An Ode to South African Music Part 3(years too late)

Holy shit, it has been like almost 3 years since my last "An Ode to South African Music".

I'm sorry.

Okay I'm not really. I actually don't care about you, the reader's, feelings (I'm lying, I kind of do). I do, however care about music so lets just get straight to that.

Up first is Jozi disco duo - Pop Art Live. Saw these guys at sub_urban state and fuck, these guys killed it. They produced what was my favourite set that day by far - which was really apparent in the massive crowd that formed. These guys were banging out house anthems and dropping nu-disco heaters that moved the feet of both young and old.

For those who like their electro with a little soul:



Next up, Sol Gems. I'm so excited that a band that is not Shortstraw, or sounds like Shortstraw or has anything to do with Shortstraw is getting some notoriety in the SA music scene.

This is not a jab at Shortstraw either, they're great. I'm just so fucking over Bikini Weather.

These guys were around for like 5 minutes and scored opening for the Allah Las. That's crazy. This also may come across as favouritism since it's basically The Stella's who were in the last Ode but they're back with a new psychedelic sound, bring on the boogie.

Finally, I don't really know much about this artist so I'm not going to thumb-suck, but wow I love this album.



Love always,
Nicole

Track Of The Week

I always find that at this time of the year, everything gets noisy. The office is noisy, traffic is noisy, life is noisy. This isn't noisy.

I don't believe you know what you hold in your hands.

I don't believe you know what you hold in your hands.

No it's not my heart.

Although, it is quite set on you.

You hold my trust.

We as humans are all jealous creatures by nature and when I see that girl like your profile picture on facebook, I want to kill her.

but that's okay because I trust you.

You hold my body.

I know that sometimes my mouth doesn't listen to my brain and I talk a lot of shit about beautiful boys.

but that's okay because you are the most beautiful boy and my body only responds to yours.

You hold my mind.

Okay so maybe beautiful boys aren't the only shit I talk and I know listening to me babble and burst about words you don't know and things you don't give a shit about can’t be fun.

But it’s okay because you listen like you DO give a shit and my rambling mind will always be grateful.

You hold my interest.

I've said it before and I will say it again, I have a fickle soul. I will always get bored. I always tire, no matter how crazy their smile drives me.

But that’s okay because I am yet to tire. That’s not to say that it won’t still happen, but man your smile really does drive me crazy and I'm almost certain I won’t tire of it.

You hold my thoughts.

I feel like this is pretty self-explanatory babe.

But that’s okay because I don’t mind thinking about you.

I don’t think you know what you hold in your hands.

But that’s okay. 

*inspired by the song HiyHiy by Lostboycrow

Nicole Drunk Reviews

*please note that I have not edited or reworded anything or that would kind of defeat the point*

Tobtok - Savanna 

Fuck. You know, when I found this song on Soundcloud, the song info was about how he was cancer free now. Jesus man, if you're gonna put out such a choooon, don't put such a downer on it. Like obviously I'm stoked you're cancer free and making such epic bangers, but I can't stop thinking about how shit that must of been, regardless of the puuuuuure dancingness of this dammmmn song.  6/10 even with the sadness.

Sun models -Odesza 

Ohhmygahd I am so biased when it comes to Odesza. Fuuuck. These guys are amaze balls. This song though is pure my vibes though, like I got a new hard drive and named it Sun Models. Fucking yes please, feeeeeling it. Take me neow, you sweet sweet humans. 8/10

Wyatt - attention 

I'm just gonna say that I sent this song to the dopest guy I know and he makes soundcloud playlists every day and like I sent him this song and it made the playlist but like it was THE FIRST SONG. I'm just saying. Wyatt, bruh, you are smooth as fuck 

You and so are your beeeats. ❤️❤️❤️ -cat with heart eyes emoticon-

Lowell - I love you money 

Listen, I gotta be honest fam, I've had this song on my iPad for like 3 years and I thought it was shit, but noooow I listened to it the other day and fuck me I'm so into it. Moneeeey heeeey. It speaks to my soul man, but like for reals though gurl, you got this 👏👏👏👍👍👍👍 9/10

Jungle - busy earnin' 

