BEAUTIFUL THINGS SELECTIONS: VASHTI BUNYAN, MOTTE, ENNIO MORRICONE, THE FREE DESIGN AND MORE!
Beautiful Things

BEAUTIFUL THINGS SELECTIONS: VASHTI BUNYAN, MOTTE, ENNIO MORRICONE, THE FREE DESIGN AND MORE!
Photo: Vashti Bunyan

BEAUTIFUL THINGS PLAYLIST 

WEEK 25TH - 29TH JULY

 

 

MOTTE - ‘PLATEAU’

Ōtautahi-based violinist and composer, Motte (AKA Anita Clark), unveiled the second single from her upcoming album Cold + Liquid this week (out August 12th via Ba Da Bing! Records). 'Plateau' is a two-part piece that displays Clark's virtuoso in all its glory, with sweeping violin arpeggios that blend into the synth samples scattered across the composition. While the first half soars and swirls in a deeply moving way, the second half creeps in like an ominous cloud with its slinky synth bass line carrying through the rest of the song. Both halves are equally magnificent, and eventually melt into a gentle sound-pool that sinks into the soil.
You can find and pre-order Cold + Liquid from the Flying Nun Record Store here

  

ENNIO MORRICONE - ‘COSA AVETE FATTO A SOLANGE?’

'Cosa Avete Fatto A Solange?' which translates to 'What Have You Done To Solange?' comes from Ennio Morricone's soundtrack to the 1972 mystery with the same name. Known for his groundbreaking soundtracks (which have been heavily sampled by many over the years) Morricone manages to creep sinister baselines and strings through lazy-boy-lounge timbres to fashion a perfectly unsettling theme. You can find this and many more on a double LP compilation recently issued by Music On Vinyl.
  
You can find the compilation Passion at the Flying Nun Record Store here. 

 

 

SKILAA - ‘I NEVER KNEW’

Made up of Chelsea Prastiti, Helen Pahulu and Lea Anae's heavenly vocals and Adam Tobeck, Michael Howell and Tom Dennison's powerful rhythm section, Skilaa blends effortless melodies with lively beatscapes to create their signature neo-soul-meets-hip-hop-meets-psych-folk sound - which continues to sound fresh with every new release. 'I Never Knew', just released this week, is no exception. Catch them live on their nationwide tour that kicks off this week!

 

You can listen to 'I Never Knew' on their bandcamp here. 
 

JOHN GLACIER - ‘IF ANYTHING’

London-based rapper John Glacier's debut album is a clever assortment of diary entries and reflections dished seamlessly over fellow producer Vegyn's crystalline beats. 'If Anything' melds lo-fi hip-hop grime production with melancholic strings that open our ears, Glacier's poetry confiding in us with slick delivery.

 

You can find the album Shiloh: Lost For Words on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

 

DARTZ - ‘HOONS’

Te Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington faves DARTZ have released a brand spanking new song, 'Hoons' - a pop-punk instant-hit about "wasted sunny afternoons, the power of friendship and being absolute dogshit on a skateboard". The chords are rich and drive lead singer Danz' signature tongue-and-cheek lyricism that always seem to manifest a pretty chant-able chorus. 'I wanna waste all afternoon smashing Hoons'. I have no idea what that really means, but I'll sing along anyway.

 

You can listen to 'Hoons' on their Bandcamp here.

 

ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER - ‘TALES FROM THE TRASH STRATUM feat. ELIZABETH FRASER’

Oneohtrix Point Never was one of the pioneers of vaporwave back when it had its renaissance, however he has floated towards more experimental sounds over the years. 'Tales From The Trash Stratum' displays his perfectly translucent production, featuring Cocteau Twins' vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, who weaves amongst the various synth layers, basslines and ASMR pops. It is a true earworm treat; a beautiful demonstration of sound.

 

You can find Renditions I on the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 
 

THE FREE DESIGN - ‘2002 - A HIT SONG' 

60's New York based vocal baroque pop group The Free Design may be unknown to many, but they had a significant impact on the likes of bands such as Stereolab, who were so inspired by the group's harmonies that they named an EP after them. Listen for yourself and you may hear some similarities. It is classic feel-good sunshine pop laden with complex rhythms and layers that set this group apart from the many others doing similar things at the time.  

You can find the album Heaven / Earth on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

STEVE GUNN - ‘OTHER YOU’

Songwriter Steve Gunn just announced a tour of Aotearoa in October, which inspired me to go and have a listen to his sixth album, Other You. The title track is a stand outl bass and guitar playing cat and mouse, the piano twinkles perfectly placed and his rich baritone sweetly serenading.

You can find the album Other You on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

VASHTI BUNYAN - ‘WISHWANDERER’ 

Vashti Bunyan's songs unfortunately went almost unnoticed and unappreciated at the time of their original release in the 60's. Her understated recordings and pure, quiet melodies were not considered commercial at the time and therefore she gave up on music altogether. However, years later, she had developed a cult following and her genius songwriting abilities were finally realised. She was able to embark on a new phase in her musical career, and we are lucky enough to have access to most of them. Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind is a collection of her demos and singles from this time and together, they tell a beautiful story. Every crackle, hum, and chair-scrape on the track 'Wishwander' paints such a vivid image that you can almost see her sitting next to you, singing her sweet tune. 

You can find the compilation Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

BRAD MEHLDAU - ‘MAKE IT ALL GO AWAY'

Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau's album Finding Gabriel was composed and produced over a period of 2 years, apparently heavily inspired by the Bible as "one long nightmare or a signpost leading to potential gnosis, depending on how you read it". 'Make It All Go Away' is a melancholic, synth-rich ballad (closer to the sounds of indie-pop duo Beach House). Immediately following the song's introduction (an inhale-exhale and pensive murmur of the title), we are levitated towards the clouds, as if all thought has escaped and we have been granted permission to simply waft amongst the sounds.

You can find the album Finding Gabriel on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

 

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