STACK #187 May 2020

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Shabazz Palaces The Don of Diamond Dreams

Voyager is known as the first human-made object to exit the solar system and go into interstellar space. Aboard the vessel of course is the Golden Record, an album that seeks to share the human experience through sound and song with any distant civilisation that finds it. SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) scans for a reply, but with the music of Shabazz Palaces we already have the other side of the dialogue: universal truths and outergalactic beats broadcast back into our consciousness.

Perfume Genius Set My Heart on Fire Immediately On his fifth record, Mike Hadreas – the mastermind behind Perfume Genius – further asserts himself as an innovative performer capable of powerful musical statements. A staggering confidence sees Hadreas exploring a range of sounds, with the hazy distortion of Describe contrasted to the harpsichord of Jason . Much like the other records Hadreas has put his name to, the theme of sexuality is explored in significant detail, from formative moments through to his long-term relationship with musical collaborator Alan Wyffels. At once gentle and fierce, this dichotomy is the very essence of Perfume Genius, a formidable talent who continues to break the mould of what it means to be an artist. (Matador Records/Remote Control) Holly Pereira Donny Benét Mr Experience There‘s no one quite like Donny Benét. If you‘re looking for a musical reference point, the Sydney singer perhaps reminds of Ray Parker Jr from the ‘80s. He‘s suave, smooth and sophisticated, and he‘s sharing his wisdom on his aptly titled new album, Mr Experience . “There comes a time where sleep is the new sex,“he offers in Second Dinner . “Second time is always the winner.“Benét is like a Commodore of Yacht Rock, delivering disco for dinner parties. Sometimes he sounds detached, like he‘s channelling his inner Human League – check out Reach Out and You Don‘t Need Love . Other times, he‘s lighting up the room. As he sings in the title track, “He likes to remind you he always satisfies.” (Dot Dash/Remote Control) Jeff Jenkin

Last we heard from the band was in 2017 via Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines . The two albums offered a view of the present through the lens of a science fictive future; chronicles of a sentient entity (Quazarz) sent from “elsewhere“to document the land of ‘Amurderca‘. The Don of Diamond Dreams offers a more intimate and personal portrait of humanity, though no less imaginative. Grounding the album in some ways is the dialogue between father and son, wisdom and youth. It mirrors the real life relationship between Ishmael Butler and his son, Jazz AKA Lil Tracy, who features on the album: "I ride through light,“Butler claims. "Do you?“a voice replies, quiet with admiration and gentle disbelief. The imagery is vivid as ever. This is a world of "divine mathematics“and "designer fabrics", as Butler raps on Ad

Ventures . "Diamond showers every time I take a breath/ If style was cash you‘d be in debt,“he claims on Wet , and the gems just keep flowing. But it‘s also an album of tenderness and reflection, with tracks like Thanking the Girls paying tribute to the women in Butler‘s life. Shabazz Palaces are flying at the peak of their powers, and their funkadelic melodies, time- suspending soul and based beats elevate us all. (Sub Pop/Inertia) SimonWinkler

Sweet Whirl How Much Works

Kerser Roll The Dice

Teddy Thompson Heartbreaker Please

How Much Works is Melbourne mainstay Esther Edquist‘s first official full-length release, a collection of ten melancholic tales made all the more affecting by Edquist‘s distinctive vocal and lyrical prowess. Though pegged by some as a folk artist, the most enchanting moments on the record come when Edquist employs piano and synthesisers, with tracks such as Tail Light and Closing Time an impressive foray into dream pop territory. Edquist‘s recognisable bass-playing still serves as a centrepiece for Sweet Whirl‘s sound however, with How To Count an obvious standout track made all the more captivating by the instrument‘s steady anchor. (Chapter Music /Inertia) Holly Pereira

He might not get much radio play – his potty mouth prevents that – but there‘s no doubting the success of Sydney rapper Kerser. Roll The Dice , his seventh Top 10 album in a row, sees him spitting rhymes with machine-gun intensity and a sense of humour that could never be called politically correct. He‘s prolific, too – Roll The Dice is his ninth album in as many years. Kerser tells his story in Falling : “Started from the bottom to the top, I‘ll never backtrack.“Some smooth female vocals help soften the mood. Somewhat. Kerser has a wicked way with words – check out the tongue-twisting treat that is If A Pill Popper Could . But maybe don‘t play it while your parents are around. (ABK/Warner) Jeff Jenkins

Teddy Thompson, son of British folk singers Richard and Linda Thompson, has in the past 20 years established himself as a singer, songwriter and producer, while living in NYC. His 6th solo album finds him sharing his personal heartache from the breakdown of his own relationship and his love/hate feelings for his NY. “I‘m completely enamoured with the three-minute pop song,“says Thompson. While he incorporates elements of 60‘s doo-wop to 80‘s synth, it‘s his first musical love for rock n‘ roll, country and pop that‘s here…A soulful fusion of his love of Sam Cooke, Hank Williams and The Everly Brothers. Honest heartfelt hope.

(CookingVinyl) Denise Hylands

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MAY 2020