Adelaide-based pop-punk firestarter Donni Heat unleashes his debut EP Echoes From The Fallout, premiering exclusively today on the AU review ahead of its official release this Friday, November 7. Blending punk aggression with heartfelt pop sensibility, the record captures the full force of Donni’s evolution—from bedroom project to high-voltage live band—channelling his signature mix of vulnerability, chaos, and catharsis.
Influenced by the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, YUNGBLUD, and All Time Low, Echoes From The Fallout is an anthemic and emotionally charged debut. Across its tracks, Donni threads together stories of resilience, self-reflection, and rebirth—each one delivered with his trademark rawness and immediacy. What began as a solo project in 2022 has grown into a powerful live act defined by its kinetic energy and unfiltered honesty.
That same intensity carries through every note of the EP, from the eruptive hooks to the confessional lyrics. It’s a collection that cements Donni Heat as one of Adelaide’s most exciting new voices, and a frontman capable of turning personal fallout into sonic fireworks. He guides us through the various stages of grief with courage and honesty, concluding with a beautiful and touching ballad.
To celebrate the release, Donni Heat will launch Echoes From The Fallout with a headline show at TIA Live in Adelaide on November 14, joined by After Dark, Jon Ann, and MACËY. Get yourself down there and support live music!
Below, Donni takes us inside each track on his debut EP Echoes From The Fallout, sharing the stories and emotions behind the songs.
Track by Track: Donni Heat– Echoes From The Fallout
“Lies”
Lies was written to be a cathartic anthem for those who have been through hell and back, coming out stronger after a toxic relationship and the environment you find yourself in mentally afterwards. The aching debris you stand in full of heartache but knowing that for you to grow, it needed to happen.
It’s about walking away from the fallout and the breakup, and in this case in a manner of acceptance. The strength lies in the lyrics, unwavering resilience to still move on whilst picking up the pieces from the wreckage. It is loosely tied to the stage of Anger in the five stages of grief.
“Maybe”
“Maybe” is the most vulnerable song on the EP, because it’s the most personal. The lyrics are lines from a journal, and it describes the perplexed feeling of confusion and doubt in life and not knowing where to go or who to believe when you’re trying to heal. From a breakup, one can go into a spiral of depression, and your decisions and thoughts are clouded.
This song speaks about almost believing that you’re alright just because you want to hear it from anybody, when you’re at your lowest. You’ll try anything to mend but it’s tougher than it seems, because of how heavy everything feels. It is loosely tied to the stage of Depression in the five stages of grief.
“Cruel”
“Cruel”‘s theme is basically manipulation, and feeling the push and pull of somebody toying with your heart. The love-bombing and the lies causes one to see unclearly, and it’s toxic. Even if every bone in your body is screaming to leave, for some reason you still get pulled back into their orbit and the outcome is inevitable. It is the catchiest and poppiest song on the EP, but it’s also the grooviest. It is loosely tied to the stages of Bargaining/Anger and Denial in the five stages of grief.
“Love In The Make Believe”
Love In The Make Believe is an acceptance song in a sense that lyrically, it’s pleading for an end to the painful relationship and heartache because there’s been more heartbreak than love at that point. It might be due to someone’s mental state, their past trauma, and/or the way they treat you, but it’s about letting go/pulling the trigger. It is a sad yet honest perspective, that two people were just playing and living in make believe. It is loosely tied to the stage of Acceptance in the five stages of grief.
“Particles”
“Particles” is the ‘swan song’ of the EP, and it is the only song not tied to a stage of grief-rather a message to loved ones/fans. A beautiful soft ballad turned into an epic ending, Particles is about seeing somebody who sees you the same way when society cannot accept or appreciate you for the people you are (the black sheep).
It’s about unity and finding strength in another person who can lift you up in moments when you feel like you need it, and that no matter what happens, you know they won’t give up on you when times are tough.
You can keep in touch with Donni Heat via Instagram and Spotify
Echoes From The Fallout from Donni Heat will be released on Friday– you can pre-save it HERE
Catch him live at TIA Live, Adelaide, November 14 with After Dark, Jon Ann, and MACËY – tickets HERE.
Header image credit – eviwonder
