Month: February 2019

Track of the Day: Trupa Trupa “Dream About” (2019)

Polish psych-pop quartet Trupa Trupa are the newest signees to legendary Seattle label, Sub Pop. With the promise of new music later in the year, the band has released an official video for their track “Dream About” to hold fans over in the meantime. Boosted by a gloomy bassline that would heighten the tension in…

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Photo Gallery: Arctic Monkeys + Mini Mansions – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (26.02.19)

Arctic Monkeys‘ Australian & New Zealand tour hit Melbourne on Tuesday night, joining the band were Mini Mansions. The AU’s Rebecca Houlden was there to capture all the action. The tour continues to Sydney for two shows on Friday and Saturday, before heading to Brisbane. For more information and to get tickets for the remaining shows…

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Nintendo announces revolutionary Pokemon Sword and Shield

Those (everyone) who saw it coming when Game Freak announced that they would be working on a set of mainline Pokemon titles for Nintendo Switch have finally got the revelation that they’ve been waiting for. We all clamored over each other for the fairly recent Pokemon Let’s Go titles, and now it seems that we’ve…

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the AU review announces its first ever SXSW official showcase as final 10th Birthday celebration with Hello Asia!

In our 10th year of covering SXSW on the AU review, we’re thrilled to reveal the lineup for our first ever official showcase at the iconic Austin event. Partnering with our sister publication Hello Asia!, the event will feature three Australian acts and two acts from Japan and one from Korea. It’s all happening at…

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Album Review: Gary Clark Jr. – This Land (2019 LP)

The bluesman appears to have become a rare and shy character in the age of synthesizers and auto tune. Still some loyal guitar heroes keep on carrying the torch for the moody genre. Among them is Texas born and raised guitarist and singer Gary Clark Jr. Even though he clearly has a passion for the…

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Final Fantasy IX Review: A grand adventure at home on the Switch

Claiming Final Fantasy IX is your favourite of the PSOne era FF titles is a bit like saying Ringo is your favourite Beatle — most people think you’re a wanker and that there are far better musicians in the group. But what Ringo fans know is that he’s often unfairly overlooked. Sure, he’s responsible for…

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Dirt Rally 2.0 Review: The Very Top of the Podium

As a major racing fan, it’s no secret that developer Codemasters is quickly becoming the king of racing games, nearly perfecting the Formula 1 racing series. Dirt Rally 2.0 is absolutely no exception, proving to be not only one of the best rally games from Codemasters, but one of the best rally games of all…

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Exclusive EP Premiere: Chakra Efendi – Until The Children Grow Old (2019 EP)

We’re excited today to be premiere, Until The Children Grow Old, the debut EP from the Brisbane via Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter Chakra Efendi. At only nineteen years old, Efendi has already built something of a dedicated cult both at home and overseas thanks to a series of demos posted to SoundCloud. Demos, which to date,…

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Ape Out Review: Guns, gore and gorillas

Ape Out is not a terribly long game, but it is a fun one. It’s an entertaining and creative riff on the format popularised by Hotline Miami, a barbarous explosion of violence that belies its more rhythm-based gameplay. You play an angry, caged gorilla ready to throw off the shackles of oppression and embark on…

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ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove Review: Bumpy ride in the Way Back Machine

I’ll preface this review by saying that despite owning a Sega Mega Drive, I never played either of the original ToeJam & Earl games in their heyday. I also never played the series’ abortive third entry on the original Xbox either, though I understand that this is probably for the best. Well may you say,…

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Track of the Day: Your Smith “Bad Habit” (Japanese Wallpaper Remix)

New Neon Gold signing Your Smith is about to hit Australian shores for the first time, following the release of the Japanese Wallpaper remix of this track, “Bad Habit”, our Track of the Day. Minneapolis native Your Smith a.k.a. Caroline Smith relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, where inspired by the cherished songwriters of her youth, she…

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Interview: Ben Okri talks The Freedom Artist and literary festivals

Whilst he was in the country for both Perth Writers Week and Adelaide Writers’ Week, I had the chance to sit down with author, poet and Man Booker Prize winning novelist Ben Okri to chat about his new novel The Freedom Artist. Set in a world uncomfortably like our own, The Freedom Artist is a…

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Interview: Jet’s Nic Cester talks fatherhood, the downsides of Melbourne, and the potential for new material

A lot has changed for Jet frontman, Nic Cester, since the Australian rock icons first shot to international superstardom. It’s been over fifteen years since the band first released their debut album, Get Born. Two more albums followed and then a decade long hiatus. In recent years, the band have finally made a return, supporting Bruce…

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Album of the Week: Pond – Tasmania (2019 LP)

We’re a matter of days away from the release of Pond’s eighth studio album, Tasmania. Pond declares Tasmania something of a sister missive to their critically acclaimed 2017 album The Weather. The thematics of both albums are kindred in many respects. Tasmania explores place, history, hints of colonialism, and nature’s unfortunate submission towards humans – themes that…

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Album Review: On See You (2019 EP) Sweater Curse showcase their talent and potential

Brisbane band Sweater Curse have been making many waves in the Australian music scene over the past few years, with support slots for major artists, Triple J Unearthed support and a growing list of performances. Now, with their new EP See You, the band offer up a full showcase of just why they’ve become so…

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Live Review: Kwame + Arno Faraji + Maya Hirasedo – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (23.02.19)

