Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Portair and Joy Williams Join Forces For “Loved By You”

Aussie-born, Berlin-based creative Portair has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning American songstress Joy Williams for a gorgeous new single “Loved By You.” I’m a sucker for a good indie pop duet, and this one ticks all the boxes with its vulnerable lyrics and honest vocals.

“It came from exploring the feeling of losing the ability to be loved by someone whilst fighting the push and pull of figuring out whether to stay or to leave,” Portair explained. “Working with Joy on this was one of those rare collaborations where everything just clicked. We were introduced through a mutual friend and she understood the song’s heart immediately, and that shows in every part she brought to it. I’m incredibly honored to have her on the record.”

“Working on ‘Loved By You’ together felt like diving into an age-old question so many of us have asked in relationships before: ‘do I stay or do I go?’” Joy added. “Sometimes the instinct comes quickly. Other times, the answer to that question can slowly, painfully emerge over time. And then what? You try to sort out what you really need, what to share, and when to share it with this person you’ve loved. It’s never the right time. But, telling the truth – like this song- is loving…even when it leaves the sting of I cannot do this anymore.”

“Loved By You” comes from Portair’s forthcoming debut album, Gathering Dust, which he’ll release on December 4. You can pre-save a copy right now on your favourite streaming platform.

Photo credit: Rodrigo Bardin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dami Im Releases Powerful New Single, “Proud of Me”

Dami Im has always impressed me as a vocalist, but with every new release she’s showing she’s a songwriter to be reckoned with. I’ve got chills listening to her latest single “Proud of Me,” a song that the presser calls her “most personal and vulnerable song yet.”

“It’s about that aching need for validation – not just from others, but from myself.,” Dam explained. “I grew up trying so hard to be perfect, to meet expectations and some kind of moving standard that I could never reach. This song came from a place of questioning: What would it take for me to feel truly seen? Truly enough? It’s about the pressure to perform, to fit a mould, and the quiet, painful truth that often the harshest critic is the voice inside my own head. At its heart, this song is a cry for self-acceptance – a longing to finally be proud of myself, just as I am.”

“Proud of Me” is the emotional heart of Dami’s latest EP, Stormy Weather. Dami will take this song to Europe when she reunites with Eurovision alum at the Het Grote Songfestivalfeest in Amsterdam on November 13.

Photo credit: Glenn Hunt

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mertas Sound Off On “CC”

Tuesday’s not too early in the working week for a little business-related rage, right? If your nine-to-five has you feeling a little angsty, take a listen to “CC,” the latest track from Mertas, a punk group from the tiny coastal community of Nhulunbuy in Arnhem Land. Before you press play, you might want to grab some headphones though, because this one’s definitely not safe for work!

“’CC’ is an anthem for anyone who’s ever lost patience waiting on a reply, decoding corporate jargon, or resisting the urge to smash a keyboard,” vocalist Matt McLean explained. “It’s about the passive-aggressive world of corporate email culture we’ve all had to tolerate when trying to get the information we actually need.”

Fresh from their appearance at BIGSOUND, it’s clear that Mertas are destined for big things. Follow them on Instagram to learn about what’s coming next.

Photo credit: Zenith Gaston

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ricky Albeck’s Latest Single is Your Perfect Saturday Soundtrack

I don’t know what your Saturday night will entail, but Ricky Albeck’s latest single “Playing Pool and Drinking All Night” definitely sounds like the kind of track that’s bound to hit for some of you tonight. Even if you’re not heading out for a few bevvies, I know you’re going to appreciate this bluesy post-pub-rock from one of the finest rising musicians out of Tarntanya/Adelaide.

“My friends and I used to play pool and drink a lot at The Cranker [the recently closed Crown & Anchor Hotel in Adelaide], it’s basically how I spent most nights of my early 20s,” Ricky recalled. “For a while we would just go there almost every night – played as many gigs as possible there, worked there, would stick around after work and even go in on nights off. We would stay until everyone else left and sometimes they’d let us play a couple games of pool while they cleaned the bar. We just wanted to keep hanging out forever. The song mostly focuses on the good parts of these memories, but there’s a darkness there too. Questioning how much is too much and whether you’re trying to run away from something with all the excess.”

“Playing Pool and Drinking All Night” is the first single lifted from Ricky’s forthcoming album, which is set to drop later this year. Ricky will close out 2026 with a bang, as he’s also got plenty of headlining shows scheduled in the coming months. Tickets are on sale now from the links below.

10 September 2026 – Ern Malley, Tarntanya/Adelaide
12 September 2026 – ShopFront740, Naarm/Melbourne
13 November 2026 – The Bellum Hotel, Bunganditj Country/Mount Schank
14 November 2026 – Jive, Tarntanya/Adelaide
19 November 2026 – The Curtin Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
20 November 2026 – Medusa, Djilang/Geelong
21 November 2026 – The Tanswells Hotel, Baarmutha/Beechworth
22 November 2026 – Young Street Tavern, Bunurong/Frankston
26 November 2026 – Dissent, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
27 November 2026 – The Junkyard @ Grand Junction Hotel, Wonnarua Country/Maitland
28 November 2026 – The Servo, Wadi Wadi Country/Port Kembla
29 November 2026 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
5 December 2026 – The Junk Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo credit: Nash Blight

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

M & J Drop Soulful New Single, “Not a Love Song”

Dharawal Country/Bondi duo M & J are serving up some smooth acoustic soul for your Thursday. Their latest track “Not a Love Song” immediately caught my attention with its laid-back groove and compelling vocals. It’s got such an incredible vibe that’s intimate and inviting, yet irresistibly cool. While I instantly warmed to this single’s sound, the more I listened, the more I tapped into the lyrics that explore the bittersweet yearning of unrequited love.

