Artists

By Ash King

Ever wanted to have a summertime street party on the front porch of a grungy New York-style terrace, with old school beats playing loud out of a 90s boom box, faded baseball caps, frosty beer cans, new friends, old friends, polaroid cameras and dancing until dusk? Might be worth organizing, but for now Diafrix, with their new album Pocket Full of Dreams, do their best to get us there, if only in mind and spirit.
 
The album is a follow up to their acclaimed debut Concrete Jungle, and, as well as being an entertaining, uplifting and thought provoking bunch of tunes, ‘Pocket Full of Dreams’ is also a great benchmark for Australian hip hop, steering well clear of tired, rough and daggy clichés that have unfortunately become synonymous with a great deal of rap coming out of the country.
 
Thanks to the tight and thoughtful production of Styals Fuego, M-Phazes, Ptereo Stylus and Wax Motif, and the skillful interweaving of such eclectic styles as funk, house, R&B and traditional African music, the combo makes for one interesting and diverse listening experience. From the subtle regge flavor of ‘Throwback’ featuring Barry Southgate, the neo-soul sound of “Better With You” featuring Dwele to the fresh, cruisey, indie-infused  feel of “Easy Come, Easy Go” (the album’s first single), the album has a fresh and honest momentum that leaves you nodding along in a blissful hip hop haze.
 
As well as the wide array of influences, the record is also brimming with collaborations including appearances from 360, Stan Walker, Dwele and Daniel Merriweather, who, thanks to their varying styles, help to give each track an individual and dynamic energy.
 
‘Pocket Full of Dreams’ crackles and pops with an upbeat, life affirming rhythm of a real-life daydream, leaving you with a feeling of  fond nostalgia for the past and blistering excitement for the future. For Diafrix members Azmarino and Momo, the album is a representation of the hopes and dreams of those who don't have a voice, in turn becoming an inspiring example of two dreamers overcoming hardship and obscurity to realise their own.

Pocket Full of Dreams is released this Friday 28th September.

Or you can pre-order it from their website Diafrix.com now.