Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ rounds up our favourite Australian music releases from the past seven days.
Catch up on previous coverage on Teenage Dads, Forest Claudette, and Emily Wurramara, and check out fresh highlights Alex the Astronaut, Emma Russack, Jem Cassar-Daley, Sycco, Nick Ward, ELMAR, Gia Darcy, Juno Mamba, and South Summit below.
Alex the Astronaut – “Pizza”
Proving that heartbreak can be tackled from any angle, Alex the Astronaut sings about lost love and leftovers on their new track, “Cold Pizza.” With a stream-of-consciousness style and straightforward guitar riffs, the song came to life through a collaboration with legendary singer-songwriter Paul Kelly.
Emma Russack – About the Girl
On her sixth album, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Emma Russack lays it all bare, reflecting on everything from past crushes and failed romances. The result is a brilliant mix of songs that highlights her talent for honest, detailed storytelling. The music combines rich, spacious sounds with elegant harmonies, strong guitar strumming, and moody synths – an album that reveals more with every listen.
Jem Cassar-Daley – “Big Container”
Jem Cassar-Daley’s new single, “Big Container,” unpacks heartache backed by soft synths and acoustic guitar. But it’s her fluttering, country-tinged vocals that really make the song stand out. “Oh, if I had the option / To move on and forget / I’d do it in a heartbeat / Grab it with both hands,” she laments.
Sycco – Zorb
You can tell Sycco had a lot of fun making her debut LP, which draws from her memories of living in a rundown sharehouse in Brisbane—think late-night living room parties and deep break-up chats with flatmates. But it’s not just about those humble beginnings. The album got a pop shine from producers like Chrome Sparks (Khalid, Foster the People) and Flume in LA, while still keeping that bedroom DIY feel that launched the Brisbane artist in the first place.
“Swarm” is an easy stand out with its warm, breezy R&B feel, while “Monkey Madness” features skittering Pink Pantheress-esque beats, “The End” offers a psych rock groove, and “Touching and Talking” brings a sweet, sophisticated touch.
Nick Ward – “Control”
Building on his breakthrough year in 2024, Sydney-based Nick Ward is back with “Control,” an electrifying indie rock track about isolation and anxiety. “I’m done self-medicating / Get out of bed, go on and face the day / Or I could stay…” he sings, caught between stepping out of his bedroom and staying within its confines.
The slick music video, directed by Charles Buxton-Leslie, mirrors the claustrophobic lyrics with its expansive blue recreation of Ward’s bedroom. It’s all building to his anticipated debut album, House with the Blue Door, out in October.
ELMAR – “Beneath My Skin”
Jack Froggatt of indie electronic trio Mansionair is launching his new solo project, ELMAR, with the single “Beneath My Skin.” The track, inspired by the ocean and surfing, combines smooth electronic beats and flowing melodies, with Froggatt’s tender falsetto drifting like the sea. Lyrically, it’s about “laying down old habits, feelings and beliefs, in hope for something new.”
Gia Darcy – “Nice Things”
Sydney artist Gia Darcy is on the fence of a new relationship in her latest single, “Nice Things”. With its Swift-esque pop shimmer and Darcy’s angelic vocals, it’s a sweet and strong introduction to her upcoming EP.
Juno Mamba – Cold Rush
Naarm-based producer Juno Mamba’s new EP, Cold Rush, pays tribute to his hometown, Ballarat. The tracks blend intricate beats with personal reflections on his experiences as a Filipino immigrant facing bullying and racism. To really get the energy, Mamba has also shared a live session of the EP recorded at Abbotsford Convent’s Magdalen Laundry.
South Summit – “Catacombs”
Finally, it was a big week for West Australia’s South Summit, who’ve announced their debut album The Bliss, dropping on November 8th. Along with the album news, they’ve released a new single, “Catacombs,” which might be their most danceable track yet.
