Music

ODESZA and Golden Features aka BRONSON, select ten tracks rocking their world


GRAMMY-nominated duo ODESZA and ground-breaking Sydney producer Golden Features have joined forces for a brand new project, BRONSON.

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The three artists released their self-titled debut album last Friday on Foreign Family Collective/Ninja Tune. The first two singles from the record are out now – ‘HEART ATTACK (feat. lau.ra)’ and ‘VAULTS’. Listen to the two tracks here. The album is available now from the BRONSON website.

The singles offer a taste of the range of sounds featured on the upcoming album. While ‘HEART ATTACK’ teams deep melodic electronica with lau.ra’s rich vocals, ‘VAULTS’ has a much darker sound fusing distorted basslines and edgier cinematic tones.

On the former, BRONSON says: “It was the first vocal track we worked on for the record. It was one of those ideas that came together really quickly and felt very natural while writing with lau.ra. Ultimately, it was a confluence between the two distinctive sounds of ODESZA and Golden Features. It served as a turning point in the writing process of the album and an inspiration for the other vocal tracks to come.”

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While on ‘VAULTS’ they explain: “It was one of the earlier instrumentals we completed, and it acted as a cornerstone to the overall sound design and aesthetic of the album. The track really proved a departure from each artist’s own respective styles and set a definitive change in direction for the BRONSON project. We knew we had something special here and it served as a guiding light for the rest of the record.”

BRONSON was formed when ODESZA members Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight met Golden Features’ Tom Stell at an Australian music festival in 2014. The trio shared a mutual admiration for their respective acts and stayed in touch by sharing music across time zones and continents through Dropbox files and FaceTime calls. Things culminated in 2018 when the three artists spent a week in the remote region of Berry, Australia, recording what would later become their debut BRONSON album.

As indicated by the two first singles, elements of light versus dark run throughout the 10-track album with the theme reflecting the light and dark inherent in human beings. The record combines both melodic vocal songs and moodier, deeper electronica with guest features from lau.ra (part of experimental rock band Ultraísta alongside Radiohead’s Nigel Godrich), acclaimed US R&B singer Gallant and British producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.

ODESZA and Golden Features have a combined streaming total which reaches the billions, and hold multiple gold and platinum singles and albums, respectively. Both acts have remixed and collaborated with an array of renowned artists including Sia, Charli XCX, Leon Bridges, Regina Spektor, Katy Perry amongst others.

Both leaders in live shows, together they’ve reached millions of fans around the world on headline tours, with ODESZA selling out venues including London’s O2 Academy Brixton, Los Angeles’ Staples Center and New York’s Barclays Center, as well as headlining festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Outside Lands and Lollapalooza.

We caught up with them this week and asked them to talk us through ten tracks that are rocking their world.

Prospa – Ecstasy (Over & Over)

This duo is one of our favourite groups, they really haven’t made a bad song. Perfectly encapsulating so many great early dance influences into modern tunes.

Rebüke – Along Came Polly

Not a new one but one we recently found. Love the way the percussive synth modulates throughout and gives the perfect 3am club vibe that we love.

Jacques Greene – Do It Without You

This song feels like a faint memory of a night out. Hits you in the gut with emotion and makes you want to get in a car and never stop driving.

DJ Seinfeld – U

We love this tune. Beautiful, emotive with an incredible groove.

Headie One x Fred Again – Told (Brian Eno Remix)

Such an unexpected remix to one of our favourite records of the year. Incredible take on this tune and amazing to hear Brian Eno out here remixing modern electronic music like this.

Bicep – Atlas

Haunting vocals, a crunchy drum break and modular synth leads gliding from one note to the other. It’s an intoxicating and beautiful tune.

Caribou – Never Come Back (Four Tet Remix)

This song distills everything about what makes electronic music exciting for us. Both Four Tet and Caribou are masters who we admire deeply, so to see this crossover is a dream come true.

DMA’s – Life Is a Game Of Changing (Willaris. K Remix)

Tom being from Australia has a massive affinity for both parties involved in this one. Again, it’s electronic music done right, it’s proof that indie bands can stand in front of an electronic backdrop when it’s done tastefully. Willaris. K is one to watch. 

Skin On Skin – Get Some Understanding!

This is one of the most exciting tunes we’ve heard lately. In a world where technology puts every possibility at your fingertips, minimalism is everywhere. Skin On Skin strips this back to raw minimalism. It’s punk, it’s techno and it’s infectious.

Rosa Anschütz – Rigid (Kobosil 44 Rush Mix)

Techno at its finest. Six months of lockdown has us all lusting to be back to raving in dark, sweaty rooms. This song’s bittersweet.

 

 





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