Music

For Melbourne music fans, Splendour sideshow week is like Christmas, the abundance of exciting international artists hitting the city is like no other, Banks at The Forum being a particular standout on the schedule. Opening the evening was Zimbabwe-born, NZ-raised rapper TAPZ who revelled in the eager early-comers converged on the floor. Recent single “Run…

BIGSOUND has bolstered its 2017 artist list with a stack of new names being released today, taking the official count to 133 (so far). The list sees some BIGSOUND debutantes in the mix with some returning names and a block of Australian favourites set to mix it up in Fortitude Valley this September 5th – 9th….

To say that Tia Gostelow is still under the ’emerging artist’ banner… it is a bit of an old hat for the young songwriter to don. Since taking out triple j’s Indigenous High competition last year, Gostelow has been harnessing for herself a powerful presence within the crop of Australian songwriters who have been coming out…

I tell ya what, Margaret Court Arena is going to be going through it over the next few months or at least, until the Melbourne venue is renamed. With Sigur Rós‘ much-anticipated show at the arena taking place this evening, an event that has directly called Margaret Court out herself and has taken steps to actively support…

Perth based sextet Make Them Suffer are back with their glorious third studio album, Worlds Apart. I will be honest, heavy deathcore is not my norm. But, as an angsty teen growing up in a depleting economy where a Thrasher T-shirt is more than my rent, I still find myself turning towards the choleric, emotion dripping genre…

Time helps build a cult of personality; a paradigm in which how you remember things can be altered dramatically from how they actually are. With more than six years since their last visit, plenty of time has passed since LCD Soundsystem had the chance to play to a Sydney crowd. And while the music industry…

The Bronx have come crashing through with the reveal of their fifth studio album, aptly named V. Retaining everything punk and chaotic the band has become renowned and beloved for the world over, the new record sees the LA-based group entering a new chapter in the wake of Jorma Vik‘s 2016 departure. What we’ve heard first up from…

Our condolences go out today to the family of Dr Yunupingu, the Galiwin’ku community and Gumatj clan – who have lost one of their prominent and most beloved members – as well as Skinnyfish Music, who helped to cultivate one of the most treasured careers in Australian music. Dr Yunupingu, who passed away in Darwin on Tuesday, was…

The Jezabels are one of Sydney’s ultimate favourites, that should really go without saying. In August, locals will have the opportunity to spend some proper quality time with the group. Over seven nights, the band will be making their mark on the newly reopened Lansdowne Hotel for an unprecedented residency. Kicking off on Monday, August…

Continuing our interview coverage from our time with Royal Blood in Sydney recently, Mike and Ben talk more on the development of their live shows and preparing for some of their biggest festival appearances yet, notably CalJam alongside Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. “I think with another 10 songs that we get to play, obviously the set is going…

Non-headliners ruled Splendour in the Grass this year, and if anything defined the festival for 2017 it was that interest is shifting towards locals who are giving it their all, swiftly outshining headliners for what has become the proving ground for many a homegrown musician over the years. As a festival, Splendour is one of…

New Alvvays is always great. Heh. Bad pun made, moving right along… The new album from the group is coming this September 8th in the form of Antisocialites and today, we’ve really been enjoying their new single “Dreams Tonite”. The Toronto group shine on the track, which displays an awesome progression in rhythmic and songwriting technique, as…

New Zealand’s Raiza Biza takes to the mic in acknowledging the strong women in his life with the appropriately titled, “Strong Woman”. The single is charming in nature, strong and anthemic in delivery – a great step further into the spotlight from the hip hop talent continuing on the rise. The official music video we’re premiering…

You know that old rule your mum used to tell you: ‘If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all’? While it sure is nice to be spoken to politely, Sigur Rós must have listened really well to their mums, as they played the nicest and most awe inspiring of sets you’ll…

With his 2015 debut album Eons, Jim Lawrie was quick to establish himself as a songwriter and performer who needed to be on more music fans’ radars around the country. Bringing together some lovely folk tendencies with classic rock sensibilities that has proven to resonate so well with live audiences in particular, Jim Lawrie’s music generated the…

The brief, yet captivating career retrospective of the life and career of Shawn Carter has a complete sense of poise, elegance and humbled acceptance. 36 minutes is all veteran emcee Jay Z needs on 4:44 to play host to a series of introspective thoughts on his life. The negative press surrounding Jay after Beyoncé’s Lemonade…

