Third time’s a charm for Younique and OKUYU, who have just dropped their latest collaboration, “Lately.” With its effortless falsetto vocals and smooth groove, it’s a joy to listen to.
“We just wanted to create a feeling people can vibe to!” the two shared. Mission accomplished.
“Lately” feels like a sister track to their last release “Play With Me,” which generated more than 200,000 streams and received radio play in over 10 countries. Only time will tell whether “Lately” replicates that kind of success, but with more than 3,000 streams since it dropped last Friday it’s well on its way.
Flynn Gurry effortlessly blends earnest folk with pop energy on “Don’t Stop Dreaming,” his first single released under ABC Music. If you’re into artists like Vance Joy and Mumford & Sons, I know you’ll dig this.
“This song was written post-comedown from my first big tour,” Flynn said. “The last show I had played on that tour is still one of my most memorable shows and I had begun writing the lyrics in the green room whilst the headline band was playing. Feelings of bittersweet. There was a period after that tour where I spent a lot of my time wondering what was next because essentially, I had ticked off a very important bucket list moment – and the chorus came from this place. Ultimately this song is a reminder to myself to not stop dreaming, reminding me to keep pushing and not forget the little person with his guitar just wanting to play the fuck out of it in front of people.”
Since Flynn penned “Don’t Stop Dreaming” during some post-tour blues, it’s no surprise that he’s back on the road next month to support its release. This will be his first headlining tour, so make sure you get out there and show your support.
Lyn Bowtell is back with “Cold Shiver,” a brand-new track that showcases a brand-new sound for this acclaimed singer-songwriter. I’ve always appreciated her superb lyrics, but her gentle country-folk music rarely grabbed me. This has much more of a ‘70s country-rock feel and I’m here for it.
The song came out of a Victorian songwriting retreat hosted by Carter Carter. Lyn worked on the song with Carmel Charlton, Elissa Parsons, Jenny Churchill, Lea Groves, Michelle Walker, and Melanie Gray. That’s a serious collaborative effort, but it’s paid off.
“We had a spare hour, so I threw it out there, ‘Let’s write something!’” Lyn said. “At first, they looked at me like I was mad, but we split into melody and lyric teams and just went for it. No pressure, no rules, just pure, spontaneous creativity. It was winter, and the working title was Cold Weather, but what we ended up with was something none of us could’ve written on our own.”
“We imagined a guy meeting a girl at a ski resort,” Lyn explained. “She was just after a bit of fun, but he fell harder than expected. There’s no bitterness in it, just a wistful kind of hope. That feeling when you remember someone and, out of nowhere, you get that chill… a cold shiver. It’s playful, nostalgic, and a fun to perform.”
Lyn is gearing up to release her next album Paper Cuts in the coming months. She’s got a stack of gigs coming up, including some shows to promote that album, so catch her anywhere you can.
Naarm/Melbourne-based outfit Mister Co. have joined forces with alt-pop act Renee Naccari for a sublime new single, “Sippin’.” This soulful number is so dreamy. Just hit play and let it wash over you.
I’ve appreciated Renee’s previous releases, but hearing her voice combine with those velvety vocals from Mister Co. takes this song to another level. I also love all those cocktail allusions which bring this song about connection to chemistry to life.
“Sippin’” is the second single from Mister Co.’s genre-bending EP Homegrown, which will drop in the coming months. They’ll celebrate its release with a massive launch with Renee and other featured artists at The Corner Hotel in Quo-yung/Richmond on August 30.
As the sun finally makes its presence felt in New South Wales for the first time in what feels like forever, “Good To Me Now,” the latest single from Western Australian indie-folk act Riley Pearce, is exactly what I needed to hear. Its cool, chilled-out acoustic vibe is the perfect match for a weekend with clear skies.
“Music and its place in my life has shifted somewhat since becoming a father, as other things take priority, and I’ve morphed music to fit my life instead of the inverse… ‘Good To Me Now’ is a representation of these changing priorities,” Riley explained.
“Good To Me Now” comes from Riley’s next body of work. I’m not sure whether that will be an album or an EP, but I’m looking forward to hearing it!
Fresh from winning Good Intent’s Greater Good prize, talented Meeanjin/Brisbane-based teen ixaras has dropped her fantastic new single, “This City.” With a blend of percussion, didgeridoo, and synths, this track doesn’t sound like anything else. It’s a masterclass in what can happen when sonic risks pay off.
