Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ keeps you plugged into the freshest sounds from Australian music.
Catch up on past coverage featuring Merpire, DICE, Jade Imagine, Ocean Alley, and Hands Like Houses. Here’s what else you might’ve missed:
HAAi – “Can’t Stand To Lose”
London-based, Australian-born producer HAAi delivers a lush, hazy rush of electronica on this new single. Love slips through your fingers, and HAAi captures that feeling perfectly. “It’s a meditation on what we gain and what we leave behind,” she says.
ISHAN – “Adventure”
Melbourne’s ISHAN gears up for his debut album with “Adventure”, a punchy track that keeps up the momentum. It’s been a long build-up to Who the Hell is Klara? (out March 28), but ISHAN’s energy hasn’t wavered. “This is a song about needing to escape,” he admits. “The song asks whether I should just run away from it all, prioritizing a life of spontaneity and adventure.”
Ben Swissa – “Feeling Lost”
Forget the title of his soulful new bop, Sydney’s Ben Swissa is on a clear path, announcing his debut EP HUSH (out Friday, March 21st) and his first headline tour. Sydney and Brisbane tickets are already sold-out.
Diver City – Weekend Baby EP
The Wiggles aren’t the only ones making fun, family-friendly music. Diver City—Matt Okine and KLP’s children’s project—return with Weekend Baby, a feel-good EP for kids and parents alike.
BESTIES – “You Made a Mess of Me”
Fresh from a huge track with Yours Truly, Sydney’s pop-punk act BESTIES return with “You Made a Mess of Me”, co-written with Somber Hills and Aurateque frontwoman Lauren Coleman. The track follows a huge year for the band, who recently supported Lil Lotus on his debut Australian headline tour.
Hein Cooper – “Avalon”
Australian singer-songwriter Hein Cooper gears up for his fourth album My Own (out Friday, May 23rd) with “Avalon”, featuring Indigenous artist The Boy of Many Colors. “The song pairs an upbeat, almost celebratory sound with themes of excess and materialism,” says Cooper.
Larissa Lambert – “Cardio”
Larissa Lambert puts her own spin on Fabolous’ “Can’t Let You Go”, serving up a sultry, 2000s-inspired rework.
Tetsuians – Ego and Echo
Melbourne indie rockers Tetsuians drop their “most ambitious project to date”—their fourth album, Ego and Echo. The release comes just ahead of a US tour.
Close Counters – LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY
Naarm duo Close Counters mix soul, broken beat, house, and jazz on LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY, featuring Lyric Jones, Tiana Khasi, Allysha Joy, Jace XL, and Shiv. “It’s a concept album about transporting listeners to a club or collective manifesting a better world through art.”
Emerauld – “In the First Place”
South Australian singer-songwriter Emerauld tackles self-doubt on this assured indie-rock tune. “The song dives into my frustration, but the chorus reminds me that I don’t owe anyone anything,” she says.
Bootleg Rascal – “From the Very Start”
Gold Coast’s Bootleg Rascal return with a feel-good party tune. Guitarist Jimmy Young explains, “This song is all about beginnings—romantic relationships, musical collaborations, friendships, and careers.” They hit New Zealand in May for four dates.
Oceanique – “Mountains”
Naarm-based indie-folk duo Oceanique (twin sisters Maddy and Jess Houston) return with “Mountains”, their first new music since 2023’s debut album. The song evolved over time, shifting from jealousy to a call for kindness.
Skyscraper Stan – Those Were Days
NZ-born, Australia-based artist Skyscraper Stan delivers a nostalgic collection of songs about his early 20s in Fitzroy and Collingwood, backed by his longtime band and collaborators.
Playlunch – “Boys”
Melbourne’s self-proclaimed “Bogan Funk” band Playlunch brings dancefloor-ready disco chaos on “Boys.”
Beddy Rays – “Red Lights”
Brisbane punks Beddy Rays drop the lead single “Red Lights” from their highly anticipated second album, Do What You Wanna (out Friday, April 18th). The track arrives with a western-themed video clip.
Bukowski – I Don’t Wanna Live, I Don’t Wanna Die
Melbourne emo/punk outfit Bukowski unleash their first full-length record, produced by Jack Newlyn (Paradise Club). A mix of emotion, big riffs, and quiet introspection.
Amalia – “Look Alive”
Melbourne pop artist (and recent ‘In My Room’ feature) Amalia has a soaring new single to her name with “Look Alive”. A rising name in the Melbourne music scene, Amalia describes her sound as “a dash of nostalgic rock and a sprinkle of eclectic pop… served in vintage crystal,” blending old and new with ease.
Sumner – Retrograde EP
Tasmanian duo Sumner return with Retrograde, a fresh EP featuring the heartfelt new tracks “Follow” and “When You’re Alone.”
“Retrograde is a reset to what we want to hear, and how we love to create,” they share. “We wrote and recorded an EP in 2022 that ended up being scrapped, which felt like a setback at the time; but it proved to be a blessing in disguise as it paved the way for us to create this body of work that resonates deeply with us as artists, and reflects the sounds we want to put out into the world.”
KEZRA – “Another Life”
Melbourne indie-folk artist KEZRA pivots to country music with the swooning “Another Life.”
Brittany Holt – “Psychopath”
Melbourne-based artist Brittany Holt is racking up TikTok streams with her punchy pop sound. Her latest, “Psychopath”, is full of energy.
The Audreys – “Beatles V Stones”
Last but not least, The Audreys unveil “Beatles V Stones”, a country-tinged ballad and the lead single from their upcoming fifth album, Ruin & Repair (out Friday, March 14th).
