Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Forbes Releases “Swim Better”

I am really digging Aussie hip hop at the moment. The latest artist to find his way onto my radar is Forbes, a talented young thing from the Goldie. His first single “Swim Better,” featuring a verse from Sydney MC Smiles Again, hints at what a special talent this guy is.

It’s really smart music, with some insightful lyrics and killer rhymes. It’s our first taste of Forbes’ debut EP, which is slated for a release early next year. After time spent supporting guys like PEZ and 360, it’s awesome to see him stepping into the spotlight.

What do you think of Forbes?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Jensens Release “Fears”

Brisbane band The Jensens serve up some dark material in an irresistible pop package with their new single “Fears.” It feels so good to listen to that it’s easy to miss the shadows, but really listen to the lyrics and you’ll gain a brand new appreciation for this cleverly layered song.

“Fears was written about the feelings of fear and anxiety I had about life passing me by. This was when I felt like I was doing nothing with my life when living on the coast,” explained The Jensens’ frontman Joseph White. “The song is about how all these things can get to a person and make them feel like they’re drowning in self pity, the only solution is to ‘say goodbye’ and move on to greener pastures, I guess.”

“Fears” is our first taste of the band’s full-length mixtape, which is scheduled for an early 2015 release. What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winterbourne Wow Me with “Cold”

In an age where so much music is overproduced and overblown, it’s so lovely to find a band like Winterbourne. The fact that they’re from my part of the world, the Central Coast of New South Wales, just makes it that much sweeter.

These guys make real music that’s so organic and real and beautiful. Take a listen to their first single “Cold” and just see if it doesn’t give you chills. Can you believe that a sound like that comes from just two guys? Rest assured, I’ll be tracking down a copy of the EP All But the Sun on the strength of this single alone. Wow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Low Fly Incline Get Into the Groove with “Silver Cadillac”

Melbourne two-piece Low Fly Incline are rocking out with their new single “Silver Cadillac.” It’s grungy and raw and has such a great energy. Just see if you’re not grooving along by the end of it.

This was actually the first song that Low Fly Incline’s vocalist and guitarist Tarek wrote for this outfit, and it was also the first song recorded when the band headed into the study to record their album. That makes a lot of sense, because there’s none of the fatigue that you start hearing in some songs as the recording process drags.

Low Fly Incline will officially launch “Silver Cadillac” for hometown fans tomorrow night at Luwow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Problem with Little Odessa

Little Odessa have made magic again with their latest single “Part of the Problem.” This is a foot stomping good time of a track with such a lovely raw, garage rock feel. That lack of polish makes it feel so spontaneous and organic and real. I love it.

The track came out of a writing week in Sydney that frontman Marlon Hickey recently indulged in. He penned it with Oceanics’ songwriter Tom Garnett before taking it back to his bandmates in Brissie.

Are you loving it as much as me?


Image used with permission from White Label Servicing

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anja Nissen Underwhelms with “I’m So Excited”

I must admit, I’ve been giving Anja Nissen’s new music video a wide berth for a while. I’d spotted images of her, red lipped and pouting, and felt a bit cheated by her makeover. Where was the girl who enjoyed riding dirt bikes that we came to know on The Voice? But when the video was sent to me I figured I should stop jumping to conclusions and actually give it a look. God I wish I hadn’t.

The song is called “I’m So Excited,” yet Anja’s face never cracks a smile through the run-time of this clip. If she’s excited I really can’t tell. The track is really formulaic, but if it had an energy to match its lyrics I might not have minded too much. Instead this just feels like another song to roll off the will.i.am  production line.

It’s disappointing because I remember Will on the show championing acts like Gabrielle and Cecilia and ZK, exclaiming how different they were and how that excited him. Anja never felt very different to me. She felt like another diva with an impressive set of pipes and a gorgeous package. I felt she was very commercial, but she wasn’t for me. But the thing is, what Will’s done here is stamp out what little individuality she did have and make her some kind of robotic pop princess.

I’ve heard people trash The Voice, and they probably wonder why I expected better. But I did. Anja has real talent, even if it’s a little vanilla, but we see none of it here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maples Cures Mondayitis with “Stars”

It’s notoriously difficult to get moving on a Monday, but “Stars,” the gorgeous debut single from Sydney songbird Maples, may add some spring to your step.

This is such a fun song. It’s unapologetically pop, but it’s also got a real theatricality about it that I love. I also love the lyrics, which speak about overcoming suppression and breaking free. Maples co-wrote “Stars” with Julian Hamilton of The Presets, which may explain why it’s got hit written all over it.

“Stars” is the first track to be lifted from Maples’ forthcoming debut album. Do you dig it?

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Lee Kendall’s “Emptiness” is the Perfect Sunday Soundtrack

Daniel Lee Kendall has won me over again with his new single “Emptiness,” the second lifted from his debut album Daniel Lee Kendall is Dead. For such dark subject matter it sounds remarkably cheerful. It’s just the thing for a chilled out Sunday if you ask me.

Daniel is currently travelling around the country on his The Funeral Tour, so if you love what you hear you can see him do it in the flesh at the following shows.

29 November 2014 – Loo Loo’s Warehouse, Kincumber
5 December 2014 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
21 February 2015 – Mountain Sounds, Kariong

Image used with permission from Create/Control

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pepa Knight Wows Me with “Coyote Choir”

Pepa Knight, the co-frontman of Jinja Safari, is stepping out solo with the forthcoming album Hypnotized Vol. I. The album doesn’t drop until November 28, but you can get a taste of it with the original and totally gorgeous new single “Coyote Choir.”

I love the way this song comes together. It’s a little Hari Krishna, a little hanging out on the beaches of Byron, a little Summer of Love. Neon Gold called it “highly original tipi-pop,” which sounds as good a label as any. Or maybe we just forget about categorising it and enjoy it for what it is.

And if you are enjoying it, make sure you get along to the remaining shows Pepa’s performing along the East Coast this month.

27 November 2014 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
28 November 2014 – Baker St, Gosford
29 November 2014 – Milk Factory, Brisbane (FREE)

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paulini Mounts Comeback with “Air it All Out”

After captivating the nation on the original season of Australian Idol, Paulini kind of fell off my radar. I seem to remember a single a few years back, but she definitely hasn’t had the kind of career that I anticipated. Hopefully she’ll remind all of us why we fell in love with her when she releases her new album Come Alive next February.

If the lead single “Air It All Out” is any indication, this is just what Paulini needs to get back under our skin. It’s life affirming and full of wisdom and feminine strength. And of course it shows off her incredible vocal chops.

Are you happy to see Paulini back in the spotlight?