Paper Cuts – Sounds of Oz

If the buzz surrounding the Australian premiere of The Golden Bachelor has taught it’s anything, it’s that Aussies want to hear from people who’ve lived a life. The Taylor Swifts and Sabrina Carpenters of the world might dominate the charts, but there’s perhaps a more important place for releases from seasoned talents like Lyn Bowtell. At almost 50, Lyn is sharing some of her most personal stories with the release of Paper Cuts.

The album’s name is so telling. Some say paper cuts are the worst kind. They sting while the rest of the world barely notices. But they heal, and you keep moving forward. In that spirit, Paper Cuts explores themes of pain and resilience.

Lyn eases us into the gritty stuff with the fun single “Cold Shiver” and uplifting blues number “I’m Here.” But by the time her Bella sisters Kate Ballyntyne and Karen O’Shea join her for “I Don’t Want to Stay,” she starts peeling back the layers. Lyn wraps some of the hardest-hitting words in upbeat music. The ukulele in “Small” feels playful, but its lyrics exploring insecurities are so vulnerable and relatable. “Scene of the Crime” has a cool country-rock feel, but it tells a powerful personal story drawn from Lyn’s own experiences of domestic violence, coercive control, and alcoholism. Paper Cuts also has some beautiful quiet moments, including the piano ballad “Ordinary” and the uplifting acoustic “Ride.”

There seems to be so much of Lyn in this album that it’s interesting that the final track, “Paper Cut,” is the only one with a solo songwriting credit. However, when talking about “Scene of the Crime” she explained that the song was too raw and personal to finish alone. I imagine many of the tracks had a similar songwriting journey. Lyn’s collaborators have helped her create an album which shares so much wisdom and makes a profound emotional impact.

Paper Cuts is out now. Lyn is currently on tour to support its release. See her anywhere you can.

Images used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

Lyn Bowtell is back with “Cold Shiver,” a brand-new track that showcases a brand-new sound for this acclaimed singer-songwriter. I’ve always appreciated her superb lyrics, but her gentle country-folk music rarely grabbed me. This has much more of a ‘70s country-rock feel and I’m here for it.

The song came out of a Victorian songwriting retreat hosted by Carter Carter. Lyn worked on the song with Carmel Charlton, Elissa Parsons, Jenny Churchill, Lea Groves, Michelle Walker, and Melanie Gray. That’s a serious collaborative effort, but it’s paid off.

“We had a spare hour, so I threw it out there, ‘Let’s write something!’” Lyn said. “At first, they looked at me like I was mad, but we split into melody and lyric teams and just went for it. No pressure, no rules, just pure, spontaneous creativity. It was winter, and the working title was Cold Weather, but what we ended up with was something none of us could’ve written on our own.”

“We imagined a guy meeting a girl at a ski resort,” Lyn explained. “She was just after a bit of fun, but he fell harder than expected. There’s no bitterness in it, just a wistful kind of hope. That feeling when you remember someone and, out of nowhere, you get that chill… a cold shiver. It’s playful, nostalgic, and a fun to perform.”

Lyn is gearing up to release her next album Paper Cuts in the coming months. She’s got a stack of gigs coming up, including some shows to promote that album, so catch her anywhere you can.

12 July 2025 – North Tamworth Bowling Club, Calala/North Tamworth (with Luke O’Shea)
26 July 2025 – The Irish Club, Ngambri/Canberra (with Luke O’Shea)
27 July 2025 – Robertson Public House and Kitchen, Gundungurra Country/Robertson (with Luke O’Shea)
2 August 2025 – The Beer Shed, Dharawal Country/Campbelltown (album launch)
3 August 2025 – Flamingos, Mulubinba/Newcastle (album launch)
29 August 2025 – Crossroads Bar, Thubbo/Dubbo
30 August 2025 – The Agrestic Grocer, Wiradjuri Country/Orange
31 August 2025 – The Cordial Factory, Wiradjuri Country/Grenfell
24 October 2025 – Mantra Studio Kitchen & Bar, Wurundjeri Country/Yarraville
25 October 2025 – Noojee Hotel, Wurundjeri Country/Noojee
26 October 2025 – The Shed Theatre @ The Pig & Whistle, Bunurong Country/Main Ridge
18 November 2025 – Country Music Cruise to NZ, departs Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

Tag: Paper Cuts

“Paper Cuts” – Lyn Bowtell

Lyn Bowtell Releases Nostalgic New Single, “Cold Shiver”