Author: Chris Singh

The “hotel within a hotel” concept has been done before in Las Vegas; it didn’t work out particularly well for Marriott’s famously funky W brand – although location had a lot to do with it – but the concept has proven viable before, particularly with long-standing favourite Nobu Hotel. It’s an interesting approach to redefining…

Coming straight out of New Zealand’s capital, young Wellington rockers Lucifer Gunne are in full attack mode as they unleash the heavy “Energenetic”: a certified sledgehammer of a track that should easily hammer this four-piece into the hearts and minds of listeners the world over. The AU Review are proud to exclusively premiere the track…

Steve Lacey was a busy man last year. The very much in-demand multi instrumentalist, famed as for his work with The Internet sprinkled his imaginative post-funk vibes all other works from the likes of Kali Uchis and Ravyn Lenae. It seem he isn’t done yet; invited on board by none other than Vampire Weekend who…

Just days after the internet started buzzing with talks that the forthcoming final season of Game of Thrones will feature “the longest consecutive battle sequence ever committed to film”, the official trailer has arrived. As you can expect, details are fairly scarce on exactly how the season will play out, but we have been given…

Those (everyone) who saw it coming when Game Freak announced that they would be working on a set of mainline Pokemon titles for Nintendo Switch have finally got the revelation that they’ve been waiting for. We all clamored over each other for the fairly recent Pokemon Let’s Go titles, and now it seems that we’ve…

The team at Alexandria’s Textbook Boulangerie-Patisserie are known for making some of the most delicious croissants in the entire country, among many other treats. It’s why there’s queues out the door on most days, and that kind of buzz is only set to grow during Mardi Gras weekend with the introduction of the Golden Gaytime…

We all need a little bit of scuzzy 90’s inspired grunge in our lives, especially because this kind of alt-rock is becoming increasingly hard to come across in a sea of constant pop (and pop rap) releases flooding social media. Your latest taste comes from Springfield, Missouri band Dream Ritual who capture all the frustration…

It’s that time again, where pride, diversity and strength take centre stage as the fabulous Mardi Gras rolls into town. Not just all about the parade itself anymore, the celebration has become about Sydney, it’s people, and it’s venues coming together to showcase and highlight the city’s effervescent LGBTQI community all week long. Right up…

Dust off your favourite pineapple print button-up because café chain Jamaica Blue are slanging free drinks and meals to anyone who rocks up wearing their best pineapple patterned clothing or fashion accessory (pineapple tattoos count). It’s to celebrate their new “pineapple themed menu”, of course, with the freebie deal including jerk chicken tacos, breakfast bowls,…

Though they’ve morphed their sound over the years, stripped away some of the moody atmospheres and shrunken to crisp, intimate pieces at times, Wye Oak haven’t forgotten how to world build. Teaming up to give Adult Swim Singles an irresistible reminder of some of their older material, Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack have come through…

You don’t have to look hard to find a picture-perfect villa in Bali. The shimmering private pool, the immaculate bathroom and the lofty bedroom – and we’re just talking about the small ones – is the now generic Villa recipe plastered all over social media (mostly Instagram) every single day by people living out their…

It’s no surprise when the nation raves about a restaurant in Tasmania, the island state best known for its impeccable produce and the quirky festivals like Dark Mofo and Mona Foma. Usually that hype is focused in on Hobart though, so it’s refreshing to hear that Australia’s official New Restaurant of the Year, as crowned…

Two of the World’s Best Bars are coming to Sydney for a “Singapore Social” party; Nespresso are wheeling people around in free rickshaws to show off their new sustainable boutique; and a bunch of the world’s hottest producers and contemporary hip hop artists are taking over Olympic Park. There is an incredible amount of reasons…

Recently opened luxury resort Riley has lifted the lid on Cairns’ first and only rooftop bar and restaurant, presenting locals and guests with Rocco which sits on the property’s 12th floor. Defined by its 270-degree views of the tropical city and the surrounding Coral Sea, Rocco is being pushed as a venue big on “atmosphere,…

Famed for their exclusive wagyu beef omakase menus, Tokyo’s Wagyumafia has officially begun expanding outside of Japan, with their first international location opening up in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Fitting into a modest 18-seat space on Oi Kwan Road, the members-only restaurant (non-members can still go, but they’ll get a pared down menu) has unsurprisingly…

