Album Reviews

With so many dancefloor anthems already under her belt, it’s hard to believe that I Hear You is Peggy Gou’s debut album. The South Korean-born singer, producer and DJ has risen to undeniable prominence amongst the house music scene and beyond, with her upcoming festival appearances including Glastonbury and Primavera Sounds. The 10 tracks on…

Melbourne’s very own post-metalcore quintet RUN emerges with their sophomore EP, True Heaviness Is Time, dropping as a surprise release today. This six-track EP builds on the raw energy and emotion of their previous work, blending crushing heaviness with lush melodies. Self-produced by guitarist Lewis Noke-Edwards and mixed by the acclaimed Forrester Savell, the EP…

The metal scene is often quite paradoxical. Despite an aggressive outward-facing appearance, the scene is full of genuine, open and accepting people. With rabid grassroots support and a now growing mainstream movement backed by the financial weight of the majority share in global black t-shirt sales, it’s a haven for those who embrace the fast…

On Thursday night, Bring Me The Horizon announced the surprise release of their album, POST HUMAN: NeX GEn, with only two hours’ notice before it dropped in Australia, sending fans into a frenzy. As the follow-up to 2020’s *Post Human: Survival Horror* – and the second of four albums in the POST HUMAN series –…

The terms “going viral” or “blowing up” come with a sort of stigma attached, as if an unquantifiable algorithm perseveres over undeniable talent. However, as a not-so-little folk trio out of Boston, Massachusetts contests, that’s not the whole story. Graduating from viral TikTok sensations, sharing harmony-laden covers in their dorm stairwell, to widespread acclaim following…

It isn’t an uncommon road travelled for actors to further express their creativity through the release of music.  Whilst some commit to both with a certain vigour (Jennifer Lopez, Cher, etc) and others dabble with more consistent subtlety (Keanu Reeves, Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe), it does feel a little out of the ordinary to switch…

The success of an artist is often difficult to predict. The continued rise of Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Phoebe Go however, feels inevitable. From her early days in Snakadakdal to her recent tenure in Two People, Go’s musical journey culminates in her excellent debut solo album Marmalade, released on Friday. As sweet as its title suggests, Marmalade…

Solo album number 10 for Frank Turner opens with “Do One” and it just might be my personal anthem by the end of all this.  It’s a siren’s call to anyone who has been on the receiving end of someone else’s bullshit, with lyrics that resonate on an intimate level, cleverly wrapped in one of…

Unpeople emerges as a brilliant beacon in today’s rock scene with their debut self-titled EP, encapsulating a vibrant fusion of punk, metal, and alternative sounds. This band, comprised of former Press to Meco members Jake Crawford and Luke Caley, alongside bassist Meg Mash and drummer Richard Rayner, showcases an impressive synergy and musical craftsmanship. Each…

Since their formation in 2016, SeeYouSpaceCowboy has been a force to reckon with, led by the enigmatic Connie Sgarbossa, whose life experiences form the heart and soul of their music. Through themes of existential angst, addiction struggles, and the depths of mental anguish, Sgarbossa fearlessly delves into her pain with unflinching honesty. This raw vulnerability,…

Australia has been blessed with some legendary heavy bands over the years, but there’s one name that remains a regular on our roads and airwaves after leading the scene for more than a decade. ARIA award-winning Sydney alt-metal powerhouse Northlane have constantly evolved their sound and approach to push the envelope, and have today unveiled…

Asha Jefferies debut album Ego Ride drops today via Nettwerk Music Group, recorded by Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music) at Prawn Records, Brisbane. It follows two EPs and some significant career achievements for the Brisbane based artist, including appearances at Bigsound and Bluesfest, and making the shortlists for both the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition and…

Is 2024 the year your favourite artist delves into Country? In a time when Country is no longer a dirty word in many musical milieus, it seems 2024 is just as good a time as any for non-traditional Country artists to dip their toes into the scene and see where it takes them Maggie Rogers,…

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of the incredibly talented artists who have saturated the independent music market lately, each offering a piece of themselves that is (sadly) oftentimes lost in the echo chamber. But every now and then, you stumble upon a song that just hits differently and stays with you long after…

Alabamian progressive metalcore maestros ERRA have unveiled their highly anticipated sixth studio album, CURE, today. Showcasing their hallmark fusion of captivating melodic vocals and screams across a spectrum of tracks, the album features guitarist/vocalist Jesse Cash, vocalist J.T. Cavey, drummer Alex Ballew, bassist Conor Hesse, and the new addition, guitarist Clint Tustin. With CURE, ERRA…

