Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winters End Impress With Amazing New Single “Afterthought”

I’ve been feeling a little like Simon Cowell today. I’ve listened to a lot of new music but nothing managed to stick with me. I was beginning to question whether my cold was souring my mood too much for blogging, and then I heard “Afterthought,” the latest single from Sydney duo Winters End. And in that moment all of my crankiness and doubts about my ability to fairly judge music today faded away.

Its shimmery synth opening sucked me in immediately, reminding me of some of my favourite songs of the 80s. The song builds to an epic crescendo, with Marissa Pinto’s sublime vocals and percussion from her brother Chris combining so powerfully. The track’s also not afraid to tackle the big questions about why we’re here and what life is really all about.

“Afterthought” is the first single coming from Winters End’s sophomore EP. If this track is any indication, it’s going to be compulsory listening.

Image used with permission from Winters End

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mouth Tooth Stir Emotions with “Memory Foam”

Melbourne duo Mouth Tooth has released a perfectly poignant song, “Memory Foam,” the lead single from their upcoming album, which will be released on September 30.

It’s a beautifully melancholy number which explores the pain of love lost. The “Memory Foam” clip seems quite ordinary at first, but make sure you watch right through for the surprise ending.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessica Mauboy On Form With “Risk It”

Australia’s set to fall in love with Jessica Mauboy’s acting talents all over again when she hits the small screen in Channel Seven’s upcoming drama series The Secret Daughter. While she’s proven her acting chops with roles in The Sapphires and Bran Nue Dae, it’s always her vocal talents that really bowl me over. Those skills are showcased on the new single “Risk It,” which has been all over Seven’s promo ads for the new show.

This is such a catchy pop-soul ditty, which is no surprise considering Sydney songwriting team DNA, Grammy-nominated songwriter Jörgen Elofsson, and Bachelor Girl’s Tania Doko collaborated on it.

The track comes from Jess’ forthcoming album of songs from the series, which will feature four more originals and covers of some of her favourite songs including “Flame Trees,” “Photograph,” and “Big Girls Cry.” Look for the album in stores on October 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Getting to the Bare Bones” of Jess + Matt’s “Bones”

Jess + Matt were my favourite act from last year’s X Factor. In fact, they might be my favourite act from the X Factor, period. I fell hard for their sublime harmonies, folk sensibility, and their genuine love story.

However, I’m not so enamoured with their latest single, the first original they’ve released since their stint on the show “Bones.” The song was co-written with DNA, the duo behind hits from The Veronicas, Dami Im, and Delta Goodrem. It sounds fresh and commercial, and like nothing I’d have imagined Jess + Matt would produce. And perhaps that’s the problem.

I first stumbled upon this song on Spotify. I didn’t get it at all. Then I played the acoustic version you can find there, and the penny dropped. Suddenly the lyrics which reflect on the feelings of new love came to the fore, rather than the production. Suddenly it seemed weightier than I’d originally imagined.

I appreciate that Jess + Matt are a duo experimenting with their sound and trying to find their place in the music industry post-reality fame. However, I just hope they don’t get too far away from what made them special in an attempt to achieve commercial success.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife Unveil “Paradise” Music Video

Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife are reminding me why Thieves is one of my favourite albums of the year with the release of the video for the first single “Paradise.”

The Melbourne band filmed the retro clip at the historic Winton Motor Raceway. Its vintage feel is the perfect foil for the band’s classic sound.

“Evoking images of the open road, the video was heavily influenced by Terrence Malick’s 1973 film “Badlands”. However I wanted to place our narrative in a distinctly Australian context,” explained the clip’s director, Roxanne Halley. “Allowing the camera to float along through the different spaces helped to create a feeling of intimacy, enabling us to play around with the idea of strangers locking eyes for the first time.”

What do you think of this track and the awesome music video?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Lee-Richards Melts My Heart with “Madness”

Stop what you’re doing a take a little moment to watch the video for Tom Lee-Richards’ new single “Madness.” This is the sort of song and clip that deserve much more than the background for your workday or household chores. It demands your attention.