“‘This City’ is a portrait of self-reinvention in a world where survival demands transformation,” ixaras explained. “Inspired by the novel ‘Jekyll and Hyde,’ the song explores the psychological toll of killing off your past self to succeed. The refrain, ‘This City Knows My Name’, is manifestation, declaration, and lying all in one. It’s about the pursuit of ambition, acknowledging what parts of yourself you’ve sacrificed along the way, such as the paranoia of being perceived, a love letter to the version of you that had to disappear so the world would take notice.”
“This City” comes with a cool black and white music video shot in Eora/Sydney and directed by Mellow Minh.
“Ixara and I met a while back when I was out on tour with Skeggs — I instantly knew as soon as I heard her play, an exhilaration that I never heard before. So, as soon as I finished the leg, I dm’d her, wanting to work with her,” Mellow Minh said. “As manifestation has it, while in Vietnam she hit me with this track, and it blew my mind. I knew I wanted to make something out of it — the idea instantly came to mind, and we never looked back.”
If you’re not already over ixaras’ music, it’s time to take a deep dive on the streaming services. She’s definitely a local artist to watch.
If you love Americana folk music, I know you’re going to dig “Tried it on Tuesday,” the latest single from Walyalup/Fremantle act Lloyd & The Leftovers. It’s got such a classic sound, I can understand why these guys have received rave reviews after playing Nungarin and the City of Fremantle Winter Festivals.
I was initially drawn to Lloyd’s twangy vocals, the lush harmonies of the backing singers, and that beautiful, rich, organic instrumentation. But after a few listens I really started to tap into the lyrics. Yes, they’re brilliant too. It’s an honest love song about a relationship with a creative collaborator and all the challenges that come with it.
I’m so excited to hear more from Lloyd & The Leftovers. This song has certainly whetted my appetite for whatever comes next.
First Nations artist GLVES is pushing the envelope with her stunning new single “Time.” It’s a cinematic alt-pop number that’s bound to stay with you long after you hear it.
At its core, this song is about connection. GLVES reflects on how being present is the most radical form of love we can give someone. It comes with an incredible film clip directed by Butchulla/Kamilaroi filmmaker Rhianna Malezer, choreographed by Ewamian, Cobble Cobble, Birri, and South Sea Islander artist Allirah Fisher, and produced by GLVES.
This is such an exciting release from GLVES and I can’t wait to hear more.
Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast act Bootleg Rascal may be one of the country’s most consistent bands. You can always count on them for a good time, and their latest single “Steppin” is absolutely no exception. It sonically brings all the good vibes we expect from the band, but listen to those lyrics and you’ll realise this single is a little darker than those that came before. I’m not sure whether I’m experiencing a whole lot of new track energy or it really is their best, but I’m in love.
“‘Steppin’ is a raw and emotive cut that dives deep into themes of isolation, inner struggle, and resilience. It captures the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of self-blame and disconnection, while still holding onto a fierce sense of survival. Through the lyrics, the song reflects the battle between wanting to give up and finding the strength to endure, offering an honest portrayal of pain, anger, and the human instinct to keep moving forward even in the darkest moments.”
Bootleg Rascal will take this song global with shows in the United Kingdom and Europe. They’re also got a cheeky local gig before they depart. Wherever you are, take note of the dates near you!
Texan alt-country-folk act Shane Smith & the Saints are heading to Australia for the first time to promote their latest album Norther. I’ve had this album on repeat today. It’s just so good. Shane Smith has got that sort of weathered, seasoned voice that demands you pay attention, and the musicality of his band is off the charts. If you love acts like Mumford & Sons and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, I know these guys will be right up your alley.
While they haven’t been to Australia before, they’ve spent the last decade on the road building a passionate fanbase and refining their sound. They’re playing tiny venues here, and you can almost guarantee that won’t be the case next time they visit us. Back home they’ve played legendary venues like the Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheater (which they sold out in just 36 hours). But they haven’t forgotten their roots.
“If you spend 10 years playing dive bars and small clubs almost every single night, and you go to the merch booth after every show and hang out with the fans until the staff literally kicks you out, you get to turn those fans into friends,” Shane Smith said. “That’s how we built this thing. We’ve done as many as 240 shows in a single year. We’ve worked so hard to get there, and that hard work has created a beautiful, meaningful audience.”
Here are those Aussie dates. Don’t let yourself sleep on them.
