This Week's Releases

In need of an updated playlist? Here's what to look out for this week.

Waxahatchee - Out In The Storm (Merge)

Katie Crutchfield's strike-rate is something of a marvel. Exceptionally prolific but remarkably consistent, Crutchfield's songwriting hasn't even faltered throughout the runaway success of her most celebrated and scrutinised project. If anything, Waxahatchee has only grown more ambitious and rewarding with every release. Out In The Storm continues that streak. Easily the project's most polished effort, their fourth album was largely tracked live with Crutchfield's collaborators under the ears of veteran alt-rock soundman John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth) and sounds absolutely beautiful. A remarkable evolution, given the bedroom studio of the project's first effort.

"Another high watermark from an artist who probably owes the world a dud." - Matt O'Neill - Album Of The Week, four and a half stars.

Meg Mac - Low Blows (EMI Music Australia)

Meg Mac, aka Megan McInerney, seems to have been on a constant upswing since Every Lie snagged triple j's Unearthed Artist Of The Year in 2014. Track Grace Gold makes an instant impression with a mix to match McInerney's impressive vocal — driven by chest-rumbling drums and bass and shot through quick electric stabs of funky guitar. It would almost be enough to make you wonder how close this album was to being named after the opener if the subsequent title-track Low Blow wasn't packed with all the same qualities in equal measure. They are both mega catchy and, most importantly, big without being bombastic. 

"It's a quality that McInerney has shown from the start and she seems to have just about perfected at Niles City Sound." - Sam Wall - three and a half stars.

The Kite String Tangle - The Kite String Tangle (Exist. Recordings)

For an artist who emerged from the notoriously eclectic and spontaneous group Pigeon, The Kite String Tangle's Danny Harley has always been remarkably precise in his work. In some cases, almost overly so. While understandably widely embraced, Harley's early solo work seemed almost too delicate and beautiful; bordering on fragile. But his long-gestating debut solo album redresses that potential shortcoming. While equally as considered and precise as his early successes, The Kite String Tangle has a beautiful undercurrent of business ebbing and flowing beneath Harley's golden vocals. It was hinted at in single The Prize - which moved from a stripped-back pulse into a blissful explosion of shivering electronics with each chorus - and the album's remaining tracks deliver on that promise.

"One of the best Australian electronic albums in some time." - Matt O'Neill - four stars.