My Spring 2022 Soundtrack – My thoughts, insights & musings

“When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest of times, and to the latest.”

Henry David Thoreau[1]

Whilst I appreciate great musicianship and the skills of playing instruments the thing that draws me most to music, and I guess to writing as well, are the lyrics/words, especially those that are inspiring and transformational. It’s one of the things that I love so much about Aussie Hiphop, the way our MCs use verse and language inspires me. The other thing I love about Aussie hiphop is its raw honesty. Anyway, before I get into the new music that has inspired me over the last 3 months, I would just like to acknowledge some books that have been transformational experiences for me this year.

At the start of the year, I read Charles Eisenstein’s ‘Sacred Economics’, which fundamentally transformed my thinking about economics, this also occurred a couple of years ago when I read Gunta Pauli’s ‘The Blue Economy 3.0’ as well. But during Spring this year I have read ‘Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity’ by David Graeber and David Wengrow which has transformed my understanding of human history including our origins of farming, cities, democracy and civilisation itself. I have also just finished reading Dipo Faloyin’s ‘Africa in not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa’ which has transformed my understanding of the diverse cultures and history of Africa and broadened my understanding of the effects of colonisation across the world.

I am spending a lot of time contemplating what our future could be, but an essential part of looking ahead is to have a clearer picture of where we have come from. My reading as well as music appreciation over spring, and for 2022 for that matter, has provided much inspiration for these reflections.

So, without further ado, here’s my Soundtrack of new music for Spring 2022.

NEW MUSIC – ALBUMS

The Hu

The start of spring was a fertile time for new music releases. I was most excited for the release of Rumble Of Thunder, which came out on the 2^nd September. This is The Hu’s second studio album, following their debut album from 2019 called The Gereg.

I only came across The Hu early this year and they have been on high rotation ever since. They are a folk rock/heavy metal band from Mongolia with a unique sound due to the traditional Mongolian instruments they use as well as the Mongolian throat singing which I love.

The opening track and first single from the album is, This Is Mongol and it is my favourite track and a definite contender to make my top 10 for the Hottest 100.

Megadeth

Also, on the 2^nd of September, Megadeth released their 16^th studio album, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! My favourite track would be the first single from the album, We’ll Be Back.

I really haven’t listened to Megadeth often since the 1990’s but I’ve enjoyed their latest album, which still has the signature Megadeth sound.

Montaigne

Montaigne also released an album on the 2^nd September, making it! Whilst I was hanging out for the new albums from The Hu and Megadeth and listened to them as soon as they were released, I didn’t get onto the Montaigne album until early November. I heard an interview with her on ABC radio, or maybe it was RN, and it inspired me to suss out her new album and I have enjoyed it.

My favourite track from the album would probably be Always be You (feat. David Byrne).

Elephant Sessions

I first listened to Elephant Sessions in the lead up to Womad earlier this year. They hail from the highlands of Scotland and are an indie-folk band and they are great live, I loved their set at Womad. They describe their music as a progressive blend of intricate tunes, engulfing guitars, with a bass and drum heavy backline creating a new and exciting sound … and I would concur with that.

On 9^th September they released their 4^th studio album, For the Night, it’s a cracker. My favourite track would be Is This A Vibe.

Sampa the Great

The 9^th September also saw the release of As Above, So Below, the 2^nd studio album from Sampa the Great. My favourite track from the album would be Let Me Be Great (feat. Angélique Kidjo). This is the last track from the album and is a positive and uplifting song affirming the strength of Sampa and her heritage.

When interviewed about the album, and in particular the track Never Forget (feat. Chef 187, Tio Nason, Mwanjé), Sampa delved into why it is important for her to use African history in her lyrics. “We often forget the stories of people who have created things, or we often forget our own stories because they’re usually rewritten for us. African histories are often wiped out,” she said.[2]

The importance of this has been further highlighted by reading ‘Africa is not a Country : Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa’ by Dipo Faloyin.

I first listened to Sampa back in 2019 after she released her debut album, The Return. Her track Final Form made my top ten for the Hottest 100 that year and it is very likely that Let Me Be Great (feat. Angélique Kidjo) will make the cut in 2022.

Whilst seeing Aurora is my first priority for Womad next year, my second will be seeing Sampa perform live for the first time and thankfully there will no chance of a set time conflict as Aurora plays on the Friday and Sampa the Great is on the Sunday, happy days.

Xavier Rudd

Following up Jan Juc Moon which was released in March, Xavier released his second album for the year, Journeys on 23^rd September. Both albums contain what is likely to be my number 1 song for the year, We Deserve To Dream. Here is another version of the song performed at his home in Torquay, We Deserve To Dream | Mahogany Session.

This year is the first time I’ve really got into Xaviers music, its only taken me some 17 years since Xavier first released music to appreciate him, better late than never.

Paul Kelly

Paul had already release two thematic compilations this year, Time and Rivers And Rain. On 30 September he released his third, Drinking. It contains a bunch of classic Paul Kelly tracks.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Chili Peppers have released a second album this year, Return of the Dream Canteen in October. This is their 13^th studio album and follows Unlimited Love which was released in April. It’s amazing how consistently great the Chili Peppers have been for almost 40 years.

Bias B

Bias B is one of my favourite MC’s and released his 8^th studio album, Behemoth on 9^th November. My favourite track would be Drippin’ like That.

