Jay Wood has thoroughly charmed me with her new single “Oh Well.” With its sweet ukelele melody and romantic lyrics, it quickly won me over. But this folk-pop song isn’t quite as light as it first seems. It’s a bittersweet number of love but also of loss penned at a time before same-sex marriage was legal in Australia.
“[The song] began as a cute upbeat song professing heartfelt intentions toward her but morphed into more of an optimistic song with a lament of the love gone by, hence the weaving of the phrase “oh well” throughout,” Jay explained.
Ultimately “Oh Well” is a song of resilience, something Jay knows about all too well following a devastating car accident seven years ago. She was revived at the scene but told she would never regain her full function. Against all odds, she taught herself how to walk and play music again. With that sort of determination, you know she’s got a bright future ahead of her.
Jay Wood will treat us to more new music soon when her EP, Respire, drops on September 1.
The always stellar Tyne-James Organ is back with a fantastic new single “Blue,” the first new music we’ve heard from him since he dropped his critically acclaimed album Necessary Evil in 2021. It’s a powerful track with intimate lyrics that explore his close bond with his mother and the way she helped him navigate his grief after the loss of his father.
“Throughout that challenging time, my mum was my unwavering support, and the song captures our conversations,” he said. “There was something extraordinary about the origin of the song—the day we wrote it, the atmosphere in the room.”
Tyne-James will no doubt introduce fans to more new music when he plays headlining shows in some of the capitals this August. Catch him if you can!
Alternative rockers Outloved have teamed up with metalcore act Ocean Sleeper on their latest single “Tourniquet,” and it’s a doozy. I usually prefer my music a lot more mellow, but I can’t deny that this is fantastic.
I love the way this song plays with genre. There’s definitely some pop punk, heavy rock, and metalcore in there. The vocalists from both bands also have their moments in the spotlight, creating a track that’s totally unforgettable.
Outloved have more new music on the way, with their new EP DROWNER dropping this month. Expect to hear more songs from that recording when the band supports Windwaker at Max Watts in Naarm/Melbourne on July 22.
Image used with permission from Big Mouth
Meeanjin/Brisbane artist Paulina casts a spell with her stunning new single “Maybe We’re Running.” It’s a bit of a slow burner, but give it time. I know this song, inspired by the recent decision to overturn Roe vs Wade in the United States, will get under your skin.
“It was a real punch in the gut when Roe v. Wade was overturned in the US last year, stripping women of their reproductive rights,” Paulina recalled. “I remember sitting in the studio when this had happened, feeling so angry and overwhelmed by the fact that it was possible for us to yet again take such a huge step backwards, in 2022. Even though I live in Australia, far away from those restrictive laws, it makes you question your power as a woman, anywhere.”
If you’re as captivated by Paulina as I am, it’s exciting to learn she’s got more new music on the way. Her debut EP Just Know, It’ll Be Okay will be released on August 11.
We’re used to hearing Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers rocking out, but the new single shows us a different side. “Never Saw It Coming” is heartbreakingly raw and vulnerable, with a stripped-back sound that ensures you don’t miss a lyric.
“Never Saw It Coming took me over a year to finish writing,” said Neve van Boxsel, the band’s drummer who also sang on this track and directed and editing the video. “It’s about a very difficult topic that unfortunately is not just my story but many others. It’s one of the first songs I brought to the band and the first song I’ve ever sung lead on so having Anna, Jaida and Scarlett support me so much with such a personal song made something that was really difficult, a lot easier. I hope this song helps anyone feel less alone in what they’re going through because having this support from my three best friends helped me endlessly.”
“Never Saw It Coming” comes from Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’ debut album I Love You, which drops on September 8. They’ll be back in full rock mode a few months later when they support the Foo Fighters at AAMI Park in Naarm/Melbourne on December 4. Some general admission tickets are still available, but they won’t last long!
Image used with permission from Super Duper; credit: @sheisaphrodite
Eora/Sydney act Heterochromia combines elements of rock and bubblegum pop for her feel-good new single “Plastic.” It’s super cathartic, with energetic riffs, a singalong melody, and some of the most biting lyrics I’ve heard in some time. It’s all about the balance, and if your Tuesday has been anything like mine, I know it’s going to hit the spot.
