BRAZEN BARBIE SHARES LUSH NEW SINGLE ‘AIN’T NO DUMMY’ FROM UPCOMING MIXTAPE ‘BRAZEN’
Grit and glam go hand in hand as Kenyan-Australian musician Brazen Barbie today unveils a brand new cut and music video, Ain’t No Dummy, with the lush new single taken from her forthcoming new mixtape, BRAZEN, set for release on Friday August 1.
Bustling with vibrant production, razor-sharp flow and a dynamic fusion of R&B, hip hop and rap, Ain’t No Dummy is a playful yet powerful outing that incorporates nods to some of the greats like Missy Elliot, Duke Deuce, Project Pat and Eve, while also flexing Brazen Barbie’s powerhouse ability to fuse influences without imitation – and inject lashings of empowerment. “Ain’t No Dummy is about knowing better and still doing it anyway, but on your terms,” shares Brazen Barbie. “It’s playful and a bit messy, sitting in that space where you’re fully aware, but still choosing chaos for the fun of it. There’s contradiction in it. being petty but self-aware, letting things slide but clocking everything. It’s also about people underestimating you, thinking you’re naive, when really you’re ten steps ahead.”
Working with MixedByDaniel, aka Daniel Roberts and beat producer David Arcade, Ain’t No Dummy also arrives today armed with a new music video, with Brazen Barbie teaming up with artist NBreezy to ultimately conjure the playful yet inescapably substantial messaging to visual life. “The video leans into the contradictory side of the song,” says Brazen Barbie of the brand new clip. “It’s playful, hyper feminine, super dolled up and taps into the bimbo coded look, like we may look sweet and naive but looks can be deceiving. It’s fun and animated on the surface but there’s intention behind everything.”
With 12 tracks lying in wait on her upcoming mixtape BRAZEN, Brazen Barbie fiercely and triumphantly embodies her namesake, with bold and exuberant sensuality in tandem with resilience, vulnerability and plenty of fresh rap, hip hop and R&B twists and turns to captivate from start to finish. Whether doling out serpentine swagger (Can’t Hang), moody, trap-soaked flow (Been That), hypnotic lucidity (Sneaky), sparkling self-awareness with a glossy punch (Ain’t No Dummy) or oozing into contemporary R&B splendour (What Do I Care), BRAZEN captures a kaleidoscope of raw honesty and sheer talent into this singular mixtape, significantly heightened by Brazen Barbie’s effusive creative DNA and an ingrained ability to get deep without losing the twinkle in her eye. “BRAZEN is a self portrait,” shares Brazen Barbie. “Each track is a snapshot of a different mood or moment in my life, and a different version of the voice in my head. I wanted it to feel like turning up, in your head, and in a diary all at once. The themes that come across the project are self worth, resilience, power, and owning every part of myself, the good, the gritty, the tired. The themes run deep even when the delivery is playful.”
Beginning her creative journey at a young age, Brazen Barbie grew up surrounded by music at home and went on to play cello and sing as a kid – “but hip hop was what always really grabbed me,” she reveals. “I just vibed with how real it felt, the stories and attitude”. Spurred by a hunger to push her own boundaries and vulnerabilities, Brazen Barbie’s ability to inject her own voice into music that is simultaneously raw and fresh has seen her repeatedly (and vigorously) turn heads, with hits like CHECK and DON’T TALK celebrating confidence, independence and divine femininity. And while her braggadocious bars enamour on their own, it’s also Brazen Barbie’s playful punchlines that soften the gritty blow of her lyricism, revealing a depth and aptitude equally as powerful as her magnetic releases. Previously performing at Sydney Fringe Festival, BIGSOUND, SXSW and Promiseland, Brazen Barbie was also inducted into the Acclaim Magazine All Stars Class of ’24, and has also garnered features on VICE and Acclaim amongst many others.
Now poised to release her mixtape BRAZEN this August, the stage is tantalisingly set with the arrival today of Ain’t No Dummy; and, as Brazen Barbie concludes, this lush new track opens the door to some fresh sonic terrain. “I’m honestly so excited to drop Ain’t No Dummy,” enthuses Brazen Barbie. “It’s one of those tracks that just feels alive and shows a side of me that is different to my past releases. It’s pretty contagious, I’ve had it on repeat since I recorded it.
Ain’t No Dummy is out today.
BRAZEN mixtape is due out Friday August 1.
THE WITCHY DJYPSIES SHARE WHIMISCAL NEW SINGLE ‘IN MY MIND’ + SINGLE LAUNCH PARTY IN FREMANTLE ON JULY 12
A jubilant and bustling cinematic explosion of gypsy ska and western hues arrive today via In My Mind, the new single from Perth-based international six-piece collective The Witchy Djypsies. A masterful upbeat sonic spell, In My Mind will also be celebrated live onstage next week when The Witchy Djypsies descend on Mojo’s Bar in North Fremantle for their single launch on Saturday 12 July.
Instantly erupting with pulsing beats and prowling basslines, In My Mind careens into moody yet mischievous terrain as it balances smoky western backdrops against punchy brass, deep harmonies and a sprinkle of string shedding (“I’m surprised we didn’t melt the strings,” shares drummer Jimmy Marelich). Drawing inspiration from prominent yeo-tone ska act Madness, as well as the likes of Strangely Arousing, The Cat Empire, Doe Maari, Zoufris Maracs and Mano Negra, In My Mind is a euphoric and eclectic immersion for the senses that defies time and genres; something The Witchy Djypsies are fluent in, with the fever dream qualities in the track also stemming from some real-world experiences. “I wanted to write a song about overthinking and feeling everything all at once,” says vocalist and instrumentalist Joana Lavole. “I was sitting outside at about 2am in a dead silent night witnessing the endless train of thoughts and overwhelming feelings that come with it. I wrote the intro then and had a bit of a concept. I brought it to the band, and we shaped it together! We actually worked on that track while touring up north in 2022. We had just done our last gig in Exmouth and we all got COVID. We were stuck on a campsite and I do believe the fever brought out the best of us!”
