Sunshine Coast prog-dub collective DUB ZOO return this week with their vibrant new EP Pocketful, officially out this Friday, 19 June — and we’re thrilled to be premiering it today, alongside an exclusive track-by-track guide from the band.
Earlier this year, we premiered the EP’s title track “Pocketful”, a buoyant, hip-hop/reggae-fused cut featuring 1Love from Grammy Award-winning conscious hip-hop pioneers Arrested Development. At the time, we called it “a reminder of music’s power to connect, uplift, and resist despair — one shared moment at a time,” and that spirit flows right through the full EP.
Across five tracks, Pocketful finds DUB ZOO leaning into everything that makes the collective such a rich, shape-shifting force: dub, reggae, hip-hop, neo-soul, improvisation, sun-soaked grooves, heavyweight low-end, and a deep belief in collaboration. Featuring a cast of guest vocalists and players, the EP moves from laid-back summer jams to spiritual reflections, heartbreak, hope, and progressive instrumental dub.
Mixed and produced by Paddy Kiernan and Brad Wenham, and mastered by Jordan Power, Pocketful also comes loaded with B-sides, including dub versions, a remix and an instrumental mix produced by guitarist Paddy Kiernan. I’m loving these B-sides – they add an extra dimension, and are a great listen on their own.
Listen to Pocketful below, then read DUB ZOO’s track-by-track breakdown of the EP.
DUB ZOO – Pocketful – Track by Track
“Something in the Way”
“Something in the Way” was the first release single from the EP. Featuring the extremely talented Benny G, aka Ben Goldstein outta Sydney, on lead vocal, this track is a laid-back summertime jam about your person who has that special something about them that you can’t really explain.
The song is built on the sturdy foundation of an earworm of a bassline from boss bassie Bradley “B-Dubs” Wenham. “Something in the Way” also has a sexy music video shot at DUB ZOO’s HQ at Coolum Beach starring Benny and Lilliahna, and produced by August Kiernan.
“Love Love Love”
A classic DUB ZOO collab, “Love Love Love” features nine players in total with three of our favourite vocalists. Graham Moes delivers the verses with his signature soulful style, Lizzie O’Keefe hypnotises with a sweet and airy chorus inspired by the poetry of Hafiz, and Casey Regan, aka Outlook MC, drops a heavy bop of a rap verse.
The track addresses the nature of collaborative improvisation, a subject at the very core of the DUB ZOO collective’s philosophy and a spiritual pursuit for the band members.
“The sky where we live is no place to lose your wings, we fly on love love love” — i.e. the stage on which we play is no place to lose your confidence, so believe in yourself, be present in the moment and let your doubts and fears be cleansed by the musical flow.
The video for “Love Love Love”, produced by August Kiernan, was shot at Woodford Folk Festival during the band’s 2025 run of shows there.
“Pocketful”
“Pocketful” pays homage to DUB ZOO’s love for hip hop. Growing up with the music of Arrested Development, it was an honour to have a rap verse contributed by 1Love from Grammy Award-winning conscious hip-hop pioneers outta Atlanta, Georgia.
Benny G drops an uplifting verse and a huge chorus with an overflowing pocketful of soul. The track centres around a catchy guitar hook, which is built on by the heavyweight DZ rhythm section of Tussie and Wenham. “Pocketful” is DUB ZOO’s first, but not the last, foray into dub/reggae/hip-hop fusion.
“Fortune”
“Fortune” is a song about love, heartbreak and hope. With a focus on mental health, “Fortune” speaks to the all-consuming human experience of unrequited love, longing, heartbreak and also to the euphoric uplift that comes from a deep soul connection to another person.
Graham Moes takes the lead vocal, while Lizzie O’Keefe brings a haunting breathiness to her verse and the gospel-inspired outro improvisation. The vintage horn line was written by saxophone legend Ric Halstead and played by the Renegade Horns, aka Ric and Jimmy Halliday.
“Skinny Pete”
DUB ZOO started out as an instrumental project, with the first two albums recorded live without vocals. “Skinny Pete” is a progressive instrumental dub track inspired by Fat Freddy’s Drop, hence the cheeky title reference.
The track is a classic example of the masterful execution of the low end from the king of the six-string bass, Bradley “B-Dubs” Wenham. Multi-instrumentalist Lee Hardisty shreds on the keys with fat skank and a quirky solo, while the heavy horn lines are played by Greg Spence, frequent Cat Empire trumpeter, and Luke Stephens.
Pocketful is out Friday, 19 June. You can keep up to date with DUB ZOO via Instagram and Spotify
