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John Howard has been our Prime Minister for the last eleven years. With the federal election ominously looming, some are hoping for a change of power while some are content with the way things are. Hip hop producer Mostyn along with former Fugleman, Quromystix, opt for the former and make that very clear with Goodnight Mr. Howard. As a taste of things to come from Mostyn and co, this short, sharp and shiny three-track single marks the birth of Play Dirt Records. Promising a new wave of mature and honest Australian releases, Play Dirt look to further diversify our unique green and gold sound as they aim to reach new levels and set higher standards in Australian hip hop music.
The single Goodnight Mr. Howard is a sample from Mostyn’s forthcoming solo album Heavy Lifting, with its eminent release anticipated for October of this year. While Mostyn lays the musical foundations, his LP is said to feature notables in the Australian hip hop heritage including Sereck (Celsius, Def Wish Cast), BVA (Mnemonic Ascent, F & D), Muskrat (Fuglemen), Sandro, A-Love, 13th Son and Quro, of course.
Originating from Adelaide, Mostyn and Quro have been making music since the mid-90s. After coming together to work on the second Fuglemen album and then Quro’s first solo album This Last Week I’ve…, the pair moved to Sydney, forming group Reference Point. Since then, Mostyn and Quro have continued to collaborate and release music both as a team and separately.
A fascinating sonic experience, Goodnight Mr. Howard takes the form of a musically-slated political lobby. Quro optimistically says goodbye to issues omnipresent during Howard’s time in power. He uses the same lyrical format throughout yet manages to steer away from becoming repetitive or losing meaning in the mix. Even if you’re not a Labor supporter, Quro’s lyrics coupled with Mostyn’s thought-provoking production really gets your mind ticking. For extra impact, Mostyn employs excerpts from South Australian magistrate Brian Deegan, who lost his eldest son in the Bali bombings and has since waged a public battle with the Government. A guitar solo adds another musical dimension bringing the song together and giving it an exclusively Australian feel. It Might Be follows in the same vein while Sandro provides an animated twist on Goodnight Mr. Howard with his wayward remix.
Highly socially aware and politically conscious, Mostyn and Quro touch on subject matter barely deliberated over in the Australian hip hop landscape. Using hip hop as a political platform to incite awareness of Federal Government and political issues, Goodnight Mr. Howard is a welcome addition to the growing Australian hip hop scene.
says...
Thanks so much for the awesome review Piero! Much appreciated. All the best.. Mostyn