AN AUSTRALIAN SONG FOR EVERY MOOD WITH HOOKED R&B

Hooked R&B celebrates all of R&B’s memorable moments and the homegrown and international music released daily. Bringing you a local song suggestion for every mood, Hooked R&B’s Thomas Dansie is this week’s AUD’$ guest contributor. To find more of his picks, follow the Hooked R&B Spotify playlist.

MOOD: LATE NIGHT DRIVE
SONG: STELLIE – VIOLET GIRL

‘Violet Girl’ by Adelaide artist Stellie encapsulates the neon lights, brightness and energy of the science fiction sub-genre Cyberpunk. The R&B sound fused together with modern experimental pop elements sets the scene perfectly for a late night drive through the city as the thumping bass kick rattles the speakers.

MOOD: TEXTING YOUR EX
SONG: BECCA HATCH – SAFETY

There is a familiarity and relatability with Becca Hatch’s 2021 track ‘Safety‘ that hits way too close to home for almost everyone. Is it a good idea to text your ex? Probably not, but the Western Sydney singer does an incredible job of outlining why, at least, it could be considered.

MOOD: DANCING LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING
SONG: GRCO – MAMACITA

‘Mamacita’ by Grco is too catchy for almost anyone’s good. The charm and appeal of mid-2000s pop music has been brought forward to the TikTok era with a chorus that refuses to leave your brain. This 2021 track from the South Australian artist is fun, it’s bouncy and it’s the perfect guilty pleasure song.

MOOD: SUNSET SOUNDTRACK
SONG: ANIESZKA – PRESENCE

Listening to Anieszka while the sun rises is a form of therapy. The Australian-Mauritian singer-songwriter from Sydney brings a tone and vibe similar to the calm and serenity of Jhené Aiko and Sabrina Claudio. Brew your coffee and listen to ‘Presence’ as the sun rises over the horizon. You will never feel more at peace.

MOOD: CRYING BUT DANCING
SONG: ELLE ELIADES – COMFORT IN LIES

Elle Eliades is a special voice in Australian R&B right now. Her tone is a warm hug that sounds beautiful while singing about an incredibly miserable and unfortunate situation on ‘Comfort In Lies’. Elle did a magical job in crafting a song suitable for both crying and two stepping.

MOOD: SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
SONG: PANIA – TIKI

Melbourne’s PANIA is a superstar in the making and ‘tiki‘ is the proof. It has the island bounce that forces you to move your feet while downing your third piña colada. The chorus is irresistible and if anyone were to scream it from the rooftop, I’d totally get it. It is that good.

MOOD: FEELING YOURSELF
SONG: OLIVIA ESCUYOS – FANTASY GIRL

The title-track from Olivia Escuyos’ March-released EP provides a sound and sexiness similar to ‘Streets’ by Doja Cat. The song just sounds like silk and satin so throw on your sexiest outfit and light some rose-scented candles. You deserve it.

MOOD: THROWBACK
SONG: HIATUS KAIYOTE – NAKAMARRA

Nearly 10 years since their debut album and Hiatus Kaiyote are as loved as ever on both a local and global scale. Almost a decade of success with three albums later and ‘Nakamarra’ is still their magnum-opus. It is as groovy and smooth as it was at release, well-deserving of the Prince seal of approval it garnered.

Article guest written by Thomas Dansie (Hooked R&B).