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 026 features the diverse and vibrant sounds of ZOLLY, Dugong Jr, and WEIRDO.

ZOLLY - On A Low

Crooked Colour’s front man, Phil Slabber is back with ‘On A Low’, another sensational cut from his ZOLLY project.

‘On A Low’ is your A-Grade House record, designed to make you move your body. While holding onto elements of club house tropes, ZOLLY injects new life into the genre with quirky sound design and gritty vocals. The amalgamation of an off kilter soundscape paired with a traditional dance floor filling composition, results in a familiar yet refreshing record. ‘On A Low’ is another step forward for the ZOLLY project and Slabber’s extensive artistic career.

I’m utterly infatuated with both ZOLLY and Crooked Colours, so I’m itching for more creative content from Phil Slabber in the future.

Dugong Jr - Float (Feat. Rromarin)

Funk master, Dugong Jr has your weekly grooves sorted with ‘Float’ featuring Futuremag Music favourite, Rromarin.

‘Float’ combines sensuous Hip Hop and Funk vibes with a bubbly UK Garage to form a lush soundscape. Delicately dancing upon this vista is Rromarin’s illustrious vocal performance. There’s a reason the Melbourne based writer and vocalist is so sought after, and you can witness the talent unbridled within ‘Float’s four minute structure. Dugong Jr mirrors Rromarin’s artistic aptitude, allowing the production to ebb and flow smoothly throughout the single’s fluid run time.

Dugong Jr and Rromarin are masters of their craft, and I can’t wait to see what else they have lined up.

WEIRDO - FAKIN’

If you love the eclectic yet utterly infectious sound of Oliver Malcolm, UK artist WEIRDO has you covered with ‘FAKIN’’.

‘FAKIN’’ is the epitome of “Anti-Pop”; the dissection of social norms and subversion of traditional pop while remaining palatable. WEIRDO imbues a depth of introspection and experience into the the deep cutting record. Driving drums and sultry synths urge lo-fi vocals through the debris filled path of shattered materialism. Joining the single is a music video by film director Lubos Rezler and DOP Filip Marek, depicting the misery behind an egotistical facade.

WEIRDO entered my life out of left field and is here to stay as a pillar of my personal playlists.