Broods branch out, launch new solo projects Fizzy Milk and The Venus Project

New Zealand (but now LA-based) electro-pop duo Broods are one of the most accomplished music acts to arise from our next door neighbours, whipping up a storm in New Zealand, Australia, and abroad. They've been quiet since their 2016 returning album Conscious, presumably working on their much-awaited follow-up and touring with shows at Falls Festival (plus support slots for Ellie Goulding, Two Door Cinema Club and Tove Lo in the US, Europe and New Zealand), but now they're back (sort-of), with both Georgia and Caleb Nott launching side projects this week that'll keep us company until Brood's third record.

Fizzy Milk, the passion project of Caleb Nott, has launched with an incredibly impressive debut single in Make Me Feel, which lands in a big way with a considerable guest feature in esteemed R&B vocalist Jarryd James. Make Me Feel is a sharp turn away from the triumphant electro-pop of Broods, with Fizzy Milk instead electing a far more slick and R&B-themed sound for his debut which is dripping with smooth, soulful vibes. It's an excellent accompaniment to the pop-funk sound of R&B mastermind Pharrell Williams, with Jarryd James' sultry vocals feeling comfortably at home above a lush production loaded with bass, snapping percussion, and solid synth work. "These songs are just little slivers of myself, the stuff I do every day in the studio that no one normally hears,” he says on the single.

Meanwhile, Georgia Nott's The Venus Project is a celebration of women both in front and behind the scenes of the music industry, driven by her realisation of being "the only girl in the room" in her previous work ("It really struck me at some point, that more often than not when I go into the studio, the producer is a guy, and the engineer is a guy ... often it’s the same on tour or when we’re playing live,” she says in a statement). The full album, The Venus Project: Vol 1 is out March 8th (International Women's Day), but ahead of the whole album release arrives Won't Hurt, the first single. It's a soft and tender pop ballad, with Georgia's celebrated vocals floating above a gradually growing instrumental which begins with only soft strings and acoustic guitar.

Although Broods aren't splitting (so don't worry too much), both Fizzy Milk and The Venus Project prove that Caleb and Georgia Nott are forces to be reckoned with individually as well as in Broods mode, so stay tuned to see what else they come up with in 2018.

Follow Fizzy Milk: FACEBOOK

Follow The Venus Project: FACEBOOK