Now is as good a time as any for 4A Games’ Metro franchise to emerge from its dank subterranean setting and venture out into a terribly unforgiving post-apocalyptic Russia. It’s what series protagonist Artyom has strived for all these years after all, setting out on an ambitious adventure across harsh tundras, spooky desserts and mysterious…

Without UK indies This Is The Kit to ground her, Rozi Plain is floating free on new single “Conditions”, a wholesome dreamscape that breaks apart her signature folk and reveals a shimmering sense of heightened reality. Following up her first single “Symmetrical”, this gem is the latest offering from the London artist’s forthcoming album What…

Disaster artist Tommy Wiseau, best known as the accidental genius behind cult hit The Room, revealed earlier this year plans to direct and star in his own bona fied shark movie. As you can expect, nervous laughter and that “pfft” sound dude bros like making were the most common reactions to the surprising announcement, which…

One would reasonably expect that Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver is entirely worthy of the opulent luxury brand and its reliable reputation. It is, after all, Shangri-La’s North American flagship and – so far – only one of two on the continent, with the other being in Toronto. In 2008, it was the first to open; slightly…

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and as we rush towards the middle of February and into an overly commercialised bouquet of roses, chocolate and declarations of love (or, you know, single awareness), Sydney’s best are coming out to play. Let’s not get too cynical about it though, especially when venues across the city put their…

What is being described as an “exceptional and inimitable Japanese dining experience” is making its way to Sydney Harbour’s Campbell’s Stores, set to open later this year and set a new benchmark for the city. Titled Ura San, the ambitious restaurant is one of the first announced for The Rocks’ restored harbour-side precinct, an adaptive…

Now at the ripe old age of 70, Larry Sloman, better known around the industry as Ratso, is gearing to release his debut album. The New York author has been a key player for some of the biggest names in history over the past few decades, from working with both Anthony Kiedis and Peter Criss…

Salt Meats Cheese has long been a stalwart of reliable Italian produce and dining in Australia. The group have been expanding rapidly over the past few years, so it was only a matter of time before Sydney’s Northern Beaches got their first taste of Edoardo Perlo and Stefano de Blasi’s lively concept. Following their most…

It was bound to happen some day, and there’s no surprise that Sydney’s Milky Lane, harbingers of ridiculously over-the-top and indulgent foods, were the ones to do it. The five-store chain (Parramatta, Cronulla, Gold Coast, Coogee and flagship Bondi) has decided to go full “broke millennial” and spray rounds of Mi-Goreng inspired goodness on top…

The classic “if it ain’t broke” phrase will always apply to The Prodigy and their exemplary live experience. The genre-bending rave that the UK trio have been tweaking and perfecting for decades makes for one of the most explosive, frenetic and intense live music experiences one can have. That’s always been the case. And it’s…

The minds behind cult favourite Mary’s Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham are opening a new live music venue as they take over and reimagine the former site of The Basement into Mary’s Underground. The venue, which has hosted everyone from Slum Village to Prince during its 45 year history, will very much continue as a…

In prepping their third EP, Bodies, for release later this month, Melbourne indie rockers The Avenue have lifted the lid on their new single “suburbs.cities.towns”. Given the wide acclaim for Names, their sophomore EP released last year, we’re expecting this one to really take off, thanks to it’s poppy The 1975 vibe and perfect marriage…

Microsoft haven’t taken such a big leap from the Surface Laptop to its sequel, but they haven’t really had to. Released in 2017, the Surface Laptop was a strong entry for the company, and also a surprising move given that they’ve become such a dominant force in the realm of tablets and 2-in-1 devices. It…

Technically, this excellent Theophilius London collaboration with Tame Impala guru Kevin Parker (collectively, Theo Impala) has been available in the less ethical corners of the internet for a few years now. “Whiplash” has long been a treasured deep cut for fans of both the New York rapper and Fremantle rocker, and now it seems the…

Following last week’s massive announcement of a national arena tour for the new-look Fleetwood Mac, the band have unsurprisingly began to fill in the glaring gaps in their Australian schedule by adding a few new shows. Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne now have one new show each, added in response to what has no doubt been…