Surprise surprise—we’re a little late—but we’re back again with our wrap up of last month’s best music releases from around the country. July was a colossal month that saw releases from some of the Australian scene’s juggernauts. A peruse of the Australian scene as it stands presents one that experiments with a multiplicity of sounds, and July’s releases only served to bolster this fact. We saw Sydney’s VV Pete serve up a smooth West Coast instrumental on “Bussit”, grunge lyricism from Nerve with his single “YUCK!”, and much, much more. Without further ado, let’s put you on to the best songs from July.
Baby Prince feat. Mason Dane, “Fall Thru”
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“Fall Thru” is a polished release from Brisbane-based rapper, Baby Prince, that showcases his adaptability when it comes to experimenting with different sounds and making something for every type of rap fan. The release comes off the back of one of his most anthemic songs, “Zimbabwe”. In “Fall Thru”, Prince enlists Sydney’s Mason Dane to create an R&B-influenced track, that has resulted in the pair making waves both locally and internationally. With over 100 songs released on SoundCloud across the years, Prince’s consistency is starting to pay off, and he’s one to watch moving forward. Boasting attractive drum patterns and the theme of triumph throughout—this is a spritely, bouncy release with plenty of replay value.
Nerve, “YUCK!”
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Nerve has been an established name in the Australian music scene for some time. Right before he embarked on his Australia-wide tour with UK artist Aitch, he released his single “YUCK!”. With ingenious metaphors littered throughout this track, Nerve cements his position as up there with the best in the country when it comes to lyrical ability. Not only is he lyrically inclined, he also has an aptitude for special effects and showcases these skills in the video. In “YUCK!”, Nerve glides effortlessly over an alternative beat, possessing a air of bravado throughout the track. As for the visuals? Nerve references the theme of change, and alludes to the emergence of a new era for him as an artist.
JULAI, "BADDIE BTTMS"
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JULAI is a newcomer to the scene who makes music, in his own words, “for the girls, gays and the theys.” But make no mistake—JULAI is far from just a rookie. On “BADDIE BTTMS,” he showcases his undisputable star potential. “BADDIE BTTMS” puts JULAI’s innate rapping ability on full display, demonstrating a flow that fits seamlessly into various pockets throughout the song. “BADDIE BTTMS” is a proud declaration of sexual prowess, and not a track for the faint-hearted. The accompanying visualiser bolsters the song’s messaging, and sees JULAI surrounded by a bunch of baddies. If you’re looking for the next club banger, look no further than “BADDIE BTTMS”.
Gold Fang, "Wet”
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Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Gold Fang continues to shake up Australian music with his latest release. “Wet” is a vibrant dancehall-influenced release, centred around themes of intimacy and lust. This track has a minimalistic beat that provides space for the Sydney-based artist to showcase his storytelling ability. Having manipulated his vocals and delivery, Gold Fang’s singing is presented in a slew of diverse ways across the track. The use of autotune creates an echoey, infectious hook that renders Gold Fang worthy of this month’s spotlight.
MAMMOTH. & Silent Jay, “Neverland”
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MAMMOTH. out of Melbourne’s west is an emerging force in the underground rap scene. In “Neverland”, he taps into deep self-reflection via a soul-influenced sound and poetic sonnets. Lines like, “I would always speak proud but now the thoughts are heavier,” express feeling adrift and overpowered. The track forms part of his latest body of work, “Opus Magnum”. Rapping over alternative beats and soulful compositions from production wizard Silent Jay, “Opus Magnum” is a complete album that is schematic in its structure, and explores themes many can resonate with.
VV Pete, “Bussit”
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Sydney’s 19-year-old VV Pete has quickly amassed a cult fanbase, “the Varvies”, following the release of “Bussit”. West Coast influences shine through in the thumping beat pattern, and quotable adlibs are layered throughout the song. “Bussit” has club-ballad potential and is easily her most developed release yet. VV Pete’s confidence shines through on this track, and as a rising star, it’ll be interesting to see the direction her sound takes going forward.
Genesis Owusu, "GTFO"
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One of the premier names in Australian music over the last 12-months, Genesis Owusu out of Canberra has irrefutably robust writing ability. With the assistance of his band, he is widely recognised as one of Australia’s most noteworthy live performers. “GTFO” is a masterfully composed track, beginning with echoey sounds of an organ, and transitioning into a slew of live instruments. Recently taking the stage at Splendour in the Grass, “GTFO” recalls a time when Owusu was striving for acceptance from audiences, with lines like “used to play me on the aux cord, now they all sing.” With tracks like “GTFO”, Owusu continues to spearhead a refreshing sound that blends elements of funk, rock and rap.
A.Girl, “The Block”
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In “The Block”, A. Girl positions the listener in her neighbourhood, articulating the trials plaguing her hood with lines like “word around the way, another homie just got popped.” “The Block” also explores the perspective of being a sister to someone involved in area commotion. The track oozes a distinctive R&B sound, as A. Girl taps into the misfortunes affecting her family. “The Block” marks an interesting turning point for A. Girl, exposing the delicate issues she’s experiencing via a soulful melody.
BBGB (Black Boys Getting Bread), “TOUGH LOVE”
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BBGB are a recently formed collective consisting of B Wise, Manu Crooks, BLESSED, Kwame and Lil Spacely—all well-rounded and emphatic artists in their own right—that have intriguing potency as a collective. BBGB debuted their song, “TOUGH LOVE”, via a video filled with loaded imagery and undertones of reclamation. “TOUGH LOVE” is delivered over an alternative rap beat, and despite being a song just short of 2 minutes, the braggadocious style and well-orchestrated visuals set the tone of what we can expect of them going forward.
