Thundamentals – Self Titled

In 2008, Blue Mountains locals Thundamentals released their debut Self-Titled EP. The four man crew is comprised of MC’s Jeswon and Tuka, whilst DJ Morgs and Tommy Fiasko handle production and cuts. Their unique blend of worldly influences was impressive enough to be picked up by Obese Records and more recently supporting Astronomy Class on the Where You At? tour.

Storm Warning is a definite highlight of the EP, featuring a lurching drum pattern and entrancing synth.  The lyrics could be vaguely construed as an introduction to the way Thundamentals do things. MC’s Tuka and Jeswon assert themselves, commanding attention with a set of tight, suave verses. Vocalist Charlotte Craib is another worthy addition to the track, belting out an addictive jazzy hook. Easy to hear why Storm Warning received Triple-J rotation. Carpe Diem is another effective track, propelled by a cohesive series of swift musical elements. The most impressive of which is the rhythmic proficiency of Tuka and Jeswon. The pair resonate by keeping it simple, particularly when it comes to the hook. Some tight scratches provide a seamless structure to the uptempo track. Tuka and Jeswon excel once more on Specialists with some silky smooth verses. The swagger and suave of both the lyrics and the beat is intoxicating. Lines like ‘I’m the man with the golden gun/they say I’m quicker than the hands I stole it from” and “high class imagery like limousines” combined with the resounding, jazzy horns and a sinister bassline renders an atmosphere of espionage, luring the listener closer.

Thundamentals’ Self Titled EP is a quality release and hopefully a strong indication of more to come from the Blue Mountains crew. It will be intriguing to hear what they have to offer on a full-length release in the future. This solid first offering cements their name in an exciting, younger cast of Australian Hip Hop to watch in years to come.

www.myspace.com/thundamentals

Brad Strut – Fallout Shelter

Much has changed for Brad Strut since the 2007 release of Legend: Official. The Melbourne MC has relocated to North London and since linked up with acclaimed producer Beat Butcha to release an intense six-track EP entitled Fallout Shelter. Despite the highly vivid choice of concept, Strut opens up a vast gamut of emotions and material to cover. It is impressive to see a veteran of the scene attack a distinctive angle with such ease. The EP is coupled with the impressive Rejuvination LP remix disc featuring 13 tracks from various Brad Strut releases and mixtapes.

Fallout Shelter opens with the eerie Hello To Goodbye, a chilling introduction to the conceptual premise of the EP. Beat Butcha underpins the panicked sentiment with an effective flute section. A series of well-placed atmospheric samples also contributes to the execution of the track. Strut’s on-point lyrics reveal a thirst for storytelling. Butcha’s stone cold effort on Blastin ‘Em is reminiscent of Trem’s haunting soundscapes with Lyrical Commission. It is an ideal musical foundation over which Strut’s verses illuminate paranoid schizophrenic recounts of catastrophic experiences. The seamless chemistry between producer and MC has yielded impressive results on Blastin ‘Em as well as others including New Dawn. Here, the succession of base human emotions takes an upwards diversion through both Strut’s positive, optimism-tinged lyrics and Beat Butcha’s delightful beat. The latter of which is spearheaded by shimmering string sections and complimented by a dreamy guitar loop and soul-soaked vocal sample. New Dawn is a precursor of sorts to the slightly more upbeat tones of the final tracks of EP.

Fallout Shelter’s value is compounded by the inclusion of the Rejuvination LP remix project featuring a host of leading producers from Australia and the UK including: Trials, Dazastah, M-Phazes, Simplex, Mortar, Ciecmate, Tornts, Jehst, Beat Butcha and Chemo. The quality of the two-disc release affirms Brad Strut as one of Australia’s leading MC’s. The EP is an impressive effort on its own, a highly potent collection of six tracks centred around the notion of survival. Fallout Shelter is out tomorrow.

www.myspace.com/bradstrut