Live Review: Minorfauna serve up left-field trap-pop on 'Texting and Driving'

Melbourne duo MINORFAUNA (aka ABBEY HANSEN and KYLE SETCH) have only been around for a short while, but they've certainly made it count. 'Texting and Driving' is the latest taste of their impending debut EP, and a brooding combination of trap instrumentation with a left-field pop aesthetic.

The duo's debut '2B' immediately caught attention from Triple J and Unearthed, and its not hard to see why. Their genre-bending sound is clearly on display with harsh vocal samples lending the song an experimental edge that was softened by R&B leaning instruments. The second taste of their debut EP, Myself due in August, 'Texting and Driving' shows that Minorfauna is going to keep us guessing with each track.

'Texting and Driving' is definitely more trap oriented, with crisp 808 triplets and abrasive buzzsaw bass. That being said, there's a few elements like the repetitive synth and Hansen's vocals that are melodic and catchy, leading to a song that spreads itself wide but manages to pull it off. Like '2B', the mixing gives the track a harsh vibe, and there are multiple samples and vocal affectations throughout that boost the track's off-putting and anxious elements. I don't mean off-putting in a negative way; it sort of reminds me of the harshness of Death Grips - sometimes you want something gritty and raw that has the semblance of clean and over-processed music. 'Texting and Driving' is a perfect slice of something like that.

I'm always after stuff that plays with genre expectations and isn't afraid to get abrasive at the same time, and 'Texting and Driving' ticks the hell out of both those boxes. Minorfauna have got something special on their hands, and with each track they try out a new twist on their pretty unique formula. Definitely keep an eye on these two come August - who knows what they'll come up with next?

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

WORDS BY MAX LEWIS

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