Love List:
Vivid LIVE 2022 by Ben Marshall

“Like a gently exploding supernova of emotion in your heart, let this electronic/ambient calling card from the magnificently talented German producer/pianist Nils Frahm work its magic over its gorgeous ascent.”

“Catalan DJ and producer Oriol Riverola aka John Talabot keeps ascending into Andrew Weatherall territory for me. His deft use of melancholic/euphoric dynamic tension and steady, unrelenting build is on full display in this high point from his debut album.”

“Uber cool Australian/Zimbabwean singer, songwriter and rapper Tkay Maidza deploys giant slabs of synthesiser to drive this sensational and thoroughly modern cover of the Pixies’ classic track.”

“Best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist for Camp Cope, “Driving Blind” from her debut solo album displays a thrilling indie synth pop left turn, with all the integrity and vulnerability you’ve come to expect.”

“Awesome heart-breaking power-pop from Sydney indie band The Buoys, this is the sound of a fantastic new act hitting their stride, and showing how far they’re going to go.”

“An astonishing talent, Gamilaraay woman Thelma Plum put out one of the albums of the year in 2019, and while it’s incredibly hard to choose just one song, its title track “Better In Blak” captures so much of what’s making her one of our brightest musical lights.”

“I remember being in primary school when this song came out, sitting in the back of my parents’ car listening to this, and being incredibly affected by this adult tale of separation and attempted reconciliation. A giant of modern Australia and our unofficial poet laureate.”

“I firmly believe there’s no culture without subculture and Ed Kuepper emerged from the Australian underground long ago with The Saints (RIP Chris Bailey), contributing more than his fair share to modern music ever since. Listen to this stellar, sparse song of love and regret to realise Ed Kuepper’s magnificence all over again.”

“The jangly/dark song from one of Australia’s most exciting bands that originally hooked me  – it sounds post-punk, Australian and 100% uniquely like the Romy Vager Group.”

“Genius, jagged song from Sydney’s post-punk heroes. We’re lucky to have them.”

“Versatile and emotional, he’s written many great songs but let’s start here with the mighty BLESSED.”

“Surging horns provide a bright, vibrant backdrop to Sampa’s powerful ode to her Zambian heritage, who she is and where she’s going.”

“Remember his name, Māori soul singer TEEKS is heading for superstardom, and it starts here.”

“Exactly how talented is Jamaican-American musician and singer Masego? Listen to his 8 minute improvised breakthrough track “Tadow” for a glorious taste of what he can do and experience his signature TrapHouseJazz sound, inspired equally by Cab Calloway and Andre 3000.”

“An early evening, top-down sonic ride around LA by way of South London’s jazz impresario and virtuosic drummer Yussef Dayes.”

“An artist from Harare, Zimbabwe via Swindon, UK, this track is the insanely catchy, playful and surprise worldwide hit that introduced us all to S1MBA.”

“Australia’s undisputed king of R&B comes from Cabramatta and Youngn Lipz shows how strong he is with this achingly personal, vulnerable slice of brilliance.”

“‘Ocean offers up the softer, more melodic side of staunch Coventry rapper and songwriter Jay1.”

“An emotive, powerful piece of personal R&B from breakout star and Aṉangu/Torres Strait Islander woman Miiesha"

'The song came to me in the form of a dreaming poem that I’d written for my Grandmother... I originally envisioned a bird coming as a messenger to let her know that everything would be ok.'

“A mighty slice of future-leaning R&B out of Western Sydney from rising Maori-Australian star Hinenuiterangi Tairua aka A.GIRL.”

“Crowned by GQ as “The new matriarch of Australian rap”, Chloe Quay is a proud Malyangapa and Barkindji woman whose skills, power and charm are on full display in this sharp, catchy ode to getting the respect she richly deserves.”

“Briggs’ muscular songwriting at its cinematic, truthful best, and the song he named his record label after, the first Indigenous Australian owned and operated record label.”

“Energetic, unpredictable hip-hop from 5-strong Korean-Australian collective on the rise.”

“Blazing back after 6 years between albums, the luxurious strings & horns of this lead single from their new album heralds a mighty return for the polyrhythmic genre-fluid champions.”

“Sublime orbital post-rock from one of the finest modern exponents of the form, this is brain music with a heart.”

“Floating, joyous instrumental track remeniscent of early Bonobo, and cannot help but put you in a good mood.”

“One of the very best folk artists working, once you hear this song you’ll be as grateful as David Lynch that Hollie Fullbrook is making music for us.”

“ABC Radio National’s Tim Richie described Liz Martin as ‘Evocative, alluring and strangely comforting’ and I’m not sure that description can be topped for this wonderful song.”

“Three and a half minutes of pure sonic radiance from Bon Iver protégé Dr Sophie Payten, aka Gordi.”

“Swirling indie-folk displaying Eliza’s textured voice to great effect.”

“Every now and then, a singular voice cuts through the clamour of modern music and makes us all stop and listen. That Moses Sumney has one of those voices is beyond doubt as you’ll find when you listen to this gorgeous live rendition of ‘Me in 20 Years’.”

“Taking its cue from Memphis soul, Meg Mac’s fantastic breakthrough single is all driving kick drum and piano with a gospel-style chant that just won’t leave your ears.”

“Feel your mood lift with this huge song from the brilliant duo soundtracking this year’s Lighting of the Sails, and may be making an appearance in a Club somewhere over Vivid LIVE.”

“Irridescent dance music next door to Hot Chip, Russell Fitzgibbon’s Skeleten project continues to impress.”

“Surging, uplifting emotive track from the Blue Mountains heroes for the party we’ve all been holding out for.”

“A vibrant, off-kilter gem from talented Sydney producer, vocalist and interdisciplinary artist Rainbow Chan.”

“PJ Harvey’s ‘Down By the Water’ gets turned inside out by one of the world’s most forward-thinking electronic musicians, Australian glitch-pop experimentalist and regular Flume collaborator KUČKA.”

“Emotive, synth-heavy single from the multi-faceted Marcus Whale.”

“Spacious, disquieting and compelling, “Venus in Leo” captures so much of what makes HTRK essential listening.”

“The shapeshifting (and uber-heavy) Japanese trio create a sinuous, folding python out of an ambient track that’s equal parts drone and dream-pop.”

“Liars’ new album The Apple Drop is fantastic, go check it out, but I can’t help but choose my favourite, fierce, Liars song (the final minute from 2 mins 56 secs is the peak). Listen loud.”

“Look out, Dirty Three’s Jim White and Cairo Gang’s Emmett Kelly serve up a massive brain-frying 40 minutes of minimalist rock & roll in one take here. This wall of guitar and relentlessly shuffling beats manages to build a bridge from Bo Diddley to Glen Branca, and makes you want to dance across it.”