After a week off, we have been hard at work, poring through the incredible new releases that have been hitting our inbox. This week, we have added ten new tracks to our Discovery Playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, and our track of the week is “Mine” from the Fremantle-born singer-songwriter Banjo Lucia.
“Mine” is the title track for the new EP from Banjo, also released today. It’s a beautiful collection of six tracks, traversing themes of love, growth and matters of the heart. Banjo has a compelling voice and a gift for grasping what’s important, sharing this without flinching.
It’s a worthy reminder that you can best support the artist by purchasing their merch, or heading to their Bandcamp page and buying their music. It’s meagre rewards for the artists from the streaming services.
“Good Boy” is the latest single from breakout UK artist Paris Paloma. The track, which features an opening monologue from Dame Emma Thompson, combines a biting critique of patriarchy with a unifying rallying cry for solidarity. Paloma has already had a pretty extraordinary couple of years, and “Good Boy” looks set to be the first step in the next chapter of her career. There’s also a fantastic music video accompanying the single which explores the song’s themes further. “Good Boy” is very much a statement piece – and not just musically!
Fresh from a successful stint at BIGSOUND, Wollongong indie quartet CHEEKY LEASH return this week with brand new track “Change”. The song sees the group exploring themes of human connection and growth in the face of the pressures of real life. As the band describe it, ‘“Change” is rooted in the cost of living crisis and reflects how society has become so focused on getting ahead that we’ve lost a sense of connection with each other.’ Though, whilst rooted in the difficulties of the real world, there’s a real sense of vibrancy and hope to “Change”; it’s emotive, energetic and grabs you right from those opening bars. Australian indie rock is a great place right now, and Cheeky Leash are positioning themselves as ones to watch.
Ok, we haven’t seen The Vasco Era in a hot minute, but they are back! They were one of our favourite live bands fifteen years or so ago (has it been that long!), and it’s very exciting to see them releasing new music. A live show with The Vasco Era is always a journey, one which has you counting your blessings for this thing which is rock and roll. Searing, euphoric and packed with passion. This is beautifully encompassed in “I Don’t Need A Warning”, from their new album, I Don’t Mind, which was released today. It’s a belter.
The political divide has never been stronger, and the challenge of having a civil discourse about important issues has become increasingly challenging. This is adeptly captured in “This, Forever” from Naarm’s Cry Club. Vocalist Heather shares about the push-and-pull feeling “of disagreeing with people you love about something you all care extremely deeply about.” . If only all disagreements about difficult topics could be dealt with so beautifully. They kick off a national tour in November support of the single. Head HERE for all the dates.
Also added to the playlist this week is “Can’t Sleep”, the debut solo release from Melbourne songwriter Stella Dunai. Unsurprisingly the track was written during a period of insomnia whilst Dunai was travelling through Italy. Drawing influence from the Ikes of Adrianne Lenker and Haley Heynederickx, “Can’t Sleep” is a beautiful and mesmerising blend of plucked guitars and delicate vocals. A stunning introduction to Dunai’s solo work.
“NEW AGE” from alt-rockers sleepazoid is the title track from their upcoming sophomore EP. It takes twists and turns, from the frantic to the dialled-back melodic, showcasing the versatility of a band that has just been ripping it up at BIGSOUND.
Also added is “Automatic”, from San Francisco-born punk outfit Spiritual Cramp; “Dolphins”, the dreamy new single from Tasmanian psych-pop artist Atlas Franklin Alexander; and “Back on the Road” the new single from Melbourne legends Icecream Hands.
Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
Banjo Lucia“Mine”
Paris Paloma “Good Boy”
CHEEKY LEASH “Change”
The Vasco Era “I Don’t Need A Warning”
Cry Club “This, Forever”
sleepazoid “NEW AGE”
Spiritual Cramp “Automatic”
Icecream Hands “Back on the Road”
Atlas Franklin Alexander “Dolphins”
Stella Dunai “Can’t Sleep”
Photo Credit: Artist supplied
