Mainline is the introduction to Australian hip-hop collective ‘One Day’. Made up of Solo and Adit from Horrorshow, Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice from Spit Syndicate, Kai and Raph from Jackie Onassis, and MC Joyride, One Day is one of the only Hip-Hop supergroups in Australia, that’s if you count groups like Gully Platoon as supergroups. If you don’t, then One Day are trendsetters in the hip hop world, a group that announces itself as a group rather than having a single act featuring others. In saying that, not every artist involved in One Day is present on each track of the album, they chop and change quite frequently, all coming together for the title track ‘Mainline’ and opener ‘Many Hands’.
One Day began when each group involved in One Day (Horrorshow, Joyride, Spit Syndicate, and Jackie Onassis), would hold a monthly party in Sydney’s Inner West, called One Day Sundays.
One Day Sundays
They then announced themselves to the wider public via their track ‘Love Me Less’ which is an ever present track on most Triple J shows. Having all grown up in Inner West Sydney, they rap about common themes, about growing up together, and their individual successes, all culminating in what they are trying to achieve here with One Day.
Track 1 - “Many Hands”
Performed by One Day
The opening line in this one announces One Days arrival, “This ain’t no One Direction, this the One Day in your section”. This track introduces One Day’s lyrical genius, along with the cool trip-hop inspired music. A mix of minimal and a few trip-hop influences rule this song and show One Day’s style as a group.
“Vicious cycle for that title like Lance when / You’ve been living off an infinite supply of enhancements”.
Track 2 - “To the Beat”
Performed by Jimmy Nice, Joyride, Nick Lupi, Solo, Adit, and Kai
Another track with an electronic influence, sampled along with live drums. A common theme amongst hip-hop albums is that the music always takes a back seat to lyrics, which is no change here, a minimal soundtrack to a reference abundant lyrical display. The first song that doesn’t involve the entire group, and begins the showcase of the individual talent involved in what is, One Day.
Track 3 - “Love Me Less”
Performed by Jimmy Nice, Joyride, Nick Lupi, Solo, Raph, and Kai
The first and only single (to-date) off the album. A true, catchy, and mellow Aussie hip-hop track. Each song shows the influence of each member that is part of it. A somewhat typical Horrorshow/Jackie Onassis track that has a sing-a-long chorus and a few catchy verses. This one draws a comparison to “Nice Guys Finish Last (Feat. Joyride)” by Horrorshow.
One Day - Love Me Less [Official Audio]
Track 4 - “Better (Interlude)”
Performed by Joyride
Haunting vocal samples and an electronic ambient sample provide this interlude with a seemingly complex break to the hard-hitting bass and traditional hip-hop sounds.
Track 5 - “Mainline”
Performed by One Day
The final track on the album that involves the entire One Day crew. Starts with a little piano excerpt, before hitting into a bass heavy beat and some more rap. The albums title track is a bit different to the first four songs on the album. Rather than a minimal, piano-heavy backing track, this one relies more heavily on the hard hitting bass. The lyrics reference the train line running between Central Station and Strathfield on the Inner West Line in Sydney.
Track 6 - “Gecko Trip (Interlude)”
Performed by Adit
Another little break from the honest and revealing lyrics that this album presents. These interludes provide the producers in the group, the chance to flaunt their skills without the presence of lyrics.
Track 7 - “S.D.R.O.”
Performed by Jimmy Nice, Solo, Joyride, and Raph
Another minimal backing track, relying only on the drums and lyrics of the astoundingly talented One Day crew. More references to growing up as an aspiring rapper in Sydney’s Inner West.
Track 8 - “Downtown Money Waster”
Performed by Jimmy Nice, Joyride, Nick Lupi, Raph, and Kai
This song is a little turned down compared to the rest, a cool electronic beat accompanies the small amount of lyrics, about the life of going out and spending all your money on something that could be considered by some as a waste.
Track 9 - “Spin the Bottle”
Performed by Nick Lupi, Raph, Kai, Solo, and Adit
Spin the Bottle uses Downtown Money Waster as a prelude to the message evoked within. The way that alcohol can turn an individual into someone else, comparable to that shown in the classic tale of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The lyrics also fight with the fact that we use the wages we spend the majority of our lives trying to make, just to see the bottom of a glass.
“Funny how the bottom of a glass make us part with our wages”.
Track 10 - “Cab Ride”
Performed by Nick Lupi, Adit, and Joyride
Joyride controls the majority of this track, using the lyrics about drug use and party life, to convey the story of a girl who was keen on a guy, but her mental state had him tripping. A track about the ever changing moods of ordinary women who get into relationships with celebrities.
Track 11 - “Cloudstreet”
Performed by Kai, Nick Lupi, Jimmy Nice, Solo, and Raph
This track can be taken in two ways, on the surface this song describes the way that the guys feel when they smoke up. On the other hand - weed references aside - the song elicits a theme of the crews celebrity status they have gained since the early days in Sydney, and how up there on ‘Cloudstreet’ they are feeling fine. Seems more about weed though.
Track 12 - “Milka”
Performed by Kai, Nick Lupi, Jimmy Nice, and Raph
A choir sample to start off, creating a cinematic vibe. Followed by some electronic beats, and compelling lyrics from Kai. A heavy track about how some rappers aren’t worried about the music their releasing, focussing more on “how their jeans fit”. Kai mentions that One Day worked for what they’ve been given.
Track 13 - “Leave Your Windows Open”
Performed by Jimmy Nice, Joyride, and Adit
Joyride excels on every track he is involved with on this album, comparable to Chet Faker, Joyride has a deep voice that provides some beautiful notes and has a gorgeous melodic tone. Joyride’s lyrics lead into a dulcet chorus that precedes yet another brilliant verse from Jimmy Nice. This is one that can truly be played with your windows open.
Track 14 - “History”
Performed by Solo, Adit, Jimmy Nice, Nick Lupi, and Kai
The conclusion to the story being told by One Day. If you think of this LP as a movie, this would be the track they play as everything comes together, and the main character/s drive off into the sunset. A beautiful track that makes the hairs on your arms stand on end, and provides the perfect finish to one of the best Australian Hip-Hop albums of 2014.
One Day truly have set a new standard amongst Australian artists, as not many artists can be so truly honest with every single word being spoken. Every song tells a smaller story within the larger plot. Like scenes in a movie, each song adds to the backstory of the crew and it’s members, giving the listener an insight into what this album is really all about. Alluring lyrics and a mix of exquisite soundtrack choices, this album is more than I could have ever expected in an Australian Hip-Hop album.
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One Day’s debut album Mainline is Out Now and available here
As well as their debut album, One Day Sundays, and upcoming tour, One Day have a three-part documentary called Mainline, that details growing up in the Inner West of Sydney for the members of the group.
One Day - Mainline (Part One)
One Day - Mainline (Part Two)
One Day - Mainline (Part Three)
The upcoming tour will present something totally unique to any gig played anywhere in Australia. As One Day tour around promoting their new album, each respective group in the collective will play their own set, before hitting the stage together to blow peoples minds as One Day. Essentially, a ticket to any one of their 7 gigs Australia-wide will give punters the chance to see 5 sets for the price of 1. Genius!
One Day’s Mainline tour dates are as follows with tickets available from here
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