Here's some chill tracks to get you through those Monday blues

cln (pictured above) – Owls

With the release of Owls, his first release of 2016 thus far and the first single from his forthcoming, currently untitled EP, Brisbane-based producer cln is setting himself up for a big year ahead. Becoming one of 2015’s best rising stars with Found, which balanced soft vocals with a light, synth-dominated breakdown, Owls follows a similar formula - with graceful, easy vocals and soft keys leading to a deep, future-bass-esque drop. The track comes as cln announces a one-off US show, joining The Chainsmokers at their mammoth Red Rocks show before returning towards the tail end of the year for a lengthier tour.

Mallrat – Inside Voices (produced by Casper Zazz & Tigerilla)

Following up from Sunglasses and Suicide Blonde, Brisbane vocalist and rapper Mallrat is quickly becoming one of 2016’s best, with an unmatched vocal charm and bubbly productions with character we haven’t seen from an Australian rap newcomer since Tkay Maidza. Inside Voices continues this feat, with upbeat, yet pretty laid-back vocals from the Brisbane emcee joined by a sun-soaked instrumental produced by Casper Zazz and Tigerilla. Despite drawing comparisons with M.I.A. with her previously released work, Inside Voices sees Mallrat swim a bit of a different stroke, with a more electro-pop, commercial-friendly sound. That being said, Inside Voices still packs a major punch, both production-wise and lyrically (“I fucking hate Westfield” is a lyric that resonates with me very strongly).

BATTS – Kiki

In case you’ve yet to discover her (that’s okay, we’ll forgive you), BATTS is the upcoming electronic project of esteemed vocalist Tanya Batt, who has been low-key building her fanbase and vocal strength over the past year or so, and is now ready to take on the world head-on. Her newest single Kiki is a great summary of her career as a solo vocalist thus far, with delicate, intoxicating vocals that build on the single’s polished instrumental, which boasts that masterful touch of mastering king Andrei Eremin (here’s where I would list who he’s mastered for, but at this point it’ll be quicker to talk about who he HASN’T mastered for in the Australian electronic scene). Soft guitar by LANKS and subtle percussion really round of the single’s light instrumental touch, joining the aforementioned characters of Kiki to produce a stellar, well-rounded piece.

Liana Banks – Leave Me Alone (production originally by Mura Masa) 

Taking on a Mura Masa production is a big move, but sometimes it manages to work unexpectedly well. Take Wade’s vocal re-do of Miss You and TonTon’s Lotus Eater edit for example, or, in this case, Liana Bank’s Leave Me Alone, which bases itself off the instrumental of Miss You as well. Liana Banks adds an emotive, lyrical element to the single, with her vocals soaring over Mura Masa’s delicate, mesmerizing production.

PLGRMS – Fools And Their Gold

Based out of Sydney, electronic duo PLGRMS have re-emerged after last year’s tantalizing Pieces with a new single entitled Fools And Their Gold. With a powerful, emotionally charged vocal line contrasting against a rather delicate production, Fools And Their Gold is a multi-faceted return from the duo, whose production maturity is quickly making them a force to be reckoned with. Have a listen and stay tuned for more to come from the duo, hopefully soon rather than later.

Strange Associates – Stomp Your Feet

Ending on a bit more of an upbeat note, Stomp Your Feet is the newest single from Australian electronic disco-house duo Strange Associates and boy, is it a jam. Continuing with their late-70s disco influences, Stomp Your Feet is an earworm of a disco thumper, with brain-embedding vocals driving a keys-infused disco-house beat. Stomp Your Feet has a bass line for the ages, with it’s rolling bass picking you up out of the slums of Monday and placing you into a more upbeat, energy-packed world.