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH, NO. lols, see what I did there. Man, this song is such a vibe. Homies please come find me and serenade me with your irie beats and sweet sweet sounds. Yeah that's all. 6 and a half/ 10

I'm into you - Chet faker( moneyneck remix) 

So like we all know this song has been on my blog before, but like I'm just going through the playlist man, chill. Stillllll a banger. Chet faker, though. That beard, though. This remix, though. YOU TRY NOT DANCING. If you say you won't, you're a lying son of a biscuit. FOR REAL. Killliiiing it. 8/10

Veranda Panda - two in the same

HEEEEY. SOUTH AFRICA. Represent. But like let's be for real, THIS GIRLS VOICE THOUGH. End me. So shit. This song is soooooo good, why is this bitch killing the vibe though? Damn gurl, stahp. Girl on violin, whose name I have forgotten, you're slaaaaying it, but shit if the singer is your friend, be a friend and tell her to get a day job. I mean fuck, WAS THERE NOONE BETTER??? Dat beat dough  3/10

Vinyl theatre - breaking up my bones 

Man I don't know what to say. This song is cool. I feel it, but like it's nothing groundbreaking if I'm honest. Cool indie vibe, I bet the lead singer is a babe, but it's not changing my life. Like at all. Mediocrity is a bitch. Keep trying dough. Potential.  5/10

Dawn Golden - all I want (diplo remix) 

This is not fair though. I love the original. Like SO MUCH. This song is everything. Diplo is cool though, so I'm feeling it. But not like A LOT. Cool, but not THAT COOL. Thanks for playing, try again. 5/10

AYER - circle down 

Wooooooo. This guys voooooice. Smooth af. Don't hate it. Don't love it. Could defs get down to it though - seeeeeexy. 7/10

Crystal Fighters - love natural 

DUDE. I saw these guys live last year. Like, holy shit, that happened to me, like ME. Nothing cool ever happens. THAT WAS MY LIFE. I kind of feel like this song is a disappointment now though, like there is nothing like homies in their outfits killing it on stage. BOOOOOOO. Be live all the time. COME BACK. Plzzzzzzz. Ooooops, off track, cool track I guess. Whatever. I've gone into a post Rocking the Daisies depression again. Leave me. 8/10

Yve 48 - on the road

Cool, I guess. Could vibe, not really vibing right now, the beer is against you my friend( read: song). Bleh. Could defs use some cooler lyrics. Think I'm getting a bit bored, if I'm honest. Thanks for the generic house track. Play again, soon. 5/10.

Lincoln Jesser - untold

Woooooah. Let's take a second. This song is new on my radar, but damn son, I don't even know you and you'd totes get it. Just for this song. Let's trade islands? Cause mine is shit and yours apparently sounds like a disco revival. KEEN.  7/10

Flume - hyper paradise 

Hyper paradise, more like TRAP PARADISE, amirite? Looolz, I don't even know if that's the right genre. Anywhooo it's a cool as balls party song, ask college me,  SHE LOVED IT.  Still cool af though, catchy, also fluuuume, what a babe. Call meeee plz. 7 1/2 / 10

Cage the elephant - take it or Leave it (Nebbra remix) 

Woooooooah. Who knew you could remix cage the elephant, like, there AINT NO REST FOR THE WICKED, in one out ear, right out the others. Lols. Okay I'm done, but for serials, what a cool job on remixing an unremixable band. Who knew. GOOD JOB. A + or whatever. 7/ 10

Control - Olympic aryes

Ohhh looook, a track of the week again. Soz. It's the playlist man. So like you already know - DAAAANCING. And if you're new to the blog, boy have I got some news for you - DAAAAANCING. You're welcome. Thanks pretty, mixed race disco revival guys for this band. You cool 👌 8/10

Goldroom - till sunrise 

As someone who is a little bit more in love than they should be, I feeeeeeel this in my soul. Shit man. Why you gotta bring the feels fam? But like while also bringing the beats. These guys are my favourite worst nightmare. Exactly the type of shit I'm into, sad music I can vibe to. Keep killing it homie, I like youuuuu. 7/10

