Naarm/Melbourne artist Margo Mann has really impressed me with her latest single “Not Love.” Its bouncy melody is an absolute earworm, but it’s much more than just a fun indie-pop song. The lyrics, which reflect on a relationship with someone more in love with the idea of their partner than the person they actually are, are fantastic. They’re so biting, witty, and insightful.
“’Not Love’ is a song I wrote after being in a situationship with someone who told me they believed they were more ‘spiritually enlightened’ than I was. They were probably right about that at the time, but what the comment also revealed to me was how toxic masculinity can sometimes masquerade as this brand of new-age enlightenment,” she explained.
“Not Love” comes from Margo Mann’s upcoming album Love Is a Dog, which she says “was forged from a time of absolute questioning and unravelling. A time where I hadn’t quite reassembled myself properly. But equally, it was born out of an attempt at ruthless self-trust.” Listen out for it when it’s released on October 16.
In a world where so much pop music is overproduced, the purity of a song like “Turbulence,” the latest single from Dharug Country/Western Sydney-based singer-songwriter Amourie T. really stands out. A gentle piano melody accompanies her angelic voice, drawing listeners in and ensuring they pay attention to her lyrics about a relationship unravelling.
This is just Amourie’s second single, but she actually began performing at the age of seven so she’s far from a newcomer. She discovered the creative outlet of songwriting at 16, when she began writing melodies to accompany the words in her journal, which is something she still does to this day. No wonder that when you listen to a song like “Turbulence,” you feel like you’re gaining access to Amourie’s innermost thoughts. In a world that often encourages us to hide our feelings, her honesty is so refreshing.
If you like music from Gracie Abrams, Phoebe Bridgers, and Birdy, and I know you’re going to love “Turbulence. It comes from Amourie T’s debut EP Clumsy, which she’ll release on September 18. Follow her on Instagram to be the first to learn about the new music and any upcoming shows.
Some great songs grab you from the first listen. Others are more of a slow burn, getting under your skin only after repeat listens. Olivia Coggan’s new song “faultline” falls into the latter camp. This indie-pop number doesn’t have a big hook and the vocals are subtle, but there was something about it that kept drawing me back and encouraging another listen. Now I’m hooked.
“The song was inspired by my own experience of navigating change over the past year and learning to trust my instinct to follow what feels right, even when it’s scary,” Olivia explained. “’faultline’ is really about that pull towards the unknown — standing on the edge of something bigger and hearing a quiet inner voice that keeps guiding you forward, even when you can’t see exactly where it’s leading. It sits in that space between excitement and fear, in that moment before change where everything feels uncertain but full of possibility at the same time.”
Sydneysiders can see Olivia live at the Eveleigh Hotel this Friday, August 28. Tickets are on sale now from Humanitix.
When so much country music aims for crossover appeal, it’s refreshing to hear a song that celebrates the genre’s traditions. “I’ll Never Forget The Words That You Shared,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Charlotte Le Lievre, is a timeless country tune. Its lyrics tell you a story that’s supported beautifully by the sounds of the acoustic and pedal steel guitars.
Charlotte wrote this song in tribute to her friend and Mulubinba/Newcastle-based musician Tommy 9 Fingers, who tragically passed away in 2014. She recalls the years they spent living together in a rundown share house, the way his songwriting shaped her own creative development, and the time they spent together before he passed.
“Tommy’s songs had a profound impact on me and many people in our Newcastle music community,” Charlotte explained. “His brilliant mind will forever be immortalised in his music, and his words are something we will always carry with us.”
“I’ll Never Forget The Words That You Shared” comes from Charlotte’s sophomore album Grief Knows No Borders, which she’ll release early next year. Before then, you can catch Charlotte playing the following shows:
“500 Miles” is best known as a raucous pop number that people enjoy singing loudly when they’ve had a few beers. Victorian duo Moonshine & Maple have taken it in a new direction for their debut single, and it’s never sounded more beautiful. This tender country version strips this song back to its basic elements, just a sweet melody and some beautiful lyrics. It’s the idea showcase for Lisa Joy’s sweet voice and Joseph Calderazzo’s acoustic guitar.
“The result allows listeners to appreciate the song’s message of love and commitment,” Lisa said.
“We’ve been playing the song live for quite a while and have had many requests to record so off we went to the studio,” Joseph added.
Lisa and Joseph met at the Bellarine Country Music gathering, where they are now both members of the house band, The Urban Collective. They bonded quickly over their love of country music and began playing shows together, including the Cowboy Christmas Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival. See this emerging country duo for yourself at the following shows:
As a freelance writer, I don’t need to keep a traditional schedule. I love nothing more than staying up until the early hours of the morning. The world is quiet, my time is truly my own. I’d much rather enjoy that, then catch up on sleep while the rest of the world is moving. So I’m really vibing with Josh Setterfield’s night owl anthem, “We Are The Night.” Whether you stay up for work, partying, or just the quiet time I enjoy, I know you’ll love this upbeat country track.
