the AU review is proud to announce The 40 Best Albums of 2020, from Australia and around the world. Who will top our 12th annual list? Read on to find out, and enjoy streams of the records as you scroll through. 40. San Cisco – Between You & Me After more than a decade together, San…
It was always going to be hard for The Avalanches to follow up their debut Since I Left You. At the time of its release, it was groundbreaking and re-wrote the way in which music could and would be created. It may have taken them sixteen years to follow it up, but 2016’s Wildflower went…
Melbourne-based and multi-talented Clio Renner’s debut album Nothing Breaks, Nothing Mends is out and making waves. The pianist, vocalist and songwriter has produced an impressive collection of alternative indie-pop tracks that delve into the truth of Renner’s life right now, exploring her thoughts, inner-dialogue and the people in her life. Having worked with a slew…
Tasmanian artist, Maddy Jane has unveiled her latest single, “You’re not mine (But I Think You Should Be)”. After releasing her debut album Not All Bad Or Good earlier this year through Lemon Tree Records/Sony Music Entertainment Australia, Maddy’s new single is fresh and addictive. The song captures a vibrant indie-rock tune with Jane’s vocals…
We’ve been looking forward to the sophomore album from Sydney alt-rock grunge band The Violet Stones, and it delivers in spades. We are stoked today to be premiering PIN, with a generous fourteen energetic high-octane tracks. They’ve teased a few singles in the lead-up, most recently “Power Hungry”, so it’s a treat to have the…
Melbourne based Aeora has dropped another dark electro-pop banger in the form of “Freedom“. With killer vocals and a beautifully produced and intricately layered sound, it’s a great follow-up to previous singles “Breathe” and “Give It“. Of this latest track, Aeora says: “I was in this really open and freeing time of my life where…
Aucklander, Paul The Kid, is about to release his latest tune, “Palm Trees & Ciggies” and we are delighted to be premiering this funky summer tune. “Palm Trees & Ciggies” is a love letter to simpler times, to travelling on the cheap, drinking cold tins, a pack of smokes and some good tunes. Who needs…
Brisbane’s SUNFLOWER are your ‘60s/‘70s groovers bringing back an electric rock-soul fusion. Fronted by Lawson Doyle and Kahlia Ferguson, this five-piece is growing from strength to strength which each single released. Their buoyant debut “Better Days” showcases Lawsons rock vocals highlighted with the bluesy backing of Ferguson. “Get Yourself Together” quickly followed, demonstrating a more…
Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of…
Indie-rockers Bad Pony are teasing us with another single off their forthcoming debut album, this time in the form of “Hold Choke”. This is a song full of hooks, big choruses and makes you want to jump and down with the band. It’s quite a contrast to the somewhat darker, undertones of the lyrics, which…
The second and final instalment of Greatest Southern Nights, the showcase for the soul-reviving Great Southern Nights, was at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday night. The three acts were Bernard Fanning, Matt Corby and merci, mercy. For all the details of what went down, check out our review from Tait McGregor HERE merci, mercy Matt…
Emerging in Brisbane back in the late 2000s, The Paradise Riflebirds (then known as simply The Riflebirds) were on the up and up. But life had other plans for the band, and after a battle with a serious illness, they’re finally here with a new(ish) name and their debut album Victorian Evening. An ode to…
Greatest Southern Nights returned for their second and final instalment at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, rounding out what’s been a soul-reviving month of live music for the NSW scene. Following last week’s line-up of Jack Botts, Ruby Fields, Jack River and Ocean Alley; Saturday (December 5th) night drew a big ticket double-headline of Matt Corby and…
NSW has recently become the accommodator for the biggest law reforms affecting the live music industry in the state’s history. On November 12, the NSW Legislative Council passed amendments that saw long overdue, but nonetheless historic changes made to liquor, planning, local government and building laws. The reforms have excited all and everyone, particularly for…
After having their renowned track ‘Heavy Hearted’ nominated for ARIA Song of the Year, The Jungle Giants return with their latest single, “In Her Eyes”. The song captures quintessential summer vibes with a ray of 90’s inspired groovy beats. Lead singer, Sam Hales talks us through the inspiration behind the track: “It feels so good…
