Naarm/Melbourne rock act Pretty Moi have won me over with their back-to-basics new single “ROAD DOG.” It’s got a fantastic garage rock sound, free of studio bells and whistles that might dilute its intensity. I also appreciate the surf and psychedelic rock influences that Pretty Moi wears proudly on their musical sleeve.
“’ROAD DOG’ started as a bunch of old ideas that finally clicked once we leaned into storytelling,” Pretty Moi’s guitarist and cofounder Ruben Vasconez Swett explained. “It’s intentionally absurd and a bit delusional, inspired by an old Norm Macdonald joke.”
“ROAD DOG” is so appealing in its raw sound, but Pretty Moi has more up their sleeve. The track’s B-side “WITH YOU,” featuring the horns of local outfit FREE PARKING blends that psychedelic bent with jazz and Latin flavours. Expect more music that will keep you guessing with Pretty Moi unveil their upcoming EP VOL. 2 later this year.
In a world where there seems to be so much division, MAXON’s new folk-rock track “Everybody” is like chicken soup for the soul. It’s an uplifting anthem that reminds us of the humanity that unites us all.
“A lot of the songs on the album – while hopeful – carry a thread of sadness,” MAXON said. “‘Everybody’ felt like the emotional homecoming. Nay [Pattuwage] and I wanted to write something that celebrates love and connection; something that uplifts.
“I’ve been through dark spaces in my life, and I know first-hand that singing together is healing. ‘Everybody’ is a reminder that joy and love are just as infectious as pain. Let this song be an anthem for togetherness. Honestly, I’d love to make a world choir with this one – send me your audition tapes! Let’s heal the world together!”
MAXON’s debut album Talking With Strangers will be released April 8. Expect to hear more new music from the LP when Maxon plays the following festivals:
“You Won’t Be There” was already one of the highlights from Riley Pearce’s 2025 album The Weight of Our Dreaming. But he’s just elevated the track with the help of Irish singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson, who was last on our shores for Misneach. The artists collaborated remotely on the duet single, “You Won’t Be There (Time Zone Version),” which hit the streaming services today.
“‘You Won’t Be There’ always felt like it could live a double life,” Riley said. “A version where it had a more conversational tone, capturing the two sides of a relationship’s distance that comes with touring. I heard Sorcha’s song ‘Maps of Manhattan’ when I was on tour last year and it instantly became a favourite. I was so impressed with the energy and world she built with her verse – I actually like this version more than the original.”
“When Riley sent me this song, I knew I wanted to write to it,” Sorcha added. “I loved the subtlety he had created within it, and the effortless ebb and flow of the arrangement. The sentiment was something that had been on my mind already; nights spent thousands of miles from home, cinematic and romantic in their own lonely way, but impossible to experience without thinking of somebody you wish could be there with you.”
While I’m not sure when we’ll see Sorcha back in Australia, Riley is preparing to take songs from his The Weight of Our Dreaming album around the country this month. With shows in the capitals and regional centres, there are plenty of opportunities to catch him live.
Dharawal Country/Wollongong singer-songwriter franxie has wowed me with her latest single “Nobody’s Home.” This gentle indie-folk single drew me in with its hushed vocals, acoustic sound, and introspective lyrics exploring dissociation and emotional shutdown. It’s heavy subject matter, but themes that are worth sitting with when they’re presented so exquisitely. Take a moment to really listen to this one and take in its beauty, because it deserves so much more than becoming background to your workday!
“This song is about dissociating when things become overwhelming and recognising that shutting down was a coping mechanism,” franxie explained. “It’s not about a relationship ending, but about losing and finding yourself within that state.”
“Nobody’s Home” is a natural follow-up to franxie’s debut single, “Fucking Around,” which tackled themes of autonomy and self-determination. Expect more self-reflection and exploration of honest emotions when franxie releases more music throughout the year. A fiercely independent artist, she’s developing her sound and an EP at her own pace, prioritising her artistic freedom, confidence, and evolution on her own terms.
Listen to “Nobody’s Home” and more fantastic local folk music on my Spotify playlist, “Sounds of Oz Loves Folk.”
As someone with pretty eclectic music taste, I appreciate artists who take left turns. Boorloo/Perth-based singer-songwriter-producer Santa Fe has been making lo-fit surf rock since 2013, but he’s taken a new direction with his latest single “Undercut.” Featuring warm vocals from Caitie Jayde and Santa Fe on piano, drums, and guitar, it’s a fantastic indie pop number.