Teaming up with some of Perth’s finest, The Witchy Djypsies recorded In My Mind at Hopping Mouse Studio with Hunter Percy (Saturated Analog) and Stu McLaughlan, with mixing by Nathan Bell (Bell Acoustics) and mastering by Rob Grant at Poons Head Studios. “We always bounce ideas with our long-time friend and FOH engineer Zak Johnson too!” adds Joana. “The track was produced by us in-house, but especially by Dennis, our bassman, who poured a lot of energy in this whole process!”
Bringing together six talented artists and their musical backgrounds, with members hailing from France, Guadeloupe, The Netherlands and Australia, The Witchy Djypsies have been casting musical spells since vocalist and instrumentalist Joana Lavole first crossed paths with guitarist Sam Ukkola in 2018, leading to jamming, busking and, ultimately, a makeshift band of travellers settling in Western Australia and turning their gaze to writing songs together – and they’ve never looked back. Now consisting of Joana and Sam as well as backing vocalist and bassist Dennis Kooij, backing vocalist and saxophonist Christopher Best, drummer James Marelich and guitarist Leo Ollivier, The Witchy Djypsies fuse Latin beats, cheeky gypsy jazz and brass-infused ska rhythms with refreshing ease, also armed with a potent live presence that has seen them charm at Nannup Music Festival and Blossom Festival, as well at their own headline shows – and fans can definitely expect a party when the group’s In My Mind single launch takes over in Fremantle next week.
“Expect the usual shenanigans,” shares Joana of what fans can expect from the In My Mind single launch on July 12. “A pumping dancefloor, a super fun night, some sexy new merch and a lineup of local talents! Jamie David will open the night with his hilarious storytelling and songwriting. Loose Carrot will then take over with their infectious blend of funk soul and jazz. We will do our thing, firing up the souls in your hearts and shoes. And Loose Springsteen will close the night with his hybrid live electro set. Expect house, funk, disco, beats and brass. Thoughts?”
While In My Mind takes centre stage today, there’s still a whole lot more in store for The Witchy Djypsies in the near future, with even more new music and live shows on the horizon – get your dancing shoes at the ready!
“We’ve had In My Mind in our pockets for a while!” reveals Joana. “We’ve worked hard on this track and it’s been a pretty long process. We’re excited to put it out there in the world! We’ve got more tracks in the bank that we are hoping to release in the next few years. If you haven’t seen us yet, you’re in for a wild surprise. And if you live on the East Coast, start stretching now coz we’re coming in hot!”
In My Mind is out today.
THE WITCHY DJYPSIES – UPCOMING SHOWS:
SAT 12 JUL | MOJO’S BAR, FREMANTLE WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
TILLY FENTON SHARES BUOYANT NEW SINGLE VALENTINE
A dreamy collision of upbeat pop and lush melodies, the new single Valentine out today from Melbourne singer-songwriter Tilly Fenton is equally jubilant and vulnerable, showcasing Tilly’s effortless charm and sharp sensibilities.
Opening with billowing bliss, Valentine blossoms as acoustic guitars underpin Tilly’s honeyed vocals before crisp beats and ethereal elements propel the track into an upbeat dreamy pop wonderland. Nodding to the likes of Lizzy McAlpine’s intimate and conversational songwriting, Lexi Jayde’s charismatic stylings, and the energy of boygenius in the bridge, Valentine also, at its core, gently tugs at the heartstrings with Tilly lyrically detailing a resounding universal theme. “Valentine is about craving the simplest kind of love—the kind that doesn’t take much, just presence, care, and honesty,” shares Tilly. “I wrote it during a time where I felt like my needs weren’t really being met in a relationship, and all I wanted was for that person to just show up for me, even in the smallest ways. It’s a reminder that even the bare minimum can mean a lot when it comes to love, and that those little moments can make all the difference.”
For her sophomore single, following on from her debut The Secret which released earlier this year, Tilly joined forces with producer and mixer Michael Belsar, as well as drummer Ben Ellingworth and mastering by Dale Becker, with Belsar and Ellingworth in particular playing key roles in unlocking Tilly’s vision for Valentine. “I worked on this song with my producer Michael Belsar, and drummer Ben Ellingworth,” explains Tilly. “It was actually the first full song the three of us made together, and we had so much fun bringing it to life. Valentine is me at my most confident – it’s slinky, cheeky, and the poppiest song I’ve written so far! It is more upbeat than my last single The Secret, with punchy drums and plucky dreamy guitars that drive the song.”
Starting her musical journey at the age of seven while learning classical piano at school, Tilly Fenton went on to spend time during the COVID lockdowns teaching herself guitar and writing songs; “it quickly became my little safe space,” Tilly reveals. But after keeping her creative pursuits largely private, it would be after finishing school that Tilly went on to study music, which quickly gave way to unlocking the pathway to the release of two sparkling singles to date in 2025; and, as Tilly concludes, it’s via her latest track, Valentine, that her artistic vision takes full flight.
“It feels amazing and so freeing to be releasing Valentine,” says Tilly. “It was the first song that really captured the vision and sound I had in my head for the whole project, so it feels really special. I’m really proud of this one, and I’m just so excited for everyone to finally hear it.”
Valentine is out today.