But things only got better this Spring as some more Oz hip hop legends also had releases in November …

Thundamentals

I’d been looking forward to listening to the Thundamentals new album All This Life for some time leading up to its release on the 11^th November. It had been a while since the Thundas released any new music, their last album I Love Songs came out in 2018.

In August they released the first single from the album, Top Of The World and this is my favourite track. The track was created as an ode to their youth, it embraces the small wins – the ones that mean the most when you’re growing up and figuring out where your passions lie, encompassing that ‘on top of the world’ feeling you get as a young person trying out new styles, experiences and even relationships.[3]

However, the best for Spring was yet to come until very late, the 21^st November to be exact.

Matty B

The 21^st November heralded the release of Matty B’s 3^rd album, Chronica

Until a couple of months ago I had no idea if Matty B was still alive let alone making music. The last I heard of Matty was in 2006 when he released his second album Simple But Effective. My favourite track from the album being the opening track I’m a Joke, but Aussie Weekender and Globalisation are also up there. Up until the release of his latest album, my favourite Matty B track Fridays came from his debut album, The Courageous L.P, released in 2002. This track reminds me of fun times during my uni days.

The first time I ever heard Matty B was on the Culture Of Kings Vol. 1 compilation album with his song Courageous, which was to become the title track for his debut album. So, it was serendipitous that on my birthday this year that Matty B would release a single which is a reprise of his original anthem, Still Courageous, some 16 years after his last album.

Still Courageous was the first of several singles/music videos released from the new album, it was followed by Crypto Crazy (feat. Bias B), Crew Love and Empire.

I am so happy to be listening to new Matty B music and he is certainly vying for the title as my favourite ever MC. The Herd will always be my favourite band, and up until the release of Chronica, Reason was my favourite MC followed by Matty B, Hunter, Pegz and Bias B. But it has always been a close thing between Reason and Matty B so with new music Matty is making me rethink my rankings. Apparently Matty is already working on his fourth album, how lucky are we to have even more Matty B goodness to come our way in the not-too-distant future.

Anyway, do yourself a favour and get your ears around some old school Aussie hip hop and listen to Matty B’s latest album, Chronica. Its already a classic.

NEW MUSIC – EP’s

Skunkhour

As mentioned in my last blog, Skunkhour’s last release was their 4^th album, The Go back in 2001. In September they released the EP, Parts of the Sun, ending a period of 21 years of no new music. My favourite track is the single from the EP, Blue.

Horrorshow

Following up their EP, Good Problems which was released back in May, Horrorshow have released another EP, Bad Feelings, in October. My favourite track from the EP would be Have A Nice Day (feat. Bootleg Rascal).

However my favourite track released by Horrorshow is DMT from the Good Problems EP.

Horrorshow and touring with Thundamentals next January, will have to wait and see if I can get to that gig.

Urthboy

Urthy release his latest EP, Savour [Prologue] in November, I like all the tracks on the EP but my favourite track would be Gather Around Me (feat. Jane Tyrrell), just because, well … Jane Tyrrell.

NEW MUSIC – Singles

Kev Carmody teamed up with Paul Kelly, Jess Hitchcock, Colin Hay, Chris Cheney and Stu Macleod to release a new version of his brilliant song, Just for You (Jilya Version).

Immortal Technique released Civil War (feat. Brother Ali, Killer Mike, Chuck D).

King Stingray have followed up their debut self-titled album, which was released in August, with the single Down Under (Under One Sun). I enjoyed seeing King Stingray perform at Womad this year. I also love their Like a Version of the Coldplay track, Yellow.

Mass of Man has released a couple more singles this Spring (his Autumn), Time That I Wasted and The Devil Inside. However, my favourite single of his from this year, well favourite isn’t the right word to describe the track really, the most moving and poignant maybe, is Domestic Violence.

Estas Tonne released a new single called Beyond, it is typically powerful, moving and meditative. At least this track is only 5 ½ minutes, his last single, Inner Worlds (Live in Royal Theatre Carré) is a 25-minute guitar solo.

I first became aware of Estas through the documentary, Time of the Sixth Sun, which I encourage everyone to watch.

Estas is a Ukrainian and is described as a ‘modern day troubadour’. According to his website, ‘Estas Tonne is a charismatic being who is committed to artistic expression and the authentic unfolding of music’.

Not content with releasing their album Back in Black earlier this year, Cypress Hill have following up with the release of a single, Crossroads in September. Cypress Hill are touring with Ice Cube in March next year, I’d love to see them, but it is a bit expensive. Will have to wait and see at this stage. March is already very booked up with Womad and Adelaide Writers Week.

I fell in love with Spinifex Gum at Womad back in 2020 and always on the lookout for anything new they release. In November they released the single Ganalili and it’s a definite contender for my top ten.

The final new single I’d like to mention is Joelistics Come Home. According to Joel, this song was written some months into becoming a new parent after an argument fuelled by sleeplessness and stress and a pile up of worries. It’s an acknowledgement that holding it together is hard but worth it. Ultimately, it’s about the decision to remain present and draw from the well of generosity, understanding and love even when you feel the well has run dry.

So, there you go, that’s what’s been in my ears and feeding my soul for the last few months, so what’s been in your ears?

Here is a link to my Spotify playlist, Spring 2022, which includes all the above new releases as well as a bunch of other new tracks.

In the leadup to finalising a top ten for the Hottest 100 I have created the 2022 Hottest 100 Contenders playlist. It contains 50 songs which are pretty much in order from my favouritest to my less than favouritest.

Top 10 Songs for 2022