“’Undercut’ is about being around people who don’t allow you to reach your potential,” Santa Fe said. “It’s usually because you value different things, and I think you need to be around people who let your strengths shine through. More than anything, I find that positive emotional experiences inspire me to create my songs.”
Santa Fe recorded and produced “Undercut” in his home studio, with mixing by Jeremy Smith at Labsix, and mastering by Dan O’Connor at EncoderSound. This single lays the foundation for Santa Fe’s new music, so expect more direct, heart on sleeve songs from him in 2026.
I’m a sucker for a guy with an acoustic guitar playing sweet indie folk music. If you are too, I know you’re going to flip for MUKI and his new single “Gasoline.” Born in Dubai with Indian roots, he now calls Naarm/Melbourne home. His voice seems to be able to do it all, moving effortlessly from a passionate rasp to an airy falsetto. The song is also really, really good.
“’Gasoline’ is my debut single as MUKI, and it’s deeply personal,” he said. “With ‘Gasoline’, I wanted to capture the tension of a relationship that wouldn’t survive despite every effort. It’s a breakup song, but one about acceptance and moving on.”
MUKI is wasting no time bringing this music to the people. He’ll play a free show at Bodriggy Brewing Co. in Naarm/Abbotsford tomorrow night, January 22.
“Steal My Sunshine” is one of the best one-hit wonders of all time. The original Len version is perfection, but a new cover by Bakers Eddy featuring merci, mercy comes pretty close!
This version is a little heavier, but it doesn’t lose the nostalgia that makes the original such a banger. I love the way that merci, mercy bring a little sweetness which smooths out Bakers Eddy’s punk edge. Press play and hit that volume button, because this one sounds best loud!
The rain’s well and truly set in in my part of the country, but tracks like “Shotgun,” the newie from Walyalup/Fremantle band Figurehead, are helping me hold on to my summer vibes for as long as possible. This is everything you want in a summer tune, with its cool indie rock sound and breezy vocals from Joe Caddy. Tap into the lyrics though and you’ll realise there’s a little more going on.
“Despite its feel-good, summery feel, ‘Shotgun’ contains lyrical depth and explores themes of self-improvement in the face of daily struggles and addictions,” Figurehead explained. “The song’s protagonist ultimately chooses love over fear, and gives insight to those struggling with external dependencies.”
Figurehead say they’re gearing up for a “massive” 2026, so make sure you follow them on the socials to keep track of all their upcoming releases and shows.
After wowing me with “sliding doors,” Naarm/Melbourne-based talent Sidney is impressing me all over again with her latest release “long haul.” This track cements her reputation as one of the best indie-pop acts in the country. With serious songwriting skills, a knack for crafting unforgettable melodies, and a compelling voice, she’s really one to watch.
Recalling the time that inspired “long haul,” Sidney shared “I was on the road all the time doing what I loved, but my partner couldn’t be there with me. The distance caused tension, and I felt torn between chasing my career and showing up for the person I loved. ‘long haul’ was my way of saying: I’m here, I’m choosing you, and I’m in this for real.”
“long haul” is the latest track lifted from Sidney’s forthcoming EP what if it ends? which drops on February 27.
Kisschasy are continuing to turn back the clock with their latest single “Better.” The track’s a powerful reminder that this Naarm/Melbourne quartet are more than just a nostalgia band. They might just be making the best music of their career right now.
“’Better’ is the last song on [new album] The Terrors Of Comfort and for good reason; it offers a glimpse of hope after taking the listener through the unsettling world of vice and distraction,” explained Kisschasy frontman Darren Cordeux. “It’s a kind of an inverted love song – a song about saying goodbye to something or someone in order to better love oneself. Many times, when writing a song, the music and melody can inform the lyrics, or at least the theme. This song had an optimistic, expansive sound so I thought the concept could be about liberating oneself from that negative force mentioned in previous singles ‘Parasite’ and ‘Lie To Me’.”
Kisschasy’s brand new album The Terrors of Comfort will be released on February 13. Just a few days later they’ll load up the van and hit the road with Good Charlotte and Yellowcard. You have no idea how much I’m regretting missing these shows due to an overseas holiday! First-world problems and all, but please buy tickets so you can tell me all about it!
