Live Review: Music To Isolate To: REMI

With the ongoing and ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a crazy world out there right now, so it’s never been more important to band together. Self-isolation and social distancing are two of the most effective tools we have as a society to help fight COVID-19, but they're also very difficult to undertake and they have very real, long-lasting consequences on the music and arts industries — some of which we aren't even aware of yet. Our artists and our industry are already feeling the ripple effect, and things are only going to get worse before they get better.

Because of this, it’s up to us to use what we’ve got at our disposal to best represent and amplify our community and continue to tell artists’ stories. Purple Sneakers has always fiercely represented Australian music and our team are some of the best writers in the country, so we’re going to use our platform to continue doing what we do best: connect our community with the artists we love, and support artists by promoting their incredible music.

Music To Isolate To is an ongoing artist-curated playlist series by Purple Sneakers. We've asked some of our favourite artists ever to provide us with the ten songs they're listening to while in isolation, and provide some commentary for their selections. We'll be running these for the foreseeable future every Monday and Thursday, and you can follow the Spotify playlist which will be updated on these days right HERE. The idea is to not only promote artists who are curating the playlists, but to also promote those songs that mean a lot to them whether they be longtime classics or fresh new releases.

The first artist in our Music To Isolate To series is none other than living legends REMI.. Having just released a double-A side last week in 'Elevate + Get It Right' (taken from their forthcoming album, Fried, out April 24th), this release is a double dose of the undeniable forward-thinking approach that has made REMI. a household name for many and a pioneer in the new wave of Australian hip hop. From the fierce and uplifting vibes of 'Elevate' to the smooth as hell, Jace XL featuring 'Get It Right', both tracks are two more slam dunks for the Melbourne duo who continue to push sonic boundaries while delivering out-of-this-world good releases.

From D'Angelo to Renee Geyer, Theo Parrish to Alice Coltrane, REMI.'s Music To Isolate To will have you vibing all the way through 'til the lockdown's long gone. Check out their selections below, and cop 'Elevate + Get It Right' here!

D'ANGELO - She's Always In My Hair

This Prince cover is a perfect sing into your hair brush and solo on the broom stick joint. If you’ve got nothing else to do, get your whole family involved as they also won’t have anything else to do.

MWANJE - The Divine

A song I personally like to light the finest of incense to and drift off. This song is it’s own world so hopefully it will take you out of yours.

CHILDREN OF ZEUS - The Story So Far...

An absolute banger that I have had on repeat. It makes me feel like I’m on a long distance coastal drive every time I play it, making it a VR experience in times like this. It’s also the title track from their fire album.

BILLY HOYLE - Intro (Myele's Freak)

A combination of AUS/NZ’s finest musicians, Billy Hoyle and Myele Manzanza come together to give you a rhythmic symphony. It’s music that lets you get lost in it and thats essential right nowZ

THEO PARRISH, LORI, SILENT JAY, SWOOPING DUCK - What You Gonna Ask For

A joint literally created to set off your FaceTime party. Melbourne’s Lori serenades us for seven minutes alongside Silent Jay as Swooping Duck gets busy on the instrumentation. They’re all so gifted it’s hard to know who played what, but do you ever know how magic is created?

ALICE COLTRANE - Journey In Satchidanada

This shit is an experience. During this time of isolation, mental health is going to be everything. Journey In Satchidanada is perfect everything music, but especially meditation. I suggest really absorbing this music because it will transport you.

PHONTE - Expensive Genes

Whilst we’re talking about health, it’s gonna be really important we pay attention to our physical body whilst we’re confined to one place. On this mellow banger, Phonte explores the affects that age, race and weight have had on his body in a way only he can.

RENEE GEYER - If Loving You Is Wrong

An Icon. I had to put this song. It’s such dirty ballad. Born of all things freaky and morose. Basically, it’s perfect for getting down. With all this isolation we’re gonna need some procreation.

JAY ELECTRONICA - Fruits Of The Spirit

THE GOD IS BACK! One of my favourite rappers of all time just dropped a new album and if you were to begin to decipher it, you’d probably only get past the first verse by the time lockdown's lifted. This joint is peak Jay Elec. Go enjoy.

GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS - Make Yours A Happy Home

We need to support each other bad right now.

A lot of people are hurting, a lot of people are displaced, unemployed, and the high risk are unsupported. As well as extending our hand to our neighbours, we need to help each other in the home. Many relationships, families, friendships are going to be strained due to our close proximity. "Make Yours a Happy Home" with Gladys Knight and The Pips produced by Curtis Mayfield.

'Elevate + Get It Right' is out now via House of Beige. Fried is out April 24th.

Music To Isolate To is updated every Monday and Thursday. Follow the Spotify playlist HERE.

Introduction by EMMA JONES

Image: Supplied

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