Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ highlights our favourite Australian music released over the past seven days.
Catch up on previous coverage of Oliver Cronin, Delivery, RÜFÜS DU SOL, KUČKA, Ripple Effect Band, Mitch Tambo, and check out fresh tracks from Sycco, Kosmetika, Nice Biscuit, Nick Ward, Anna Lunoe, merci, mercy, Logic1000, Greg Gould, TOWNS, Joan & The Giants, and Vlossom below.
Sycco – “Touching and Talking”
Sycco, aka Sasha McLeod, is getting ready to drop her debut LP Zorb this August. Her latest track is a swirling synth-pop groove that captures the fleeting feeling of love at first sight.
Kosmetika – Luxury
Melbourne’s Kosmetika kick it up a notch with their third album, Luxury. Unlike the DIY approach of their last record, Illustration, this one has all five members jamming together for a full live band sound. Across 10 tracks, they dive into everything from high-energy guitar pop to punk and psych-tinged shoegaze slow burners, giving you a diverse and detailed listening experience.
Nice Biscuit – “The Star”
Brisbane’s Nice Biscuit drop their new single, “The Star”, as well as announce their sophomore album, SOS. The opening track is a dancey psych-pop gem all about finding hope and recovery after dealing with pain and chaos.
Nick Ward – “All Your Life”
Nick Ward is undeniably on a roll, gearing up to support Troye Sivan on his upcoming Australia and New Zealand tour. The Sydney-based musician also has a new song out, “All Your Life”, from his newly announced debut album House with the Blue Door, dropping on October 4th.
The sentimental pop track comes with a heartfelt music video featuring Super 8 film shot by Ward’s grandparents in the late ’50s and ’60s. The footage captures their journey from Malaysia to Perth, finally digitised after being tucked away for 70 years in a suitcase.
Anna Lunoe & Y U QT – “Only Love”
Electronic powerhouse Anna Lunoe teams up with UK duo Y U QT on “Only Love”. Hooks and driving synths galore.
“‘Only Love’ is a pure shot of spirit and hope from us to you,” Lunoe shares. “Some things feel really hard won but this song feels like it was meant to exist somehow for a reason not yet known. Coops and Darryl from Y U QT are besties from high school and being around them makes me feel like a few parts of 14 year old Anna might just still be in there and I love that.”
merci, mercy – “Angel”
merci, mercy takes an unapologetic approach on “Angel”, best described by the pop artist herself: “‘Angel’ is about being constantly sad and tired but not allowing that to stop you from being a hottie. It’s the perfect song to get ready to, to ensure you remember to be yourself and not care what others think.”
Logic1000 – “heartbeat” (ft. VV Pete)
Logic1000 is dropping reworked versions of tracks from her debut mother, now titled mother:;~ rebirth, featuring a host of special guests. Up next is “heartbeat”, featuring Sydney-based rapper Vv Pete.
Berlin-based producer Samantha Poulter had high praise for Vv Pete: “I think it was already quite a tough and deep tune, but with Vv’s vocals it pushes it even deeper. I’ve had the vocal hook in my head ever since I heard it the first time. She really did nail the brief! Vv is a star and I hope we can write together again.”
Greg Gould – Strings Attached
Go big or go home! Australian singer-songwriter Greg Gould certainly got the memo with his brand new album, Strings Attached. This pop-soul collection features guests like Broadway icon Shoshana Bean, drag superstar Kween Kong, and Idol’s Kate DeAraugo, bringing a star-studded feel to all 13 tracks.
TOWNS – “l8tely”
Join TOWN’s self-care party with their new track “l8tely”, written by the Adelaide pop-punk duo about the relatable struggle of knowing how to solve your problems but not quite taking that crucial step.
Joan & the Giants – “Feels Like Heartache”
Joan & the Giants switch gears with “Feels Like Heartache”, a slow, melancholic song described by the Perth-based indie-pop band as their most personal and honest yet.
“It’s centred around longing for the person you love more than anything but knowing it’s an addiction and isn’t good for you,” says Grace Newton-Wordsworth. “Being brutally honest isn’t easy, but honesty to us is a very important thing, especially in our songwriting.”
Vlossom – “Burn3r”
Vlossom returns with his first new music in two years, now spearheaded by Australian musician Alister Wright in his solo endeavour. “Burn3r” blends DIY pop-rock with feel-good psychedelia, and is about redemption.
Wright shares more: “This is a story of REDEMPTION. I got absolutely nailed over the last couple of years and I didn’t want to make music any more. ‘Burn3r’ was the soundtrack to my training montage while I was ripping dance moves in the garage. Now I want to share it with my friends so we can rip it together.”
