Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - JUSTICE - {Hyperdrama}

Friday Flash(back) - Pearl Jam - Dark Matter

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

Last week I explained why Jebediah were the first first in the new series, Friday Flash(back). Spoiler alert tomorrow will focus on 90's rock legends, Pearl Jam's record, Dark Matter.

This is the twelfth studio album by the rock band. Pearl Jam. Dark Matter was recorded over three weeks in 2023 at Shangri-La in Malibu, California.

The album’s packaging features light painting art by Alexandr Gnezdilov. The album cover art was crafted using a large self-made kaleidoscope. Each letter visible on the cover was individually captured and handwritten midair with a specially designed flashlight to create the pearlescent effect.

In the 90's Pear Jam were everywhere. Their debut album, Ten was iconic! In the years to come the group released hit record, after hit record. Vs. in 1993, Vitalogy a year later, No Code in 1996 and Yield in 1998.

The group have embarked on many world tours. This year will be no different with the Dark Matter World Tour coming to Australia.

All the tour dates can be found here, with the group set to arrive in November.

So tomorrow the second Friday Flash(back) will land focusing on Dark Matter, from Seattle's finest. Until then here are a few Pearl Jam classics.

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology - Guests

Album of the Week - TAYLOR SWIFT - {The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology}

Friday Flash(back) - What is it?

So after a long early 2024 break, I decided to launch into a new blog series. One looking at acts that have been releasing music for years, that finally decide to give us new music. Or if there is a new music drought, nostalgia is in. Well since the COVID years. So I will then shine the spotlight on arecord you may have forgotten or discover foe the first time?

So first up, it's a local act, Jebediah. Can I just say, my first EVER concert was Prince. My first all ages local gig was, Jebediah, Bodyjar and Red Jezebel. It was a great gig at Sutherland Entertainment Centre. I even tried my first (and last) cigarette that day. Yes it was a daytime gig, a triple bill, with great music from three excellent local bands.

Jebediah and Bodyjar went on to be regular fixtures, while Red Jezebel came later with a radio hit, Kicking Deadly Sins.

So to Jebediah and the origins of their album Oiks. Last September, Jebediah released Gum Up the Bearings, their first new single in over a decade.

Following a national tour in support of Gum Up the Bearings, the band announced their sixth studio album OIKS. 

Released on 12 April 2024 via Cooking Vinyl Australia, it is great seeing/hearing Jebediah on the radio again. They were Double J's feature record all this week too.

So each Friday, come back hear some new music from a band that might not still be on your radar. Like the other day Vampire Weekend released a new album. I hadn't heard from them in years. They were also one of the best live acts I have ever seen at Sydney's Metro Theatre.

So here is a look back/look at Jebediah, then and now!

Friday Flash(back) - Jebediah - Oiks

Album of the Year Nomination #3 - TYLA - Tyla

It's exciting the Album of the Year Nomination's keep coming, however first up, reminder to come back tomorrow for a brand new blog series. It will be loads of fun. I promise.

Now joining the brilliant PNAU and Beyoncé, it's time for the third Album of the Year Nomination.

Tyla recently gave us her debut self-titled album, the album joins the Album of the Year race for 2024!

The South African singer Tyla, released the record on 22 March 2024. Following the international breakthrough single Water.

The record is loaded with guests Kelvin Momo, Tems, Gunna, Skillibeng, Becky G, and Travis Scott. 

Recording for the debut, took place in seven countries over two and a half years as Epic Records focused on fostering the singer's formal studio experience. 

Production and songwriting on the album was from Tyla, herself, Ari PenSmith, Mocha Bands, Believve and Sammy SoSo. They are also known as the Fantastic Four" 

Water, Truth or Dare & Art have all been released as singles. I am still totally obsessed with Water whilst also loving Jump with Gunna and Skillibeng.