Canadian-born, Byron Bay-based singer Garrett Kato has released his new album hemispheres today. The final act to his earlier released EP, s.hemispheres, this album reflects on Kato’s memories and experiences in the southern and northern hemispheres (as the title suggests). From sombre reckonings on life and vices, like on “Breathe It In”, a collaboration with…
Fender have teamed up with singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tash Sultana for their all-new Signature Stratocaster. The guitar, which features a wide range of tonal options and a custom “Skull” neckplate, is Sultana’s first artist signature model with the iconic guitar brand. The collaboration comes after an incredibly successful five years for the singer-songwriter; going…
Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of…
Lime Cordiale are kicking off our summer with their very own festival, teaming up with Smirnoff to bring you Smirnoff Seltzer Party Yard. It’s the drink of the minute, seltzers, crossing over with the band of the minute; and it’s set to be a line-up you won’t forget. The Northern beaches brothers are known for…
YUNGBLUD has been pretty busy since realising his debut album in 2018. With a slew of features and collaborations in the two years since, he’s been pushing the limits on what sound he’s creating and who, as a result, may want to listen to his music. Following a tender single with Halsey in 2019, he’s…
Late last week Western Australia’s Big Orange released their rousing debut album, An Ode To Odious, through Perth indie label Blue Grey Pink. The album was recorded primarily at the home of the band’s principal songwriter Daniel Davis, with some further recording by Dave Parkin (Spacey Jane, San Cisco) at Blackbird Sound Studio in Perth….
Melbourne singer-songwriter Gretta Ray turns to a new chapter in her career with her latest single and music video “Passion”. Famously winning Triple J Unearthed High at just 18, as well as the prestigious Vanda & Young Songwriting Award for her high-rotation hit, “Drive”, Ray has taken on a new challenge in “Passion”. All-emotion, no…
In this writer’s opinion, a new upcoming film starring Nicolas Cage is a cause for celebration. But when you have the eclectic actor starring in a film that features martial arts, aliens and ass-kicking, that sounds like a jam-packed smorgasbord of fun. And that is what the sci-fi martial arts flick Jiu Jitsu is. We were…
With just three singles under his belt, Mason Watts is one of the most exciting pop up-and-comers in the Australian industry at this moment. His heart-wrenching vocals have already scored him commercial radio plays as well as opening for the likes of Missy Higgins, Dami Im and Lime Cordiale,plus over 500K streams on Spotify. His latest offering,…
Teenage Joans might have only burst onto the scene a year ago, but they’ve made quite the impact. Single “Three Leaf Clover” won them the triple j’s Unearthed High prize earlier this year, and with the duo releasing a new video for the alt anthem, there’s never been a better time to share this one…
It’s officially Summer, and while this year’s given us a new appreciation for small and quaint local gigs, Adelaide will be delivering something a little larger than life this Summer season… Secret Sounds and Adelaide-based Five Four Entertainment and Groove have announced the Summer Sounds Festival, a new summer concert series set to bring…
Melbourne may have been in lockdown for most of the year, but some epic music is emerging from that town. Newly formed conscious soul/roots band, Cinnamon Sun is a prime example. Today we have the exclusive premiere of “If You Call”, the debut release from this effortlessly cool group. The frontman of Cinnamon Sun, Davy…
Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena saw the largest live music event in Australia since March on Saturday night (28th). As expected, this arena show looked very different to a pre-covid world with the crowd capped to 6,000 in the 21,000 person arena, but the quality of music and the eagerness in the crowd was not diminished….
Triple J’s Unearthed High competition winner, George Alice continues to make waves with her latest single and official video, ‘Teenager’. The talented Australian singer and songwriter has also scored her first headline on the ‘Schools Out’ East Coast Tour. Slow-tempo and composed with soft acoustics, the indie-pop track reflects upon the dismissal of adolescents in…
Sydney duo Dust Of Us have just released their latest single, “Punching Bag”, an exotic blend of layered electronica and moody ethereal vocals. Brothers Ed and Lloyd Prescott roped in guest vocalist Jess Chalker and her contribution is stunning. It’s a beautiful dark, smoky, track. The production is imaginative and leaves you wanting more. Ed Prescott…
