The Cherry On Top

Welcome to the new music review where we connect you with some of the best new music from around the world. Read on, click through to our Spotify playlist and enjoy it all on 2SER!

Kurt Vile – Bottle It In (Feature Album)
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Neneh Cherry – Broken Politics
Minimal Miggy – Jarocin Avenue Mixtape
Madeline Kenney – Perfect Shapes
Peabody – A Redder Shade of Rust
Richard Swift – The Hex
Straight Arrows – On Top
Jodi Phillis – Becoming
Cookin’ on 3 Burners – Lab Experiments Vol. 2
The Moles – Code Word

With an almost 40 year career that cuts across pop, punk, jazz, hip-hop, Sweden’s Neneh Cherry sure knows how to remain boundaryless in style, and do it damn well. ‘Broken Politics’ is her fifth album, and her second with Four Tet on production. Taking some inspiration from her visit to the now demolished migrant camp, ‘Calais Jungle’, this record is a profound look at the refugee crisis, the history of colonialism, gun violence and feminism. Paired with a softer sound palette than what was found on it’s 2014 ‘Blank Projects’ predecessor, Cherry’s prowess vocals float on top of delicate harp, steel drum, kora and flute embellishments. There’s still a methodical beat that’s a defiant driving force, but at the same time is a deep and emotive state of affairs that slowly unfurls.

Sydney rapscallions, and garage-punk quartet Straight Arrows unleash ‘On Top’ and pretty much keeps it locked to 100 throughout. There’s an unbridled energy here, and one that sprints freely through reverb ladened guitars, distorted harmonicas and vocal howls. A whole lot of cut and thrust that flourish into psychedelia and electric blues.

After dropping ‘Lab Experiments Vol.1’ last year, our favourite Melbourne Hammond organ trio Cookin’ On 3 Burners is back with a second collection of delightfully feel good soul and funk jams. There are some seriously slick and break-beat grooves here, seasoned with powerhouse guest vocals from Kylie Auldist and newcomer Kaiit.