For the final time this month we’ve added a further ten new tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music; including two singles we exclusively premiered earlier this week.
Boonwurrung Country-based queer artist, songwriter and record label co-founder MAXON takes home our Track of the Week with her new single “18” – the first from her highly anticipated debut album Talking With Strangers. Produced by Jono Steer, “18” is a spirited blend of Americana and 70s-esque folk rock, one which takes a tongue-in-cheek, but powerful jab at ageism in the music industry. Talking about the inspiration behind “18”, Maxon said, “I wanted to write this song to remind myself, and anyone who needs to hear it, that age is nothing, and music is everything.”
“18” is fun, it’s fierce, and just filled with some fantastic performances not only from Maxon, but her impressive cast of collaborators too, including ARIA Award-winning Mia Dawson on guitar and vocals, and an amassed choir of friends and artists who help deliver the joy and soul in “18”.
“Poison & Wine” is the new single from Naarm based multi-hyphenate Seetali Mack – her first for 2025. The single saw Seetali working alongside her long time collaborator, singer-songwriter Kaiyah Mercedes, with the end product being a song that’s designed as therapy for those who struggle with openness and vulnerability. It’s a beautiful track – quietly moving and introspective, the focus here is that evocative central vocal performance.
Scottish singer-songwriter James Yorkston duets with Johanna Söderberg of First Aid Kit, on his new single “Oh Light, Oh Light”. The track is the third to be taken from his forthcoming album Songs for Nina and Johanna, which will be released on the 22nd of August. This is exceptional folk-music, and the vocals of James and Johanna together is sublime. There are some lovely strings added to the mix courtesy of Ullis Gyllenberg. Nina Persson of The Cardigans also features on the album. Keep an eye out for that when its released.
“Heavy Foot” is the latest single from Tennessee-based folk musician Mon Rovîa. The track taps into the folk genre’s history of protest anthems, blending biting social commentary with emotion, warmth, and raw lyricism. According to Rovîa, the song “lays bare the scars of a broken system, all under the weight of a heavy-footed government. Yet, through this gravity, it sings of unbreakable unity – reminding us that in the face of oppression, our love and solidarity can defy the forces that try to hold us down.” That feeling of love and unity comes through strongly on “Heavy Foot”, despite the heavy subject matter, there’s a lightness and warmth here that’s completely compelling, and as cliched as it may sound, a sense of community.
Also added to the playlist this week is “This Time Yesterday”, the sparse and meditative new single from British artist Mezanmi. It’s a track that’s full of character, with little incidental textures and almost ‘field recording’ elements doted through the run time. We also have the angsty energy of “Why Do You Want” from US artist Couvo and his album Empty Country that was released last week. Also added is “Fabulist” from Scottish siblings and pop duo The Cords. It’s the opening track from their forthcoming debut self-titled album, out on the 26th September.
CMAT is getting closer to releasing her third album, indeed this week she has released the title-track, “EURO-COUNTRY”. She has been tearing it up on the festival circuit in the UK, including a massive set at Glastonbury. She is one of the buzz artists in the UK at the moment. Her humour, incisiveness and fearless take across a variety of topics is a standout in a world of beige. She is touring the US, Europe and all of her UK shows are sold out. She played headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne earlier this year. Be assured, next time she visits it will be in much larger venues.
Finally we’ve added two tracks which we premiered earlier in the week – “Something Between You and I” from Joel Andrew B, and “Little Bit Like You” from Poison Oak.
Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
MAXON “18”
Seetali “Poison & Wine (ft. Kaiyah Mercedes)”
James Yorkston “Oh Light, Oh Light ft. Johanna Söderberg)”
Mon Rovîa “Heavy Foot”
Mezanmi “This Time Yesterday”
Couvo “Why Do You Want”
The Cords “Fabulist”
CMAT “EURO-COUNTRY”
Joel Andrew B “Something Between You and I” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
Poison Oak “Little Bit Like You” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
Header Photo by Heaps Stoked Productions
