Released April 9, 2023
Mastered by Good Mood Melbourne
Cover art and design by box.smell and Ryan Walker Studio.
One of Couchdog’s favourite venues, Section 8 has been a haven for eccentric creatives for over 15 years. Celebrating the diverse range of voices that makes up this city’s underground music scene with a compilation that showcases the sounds that has made the venue so iconic.
FROM MELBOURNE, WITH LOVE follows Section 8’s LEVEL UP initiative. A 6-month program that injected life back into the music scene following the struggles of the pandemic, where varying creative communities were given centre stage in the streets of Naarm. With Nine tracks that all display a diverse range of sounds, this compilation is a testament to the love and fortitude of all the artists that make up our wonderful music scene.
The eclectic mix has a variety of genres that you would often hear fill Section 8 any given day. The Neo-Soul and Contemporary Jazz stylings of songs such as Water (Nikodimos x Elysia), Love Come around (Local Knowledge x Emma Volard) represent a sound that has been so prominent within Naarm over the past few years. The layered textures that feature a powerhouse on vocals. Nikodimos’ and Local Knowledges production does differ from each other, however they both seamlessly blend groove with hypnotic vocals performed by Elysia and Emma Volard.
Ed Moons Balance leans into Pop more than any other song on the compilation. With the songs hook and repeated vocal refrain providing an instant ear worm that will not leave your head after one listen. The track plays out with Ed’s extremely charismatic presence capturing most of the listeners attention until the explosion toward the end, the brass acting as a triumphant crescendo of the celebratory vibe displayed without.
Hip Hop also has a strong presence throughout. All the different Hip Hop offerings give the listener something different, really highlighting the diverse artistic sounds within the city’s music scene. Get the Gold (walla C Feat Thamson.P) is the first glimpse of Hip Hop on the compilation. The instrumentation on Get the Gold has more ambience, the repeated motif of the reverb filled Keys puts the listener into a bit of a trance as the vocal flow weaves in and out of the mix. On Rewind (Beat Science Feat Tumi the Be) is more focused on the percussion to lead the track with more subtle melodies layered in the background. The vocal flow of the rapping has an array of influence from Hip Hop pioneers. The flow and off kilter harmonies in the verses remind me of the way Outkast playfully interacted in their verses, as well as segments with chipmunk-ed vocals that came across to us like a reference to Quasimoto (Madlib).
Hold Me Down (Sadiva Feat Soul Journal) is more of a hybrid between Hip Hop and Neo Soul. The beats definitely have that lo fi feel with a singular verse sprinkled within to give the track more depth and variety. Plus, that vocal hook is still on repeat in my head. SADIVA’s production is always a highlight on whatever she is cooking.
If you wanted to play one joint off this Compilation to get people moving it is without a doubt Amnesia Haze (Amin Payne Feat OJ KUSH). The production on this (shoutout Amin Payne) is so tight, every snare hit can be felt throughout your entire body. The expertly laid out drums that have such a strong impact with every hit is perfectly counterbalanced by the synths that really provide the most melodic depth throughout. This one really wouldn’t feel out of place in a DaM-FunK setlist (the highest compliment that can be paid really).
The last two tracks that I have not mentioned yet are the two that are completely instrumental. Two completely different songs that use purely instrumentation to draw the listener in. The first being Dibiase Diner - spellspellspell (one of our favourite beatmakers around). A bouncy and vibrant beat that makes me think of a lot of artists signed to a label like Stones Throw. A fun and layered output that has me captivated by every beat switch. Finally, the most visceral and biggest stand out. Fire by Culture Evolves. A beautiful blend of something contemporary like a break beat with the didgeridoo. An instrument of such textural depth that it ensnares you the second it comes in. The backing sounds of nature and connection to land makes this a wonderful ode to country as well a damn fun track to bob your head along to.
You can buy the album here!
Physical copies available at Northside Records , Wax Museum and Natural Selection .
Follow Section 8 here!