Asha Jefferies has taken my breath away with her latest single “Cool Guy.” It’s such a raw, delicate indie-pop ballad, the perfect showcase for her introspective lyrics and angelic voice.
“This song wrote itself very quickly after my first trip to New York,” Asha recalled. “Listening back, I realised I am more often than not, in denial when I’m longing for something or someone. I guess it’s a classic story of unrequited love – yearning feels heavier, more punishing and unproductive when it’s not reciprocated. And it sucks; I’d really like to pretend to be the cool guy if possible.”
“Cool Guy” is the latest track lifted from Asha’s next album Desire is an Angel, which we’ll hear on October 2. You can preorder your vinyl copy and T-shirts now through Sound Merch.
I am always a big believer in finding the right song at the right time. For most people, Alex Lahey’s rerecorded version of “Lets Go Out” featuring Slowly Slowly would just make them long for the weekend. But Wednesday is my pub trivia night, so this one will definitely soundtrack my day! Even if you’re not looking forward to a few bevvies this evening, I know you’ll appreciate the way Slowly Slowly complement Alex on this track.
“When I asked Slowly Slowly to be a part of the rerecording of ‘Let’s Go Out’, I told them I wanted ‘the full Slowly treatment,’ Alex said. “And, boy, did they deliver! I think Slowly are one of the greatest Australian bands of all time and it’s such an honour to have them involved in this recording produced by none other than Ben Stewart himself.”
Ben was equally effusive in his praise of Alex, noting “Working with Alex was a breeze – it was like we had always been in a band together or something! I loved being a part of the effortless recreations of these sentimental and adored songs – the hardest part was trying to honour the originals, but I think we got to a place where they hold their own in a new light.” This new version of “Lets Go Out” features on B-Grade University (Reunion Edition), a reimagining of Alex’s breakthrough EP. She’s hitting all the major capitals to promote it, so get your tickets now.
Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast rockers The Vernons have got me grooving with their latest track “Don’t Give a Damn If You Don’t Believe Me.” This one has a cool, dirty blues vibe to it that reminds me of The Black Keys meets Cage the Elephant.
“Born from the sting of being doubted by someone whose support should have been unwavering, the track transforms betrayal into a fierce declaration of self-belief,” The Vernons said. Raw, raucous guitars collide with deliberate moments of silence, creating a dynamic push and pull that lingers long after the final note.”
“Don’t Give a Damn If You Don’t Believe Me” is the latest tune lifted from The Vernons’ forthcoming album Strike Out Again, which drops on August 12. Hear them play tunes from that album and some old favourites at The Long Sunset. It hits Ugarapul and Yuggera Country/Boonah from October 31 to November 2.
Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriters ANUJA and Daniel J Farthing have teamed up for a gorgeous new single, “Wild Love.” There’s a beautiful tenderness about this indie-folk ballad. It’s sweet without being saccharine, so honest and endearing. If you love music from Vance Joy and Hozier, expect to fall hard for this one.
ANUJA met Daniel at a Real Songwriters of Melbourne (RSOM) networking evening and immediately began planning to create music together. As they bounced between their home studios, their friendship flourished as they connected on their shared passion for songwriting. It’s that passion that makes “Wild Love” so good. While they sound great, this track wouldn’t have nearly the same impact without those powerful lyrics about processing the end of a relationship.
“Wild Love” is out today on all your favourite streaming services.
Annie-Rose Maloney has floored me with her latest single “You Will Cry.” Annie-Rose has taken a truly back-to-basics approach here, recording the song entirely on a second-hand tape machine at her Naarm/Melbourne home with her partner Jess Ellwood. Just one take, the song in its purest form. And when a song is this good, that’s all it needs.
“We threw out the rule book and listened to what sounded good as we went – essentially moving our bodies around the room til we found a sound we liked – then pressed record,” Annie-Rose recalled. “We placed the mic in random places (sometimes the opposite way to the sound source) and mixed it in the moment. There are errors – wrong chords – but we got the real performance, so none of that matters.”
Annie-Rose says “We Will Cry” is the first song off her upcoming album, but we shouldn’t expect it any time soon.
“We’re doing it all ourselves, in our own way, in our own home, in our own time,” she said. You know what they say about good things coming to those who wait.
I really respect artists who focus on quality, rather than quantity. It’s taken Wren Akrose a year to release their second single, but “I Choose My Name” is certainly worth the wait.
Wren, a singer-songwriter who grew up on Yagara Country/Greater Brisbane before relocating to Naarm/Melbourne, was inspired to write this song after choosing to build a new life following struggles with addiction. It’s a song all about inner strength, healing, and evolution. Take a moment to really sit with this one, because you won’t want to miss a lyric.
It might be the start of a working week, but I can almost push that to the side listening to “Wasted,” the latest track from Joe Mungovan. It’s an upbeat pop-rock party gem with some of the sexiest lyrics I’ve heard in some time. Crank this up and take a well-earned dance break, music lovers!
This song came about when a roll of film (remember those?!) came back with a half-developed photo of Joe’s girlfriend. He decided to turn the mistake into a creative experiment and called on artists to finish the incomplete image. He promised he’d write a new song based on the winning artwork, which he’d of course use as the single cover. The winning artwork came from Yuin Country/South Coast artist Madeline Guthrie, and “Wasted” was born.
“Wasted” is the final single from Joe’s new EP Preparing for Lift Off, which drops on July 31. Joe will celebrate release day with his first hometown show in more than a year at Fillmore’s Kiami. It sold out quickly, but don’t stress if you missed out. He’ll be announcing some more gigs really soon.
The gloomy weather in my part of the country is encouraging me to hibernate for the weekend and listen to chill indie folk like “Before I Go,” the debut single from Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter Louella. Her beautiful voice brings this reflective song about love, loss, and letting go to life.
Louella shot the music video for “Before I Go” in Tokyo.” Scenes capture the diversity of the city, from the bustling city streets to serene cherry blossom parks.
“The contrasting locations reflect the experience of navigating an unfamiliar culture and finding your place away from home,” Louella explained.
She’ll showcase more of her music at Backyard Bash, a backyard show in her hometown on August 1. Tickets are on sale now from Humanitix.
Proving that it’s not just country artists who come out of Kamileroi Country/Tamworth, MORGx has really impressed me with his latest single “Where The Wild Things Are.” I love the way this track blends melodic hooks with MORGx’s raw, honest vocals. He’s unafraid to get real with his audience as he shares his challenging yet ultimately uplifting story.
“Named after my favourite childhood book, ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ touches on my mental health journey over the years and the way that creating art has helped me through those times,” MORGx said.
If you love what MORGx shares here, you can catch him supporting NJE on his “Warning Signs” single launch at The Cave Inn in Meeanjin/Brisbane on August 1. Tickets are on sale now through Humanitix.
Eora/Sydney-based singer-songwriter Sazr has impressed me right out of the gate with her debut single “To You.” Her pure, ethereal voice and relatable lyrics immediately drew me into this beautiful indie-folk ballad.
It’s not surprising that Sazr sounds like she’s been doing this for years, even though this is her first single. She began composing short melodies on an out-of-tune piano in her living room as a kid. She received classical piano training, but found she was much more interested in improvising and composing original songs than completing the homework. It’s all led her to this point where she’s sharing her stunning music with the world.
If you like what you hear, make sure you catch Sazr launching her single at Lazy Thinking in Gadigal and Wangal Country/Dulwich Hill on August 25.
