Thursday, May 16, 2024

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

Cape Forestier is the fifth studio album by brother/sister duo Angus & Julia Stone. 

Released last Friday, the album was announced back in February, alongside the release of the album's lead single, The Wedding Song.

The titular single Cape Forestier, Losing You & No Boat, No Aeroplane were also both released prior to the album.

The Living Room Sessions World Tour has already commenced, wrapping up in September this year.

Cape Forestier is the duo's first project since their soundtrack album Life is Strange in 2021. Whilst being their first studio album in seven years following Snow.

Angus & Julia describes the album as "holds a really special place in our hearts" and believes the album has a similar sound to their earlier records, but has been influenced "with all the branches of experience hanging in there".

We all know Angus & Julia from previous big hits like Big Jet Plane from back in 2010, or Chateau in 2017. They have been favourites on the radio, on the live stage for over a decade now. Hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches the duo have shown, they can release tunes solo or as a duo for well over 14 years.

As solo artists they have both have hits in their own rights. Even a Christmas album by Julia Stone!

I have seen them live, brought their albums, listened to their tunes for years. I am so excited to stream their latest record tomorrow. The album as grabbed the feature album spot this week on Triple J.

Thursday, May 9, 2024

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

Willow Camille Reign Smith is maybe the youngest so far for the Friday Flash(back). However last Friday she released her sixth studio record. Yes her sixth, she was only born back in October 31, 2000), me personally, I was just finishing year 12 then!

Willow, is the only daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, making her acting debut in the 2007 film I Am Legend alongside her father.

Back in 2010, Smith launched her music career with the platinum-certified single Whip My Hair, yes remember that song! Only now to release a record classified as a jazz record.

That same year, Smith signed to her mentor Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation, becoming the youngest artist signed to the label. 

Smith's debut album, Ardipithecus (2015) explored neo soul. Its single Wait a Minute! was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Her second and third albums, The 1st (2017) and Willow (2019) followed after and were met with positive reception. 

In 2021, Smith released her fourth album Lately I Feel Everything, which spawned the single Transparent Soul, which was certified gold in the US. Later that year, she earned another top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single Meet Me at Our Spot as part of The Anxiety with Tyler Cole. 

In 2022, Smith released her fifth album, Coping Mechanism. Her latest album, empathogen will be here to stream tomorrow morning. If you missed it last Friday, don't miss it tomorrow! See you then!

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Friday Flash(back) RE: Regurgitator

Regurgitator for me are in the same classic Aussie music era as former Friday Flash(back) stars Jebediah.

Back in the days of Homebake, the Gurge, Jebediah, Magic Dirt, Powderfinger, Silverchair, PNAU were all kings & queens of this festival/the Aussie music scene.

So to have these two artists release new records so close to each other, for me this is a great nostalgia period for music. Hailing from Brisbane, Queensland, the group formed in 1993.

Lead by Quan Yeomans, Ben Ely and Martin Lee. Their debut studio album, Tu-Plang was iconic in 1996; with Unit the following November, growing new fans, killing the festival scene with tunes like !SFKA.

The album was certified triple platinum, while winning five categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998: Album of the Year, Best Alternative Album, Producer of the Year (for Magoo), Engineer of the Year (Magoo) and Best Cover Art (for The Shits). 

Their third album, ...Art came in 1999, lead by the lead single, Happiness (Rotting My Brain).

Of course we all loved their top 20 hit Polyester Girl, which peaked at No. 14 in Australia and No. 16 in New Zealand.

The groups fourth studio album, Eduardo and Rodriguez Wage War on T-Wrecks then landed in 2001. This was their final studio album for Warner before mutually agreeing to terminate their recording agreement. 

Regurgitator then went on to issue four more independent studio albums Mish Mash!, Love and Paranoia , Super Happy Fun Times Friends and Dirty Pop Fantasy.

Their ninth studio album Headroxx released in 2018, before the group's spin-off project Regurgitator's Pogogo Show released their debut album of children's music, The Really Really Really Really Boring Album in 2019. So it had been a minute before the crew released Invader. Kicking off This Is Not a Pop Song with Peaches on guest vocals. JK-47 and Tyson Yunkaporta, also feature on the 14 track record.

So if you are new to Regurgitator, or a seasoned fan like me, here are some weekend bangers to get your weekend started!

Thursday, April 25, 2024

(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.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

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!

Thursday, April 18, 2024

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 BeyoncĂ©, 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!

Thursday, April 4, 2024

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 BeyoncĂ©'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 BeyoncĂ© in a whole new direction. There is no Cuff It or Break My Soul here.

We do get alongside BeyoncĂ©, 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 BeyoncĂ©'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.


Monday, April 1, 2024

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!


