New Music Review #15: ‘Answers’ by Darby and Ok2222

I don't exactly go clubbing anymore. I couldn't tell you the last time I was on a dance floor that wasn't immediately preceded by a wedding. But if this is what dance music sounds like now... well, count me all the way back in.

A collab between two of Melbourne’s most promising producers, ‘Answers’ is an immersive, entrancing house track that swirls with emotion and thought.

It’s almost hypnotising, anchored by a subtle but undeniably propulsive beat. It’s the musical equivalent of the pool of lost souls in the 1997 animated classic Hercules.

It’s atmospheric and claustrophobic and dark, churning and encroaching and unexpectedly vibrant. It’s the musical equivalent of the doorway of lost souls in the 1988 horror-comedy classic Beetlejuice.

The beat pulsates through your body, chromatic and echoing. It’s cold and steely, but inherently human.

Lyrically, it’s about running away, falling out of relationships, searching. The vocal can be somewhat haunting in that respect, particularly if you are, in fact, searching. And who isn’t?

You will definitely get lost in this song – but maybe you’ll emerge with the answers, a lost soul no more.

And a few others:

‘Abomination’ by Northlane: A highlight of Northlane’s hectic sixth album, Obsidian, this is the bastard lovechild of Linkin Park and Black Sabbath. Obviously we don’t need another cinematic re-telling of Frankenstein, but if we did, you could base the entire movie around this track and it would be sick.

‘Inside My Mind' by The Grogans: A delightfully contemplative slice of coastal psychedelia that sounds like a perfectly natural mix of Tame Impala, Ocean Alley, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and an old Western movie. No further explanation needed, right?

‘SWITCH’ by Yawdoesitall: Australian hip hop continues its renaissance, a constant and fascinating evolution. Yawdoesitall is a textbook example of the new wave of local rappers: slick, high-energy bars, brimming with confidence and distinctive flare. Real Stormzy vibes on this one. It’s a heater.