and now vocals) and Horgh (drums) with the help of producer Peter Tägtgren on bass have got Immortal back on track. With Northern Chaos Gods , the duo focused on a return to the sound of old, and while it may not be as grim and frostbitten as fan favourites such as Pure Holocaust and At The Heart Of Winter , the songs attack with a viciousness that black metal fans will embrace. Many will pine for Abbath's return, but Immortal has moved on. Northern Chaos Gods proves that the band will not die. (Caroline/Nuclear Blast) Simon Lukic

Trophy Eyes The American Dream Trophy Eyes' hugely successful sophomore album (2016's Chemical Miracle ) might go down as a generation-defining release, but a remake doesn’t show progression, and calls of the band ‘selling out’ on their latest effort are premature and mostly unfounded. The American Dream still holds a torch to its predecessor; it also features huge highs that

will become crowd favourites live ( You Can Count On Me , Lavender Bay and epic album closer Call It A Feeling ). But TAD is an album of contrasts, and its strongest moments are in its lowest points. A Cotton Candy Sky is an ominous warning, the crescendo of strings in Broken is an inspired touch, and penultimate track A Symphony Of Crickets is a crucial moment for the record: “I would have killed myself by now if not for you/ I know you hate it when I say it, but it’s true” Floreani sings – a stunning confession. I can’t help but compare the singer’s performance to Gang Of Youths' Dave Le'aupepe: they both create epic spells of grandeur out of otherwise inconsequential, passing instants. You'll find yourself hanging off every word Floreani sings, as he copes with the exquisite burdens of life, love, crippling fame, and an insatiable need for more of it all. (Hopeless/UNIFIED) Tim Lambert

Gentlemen, I salute you. (Eagle Vision/Universal) Simon Lukic

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AUGUST 2018

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