Friday's Five at 5 | Volume Five

Hey guys! Friday's Five at 5 Volume Five is here and we are killing it with the Australasian music this week.

Thank you to everyone who sent in music to be featured this week, this series IS all about what you guys enjoy.

If you would like to get involved by sending in artists you love or even be featured yourself, don't hesitate to shoot me a message on Instagram or Twitter (links at the bottom of the story; read it first!)

I also have a surprise for everyone this week to celebrate volume Five (because Friday's Five at 5 Volume Five just sounds so cool), but again, read the story first to find out!

Without further ado, here is Friday's Five at 5 - Volume Five.

1. "The Way That You Love Me" | Vera Blue

This artist is probably a bit high profile for my small blog about independent artists, but she was requested by one of my awesome readers Olivia, and how could I deny writing about the amazing talented artist that is Vera Blue.

Celia Pavey, the magnificent woman behind this project, launched into the music scene as a folk artist from the small country town of Forbes, New South Wales. Starting out as an acoustic musician and then finding her sound in alternative electronica music, she presents gentle yet show-stopping tunes with her powerful vocals taking command.

“I’ve always wanted to create something that’s a blend of folk and cool, heavy, thick sounds,” she says.

“This is the music I have been wanting to make and I feel like I’m unleashing.”

"The Way That You Love Me" was released in July this year and what a powerhouse of a track. This is one of my favourite kind of songs, where the artist juxtaposes an upbeat tempo with dark, hard-hitting lyrics. The catchy melodies distract you from the important message of the song, but maybe that is due to the fact that abusive relationships are so often hidden and go unnoticed. Or maybe I'm reading too far into the meaning behind the song!

Either way, this song is a hit, much like others released by Vera including "All The Pretty Girls" and "Regular Touch."

2. "Reaper" | The Beautiful Monument

This all girl Aussie powerhouse alternative rock band is ready to take on the world with their debut album I'm the Reaper making waves across the nation.

Track two and what could be called the title track of the album—"Reaper"—is a cool rocky track which is sure fire to get you up and dancing. It feels like something I would've listened to on repeat in high school, and let's be honest, also now (I still listen to the same awesome alt-rock music I did in high school. It's good music. Don't judge me.).

This band reminds me of A Day to Remember crossed with Ruby Fields' vocals. In fact, I could even call this band the girl version of ADTR except kind of cooler…

These ladies have AM//PM written all over them and I hope to see them at an event soon!

3. "Love Me Now" | SACHI ft. CXLOE

This electronic-pop EDM duo from Auckland, New Zealand (Will Thomas and Nick Chrisp) really know how to make good music, and one of my personal favourite vocalists features on one of the most popular songs from their new EP, Nights with Ruby.

"Love Me Now" is a groovy electro-pop tune with incredible energy and awesome vocals from up-and-coming Aussie star CXLOE. It's catchy, relatable, and will be stuck in your head all weekend.

With influences such as Flume, Disclosure and Frank Ocean, this due are set to go far.

4. "Child" | Kota Banks

Aussie pop prodigy Kota Banks boasts clever lyrics and catchy tunes, with her 2018 album Prize showing everyone who's boss.

Her confidence really shines through in "Child"; one of her most popular releases with over 900,000 streams on Spotify. This strong, talented woman is really adding a vital voice of empowerment (#girlpower) to the music scene, with lyrics like "I need a big bad man // You act like you're at school."

Her newest release—"20 Missed Calls"—is perhaps the sassiest anthem I've heard this year about controlling your own narrative.

“The two things that are important to me when I write music are that it’s empowering and strong in its message, and that it’s fresh and clever lyrically.”

Kota Banks will be playing at Spilt Milk Festival in Canberra and Ballarat this November.

5. "Runaway" | SAFIA

SAFIA (Ben Woolner, Michael Bell and Harry Sayers) rein from Canberra, Australia where they developed their radical electronica indie-pop sound. After winning the Groovin' the Moo competition in 2012, these guys have been on the rise.

Their latest release, Story's Start or End, released just last week, really documents the highs and lows the band has gone through over the last two and a half years. Track eight on the album, "Runaway," was requested by Friday's Five at 5 reader Manoli and it's honestly such a bop with its beautiful vocals and groovy electro sounds.

Other popular songs from the album include "Resolution" and "Starlight," which has over 6 million streams on Spotify.

SAFIA are heading on tour this month until October, playing across Australia and also playing shows in New Zealand, so be sure to grab your tickets because it'll be a great night out.

That's all from me, I hope you've enjoyed this week's Friday's Five at 5! PLEASE read and share to your hearts content as it helps me a LOT, and more importantly LISTEN TO THE ARTISTS!

Here they are:

1. "The Way That You Love Me" by Vera Blue| @verabluemusic

2. "Reaper" by The Beautiful Monument | @thebeautifulmonument

3. "Love me Now" by Sachi ft. CXLOE| @wearesachi / @iamcxloe

4. "Child" by Kota Banks| @kotabanksmusic

5. "Runaway" by SAFIA | @safiamusic

Take a look, see who tickles your fancy and show your support for them.

And now - for a special surprise for VOLUME FIVE...

This playlist will feature ALL SONGS listed on every volume of Friday's Five at 5! *You're welcome*

See you next week!

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Twitter @JacobsonTalya | Instagram @talzisme