“’Plastic’ laments a time in my life where I was feeling very ornamental and used by various characters in my life, which served as a catalyst for the toy motif we’ve been playing with so far,” said the woman behing Heterochromia, Bree Vane. “Plastic has a very cathartic ‘f*ck you I’m a whole person’ chorus that makes it a lot more positive, and it’s definitely the most upbeat song we’ve written. I’m really excited for people to dance to this one”
“Plastic” comes from Heterochromia’s new EP, Cracked Porcelain, which should drop later this year. They’re about the head off on the Cracked Porcelain tour, which wraps up with a hometown EP launch. Catch Heterochromia at the following venues:
27 July 2023 – The Basement, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country/Canberra
28 July 2023 – Bar Open, Naarm/Melbourne
5 August 2023 – Servo Food Truck, Dharawal Country/Port Kembla
6 August 2023 – Hamilton Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
19 August 2023 – Backdock Arts, Meeanjin/Brisbane
9 September 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
If their debut single “Know Your Name” is any indication, Meeanjin/Brisbane indie-pop act Mid Drift has a bright future ahead. This track is ridiculously catchy, with a snaky bass line that just won’t quit and seemingly effortless vocals from frontwoman Sarah Engstrom.
Mid Drift plans to release an EP early next year. After selling out their first headlining show in their hometown, they’re gearing up to tour the East Coast. Keep an eye on their socials to learn when they’re playing near you.
Naarm/Melbourne artist Kwasi is bringing the hype with his latest single “Ready to Go.” If you need some pumping up to get through your workday, hit that volume button. You’re welcome!
I love the way this track combines hip-hop sounds with the energy of punk-rock. It pushes the boundaries of genre, but just far enough. After playing in the Philippines recently, it looks like Kwasi is going global. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he announces some headlining dates back home.
Ian Moss is proving that his upcoming studio album Rivers Run Dry will be something special with the release of a new single “Nullarbor Plain,” which he co-wrote with country music icon Troy Cassar-Daley. I’d already raved about the title track, but this latest cut is every bit as good.
“The Nullarbor Plain is such an open and harsh part of Australia that I have driven I don’t know how many times with Cold Chisel and by myself. Whilst vast, the beauty of it never ceases to amaze me,” Mossy enthused. “I trust my co-writer Troy Cassar-Daley and I have captured a little of both in ‘Nullarbor Plain’. Who wouldn’t want to do that drive in a 351 shaker!?”
Rivers Run Dry will be released on 21 July 2023. That gives you a bit of time to familiarise yourself with all the new songs before Mossy heads out on his album launch tour which just got bigger. In addition to the full band shows in August previously announced, Mossy will also visit regional centres from October where he’ll play solo and acoustic. Tickets are on sale now for all those dates.
5 August 2023 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
11 August 2023 – Palais Theatre, Euro Yuroke/St Kilda
12 August 2023 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
18 August 2023 – The Regal Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
23-28 August 2023 – Stranded in the Whitsundays, Ngaro Country/Whitsundays
23 October 2023 – Glasshouse Theatre, Guruk/Port Macquarie
27 October 2023 – Lighthouse Theatre, Gunditjmara Country/Warrnambool
28 October 2023 – Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Gunditjmara, Tjapwurong, and Bunganditj Country/Hamilton
3 November 2023 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Bungambrawatha/Albury
4 November 2023 – The Capital Theatre, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country/Bendigo
10 November 2023 – Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Ngaro Country/Airlie Beach
23-26 November 2023 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Wadawurrung Country/Queenscliff
8 December 2023 – Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
9 December 2023 – Swan Hill Town Hall, Matakupaat/Swan Hill
15 December 2023 – The Wedge, Wayput/Sale
16 December 2023 – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Gunai Country/Traralgon
25 January 2024 – Longyard Hotel, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast artist Eimhin has totally floored me with his new single “The Lough.” This is a stunning folky track with a haunting guitar melody and intimate lyrics. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but I know it’ll get under your skin.
“’The Lough’ is about the nature of my grandmother’s death, but it’s about my mother too, and the secrets we keep to try and protect each other,” Eimhin explained. “There is a poem by Helen Steiner Rice that was chosen for my grandmother’s prayer card at her funeral called “When I Must Leave You”. The sentiment is such that one should keep on living even in the face of the grief that comes with the death of a loved one. That’s where I drew the inspiration for the end of the song.”
Eimhin is just about to wrap up his first European dates with a show at Barkett in Berlin tonight. We should be hearing a lot more from him when his debut album drops later this year.
