Premiere (24 Hour Exclusive Stream): Tuka – Don’t Wait Up

A Tuesday treat from Tuka to Pilerats ahead of his imminent album drop.

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Life Death Time Eternal is the name of Australian solo artist Tuka’s new album, and it’s release is set to firmly position Tuka amongst the enclave of talented artists (read about some of them HERE) that in 2015 are actively challenging pre-conceived notions of what hip hop music in Australia should sound like. The album, which drops this Friday, has a slew of guests contributing beats and vocals – popping up will be Count Bounce (of TZU fame), Alex Hope, Nick Martin and Thundamentals’ Poncho. Shared Tuka recently of his goals with Life Death Time Eternal: “I wanted this record to challenge people’s perceptions of me as an artist. When it comes to style, 'Oz hip hop' can have a stereotypical sound and I didn’t want to be limited by rules. I wanted to show that I’m more than a 16-bar rapper and that I don’t need to hide behind anyone else’s voice anymore.”

Not long ago you’ll recall we waxed on a little about the moving visual narrative of Tuka’s single Tattoo – one of the offerings on LDTE – and today we’re especially amped (unusual enthusiasm level for us, given it’s a Tuesday) because Tuka’s given us an exclusive, 24-hour stream of his next single, Don’t Wait Up – for your listening pleasure right here on Pilerats.com. Play below:

Tuka’s been experimenting with his vocal range on his new material – we’ve already heard him throw out a rolling, Raury-esque baritone on Nirvana and a sublime falsetto on You, and the softly sung chorus of Tattoo was beautiful. There’s yet more vocal twists and turns from Tuka on Don’t Wait Up: the chorus is a highlight; as Tuka layers some crisp baritone bars with a softer, R & B style falsetto. There’s great contrast between the chorus and the verses: the track immediately surprises the listener, as Tuka throws out some clipped, Keef-style bars to get things going (and using that style again in the bridge), before moving into a raspy flow, packed with emotion and attitude.

'I can give you anything you want, I got everything you need and more,' raps Tuka pre-chorus, and after hearing five winners out of the five tracks we’ve heard so far off his new album, we’re more than inclined to agree: Tuka’s demonstrated he’s the kind of ambidexturous artist that the international listening community of rap / R & B and indie fans want and need in 2015.

Life Death Time Eternal is out Friday, July 10. Pre-order via iTunes now. More Tuka goodness below, via his stint on triple j Breakfast, doing a cover of Chet Faker's I’m Into You for Like A Version