We can’t quite believe it ourselves, but next month, the AU review is turning nine years old! With support from our amazing friends at the Batch Brewing Co., we’re going to be throwing a massive party to celebrate in Sydney, on Wednesday, August 30th! And its totally free if you RSVP. We can’t tell you where…

Tex Perkins embodies rock n’ roll. He has the swagger, presence and indomitable attitude that comes from three decades fronting some of Australia’s most intense and spirited bands; The Cruel Sea, Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, Dark Horses, Don, Tex & Charlie, The Ladyboyz and more. His autobiography, TEX tells the story of how skinny Gregory…

Jen Cloher‘s new self-titled album is one we’re very much looking forward to; as one of the country’s underrated songwriters, Cloher’s new material we’ve been hearing has definitely gotten us excited for what’s featured in the next chapter of the Melbourne musician’s book of music. In new single “Regional Echo”, Jen continues to bring open…

Adelaide indie rock group, The New Yorks, release their sophomore EP record I Wish I Was You, But That’s Just Me next Monday (July 31st) – a collection of material that is bound to have live audiences moving over the next few months. Drawn to their guitar driven approach to indie jams, The New Yorks instantly…

While out in Australia for Splendour in the Grass (and some cheeky headline dates of their own), British duo Royal Blood found some time to catch up with us in Sydney. Also during their time out in Australia this month, Mike and Ben dropped the details of their largest Australian tour yet, which will see Royal Blood…

Billie Eilish is going to be heading out to Australia for the first time this September (get your tickets ASAP) and if that wasn’t enough for great news from the British breakthrough artist, Eilish has given fans a new single in “idontwannabeyouanymore”. Taken from her highly anticipated debut EP dont smile at me, which is out on…

Following on from 2014’s Supermodel and their earlier 2017 release III EP, Foster The People have returned with Sacred Hearts Club. Hip-hop, alternative, funk, and indie-pop influences are all evident and well balanced on this release, demonstrating a clear evolution from the group who first burst into the international music scene with their controversial, but…

In 2017, it’s getting increasingly harder for bands to both shock and move their audience, especially through music videos. As fans we can sometimes get lazy, searching and wishing to be guided through a track or a thought, hand in hand as the true meaning behind an artistic idea gets handed to us. Brooklyn trio…

From its humble beginnings as a one-night showcase at LA club The Echo, FYF Fest has evolved both in venue and scope with a diverse lineup spanning 3 days at Downtown’s Exposition Park. Day One’s Friday afternoon began with the punch of Sydney’s own Royal Headache, followed by the soothing touch of Canadian outfit BADBADNOTGOOD, whose…

Evocative Montreal four piece, The Franklin Electric, have released a gorgeous visual accompaniment to their tune “Burning Flame”, premiering today on the AU. As far as Monday’s go, this tune is bound to pick you up or at least have you feeling some kind of way, with the Canadians linking up with the talented Ryley Burghall to…

Saving the best for last – even after that Powderfinger reunion – Splendour 2017 closed out with what very well may be its single best day in years. The quality on offer from start to finish was undeniable, upheld by both locals and internationals who were clearly set on not letting Bernard Fanning own the…

Today we’re happy to be getting around the latest slice of music from Brisbane’s Born Joy Dead! “Sinkhole Holiday” is the first track to be taken from the indie rock band’s forthcoming EP Throw Us in the Fire; a garage-fuzz fusion hit of a tune that once more shows the spirited nature of the band’s musicality. In Ben…

“Hello everyone, grab a seat!” Jeremy Neale says from the bed of a hotel room. His set list is peeping out from the “What do you call this thing?” The 20 odd guests call out… “Throw!” “Rug!” “Blanket!” “A throw?” he says, “Too fancy for me. One day I’d like to own a throw”. This…

Day Two kicked into hyper-drive, starting off with an energetic bang! Opening in the Amphitheatre were NSW boys Hockey Dad, whilst Gretta Ray and Mallrat took to the Mix Up Stage and GW McLennan tent. Coming in like an energy drink, Confidence Man followed with an animated performance filled with little outfits, bubbly tunes and frantic dancing. “Boyfriend (Repeat)” saw the whole…