Future Focus 033: little luna, Quiet Bison, Chymes, Westend, China Roses
Words by Luke Byatt, Brooklyn Gibbs, James Guido, Ryan Stewart (Lucian)
Welcome to Future Focus, an editorial series providing a personable glimpse into some of best music releasing in the scene. Future Focus 033 features the diverse and vibrant sounds of little luna, Quiet Bison, Chymes, Westend and China Roses.
little luna - shift & go
By Luke Byatt
Los Angeles’ little luna might be your new favourite Pop act with the release of her debut, ‘shift & go’.
It’s becoming a rarity to have a piece of music send tingles down my spine, yet ‘shift & go’ the debut release from little luna did just that. Swelling with a sensuous soundscape and lush lyrics, the single sings to the soul. Through blending an Alt-Pop aesthetic with a modernistic tinged Electronic production bed, little luna explores the human condition with visceral intent. Structurally ‘shift & go’ bucks the trend of contemporary Pop by continually building to one magnificent crescendo, rather than opting for traditional choruses. This delivery indicates that little luna is only getting started with ‘shift & go’ acting as the first step in her forthcoming journey. If you’re a fan of London Grammar or Broods, little luna is certain to be a mainstay in your listening experience.
I’m absolutely delighted to have little luna cross my radar. I can safely say she’ll be one of the best Pop acts you’ll hear in 2020 and beyond.
“‘shift & go’ is based off of a poem I wrote in 2016. It’s my most personal to date, as it’s about allowing myself (yourself) to change; to quite literally “shift… & go.” The song was co-written and produced by Blake Harnage, and mixed by John Sinclair. ‘shift & go’ poses the question: who could we be if we take the labels off of who we’re “supposed” to be?”
Quiet Bison - High Like This (Feat. Reo Cragun)
By Brooklyn Gibbs
Following a brief hiatus, Portland native Quinn Brown AKA Quiet Bison returns to the forefront of emerging electronic talent. Featuring rapper Reo Cragun, ‘High Like This’ dissolves the barrier between genre and sound. Steeped in Quiet Bison’s geometric sound design with mutated edges and fearless experimentation and psychedelic bravado, this single blurs the lines between Hip-Hop and experimental EDM.
After his breakthrough debut EP, Trials and Tribulations, sent a shotgun blast into the dance music atmosphere, Quiet Bison captured the attention of the entire industry. Furthering his ascent into the world of avant-garde production, he released his sophomore EP, Sequence, in 2019. Wrapping up his busiest year yet, Quiet Bison delivered his third studio EP, Nightfall, which earned praise from many. With a track like ‘High Like This’, Quiet Bison proves he only gets better from here. In the midst of a global pandemic, Quiet Bison emerges to transport listeners to the mainstage once again with ‘High Like This’. This track will leave you reminiscing over nightclubs and music festivals.
‘High Like This’ is out now serving as the lead single to Quiet Bison’s forthcoming debut album.
Quiet Bison (Provided)
Chymes - Worship
By James Guido
Following an exciting 2019 with releases like 'Euphoria' and her earlier 2020 releases 'Bad' and 'GITY', Chymes drops this new one, 'Worship'.
Entering with some killer pitched percussion and vocal effects, 'Worship' hits deep into a seemingly new era for Chymes which was laid out in her previous release 'Bad'.
'Worship' is the self-confident electro-pop anthem we've all been waiting for, with Chymes comments reflecting the ideas behind the track; “‘Worship’ is about knowing your worth, knowing you are a work of art and that you should be respected. For me personally, it leans a little more towards inequality, but still being a bit fun and sassy. This is my “bad bitch” song that is about feeling powerful and dangerous, taking back a bit of power in life.” Releasing concurrently with the single is a divine music video, directed by Ash Lim; a testament to Chymes and her creative vision for the project.
We are looking forward to what is new to come from Chymes for the rest of 2020 and into 2021.
Westend - Prickly Pear
By Ryan Stewart (Lucian)
New York producer and groove master, Westend delivers his latest single ‘Prickly Pear’.
From the backbone of a propulsive rolling tech house vibe, ‘Prickly Pear’ treats the listener to a host of ear-candy including synth swells, quirky flourishes and beckoning vocal loops. A gentle pivot from Westend’s bread and butter, the wonky melodies in ‘Prickly Pear’ serve as a one way ticket from the dance floor express to a faraway galaxy. The ebbs and flows in energy throughout the record are timed perfectly to get you grooving, culminating in a final buildup that makes it impossible to keep your hands down.
Exploring new directions in ‘Prickly Pear’ has paid off for Westend, expect this one to find a place amongst Insomniac’s catalogue of heavy hitters in the club.
Westend (Provided)
China Roses - Worst Enemy
By Luke Byatt
Adelaide duo, China Roses make their label debut on etcetc with the release of ‘Worst Enemy’.
‘Worst Enemy’ is a sensational Electro-Alt-Pop ballad that grooves with its way through a production dreamscape. The notion of self reflection is a key motif within the bounds of the singles three and a quarter minute duration. In keeping with China Roses’ diverse sonic, the crisp composition surges as the abstract nature of the lyrics prosper unbridled. The balance of each engrossing element within ‘Worst Enemy’ results in a record that is equally palatable as it is introspective.
Be sure to check out China Roses; who are rising stars in the South Australian music scene.
“We took that chorus-guitar sound and added our electronic take to the drums and keys. The vocals and music combined express the unspoken imagery, offering the listener an additional layer. I think that’s what we also tried to capture in the film clip. Having two sides of the same person and how they interact with each other. There’s a lot of story and symbolism for people to interpret for themselves and I think people will take away their own meanings.”