Stella Donnelly shows you don’t always need to belt or engage in vocal gymnastics to make an impression with her new double A-side single “Baths/Standing Ovation.” They’re both gentle songs for the most part, although the back-end of “Standing Ovation” kicks the energy up a notch with some upbeat guitars. However, at their heart they’re songs that showcase her songwriting prowess and quiet power. The double-A side is also her first release under her new label, Dot Dash Recordings.
“It felt like the right time for a reset, creatively, personally, and professionally. I could think of no better home for these songs than Dot Dash,” Stella said. “I’m so grateful to have found a team who genuinely believe in the music and have given me the space to explore what this next chapter looks like. I felt very much at home straight away!”
As with any creative reset, all ears will be on Stella to see what comes next. But these beautiful songs are a really good start.
We all need a little sad girl music every now and again, right? If you agree, wrap your ears around The Five Stages of Grief, the gorgeous new EP from Joan & The Giants.
This is a really personal collection of songs which explores the end of the nine-year relationship between frontwoman Gracie Newton-Wordsworth and the band’s former guitarist Aaron Birch. Gracie wrote some songs on her own and some songs with Aaron as they attempted to process their feelings.
Gracie isn’t afraid to lay her emotions bare here. The lyrics are raw, revealing sorrow, anger, and eventual acceptance and she moves through the grief of her relationship breakdown. Bandmates Riley Sutto and Liam Olsen take on gentle supporting roles, ensuring Gracie’s lyrics and voice shine brightest.
The Five Stages of Grief is a powerful snapshot of a relationship breakdown and what comes next. It’s out now. Thankfully Joan & The Giants have plenty to look forward to with sold-out shows supporting The Fray and their own headline tour on the horizon.
Hold onto your hats and press play on “Simulacra,” the massive title track from Naarm/Melbourne alternative rock act Bad Juju’s forthcoming EP. This track hits a lot harder than most of the music I’m into, but something about its nu-metal vibes has captured my heart. We don’t question; we just press play and bang our heads along with the beat.
“The expectation of perfection in so many aspects of life is becoming harder for the average person to keep up with,” the band explained. “Whether it’s real art vs AI, or real life vs what is posted on social media platforms – we are constantly pushing towards a faker version of the real world. This song is about pushing back against a robotic digital future, where our online self is almost a stranger to our true self and our ideas are know longer our own.”
Bad Juju’s Simulacra EP drops on October 24. You can preorder a vinyl copy now. They’ll also play Converge Festival’s two dates this month.
It’s been too long since I’ve posted some angsty female-fronted rock music. Teenage Joans always deliver that energy, and their latest single “My Heart’s Dead!” is right up there with their best. Crank this one up and sing it at the top of your lungs!
“We basically posed the question – what if Kesha made a song with Blink 182?” Teenage Joans said. “We really wanted to write a song where there are three main vocal hooks that repeat throughout the whole song and layer over each other at the end for a huge singalong that people can easily pick up at our live shows.”
Speaking of live shows, there’s a stack to come with Teenage Joans supporting Slowly Slowly all around the country before headlining their own tour. It all kicks off tonight, so be there or live with some serious regrets!
Meeanjin/Brisbane band The Comfort have rocked my proverbial socks off with their latest single “Stay.” It’s an epic number, full of angst and longing as the band confronts the collapse of society as we know it.
“There’s something strange about witnessing the destruction of a corrupt society, and not exactly being happy about it, but all the while knowing that you’re doing your part to try and save it,” The Comfort said. “We spend our lives desperately trying to be better humans and making decisions with the earth and society in mind. It hurts to watch people burn it down for monetary gain. The only consolation we can take from that is knowing we’re ready to rebuild it from the ground up.”
“Stay” comes from The Comfort’s forthcoming album Let the Love In, which they’ll release on October 3. Fresh from supporting Chasing Ghosts in June, The Comfort will play Converge Festival, alongside Sienna Skies, Young Lions, and Bad Love, this September. Tickets are on sale now:
I’ve always said that you don’t need the backing of a big label or a lot of studio wizardry if you’ve got talent. In fact, sometimes without all the polish you can hear music’s true beauty. That’s the case with “The One Mistake” from Mulubinba/Newcastle band Elestial.
Frontwoman Elyssa Hawkins’ vocals drew me in from the start. Her captivating voice brings to life the pain of losing a friendship and being stuck in that space of grief when the world’s expecting you to move forward. Drummer Toby Stuart, lead guitarist Rohan Donnolley, and bass guitarist AJ Russell match her intensity, creating the sort of track you can imagine breaking down in your bedroom to or screaming in the car with your windows rolled down.