“This one’s for everyone who comes alive after dark,” Josh confirmed. “There’s a whole world that exists after the sun goes down. I wanted to write an anthem for those people because I don’t think they’ve ever really had one… and I’m one of them”
Torres Strait Islander artist Torres Green is making a strong statement with his latest track “Loopin’”. Torres created this one with N’fa Jones, best known for fronting 1200 Techniques, as part of the Singing Our Futures program. I’ve been so impressed by the way this program, created by the Archie Roach Foundation, continues to find and elevate exceptional First Nations voices.
Torres began honing his craft in the theatre at just eight years of age. His enthusiasm for performing saw him naturally gravitate towards songwriting, a pursuit which allowed him to tell his own story rather than someone else’s. He’s become an active presence in the hip hop community in Naarm/Melbourne, performing at open mic nights, live showcases, and battle events.
We’ll be hearing a lot more music from Torres in the future. He’s already recording more new tracks produced by local beatmaker and bassist Anthony Liddell featuring guest vocals from fellow First Nations artist Candice Lorrae. Follow Torres on Instagram for more information about the new music as it drops.
Naarm/Melbourne-based creative Spike Fuck is back with his new single “All By Myself,” his first released via legendary New York label Sacred Bones Records. It comes ten years after he pioneered his sound with the Smackwave EP, then disappeared without a trace. Spike gives no explanation for his absence, although there were rumours he might have traded in the spotlight for years in monastic solitude or perhaps relapsed. All the speculation just makes his return more iconic.
Speaking on the release of “All By Myself,” Spike says “If someone asks ‘What does it mean?’ We’ve done the job. As society has abandoned mythologies, we must create our own… that sounds trite and I’m not quite sure how to defend that statement really. We’re not existentialists. In any case, we also live in a completely schizophrenic society in this sense, so the idea to create a story of a war hero/criminal undergoing an absurdist spiritual transformation seemed almost obligatory. Purgatorial musings, heaven and hell, redemption, fantasy, a mushroom that talks, so on and so forth.
“People understand truth through analogy, moreover, parables. We sought to create something about redemption, forgiveness, faith, hope, and charity that is available to whomever seeks it. I may not be the most reliable narrator, I admit that freely, yet the fantasy of it all is healthy. So is a dose of whimsy or even a small dash of grand delusion. So this video, along with the entire record, is a series of clues, a collection of pieces of evidence… Hopefully this video raises more questions than it answers.”
“All By Myself” is the lead single from Spike’s debut album evidence, which drops on October 2. He’ll celebrate the release with a massive tour. It kicks off in Australia on release day, then travels to the United Kingdom and Europe.
I love a track that steps outside the box and keeps me guessing. Making real art requires taking some risks, and that’s exactly what Blake Appelqvist does with their latest single “IKYLT.” While it’s definitely pop music, it’s a world away from the formulaic tracks that dominate the genre.
“I wanted to make something that felt emotionally honest, like that moment where you’re deciding whether to leave or stay a little longer,” Blake explained. “’IKYLT’ is about those rare situations where someone sees a version of you that usually stays hidden — and how intense that can feel with someone you’ve only just met.”
The time signature for “IKYLT” is unpredictable, its structure complex. Just when you think you have it figured out, there’s another sonic curveball. Yet every twist and turn pays off to create a surprising yet satisfying listening experience. “IKYLT” is streaming everywhere right now.
Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth-based hip hop artist IamSnap has reunited with frequent guest vocalist Lydia Caesar for an incredible new single, “Last Round.” Hot on the heels of their previous collaborations “Lifer” and “Alive,” this song is a powerful pop anthem born from Iamsnap’s own battles with depression and anxiety.
On paper, these talents make an unlikely pair. Iamsnap’s gritty rapping is so different from the big soulful vocals Lydia brings to “Last Round.” But I love the way their contrasting tones and energies play together. You can also hear their chemistry, that special sauce that comes when artists have worked together long enough to truly understand one another.
IamSnap’s lyrics show a wicked sense of humour, but he doesn’t shy away from the challenges that come with mental illness, the procrastinating, the self-doubt, the creative paralysis that can make achieving goals seem insurmountable. But rather than dwell in that dark place, Iamsnap remains defiant, determined to keep fighting. Lydia’s soaring vocals embody that sentiment. So while the voices of IamSnap and Lydia are so different, we need them both to tell this story.
Roughly one in five Aussies have struggled with their mental health, yet talking about mental illness still feels taboo. And when relatively few people talk about it, it’s little wonder that so many battling mental health issues feel so alone. That makes tracks like “Last Round,” which give voice to the battles so many of us face, so important. It’s streaming now. If you’re concerned about your mental health, remember free support is always available through Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).