This is a classy, fun, sexy record. One you should all get across in 2024. So stream the album below right now. 2024 is really turning out to be a great year for music!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - NIA ARCHIVES - {Silence Is Loud}

Album(s) of the Week (you might have missed) - Guests

Album(s) of the Week (you might have missed) - Offical Music Videos

Album(s) of the Week (you might have missed) - DOJA CAT - {Scarlet 2 Claude}

Album(s) of the Week (you might have missed) - LOGIC1000- {Mother}

Album(s) of the Week (you might have missed) - TYLA- {Tyla}

Cowboy Carter - Guests

Album of the Year Nomination #2 - Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter

Beyoncé is back baby! Almost a month before the new Tay-Tay record, Beyoncé came through with the country goods. Cowboy Carter (also referred to as Act II: Cowboy Carter) is the eighth studio album by the queen. Landing on Good Friday following two blockbuster singles Texas Hold 'Em & 16 Carriages.

Cowboy Carter is the second installment of Beyoncé's trilogy project conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, following Renaissance (2022). 

Following the Renaissance smash hits, that were slightly more dance floor friendly, Cowboy Carter has taken Beyoncé in a whole new direction. There is no Cuff It or Break My Soul here.

We do get alongside Beyoncé, some  Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey and Willie Jones, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Rhiannon Giddens, Stevie Wonder, Nile Rodgers, Raye, Ryan Beatty and Jon Batiste. 

Yep its a fully stacked record with guests. At a first listen II Most Wanted with Miley Cyrus is my favourite tune following my love affair with Texas Hold 'Em.

Upon release, Cowboy Carter was met with critical acclaim for Beyoncé's embrace of country music in context of celebrating the genre's Black roots with emphasis on the vocal performance and lyrics. 

Of course Beyoncé fans, know she was born and raised in Houston, Texas. This is a city rich with cowboy heritage and country and zydeco music played a role in her upbringing.

This record was over five years in the making, with Beyoncé beginning to write the album in 2019 and continuing its recording throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

So Beyoncé now joins PNAU in the race to the Album of 2024. No doubt there are more nominations to come in the race, so stay tuned.

Of course the Album of 2024 will be announced later in December 2024.

Album of the Week - Offical (Lyric) Music Videos

Album of the Week - Beyoncé - {COWBOY CARTER}

Album of the Year Nomination #1 - PNAU - Hyperbolic

Kicking off way earlier than last year, it's time to start the Album of the Year Nominations for 2024! The race is on!

Like G Flip last year, we are off to a local start to the Album of the Year Nomination race. With the Album of the Year for 2024 to be announced in December, expect another nomination ahead of our next April public holiday.

Hyperbolic is the sixth studio album by local trio PNAU.

Released on late March, it was the feature record prior to the Easter madness. This is PNAU's first album in seven years since 2017's Changa.

Featuring collaborations with Empire of the Sun, Khalid, Kira Divine, Marques Toliver, Bebe Rexha, Ozuna, Troye Sivan, Ladyhawke, and Emily Wurramara. The album has a stacked guest list!

The record is all killer, dance floor filler!

PNAU have been killing it since the late 90's. This album is more a collection of killer songs that date back to 2019's Solid Gold. They are the comeback kings, the comeback with Changa after the less than successful Soft Universe, following their blockbuster self-titled release.

The Elton John Good Morning to the Night was a bit of a random side step too.

So it is great to have the trio back with the terrific Hyperbolic. Jack Tregoning's review from The Guardian sums up the album perfectly "What's immediately obvious about Hyperbolic is that it's prefabbed for the Spotify age, with six of its ten songs previously released, leaving just four for fans to discover anew. It's not so much an album with a deeply considered build, but rather a neat container for playlistable songs." Tregoning also said "Pnau just wants to feel good all the time – subtlety be damned."

It is great to have the album of the year race on post Easter, along with this blog returning back with multiple posts per week. So treat yo-self and stream the new album below, it really is the ultimate long weekend record!