Dazed & Flawlezz

The Canberra-based pair earned a swelling reputation throughout the 2000s, delivering two EPs filled with introspective rap and intricate production, and sharing stages with cult hip-hop figures including Cage & Mr. Lif, Pharaohe Monch and Necro. Life got in the way of more Dazed & Flawlezz material, but 2020 sees their resurrection with their most consistent and thorough project yet.

In a time when connectivity is key,Airplane Mode is a project that seeks to find something more than scrolling on screens. "The whole concept of Airplane Mode is turning shit off and focusing on yourself," Dazed says. The album continues the duo's focus on deeply personal and intimate storytelling, with Flawlezz explaining that the album centres around themes of "addiction, isolation, insomnia, regret and repression." All this is delivered over a brooding sonic backdrop (with all but one track produced in-house, mostly by Dazed) that's heavily sample-based, relying heavily on the gritty sonics championed by the underground sects of hip-hop.

Recorded between Canberra and Melbourne with Michael O’Connell (The Avalanches, Illy, Baker Boy),
Airplane Mode captures the nostalgic natural chemistry that drove Dazed & Flawlezz during the 2000s, but is delivered with the earnesty, maturity and modern influences that have come with age. As a result, Dazed says that the album is "for old heads, but the youngins can see that there’s a way out."