CRUISR - all over

OMG. OMG. OMG. These guys. Fuck. Have you heard throw shade? Fuck, it's brilliant man. This song was like my all time fave for soooo long. Have you seen the video? Pop culture's wet dream of my soul. Well, that was a weird thing to say, but true none the less. MORE MORE MORE. Ktnxbyee. 9/10

Hoodie Allen - No Interruption

Lols, a song about sex by a super white hipster rapper, not sexy. Like at all. Was that what he was going for? Cause NOPE. But like catchy af dough. *sings along against my will* 5/10

Little May - Hide 

Shiiiiiiat. This song though. Fuck boy antheeeem of note. You been burned gurl? listen to this song, cause I'll tell you right now you'll relate. Why you gotta touch my soul like this, damn, just trying to get drunk and review some songs, next thing I know I'm reevaluating my relationship, damn, that's power. This girls voice dough, she could get me to believe things. I don't wanna believe in. I see you gurls - PREACH THE GOSPEL.  10/10

MTNS - salvage 

I'm honestly speechless. Voice = sexy af. Music vid = sexy af. Beats = sexy af. Song in general = Guess? THAT'S RIGHT, sexy af. Cannot. Deal. Take me, MTNS, take me now. Okay, this is awks now. Thanks for this though, music gods, really appreciate this shit. 9/10

Tomas barford - November skies 

Who dis girl though? CAUSE I'm into you babe. Like don't get me wrong, the beats are cooool af, but her voice is everything. This song makes me want change my life, like go outside and shit. Do you know what I mean? Probs not, unless you're drunk like meeee. Nina kinert, gurl sing me to sleep plzzz. 7/10

Smallpools - Mason jar

Have you heard their song Dreaming? Waaaaay better. Although these lyrics are what makes this song cool though, I love sing song story time, like I GET IT, we all have feelings, love and sadness blah blah blah, but like this song takes me on an adventure of forbidden love and like this chicks super hard time, COOL MAN, that's what it's about. More cool lyrics plz. 6 1/2 / 10

Track of the Week

/She gave it all, you gave her shit
She coulda done, just anything
Or anyone, cause she's a goddess
You never got this
You put her down, you liked her hopeless
To walk around, feeling unnoticed
You shoulda crowned her, cause she's a goddess
You never got this/

BANKS - Goddess

I swear to God, BANKS is my spirit animal.

Sleek and haunting, this debut release took my life over for weeks. She's obsessive and sultry and I can't get enough.

Because every women is a fucking goddess. 

Love Always,
Nicole

Track of the Week

GUYS!

This song is my fucking jam right now, holy shit. 

Think for yourself.
You have to be willing to cut against the grain and get the distance from your peer groups.
And not only that, but you have to have a habitual vision of greatness.

BOOM. Truth fucking bomb and then DANCING.

Olympic Ayres - Control 

This duo is for the pleasure-seekers and the trouble-makers. Irrefutably catchy dance beat that makes you want to drop everything and take a road trip. Sun-soaked and highly dance-able have put these guys way way up on my radar.

Even though the song is about not being in control, these guys are definitely in control of their fucking disco revival.

Love always,
Nicole

Track of the Week

In honour of my bestie leaving me in t-minus: one month, I have decided that this week's track of the week will be an ode to our friendship.

The Virgins - Hey Hey Girl

I have memories driving through Melville with dodgy people, doing dodgy things, listening to this album. Because it was literally the only thing we listened to for a year.

I know that The Virgins are for some reason hated, like this is an actual quote from NME - "These feckless wasters are destined for the ninth circle of hell. where they'll be frozen in the icy lake of Cocytus while The Might Boosh band play in the background, their heads in the mouth of Lucifer (who is, in this fantasy, Henry Rollins), their backs forever being skinned by his claws." They however also said this, "despite all this, this album is jam packed with pop hits; the most vomit-inducing shamelessly hipster band we've ever clapped eyes on might have well made one of the hits of the summer."

Needless to say, even though my best friend is leaving me to start a gang in Cape Town called Metaface, where he'll be leader and they will call him numero uno, I will still have this album and free accommodation in Cape Town. So, it's not all bad.

Love always,
Nicole.