Signing to EMI two years ago, he has built a following through connecting with fans in concert and online, and assembling the right album to launch him into the mainstream.
It was put on hold (for a year) when a go-karting accident saw him nearly lose his baby-making equipment. And his life.
Silver lining – his genitals are in working order and he added the final two songs to balance out the songs here designed to seduce radio – without losing himself.
It’s nice to see a local act not going overseas for beats – Melbourne’s Styalz Fuego provides everything from rock to electro.
Just Got Started (featuring Pez) tickled the mainstream, dark-edge new single Killer (sampling an Ultravox b-side) mixes real guitar and bass with booming beats and a mind-invading chorus.
Josh Pyke fits nicely, if unexpectedly, into the down-beat Throw it Away. Reggae-tinged next single Boys Like You – where ’60 back-pedals away from his pantsman reputation – sounds like a hit. It also sounds like it samples an old song, rather female singer Gossling handles an original but instantly familiar chorus with style.
While he’s lazily compared with Eminem, only the rolling flow of the verses of the title track give you Lose Yourself flashbacks.
While not praising himself or joking about things not fit to print here (pretty much all of Hammer Head), it is when 360 gets emotional that he stands out from the pack.
Child is a touching statement on his alcoholic uncle and bullied brother – with real, live instruments adding real-life depth.
Final track Hope You Don’t Mind sees ’60 bravely list off his insecurities, from being underweight to being depressed causing him to be a “brittle mess” – it’s a refreshing antidote to every egotistical rap you’ve endured.
Rating: 4.5 Stars.
