Future Focus 024: Malana, Chase Zera, Du0
Words by Luke Byatt
Welcome to Future Focus, an editorial series providing a personable glimpse into some of best music releasing in the scene. Future Focus 024 features the diverse and vibrant sounds of Malana, Chase Zera, and du0.
Malana - Candy
We’ve previously featured Norwich based producer Malana, and now he’s back with ‘Candy’.
‘Candy’ opts for a reflective tone that flows with a sense of bewilderment. Spacious pads meld with distant percussion and sensual synths, generating a textured soundscape that sings to the soul. The record’s meditative nature explores the human condition as hypnotic vocal samples glide across the bed of blissful production. The amalgamation of production prowess and considered emotion position ‘Candy’ above its counterparts.
Malana continues to impress with each release, and I can’t wait to hear what’s to come.
“The track is ultimately about dependence. I think the theme of unhealthy dependence on a person, a habit or something else is one that a lot of people can relate to. Depending on someone else to make you happy is not only an incredibly unhealthy position to find yourself in, but places an impossible amount of responsibility on the other person, whether they’re aware of it or not.”
Malana (Provided)
Chase Zera - Bring Me Down
Sydney dance pop queen, Chase Zera has burst back into the scene with ‘Bring Me Down’.
I had the pleasure of witnessing Chase Zera perform ‘Bring Me Down’ at WEEK END CLUB in September last year; you can read about that, HERE. With the record’s world wide release, the ethereal and dance inducing production and lively lyricism of the record came rushing back with vivid intensity. The Chase Zera project is undoubtably one of the most exciting artistic endeavours coming from the harbour city, with ‘Bring Me Down’ being a testament to that sentiment.
I’ll be watching closely as Chase Zera asserts herself as a fundamental figure within the Australian pop and electronic landscapes.
“I found self-confidence I didn’t know I had when I wrote ‘Bring Me Down’. It’s a song about self-care and building the courage to make your own decisions and choices without needing validation. I tuned out other people’s judgement and expectations for a moment in time and just did what felt right for myself. You don’t always need to be in the mood to take in advice and motivational quotes about how to live your life. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut, do what makes you happy and trust your own instincts. That’s how you grow, that’s how you learn.”
Chase Zera (Provided)
du0 - Number (Feat. Brandyn Burnette)
The team at Futuremag Music and I have been a big fans of du0 for a while now. Teaming up with Brandyn Burnette, the release of ‘Number’ is another impressive release from the Brisbane based producer.
Blending soulful vocals courtesy of Brandyn Burnette with a rich deep house production bed, ‘Number’ is a hefty release that hits all the marks. Analogue elements flutter as sonorous electronica resonates. This layering of minute aspects culminate to forge a robust record full of character and sonic sentiment. As duo and Brandyn Burnette’s expertise combine a single is formed that reflects the artistic aptitude of both creatives.
With du0 signing to Central Station Records, I can’t wait to hear more standout releases.
“The lyrics for ‘Number’ are very personal to me, it’s about a relationship that came to an end. Looking back now it had nothing to do with them, it was really due to the dark place that I was in at the time. I was stuck in the monotony of life and had become really numb. I was struggling to feel anything, which put unnecessary pressure on the relationship and ultimately caused it to end.”
du0 (Provided)