“This song is about sometimes no matter what you do, someone likes you, and … sometimes, no matter what you do, the person doesn’t like you,” M & J explained.

As it reflects a real experience that one half of M & J endured, the lyrics of “Not a Love Song” resonate with truth and wisdom.

“It ended up being a tale about all my dreams and hopes for the relationship and what I wanted to write about,” he explained. “As those elements didn’t materialise in the relationship, it meant the song I ended up writing was not a love song.”

I appreciate that “Not a Love Song” focuses on acceptance rather than emotional manipulation. While there’s a degree of heartache, the guys from M & J aren’t trying to win the object of their affection over or insist they’re meant to be. Instead they show respect for the object of their affection’s autonomy and direct their energy into their art.

There’s a real case to be made that the world has too many love songs, but not nearly enough songs like this. You can find “Not a Love Song” and other great new Aussie soul tracks on my playlist, “Sounds of Oz Loves Soul.”

Image used with permission from M & J

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harley Releases Pop-Rock Gem, “Gold” Ahead of Debut EP

If you’re feeling those mid-week blues, Harley’s shimmering new single “Gold” is just what you need to get out of that funk. It’s such an uplifting and original track that reminds me of music from artists reinventing the pop-rock genre like The 1975 and Sam Fender.

“At its core, it’s about love, loss and trust, but ultimately it’s about independence, believing in who you are, what you create, and trusting your own instincts,” Harley explained. “No one else can tell your story.”

“Gold” is the third and final single lifted from this Meeanjin/Brisbane-based talent’s forthcoming debut EP, which will hit streaming services on September 18. Before then, hometown fans can catch Harley supporting Che Burns at The Brightside on September 11.

Photo credit: Darcy Goss Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bamboos Make Welcome Return With “Rockets & Flowers”

It’s been three years since The Bamboos served up new music, but it’s definitely been worth the wait. Their latest track “Rockets & Flowers” is just the kind of smooth soul you need to soundtrack your Saturday.

It’s not surprising that this is so good, because it’s another gem from The Bamboos’ bandleader and guitarist Lance Ferguson and the band’s lead singer Kylie Auldist. This songwriting partnership has stood the test of time and shows no signs of slowing down.

“Writing songs with Kylie Auldist remains one of the most fulfilling, fun, and meaningful experiences that I’ve had in all of my time in music,” Lance said. “It’s a relationship and friendship that I cherish.”

The Bamboos’ website tells us to “hold tight for more to come” so strap yourself in music lovers! It sounds like exciting things are afoot!

Photo credit: Rick Clifford

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

El Cosgrove Launches New Music as Goldie

El Cosgrove is back with a brand new musical moniker and a whole lot of attitude. Now recording as Goldie Cosgrove, she’s just released a brand new single “Karma Kicks In,” her first under her new pseudonym. This atmospheric country-folk single ushers in a new musical chapter for this celebrated artist.

As El Cosgrove, she graduated from the CMAA Academy and became a finalist in the Toyota Star Maker and 2026 Ekka Country Music Showdown competitions. So why switch things up and start recording under a new name? On her website, El explained “Goldie isn’t just a stage name. She is the highest artistic self of EL Cosgrove. The heroine of the story. The version of the artist who walked through heartbreak, setbacks, doubt, grief and every hardship life threw her way, and came out the other side with something brighter, bolder and undeniable. Goldie rises from the ashes of everything that tried to quiet the dream. And what rises is powerful.”

“Karma Kicks In” is streaming right now. Follow Goldie on Instagram to learn all about the new music to come.

Image used with permission from Tom Rivers Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Leslie D. King Shines Bright With “Gold”

If you love soulful blues-tinged rock and roll, take a listen to “Gold,” the debut single from Leslie D. King. I’m not sure how he’s delivered a first single that sounds so seasoned and rich, but I’m soaking this one up today.

Perhaps more staggering is the thought that Leslie may never have released this single at all. Listening to it, clearly music is what he was born to do. But stepped away from music for a while to focus on becoming a husband and father. Rather than putting an end to his creative journey, that experience gave his songwriting greater depth, perspective, and purpose.

Thankfully, there’s much more where this came from. “Gold” is the lead single from Leslie’s forthcoming debut album, a collection of songs that reflect on gratitude, resilience, and the beauty of everyday moments. Until then, fans can see Leslie launching “Gold” with a free show at Lulie Tavern in Carran-carramulk/Abbotsford on September 5.

Image used with permission from Oily Rag Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Margo Mann Releases Impressive New Single, “Not Love”

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.

Photo credit: James Morris