Let it be known that 2017 was the year the dance music scene fully embraced pop music. Riding that wave is Melbourne muso KING IV, taking on pop sensibilities with a dark twist. Channeling artists like M.I.A, Habits and Grimes in her music, this year she released three killer singles mixing her twisted production with biting lyrics.
With an ear for dense drums and industrial sound design, her singles this year have had an empowered edge. They feel completely self assured and strong, and perfectly show off her impressive vocal range and twisted production chops. As a DJ, she's just as good, mixing multiple genres and pulling you in every direction but maintaining a thudding bass line with plenty of choppy drums and vocals.
Her unique brand of gnarly pop is only amplified further on stage, as she's quickly becoming known for her energetic live shows. Not only did she take out Triple J Unearthed's Listen Out comp to open the festival in her hometown, but her Melbourne Music Week show became instantly legendary when she popped a kneecap mid set on stage.
'We Can Get It' featuring fellow Melbournian RROMARIN and 'Bump' seem to have solidified her sound and brought her the attention of NLV Records and Red Bull Music. Following this, a killer remix EP for 'We Can Get It' saw King IV link up with a handful of up and coming Australian producers, setting the blueprint for another rumoured remix EP to come. If her work this year is anything to go by we can be sure that 2018 is set to be even bigger and better for King IV.
WORDS BY HOLLY O’NEILL
CHECK OUT MORE ARTISTS TO WATCH IN 2018 HERE
SEE ALSO
INTENSITY IS HIGH ON KING IV’S NEW BANGER, ‘BUMP’
GET IMMERSED IN KING IV’S NEW RELEASE ‘WE CAN GET IT’ FT. RROMARIN
