Pop-punk trailblazers of the early 2000s- Good Charlotte, burst back onto the scene after seven quiet years with Motel Du Cap. A highly anticipated release, expectations were high after the release of the lead single “Rejects”, which felt like a true return to form. The record kicks off with a spoken word monologue, an homage…
Have you ever had a bad time listening to female led harmonies on a near acoustic soundtrack? I’m here to tell you the answer is no, and you can add Folk Bitch Trio to the list of bands that meet this description of releasing ridiculously pleasant indie-folk. Here on their debut album Now Would Be…
Seven-piece London jazz outfit Kokoroko return to our ears with their triumphant sophomore album Tuff Times Never Last. It sounds just as its cover artwork looks – vibrant, joyous and dance-floor ready. Kokoroko’s sound is built on connection. Forming when percussionist Onome Edgeworth and vocalist/trumpet player Shelia Maurice-Grey met on an arts trip in Kenya,…
Following the success of 2021’s Simulation Ride, Melbourne/Naarm-based artist Merpire (Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt) returns with Milk Pool. Across eleven tracks, she leans into themes of longing, intimacy, and self-worth. Moments of quiet vulnerability meet fuzzy distortion, holding tension between softness and grit. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes unevenly, but always with sincerity. Opening track “Leaving With You” immediately…
It feels rather fitting that Kesha release her latest record on America’s Independence Day, July 4th, as this – her 6th LP – truly embodies a sense of freedom, following a tumultuous period surrounding legal battles and sexual assault charges that threaten to derail her exciting pop trajectory. There’s a whole rabbit hole you can…
Later this week, Sydney/Eora punks FANGZ will unleash long-awaited debut album Shui (like FANGZ shoo-ey, get it?). Already suitably hyped by singles “Wasting Time”, “Wide Awake”, “Same Old Story”, and recent release “Anne Marie”, Shui comes to us via Impressed Recordings, and will drop on Friday July 4th. Of the new album, frontman Josh Cottreau…
As a genre, hardcore is having a serious moment right now. Bands like Turnstile and SPEED are pushing boundaries and bringing a raw intensity to global stages, shining a newfound spotlight on a genre that’s long thrived in the underground. With over twenty years in the game, Melbourne hardcore veterans Iron Mind have returned with…
With the advent of streaming, music has never been more accessible. The assumption might’ve been that artistic creativity would thrive in a technological era unburdened by label demands, industry cynicism or trend-chasing. Commercial interests however, continue to outpace creative ones. Rather than fostering experimentation, the streaming system has rewarded immediacy. Playlist-friendly singles and algorithm-driven exposure…
When most artists choose to get introspective, they tend to wear their hearts on their sleeve. Hein Cooper, however, opts to open the door to the garage, set up the mic, and let the world listen in. Written, recorded and produced entirely by Cooper in his mum’s garage over six months, My Own is the artist’s…
Masked band Sleep Token are about to drop their latest album, and the hype surrounding the release feels palpable. Four albums in, it’s hard to call them an overnight success, but 2023’s “The Summoning” going viral definitely had a role to play in their huge rise over the past year or so, culminating in a…
Dope Lemon – the multiple-award winning project created by acclaimed Sydney singer-songwriter Angus Stone – are set to release much anticipated fifth album Golden Wolf on May 2nd. Singles off of the new album have dropped throughout the last few months, including tracks “Golden Wolf”, “Sugarcat”, and “Electric Green Lambo”, each unique in sound…
It’s rather uncommon for a band approaching two decades in the business to release a self-titled album. It might seem even more uncommon when that same album happens to be their fourth studio release. Lucius, however, the American four-piece led by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, is far from common. The band’s self-titled fourth album,…
Ghost – the bedazzled church of Tobias Forge – have returned with Skeletá. With previous frontman Papa Emeritus IV stepping aside to take on the role of Frater Imperator after the death of his mother, Ghost is now led by Papa V Perpetua – which is Forge in a new mask, in case you didn’t…
The country renaissance isn’t over just yet! After teasing a collaboration with their emotion-laden single Sylvia, Torres (the musical project of Mackenzie Scott) and Julien Baker’s album Send a Prayer My Way marks their soulful entry into the genre. The 12 track album traverses downtown bars and the wide open road as the pair croon…
Ball Park Music has been one of the most consistently prolific Australian bands of the past 15 years. Like clockwork, they’d release a hit single, follow it up with another hit single and then drop an album, tour the album for twelve months, disappear for six months before releasing an entirely new single, thus starting…