A lot has happened in the world since Vampire Weekend last released an album (2019’s Father of the Bride). A lot has happened since frontman Ezra Koenig wrote the vast majority of lyrics to this new album (2019-2020). One thing that hasn’t changed is Vampire Weekend’s ability to create lyrics and music so uniquely obtuse…

Given the longevity of her prolific career, it’s easy to forget that popstar-cum-media personality Ricki-Lee got her start within the Australian Idol space and that she didn’t win; Casey Donovan would ultimately be crowned the winner of said season. In the 20 years (!!!) since the commanding singer won us all over during her tenure…

Sydney melodic hardcore act Bloom have today unveiled their highly-anticipated debut album, Maybe in Another Life, via Greyscale Records and Pure Noise Records. The five-piece made waves with their acclaimed 2020 concept EP In Passing, followed by a live version in 2021 and pit-splitting single “Sink into the Soil” in 2022. Now, the band returns…

Returning for their third album, Middle Kids enter 2024 at the top of their game. A band always capable of creating songs that are just as deep as they are sing-a-longs, the Sydney band are back with Faith Crisis Pt.1, a thirteen track dive into a frontwoman Hannah Joy questioning her faith. For a band…

An album twenty years in the making, This Is Me…Now is the sequel to Jennifer Lopez‘s 2002 romantic opus This Is Me…Then, a largely mid-tempo, old-school R&B-inspired record that musically defined her relationship with Ben Affleck. This Is Me…Now is similarly a record reflecting on her relationship with the actor, only this time she’s Mrs….

Welsh pop-punk brilliance Neck Deep are about to drop their fifth studio album- and it is just magic. Self-titled and self-produced, the record truly captures the essence of Neck Deep in all its glory. A 10-track masterpiece of fun, brilliantly written and masterfully produced tracks- it’s Neck Deep in their purest form. Frontman Ben Barlow…

Green Day‘s 14th studio album, Saviors, marks a triumphant return to their roots, reclaiming the essence of their signature sound. Following the less-than-stellar reception of Father of All Motherfuckers, this latest release emerges as a refreshing revival. As the band gears up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American…

We’re back for the 15th annual list of the 40 best albums of the year, as compiled by the team at the AU review, bringing in music from Australia and around the world. It’s a packed list, with many artists making their debut on our countdown. Read on, and click on the album covers to…

California metalcore legends Atreyu have been influential to many heavy bands that followed in their footsteps during the 2000s particularly. Their latest record, The Beautiful Dark of Life, was released today via Spinefarm Records to conclude the trilogy of EPs they have shared throughout the year. A whopping 15-track journey, the band’s ninth studio album…

Naarm/Melbourne alt-metal five-piece Future Static have today shared their highly-anticipated debut album Liminality via Wild Thing Records. The 12-track project two years in the making is a blend of deft guitarwork over intricate rhythms as vocalist Amariah Cook brings a passionate and powerful performance. Produced, mixed and mastered by Christopher Vernon (Windwaker, The Beautiful Monument),…

Melbourne alt-rock trio Colourburn have today released their debut EP Compromise in Colour, a bold entry to the scene with clear talent and intent. The five-track project was produced by Christopher Vernon (Bloom, Belle Haven, Tapestry) and draws influence from the likes of Movements, Citizen and Eat Your Heart Out. Comprised of Jordyn Briggs (vocals),…

Taking Back Sunday‘s triumphant return to the music scene is marked by their eighth studio album, 152 This long-awaited release, their first full-length endeavour since 2016, is a nostalgic ode to their roots and the memories of their formative years in North Carolina. The album’s title, a reference to the road connecting Highpoint, Chapel Hill,…

I vividly remember the first time I saw Angie McMahon live. The Jezabels had announced a week-long residency at The Lansdowne in Sydney, and with each of these shows, a different act opened as support. Out walks Angie and her guitar. As humble and nervous as you’d expect someone to be supporting such an influential…

Country-soul powerhouse Caitlin Harnett and The Pony Boys released their second album All Night Long through Spunk Records today, the follow-up to successful debut Late Night Essentials (2020) which scored the title Album of the Week on FBi Radio and 2SER. Originally formed  in 2015, Caitlin Harnett and The Pony Boys have spent the last…

It’s fun watching bands grow and become absolute stars. Whether they’re an international act you’ve stumbled across online or a local band you first saw opening a festival/ headline tour a million or five years ago, the fun of it all remains the same. Seeing and hearing Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers crush it…