This song is so beautifully executed, delicate and tender, like nothing I’ve heard in some time. I love the way Tom’s velvety voice combines with that of fellow Kiwi Monique Shelford. The clip, which takes an unflinching look at life on the streets for Australia’s homeless, is also a masterstroke.

Tom Lee-Richards will take his very special songs to the people of the East Coast with a series of intimate shows next month.

4 September 2016 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
9 September 2016 – Ulverstone Live at the Wharf, Ulverstone
10 September 2016 – The Otis Room, Burnie
11 September 2016 – The Homestead, Hobart
16 September 2016 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
17 September 2016 – Church on the Hill, Bendigo
21 September 2016 – Folkswagen, Sydney
22 September 2016 – Pier on Clarence, Port Macquarie
23 September 2016 – Treehouse, Byron Bay
24 September 2016 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
29 September 2016 – Milk Factory, Brisbane
1 October 2016 – Mandela Organic Arts Cafe, Mermaid Beach

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have Anna Cordell Play in Your Home

Anna Cordell has reminded me how much I love her EP These Walls with the release of one of the standout tracks from this recording, “Run Around.” It’s a song of deep yearning, with beautifully layered harmonies and lush strings. Rather than playing you the single version, I thought I’d get you in the mood for her upcoming tour with this live video.

Anna will celebrate the single’s release with a very different kind of tour. Rather than hitting the pubs and clubs, she’ll visit the homes of fans in regional Victoria as part of the Parlour gigs initiative. Click here if you’d like to host a show. All fans will get a chance to see her play when she ends the tour with a public show at the Retreat Hotel in Brunswick on October 27.

After that, Anna will knuckle down on recording a brand new album for release in 2017.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alexander Biggs Does It Again With “Tidal Wave”

If you need something mellow this Sunday morning, press play on “Tidal Wave,” the gorgeous new single from Alexander Biggs.

This song is an outstanding follow-up to “Out in the Dark,” which I raved about in May. It’s a beautiful folk number about the influence someone can have in the distance they create, or the distance that already exists.

We’ll hear more from this talented Melbourne troubadour when he releases his debut EP Until I Go To Hell in November. Fans will get a taste of the music featured on it when Alexander Biggs launches Tidal Wave at The Fitzroy Pinnacle in Melbourne on September 1. Entry is free, so there’s no reason not to get out and support this up-and-coming local.

Image used with permission from Maths and Magic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cavalcade of Stars Appear in Casey Barnes’ Music Video

Casey Barnes has enlisted plenty of star power for the music video for his latest single “Live as One.” Appearances from Erik Thompson, Pete Evans, Shane Heal, Greg Bird, Sally Pearson, Rob Mills, and heaps more have helped the clip go viral. But this clip has more than celebrities to endear itself.

With the Olympics winding down, we’re all thinking of the need to break down barriers and live harmoniously together, putting aside cultural and religious beliefs as well as other differences like sexual orientation, disabilities, and upbringings. It’s such a great positive message expressed beautifully by Casey and his cowriter Rick Price.

“Rick and I were both inspired to write ‘Live As One’ at the start of this year after feeling frustration at the constant fear filled messages and negativity we constantly see every day in the news and on social media, along with the mistakes we keep on making as a human race, over the history of time, with violence and hatred, which clearly isn’t the answer,” Casey explained. “My favourite lyric in the whole song is the opening line: ‘Angry words and a fist never healed no one’. I feel there’s never been a more important time to be spreading messages of hope and positivity, especially for our kids who are the next generation that have the ability to make change.”

“Live as One” is the title track from Casey’s new album, which drops on August 26.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Plastic Attraction Wows Me With “Holding You”

The Plastic Attraction has hit a home run with its debut single “Holding You.” This song from four Perth schoolyard pals is one of the catchiest tracks I’ve heard in some time. It’s your classic tale of love and heartache, with 90s pop-rock sensibilities given a 21st century update.

“’Holding You’ was born when Matt and Horna were jamming on some ideas and came up with that opening riff,” explained the band’s lead singer Liam. “The whole song stemmed from that intro section and once the drums came in, the song seemed to come together very naturally.”

The Plastic Attraction will launch “Holding You” for hometown fans at The Hen House Live at Badlands Bar in Perth on September 10.