Melbourne’s very own Thornhill are back with their third studio album, BODIES– out today. This record brings an unexpected blend of eerie synth tones, atmospheric textures and metal elements that feel experimental and daring. It’s an album that gives off a hauntingly intimate vibe whilst maintaining a big energy, presenting a side of Thornhill that…
Ruby Gill sounds like one of the greats of a far gone era. An artist whose voice and style transcends generations and populations. Similar to contemporaries like Laura Marling, Julia Jacklin or Angie McMahon, Gill has a calming and yet forceful delivery across all of her music. This is evident here on her second album…
Forming in 2017, Old Mervs started garnering attention after the release of their debut EP in 2022, and the duo, consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist David House and Henry Carrington-Jones, have been kicking goals rapidly in the three years since. Hitting #38 on the most recent Triple J’s Hottest 100 with their single “What you’ve Lost”,…
Who would have thought that traditional Indian music and metal would make a great pair? Bloodywood, that’s who. Forming in 2016, the New Delhi group initially took to YouTube to upload metal covers of pop songs, before writing their own music. They gradually garnered attention by catching the eye of a few major online publications,…
If there’s one thing that sets New York prog-rock group Coheed and Cambria apart, it’s their unmatched ability to tell a gripping story through their records. Their latest release, The Father of Make Believe, marks their eleventh concept album and the third instalment in their Vaxis series. With lead vocalist Claudio Sanchez also being a…
I’ve said it before, but seeing artists grow and evolve from their earliest singles through to their debut album is one of my favourite things as a music fan. In the case of Mia Wray, this evolution has occurred on multiple fronts, from her songwriting and vocals, through to the content of her music and…
Australian indie mainstay The Cat Empire are back with their highly anticipated 10th studio album! Known for their infectious blend of jazz, ska, funk, and rock, new release Bird in Paradise delivers the same vibrant energy and genre-defying sound that has made them a fan favourite for over two decades. Bird in Paradise follows on…
Last Friday, Melbourne/Naarm-based singer-songwriter Annie-Rose Maloney released her highly anticipated debut album, Circle Walking. Aptly described as “alt-folk/country-ish,” Maloney has captured the alt-folk world’s attention with previous singles “Lost In Coburg,” “Hold Me” and “I Run From Pain”. With a promising but ultimately short catalogue, the former cricketer, current high school teacher, and now singer/songwriter…
Often forgotten as one of Sergio Leone’s masterpieces, Once Upon a Time in America (1984) was released in theatres as a 149-minute gangster epic. Upon release it was swiftly cast aside as a miss in Leone’s otherwise stellar career. If you have seen it, you would know of the decades that pass in mere minutes…
Perth-based alternative rocker RinRin has just dropped new EP Angels, a six track strong celebration of her signature fusion style of hyper-pop punk and metal. The musical project of singer-songwriter and guitarist Qarin Hipe, RinRin pulls influences from the likes of BABYMETAL, Poppy, and Bring Me The Horizon. Angels is a prequel of sorts, gathering recent releases…
Formed during the pandemic, L.S. Dunes made their debut at 2022’s Riot Fest shortly before releasing their album Past Lives, which was well-received by fans and critics. The band is made up of lead vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive , Saosin and The Sound of Animals Fighting), guitarist Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), guitarist Travis…
Slowly Slowly have cemented themselves as one of the most dynamic forces in the Australian rock scene, and their fifth studio album, Forgiving Spree only further proves this. Forgiving Spree is Slowly Slowly in all their glory, showcasing their signature emotion al depth, intricate musicianship, and a maturity that reflects their evolution as a band. With a sprinkle of…
Dear Seattle release their third studio album, TOY, today- and it’s without a doubt their best yet. Forming in 2013, the group has made a name for themselves among the Aussie indie rock scene, and if you’re an avid gig-goer, then chances are you’ve caught them live a few times, whether it be a headline…
Beloved nu-metal Melbournians, Ocean Grove, dropped their fourth studio album, ODDWORLD, this past Friday, and it’s been well-received by fans and critics alike. After the departure of vocalist Luke Holmes in 2019 and his subsequent return for this record, the band has embraced a decidedly eclectic sound. This album, true to its name, feels like…
Hailing from the outer suburbs of Naarm/Melbourne, self-described emo-folk artist Bec Sykes has been steadily crafting a discography of lo-fi indie gems, from 2020’s breakout Edithvale to 2021’s Getaway and 2022’s At Least. Each release has sharpened her ability to deliver immediately endearing tunes, building quiet anticipation for a full-length project that could expand on…
