Watch: Milwaukee Banks - Faded

When it comes to cloud rap, Lil B and Yung Lean have inspired hundreds of rappers in the States, and the production style of Clams, Main Attrakionz and Shlohmo has birthed countless producers overseas - however (despite some definite leaps forward of late) the swag has been comparatively slow to spread down under. While the Internet makes things a free for all anyway, only a handful of artists that are physically based in Australia have really pushed through with the style’s minimal aesthetic (which we'd define as some incarnation of hazy, stoned-out beats and affected, emotional vocals). Over the past year UV Boi, Natureboy & GMC, Gill Bates, and Floria have been on the come-up, however - both output and live-wise - Milwaukee Banks seem to be leading the charge when it comes to the burgeoning cloud rap scene over here.

Milwaukee Banks is Thomas from Melbourne hip hop crew Polo Club, and producer Adrian (Edo) Rafter. We recently singled out the Melbourne-based duo as ones to watch, pointing towards their introspective 2014 debut EP offering Rosewater, wherein they gave us a pretty awesome comedown album, rife in that 'listening to shit underwater' kinda sound. Of that EP, we said: “Thomas’ smooth, deep verses and pitched-down hooks slink easily over Rafter’s glitchy, skittering beats; they’ve nailed their dynamic of late and they’re all the tighter for it.”

Dot Dash / Remote Control Records thought so too, recently signing the artists, who within the past year have supported Raury and Big K.R.I.T., and comandeered slots at Laneway and Golden Plains. MB have announced the worldwide release of their debut album Deep Into The Night, which they’ve slated for early 2016. You can hear the first single, Faded, from the album now, and watch the video, directed by Melbourne cinematographer Andrew Diprose. Some deep thematics surrounding drinking, depression, and isolation drive Faded, as singer Thomas shares: “[The clip's a] dark insight into over drinking and it taking you to a place somewhere between euphoria and depression. Being aware of where you are at, but ignoring the voice in your head that says ‘stop, this is too far’."

The clip's a menacing, nocturnal affair whose antics should invoke a sense of familiarity (maybe even dread) for the post-midnight partymakers out there.

Watch below, and get along to one of the shows on their Faded tour if you're on the east coast.

Follow Milwaukee Banks: FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE

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