Melbourne-based producer Alice Ivy is an artist you should definitely watch closely. She’s just returned to Australia from her debut USA performance at Piano’s in New York City, and her newest release is irresistibly funky.
“Almost Here” begins with a sample of Helen Kane’s 1929 song “He’s So Unusual,” a delightfully vintage sound bite that soon launches into a verse packed with triumphant horns and a steady groove. The smoky vocals of Georgia Van Etten, combined with the fast-paced work of hip-hop collective RaRa, weave seductive vocal lines around the funky keyboard solos, in a style similar to that of Koi Child. Van Etten really showcases her soulful prowess in the chorus, and drummer Sam Dowson fuels the track’s steadfast energy with his clipped and consistently tight drumbeats.
About three quarters of the way in, the horns repeat pulsing stab chords, creating the glitchy sense of a stuck vinyl. Drums and synths escalate as the tension builds, and then we’re again treated to the stunning chorus. Keep an ear out for the neat guitar motif tucked into the final refrain – it’s just one of the many elements that give “Almost Here” its spark.
Alice Ivy has already supported the likes of Urthboy, Remi and Banoffee in her 18-month career. If you like The Avalanches (especially if you’ve had “Frankie Sinatra” on repeat), you’ll love Alice Ivy. She’s producing a similarly luxurious fusion of New Orleans jazz, electro-soul and hip-hop. You can catch her live on a national Australian tour, which kicks off on Friday 1 July.
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