Ten new tracks land in the the AU review playlist this week, with the pick of the bunch coming from Naarm outfit Jeane and their punchy new single “Cash”. Featuring Jazz Johnston (Butternut Sweetheart) alongside Luke Moseley and a rotating cast of collaborators, Jeane brings together some familiar faces from the Naarm scene — and plenty of attitude to match.
Unrelenting and gritty, “Cash” channels the frustrations many independent artists feel about the financial divide in the music industry. Driven by snaking guitar lines, a punchy drum groove and Johnston’s commanding vocal delivery, the track turns that frustration into a sharp, unapologetic statement. Fiercely DIY in spirit, the band recorded the song in their Naarm studio with Moseley producing and engineering the track — a raw and urgent preview of their debut EP Sicko, arriving May 21.
This week see’s Newcastle country/pop singer-songwriter Chloe Gill release her debut album, I Have A Habit of Dreaming. It’s a strong introduction to Gill’s emotionally rich style of song craft – one that blends heartfelt country storytelling seamlessly with a more polished pop sensibility. We’ve added the album’s focus track “a bad day in february” to the playlist as it beautifully showcases the way Gill manages to straddle those two worlds with confidence and style. Gorgeous! You can catch Gill on tour across the East Coast over the next few months. Head HERE for more information and tickets.
Fremantle indie favourites Spacey Jane return with the new single “Do You Really Love Her?”, a shimmering, emotionally charged track that leans into the band’s signature mix of heartfelt lyricism and soaring indie-rock hooks. Built around Caleb Harper’s earnest vocal delivery and bright, chiming guitars, the song captures the vulnerability and uncertainty that comes with questioning where you stand in a relationship.
NYC singer-songwriter Annie Dressner taps into bittersweet nostalgia on “Dumb Boy”, an Americana-tinged indie folk-pop gem about the frustrating pull of falling for someone who probably never deserved your heart in the first place. Built around Dressner’s warm, expressive vocals and a laid-back band groove, the track balances wry humour with emotional honesty — capturing that moment when you know someone has messed you around, yet you can’t quite let go of the spark that made you fall for them. It’s the first taste of a forthcoming album produced by Peter Bruntnell, hinting at a sound that nods to the golden era of ’90s singer-songwriters while keeping one foot firmly in modern indie folk. It’s a tantalising combination which we are big fans of.
Manchester-born poet, writer and producer Antony Szmierek kicks off a mid-playlist disco infused interlude with his new single “The Heron”. Produced by Szmierek and his longtime collaborator Max Rad the single was inspired by his encounters with a heron along the banks of the River Mersey and all the symbolism that came with it. It’s this gorgeous, shimmering slice of disco flecked house music that’s overflowing with his signature lyricism and just a beautiful, positive message – the vibes are on point!
Joining him on the playlist is pop icon Robyn and her new single “Blow My Mind” – the fourth from her much anticipated new album Sexistential, which is out in two weeks. Now, if you’re thinking you’ve seen that song title on an earlier Robyn album, you’d be correct. Produced by Klas Åhlund, the single is a rewrite of the 2002 Don’t Stop The Music album track in tribute to her three year old son. It’s got this great Moroder-esque undercurrent, and then there’s the whole ethereal Scandi electro-pop thing happening over the top. It’s a lot of fun.
Then we have “Egoland” from Belgian singer-songwriter and drummer Isolde Lasoen, a song which finds Lasoen at her most playful and danceable. It’s got this great shiny Europop sheen, with 80s style Hi-NRG live drums, vintage synths, and an abundance of retro vibes. Lyrically it’s all rather tongue in cheek and a little bit silly (in a good way). It’s quirky, high energy and its central message, to check your ego at the door, is one well worth hearing. Lasoen’s new album – her third solo release – My Kind of Drama is out August 28th.
Sydney avant-pop outfit The Petrov Affair deliver dark wit and lush art-pop textures on “Men Are A Luxury Item”, the title track from their debut album. Built around a slinky rhythm, shimmering synths and textured guitars, the track pairs Murray Lee’s wry, self-deprecating lyrics with a slightly psychedelic, atmospheric groove. With its literate indie sensibility and melancholic charm, it’s one that will resonate strongly with fans of Underground Lovers.
We’ve long been obsessed with Arlo Parks — that voice! Her new single “Get Go”, taken from the upcoming album Ambiguous Desire (out April 3 via Transgressive), captures the energy of late-night club encounters, imagining a perpetually heartbroken reveler surrendering to the pulse of the dancefloor and the fleeting thrill of the night.
Finally, we have “Rocket” the lead single from Dog is Calling, the second EP from Pacific Northwest alt rockers Sun Spots. Out today on independent Seattle label Den Tapes, the EP is a collection of four tracks showcasing the band’s own particular brand of classic grunge paired with hook-laden melodies.
Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
Jeane “Cash”
Chloe Gill “a bad day in february”
Spacey Jane “Do You Really Love Her”
Annie Dressner “Dumb Boy”
Antony Szmierek “The Heron”
Robyn “Blow My Mind”
Isolde Lasoen “Egoland”
The Petrov Affair “Men Are A Luxury Item”
Arlo Parks “Get Go”
Sun Spots “Rocket”
Header image credit: Marcus Coblyn