Friday, March 29, 2024

You can find this weekend's feature album - https://randyandy24.blogspot.com/

With all posts moving over HERE for a few more days! Stream the new record right HERE

Music will be loud and proud, back here from Tuesday! 



Monday, March 25, 2024

You can find this weeks feature album - https://randyandy24.blogspot.com/

With all posts moving over HERE until around Easter 2024. Meaning this is the last post of this nature for a bit. So much new music right now. Easter incoming. New PNAU, let's GOOOOOOOOO!

Stream the new record right HERE



Tuesday, March 19, 2024

P!nk

I was never a huge fan of Alecia Beth Moore (born professionally as P!nk), however after doing enough Les Mills Pump and RPM classes, I hear at least one to five P!nk songs per week.

With a big weekend of live music for this old duck. It was two very different gigs. P!nk Saturday night, Fred Again.. Sunday afternoon, a perfect St Patricks Day combo!

I still remember being in year 12, doing the HSC when Can't Take Me Home (2000) was released to moderate success. I feel she was more popular in Australia than the US at this point.

Pink linked up a year later with  Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim and MĂ˝a on Lady Marmalade.

P!nk shifted her sound to pop rock with her second studio album, Missundaztood (2001). And yes back in my first years of study outside of high school, I danced away to Get the Party Started. The album then went on to sell over 13 million copies worldwide. 

Pink's third studio album, Try This (2003), sold significantly less than her second studio album, but won her second Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance. 

Her fourth and fifth studio albums, I'm Not Dead (2006) and Funhouse (2008), saw a commercial rebound and spawned the top-ten singles Who Knew (Les Mills Pump song) and U + Ur Hand, as well as the number-one single So What. 

Pink's sixth album, The Truth About Love (2012), became her first Billboard 200 number-one album and spawned her fourth US number-one single, Just Give Me a Reason (featuring Nate Ruess). 

Her following albums, Beautiful Trauma (2017) and Hurts 2B Human (2019), saw continued success and likewise debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, with the former becoming the third best-selling album of that year worldwide. 

Her ninth and latest studio album, Trustfall (2023), peaked at number two on the chart. With the lead single being an RPM warm up, while being co-writtern and produced by Fred Again..

P!nk did mention she saw Fred Again.. during the week, while he was playing multiple arena shows, secret gigs, finishing at the Domain.

The audience interaction along with aerial stunts at the gig were incredible. P!nk definitely is one of a kind. The crowd loved every minute of the (now veteran) performer. Over 20 years in the game while still being able to sell out Accor Stadium. Yes that's Sydney Olympic Park my Sydney-siders. She did play at the closer Sydney Football Stadium earlier in the tour.

Unlike Taylor Swift, this tour (Summer Carnival) has gone on and on and on. Even visiting cities like Newcastle and Townsville.

Her distinctive raspy voice and acrobatic stage presence, makes P!nk a must see in concert!

She has sold over 135 million records worldwide (60 million albums and 75 million singles).

P!nk was also the second-most-played female solo artist in the United Kingdom during the 2000s decade, behind only Madonna, while Billboard named P!nk the Pop Songs Artist of the 2000s Decade. 

Her accolades include three Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards (including Outstanding Contribution to Music), a Daytime Emmy Award and seven MTV Video Music Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards. 

Here were a couple of highlights from the stacked 20 plus song set! Incredible. I may not be a mega fan, but I at least finally get the P!nk impact!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Live Music Weekend Wrap coming...

Sydney has delivered LIVE music gold this weekend. P!nk and Fred Again.. Posts incoming here or from my other blog next week. What a vibe Sydney!


Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Taylor Swift

The Tortured Poets Department is the next album from Taylor Swift (her 11th record) is set for release on April 19.

This follows the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, after winning Best Pop Vocal Album for her record from 2022, Midnights.

The album consists of sixteen songs, including collaborations with Post Malone and Florence and the Machine. Why am I hyping up the next Swift record while this blog is on break? Because I was lucky enough to attend the Eras Tour (2023–2024), the biggest tour to date.

Yes I attended the tour post a flight in from Saigon, however the show was FIRE! Taylor really is a super slayer on stage. The crowd was just in the palm of her hand from the opening number. Even in the Ice Spice/Lady Gaga intro. The crowd was wild. Full of Swifties young and old, Sydney Olympic Park had its biggest moment since the 2000 Olympic Games.

Not long till Easter, so until then here are my highlights from the Era gig. Brilliant!

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

It's that time of the year...

Happy Lunar New Year y'all! I'll be back here around Easter. For now limited posts (including the feature record posts) HERE



Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Grammys 2024 MixTape

My predictions were HERE, the winners can be found HERE. So let's celebrate some of the BIG winners here. Including our very own Kylie's Padam Padam!