I initially intended to focus solely on the recently released single Obscure Thought, but as I explored the artist’s Bandcamp page, I stumbled upon a wealth of new music that piqued my interest. The single serves as the opening track for an upcoming album scheduled for release in February, promising a captivating start to the collection. Additionally, there’s another album set to drop in just a few days as wekk, which added to my excitement. With multiple singles already available from both projects, I decided to immerse myself in the entire discography at once to provide you with a comprehensive preview of all the albums and the unique experiences each song brings.
“‘Noodle’ is a deep immersion into the obscure brain of the fiercely anti-racist yet kookily playful artist-activist.
Matt’s mythos as an inimitable music auteur creating unpredictable and exquisite music way off Australia’s well-trodden ‘indie path’, has rapidly snowballing into a cult favourite multi-instrumental tinkerer who leads a 25-piece alternative orchestra — zig-zagging from whimsical ‘gnome-core’ bedroom pop, second-line horns, socially conscious collabs, found object soundscapes, to Studio Ghibli-esque sweeping symphonies.”
‘Forest Party’ bottles the feeling of a vibrant neighbourhood as a burst of joyful anti-colonial noisemaking, DIY spirit and POC-led diversity.
The album shines a warm glow on collaborations between two-time QMA winner Matt Hsu and members of the radically-inclusive Obscure Orchestra collective — deep bench of Meanjin/Magandjin’s alternative/experimental artists, queer noise musician, indie figures and hip hop luminaries, brought together by ‘punk-trained composer’ Matt Hsu.
“Hailed as “one of the freshest feeling projects in Australian music right now” (Happy Mag), Meanjin/Brisbane cult favourite artist-activist Matt Hsu is a 2022 & 2020 QMA winning Taiwan-Australian composer, multi-instrumentalist, alt-orchestra leader and anti-racism activist. His project Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra is both his solo artist moniker and 24-piece orchestra underpinned by inclusivity, gender diversity, community-mindedness and DIY ethos.”
These quotes are drawn from the artist’s Bandcamp page and the press release we received, reflecting a vivid and multi-faceted musical journey. The songs currently available showcase a colorful array of genres, seamlessly blending lo-fi hip hop, indie pop, and twee pop, among others. Each track unfolds like a rich tapestry, featuring multiple layers of instrumentation and a variety of unique sounds that create a truly immersive listening experience.
It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered such monumental production—one that is not only beautiful but also invites deeper, more attentive listening. The music evokes the essence of a 19th or 20th-century painting of a tropical jungle, filled with lush details that captivate the mind’s eye (ear). I found myself searching for the right words to express what I was feeling but struggled to articulate it fully.
The songs serve as a powerful testament to Mat Hsu’s incredible talent and that of his orchestra. I am eagerly anticipating the release of the complete albums, as I can’t wait to dive deeper into the full beauty of their offerings. It’s exciting to note that both albums are available for pre-order on vinyl, and the option to purchase them alongside a captivating comic book adds a unique touch to the experience.
These releases are musically stunning, and I feel fortunate to have discovered such a treasure. If you’re in search of innovative music that offers depth and enrichment, this is definitely something you should explore. Listening to these tracks has already had a profoundly positive impact on me, and I look forward to revisiting them in the future to immerse myself fully in their intricate artistry. What a true gem this collection is!
Written by Filip Zemcik

