The Sydney hip/hop scene is only getting better and better as ten year veterans Horrorshow released a brand new single ahead of their forthcoming album, New Normal, out Friday October 18th. The duo, consisting of producer Adit and rapper Solo, have enlisted the help of the Inner West’s own Triple One, who have a well-documented history of going hard. Together, they’ve premiered “Monkey Bars” earlier this week, including a hypnotically hilarious music video and a national tour announcement. 

For those unfamiliar with Horrorshow, they provide unique and diverse sounds through a two pronged approach. This is Adit’s beats and Solo’s bars. Compared to the other four singles released in 2019, “Monkey Bars” has the hardest sound, fit with a thick kick drum and dirty fuzz basslines. The high end is filled out with fast tremolo hats and cymbals, placing the beat somewhere in a head thumping place between trap and nu-metal. The melody is driven by a distance oriental sounding riff, leading directly into the biggest melodic influence. This is the inclusion of Triple One’s Lil Dijon and his singing, which is layered over a digital sitar, bouncing up and down the scale and spinning around the listener to a hypnotic effect. The result of this is a catchy but almost haunting hook that grounds each of the verses. With the music establishing a solid foundation, Solo is able to show off why he’s so respected in the scene. His verse is mean and real, spitting ‘monkey’ bars about getting messy with a middle finger in the air to anyone who’s ruled them out after a decade in the game. While it’s a shame Solo only gets one verse, save for a closing background coda, it’s to make way for the 111s. Starting with a soft sung bridge from Lil Dijon, Marty Bugatti crashes in with his uniquely heavy Australian sound. His annunciation punches each beat, meaning the bars are as strong rhythmically as the music. Obi “Ill” Terrors hits his verse with that patented attitude, ending the track with a satisfying amount of grit. 

Horrorshow have also released a music video featuring all the artists, including producer Billy Gunns. The camera work syncs to each beat, while the strange man in the monkey suit adds to the hypnotic melodic theme. The beginning also features some really funny one liners from everyone as they insult Solo. Marty obsoletely destroys Solo’s whole career with the devastating “if your mouth was a door, I would shut it.” Check out the film clip and tour dates below.

HORRORSHOW NEW NORMAL TOUR

Thursday, 7 Nov - Adelaide - Fat Controller

Friday, 8 Nov - Melbourne - Forum Theatre

Saturday, 9 Nov - Hobart - Altar

Friday, 15 Nov - Sydney - Enmore Theatre (ALL AGES)

Saturday, 16 Nov - Canberra - Kambri, ANU

Friday, 22 Nov - Brisbane - 256 Wickham (ALL AGES)

Saturday, 23 Nov - Perth - Capitol

Friday, 29 Nov - Wellington - Caroline

Saturday, 30 Nov - Auckland - Galatos