Elestial have a couple of shows happening in the coming months, including a big local gig to launch “The One Mistake.” Here are all the dates you need music lovers!
If you’ve ever fallen out with a close friend, you know it can sting more than any break-up with a romantic partner. Gia Darcy has channelled those emotions into her latest pop bop “Subtle Changes.” Its shimmery upbeat vibe helps to balance the single’s emotionally raw lyrics.
“This song is about a falling out with my best friend. Neither of us are good at saying how we actually feel, but we can both tell something’s shifted. The crossed arms, the awkward silences, the slight change in tone… That’s where the heartbreak lives,” she mused. “It’s not loud, but it’s real.”
Gia worked with some heavy-hitters on “Subtle Changes.” She co-wrote it with New York-based songwriter Ross Newhouse before working with producer Liam Quinn, known for his work with Peach PRC and Ruel.
Gia will return to the stage on September 27 supporting Joan & The Giants at their free show at Vic on the Park in Eora/Sydney.
You know you’re in good hands when The VANNS release music. All That’s In My Head is album number three, a killer collection of songs which prove they’re one of the best rock bands on the local landscape.
The Yuin Nation/South Coast act recorded this one across two full-on two-week recording sessions in London and Woolyungah/Wollongong. You know what they say about pressure creating diamonds though. That concentrated effort gives this album a focus and clarity which is so compelling. It sucks you in from the opening guitar riff of the single “Accomplice” and doesn’t let go. I love the way this band produces such easy listening rock music that has such tension and intensity simmering just below the surface. Jimmy Vann’s in fine voice, rising to the occasion of the gruelling recording sessions alongside his bandmates. After 10 years together they work together like a well-oiled machine, creating fantastic music that sounds effortless.
Keep listening and you’ll soon realise this album has a lot more than the singles on offer. That slick bassline on “Golden Eyes.” Those massive chords that wake you up from the cruisy coastal rock vibes and force you to pay attention to “For God’s Sake.” The yearning dripping from Jimmy’s vocals in “In and Out.” And so it goes. There’s something special about every one of these songs, and the more you listen the more you find to appreciate.
When I tell people that The VANNS are one of the best rock acts on the scene, I still get blank stares from my contemporaries, so I’m going to say it again: The VANNS are one of the best rock acts on the scene. All That’s In My Head cements their reputation with its blend of energetic bangers and sombre, sensitive moments, all delivered with exceptional musicianship and heart.
All That’s In My Head is out now. The VANNS will take these songs on the road in the back half of the year and through to 2026, but venues are selling fast so don’t procrastinate to get your tickets.
Sometimes you hear an artist and you wonder how on earth they’ve possible escaped your attention. How are they not the biggest thing on the planet? Because they’re just that good. Kathleen Halloran, a singer-songwriter from Naarm/Melbourne, is one of those artists. With her new single “Cost of Living,” she has very quickly won my heart. It’s such an exquisite folk ballad, I’ve found myself hitting play several times for another hit. And I’ve got to shout out Ross Irwin, of the Cat Empire and the Bamboos, for that beautiful string arrangement which takes this song to the next level.
“It’s a soaring, soul-baring track that dives deep into the creative life — the highs, lows, doubt, and beauty of following your own artistic path,” Kathleen explained. “It’s deeply personal, but universal for anyone walking an unconventional road.”
Kathleen has some exciting shows coming up, so make sure you see her play anywhere you can:
Reigning Toyota Star Maker winner Felicity Kircher is making her mark on the country scene with the release of “Fair Weather.” The track impressed producer Brandon Dodd so much that he jumped at the chance to collaborate with her.
“When I first heard ‘Fair Weather,’ I knew this would be a song I would love to work on for Felicity’s new EP,” he explained. “The beauty of the song is that it has an underlying vulnerability in the lyrics masked behind a catchy hook. I enjoyed capturing these two elements and finding a true representation of Felicity as an artist through this process.”
Felicity said the songwriting process began when venting her frustrations about friendships and other relationships to good pal and fellow artist Lottie McLeod.
“As a chronic overthinker, this song became a significant outlet for the self-doubt, confusion, and hurt I had been feeling,” she admitted. “I picked up my pretty new Maton guitar (thank you Maton & Star Maker) and the chorus poured out of me, basically word for word, as you’ll hear. Working on this song has been a therapeutic journey, and I’m so excited to share it with you.”
Felicity will be pretty busy over the coming months with appearances at plenty of top country music festivals, including Tamworth where she’ll play her first headlining show next year. Here are all the places you’ll see her play.