It was a late night for the Melbourne crowd who garnered the Northcote Social Club in large numbers on Saturday night, but it didn’t seem to put them off from turning out early for the opening acts. The evening’s first opener was Melbourne local and hip-hop/pop artist Maya Hirasedo. Her set was a stunning mixture…

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Track of the Day: Dream Ritual “Stones” (2019)

We all need a little bit of scuzzy 90’s inspired grunge in our lives, especially because this kind of alt-rock is becoming increasingly hard to come across in a sea of constant pop (and pop rap) releases flooding social media. Your latest taste comes from Springfield, Missouri band Dream Ritual who capture all the frustration…

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This Golden Gaytime Croissant is Taking Over Sydney for Mardi Gras

The team at Alexandria’s Textbook Boulangerie-Patisserie are known for making some of the most delicious croissants in the entire country, among many other treats. It’s why there’s queues out the door on most days, and that kind of buzz is only set to grow during Mardi Gras weekend with the introduction of the Golden Gaytime…

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Interview: Sweater Curse’s Monica talks all things music ahead of the release of their debut EP See You

Sweater Curse are a Brisbane band who have had a large jump in notoriety in recent times, thanks in part to their unique blend of pop and rock, and emotive, dense and beautiful songs. Ahead of the release of their debut EP See You on March 1st, the band’s lead singer and bassist Monica spoke to us…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Djuki Mala – Umbrella Revolution, Adelaide (24.02.19)

North East Arnhem Land dancers Djuki Mala return to Adelaide Fringe this year to once again deliver their high-energy, and highly original dance performance, and it should be on the top of everyone’s must-see list!   Beginning their performance with traditional dance, Djuki Mala demonstrated their skill at telling a story through movement, whilst behind them projected images set the scene and…

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Live Review: Tia Gostelow rocked Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel with Lola Scott and MANE

It was an empowering night of young female talent at Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel on Saturday. Mackay-local Tia Gostelow brought along vocal-powerhouses Lola Scott and MANE to support her sold-out show, and boy was it a showcase for the books! Lola Scott’s dark-indie pop offered a dramatic and energetic start to the evening. Her performance drew…

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Live Review: Aloe Blacc unravels the history of Soul at Zoo Twilights (Melbourne)

The Melbourne summer peak may be on its last legs, but musical and cultural events are still in full swing around the city. A series of concerts under the name Zoo Twilights are currently underway at Melbourne Zoo, lasting from January to March. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to see the animals then bring…

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Book Review: W.C. Ryan’s atmospheric A House of Ghosts blends wartime intrigue with a sinister ghost story

1917. At Blackwater Abbey in Devon, a storm is brewing. Lord and Lady Highmount invite renowned mediums, bereaved parents, and one troubled young soldier into their home, all in the hopes of contacting their sons, lost to the war ravaging Europe – much of it powered by the Highmounts’ own armaments. Thrust unexpectedly into their…

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Live Review: In Sydney Bananarama, Tiffany and Amber knew how to party like it’s 1989

Bananarama, Tiffany and Amber walk into a bar. It’s not 1989, even if it may feel that way. These artists know that girls just wanna have fun and they delivered joyous sets filled with nostalgic pop music. The Enmore Theatre could have been the setting for fluro outfits, large perms and shoulder pads, but these…

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Photo Gallery: Djuki Mala – Umbrella Revolution, Adelaide Fringe (24.02.19)

Djuki Mala have returned to Adelaide Fringe for what is sure to be another huge season. Don’t miss their energetic performance at Umbrella Revolution in the Garden Of Unearthly Delights. The AU Review sent Kerrie Geier along to take these shots.

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Mardi Gras in Sydney: Five fabulous events on this week

It’s that time again, where pride, diversity and strength take centre stage as the fabulous Mardi Gras rolls into town. Not just all about the parade itself anymore, the celebration has become about Sydney, it’s people, and it’s venues coming together to showcase and highlight the city’s effervescent LGBTQI community all week long. Right up…

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Track of the Day: Aldous Harding “The Barrel” (2019)

Last week saw singer-songwriter Aldous Harding share her new single “The Barrel”, the first taste from the New Zealander’s forthcoming third album Designer.  Along with the new single, we were also treated to a wonderfully eccentric and frankly captivating Martin Sagadin directed music video. Featuring Harding dressed in her best puritan costume, the video provides…

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Games Review: Anthem would be a great game if it didn’t keep getting in its own way

I have started and deleted this review three times in the week and a bit since our review codes arrived. It’s been a long time since I’ve found myself so conflicted about a game I’m reviewing, but Anthem has had me doubling back a lot, second guessing myself. The nutshell version is that I like…

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Film Review: Celebration: Yves Saint Laurent (France, 2007) offers a rare look at the designer’s creative process

Most people have seen Yves Saint Laurent’s creations but how many have wondered what is going on beneath the covers? The documentary, Celebration: Yves Saint Laurent, should answer some of these questions. This French film is shot in cinéma vérité style and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion legend and his army of helpers….

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Five things not to miss at the 2019 Adelaide Festival

The Adelaide Festival opens runs between the 1st and 17th March and there’s a full program which can make choosing what to see a daunting task. Here’s five suggestions that should help choosing easier. Opening night: National Geographic: Symphony for our world Elder park comes alive on Saturday 2nd March for this family-friendly free concert…

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