Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ brings you the best new sounds from Australian artists.
Catch up on our past coverage of Liz Stringer, Dope Lemon and grentperez.
Here’s what else you might have missed last week:
Mess Esque – Jay Marie, Comfort Me
Helen Franzmann and Mick Turner’s duo Mess Esque return with Jay Marie, Comfort Me. Their third album blends their signature handmade, heartfelt soul, featuring live band contributions.
ISHAN – Who the hell is Klara?
ISHAN’s debut album, Who the Hell is Klara?, has finally arrived, following a strong build-up with fun and catchy tracks like “Her Boyfriend’s House, “Supernova” and “Make Up Moves” (featured in our Song You Need to Know series).
Brainchip – “I AM NPC”
Brainchip, the new experimental electronic trio featuring Simon Mavin (Hiatus Kaiyote), Laneous (Laneous & the Family Yah), and Alon Ilsar (AirSticks inventor), drop their first single, “I AM NPC”, a mix of electronic beats and psychedelia that promises interesting things for their upcoming album.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – “Weird World Awoke”
“Weird World Awoke” by Perth’s Psychedelic Porn Crumpets blends chaos with deep thinking. The track gives a preview of their upcoming album with its wild, genre-bending sound.
End Scene – I Will Not Live Safe, I Will Live True
End Scene’s I Will Not Live Safe, I Will Live True offers a mix of dreamy guitars, catchy pop, and punk. A follow-up to their 2021 debut All My Ghosts, the album’s lyrics are thoughtful and honest, with a fun, rebellious energy that makes it stand out.
The title reflects the band’s commitment to being their authentic selves, inspired by the themes of Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow. “We feel like the album title is a good mantra for anyone who needs some courage to make art and put it out into the world,” End Scene explain.
L-FRESH the LION – “FLY ABOVE IT”
After a few years off the release radar, the South-West Sydney rapper has emerged with a new single, “FLY ABOVE IT”. Self-produced and mixed, the track bounces with 2000s boom bap energy, driven by sharp bars and a clear message: speak your truth, stay standing, and keep rising.
CLAMM – “No Idea”
Melbourne’s CLAMM return with “No Idea”, a punk track aimed at societal injustice. With jangly guitars and biting lyrics, this track keeps the band’s direct approach alive.
Ruby Gill – Some Kind of Control
Ruby Gill’s new album, Some Kind of Control, explores themes of autonomy, queerness, and politics, ushering in a “cheekier, looser, gayer, and even more raw” chapter of her career.
Kraak & Smaak, Butter Bath – “Heat”
“Heat”, a collab with Dutch trio Kraak & Smaak, is a smooth, groovy banger that blends both artists’ sounds. It’s a great example of Butter Bath’s knack for turning rough demos into polished, irresistible tracks.
Velvet Bloom – Velvet Bloom
Melbourne’s Velvet Bloom have unveiled their self titled debut album ahead of the band’s 23-date national tour. “This album draws inspiration from soul classics and modern alternative-pop, while blending genres like folk, funk, neo-soul and indie-rock into the mix,” they explain.
Eera, Rapallo – “Our Chance”
Surf Gang founding member and producer Eera has joined forces with Gold Coast producer Rapallo for his first single of 2025 “Our Chance”, a “beach trance instrumental”, with bright strings and keys.
Chitra – “Close Proximity”
Naarm’s Chitra explores emotional entanglement in past relationships with “Close Proximity”. “It’s about that dangerous tendency to romanticise the past and how that can keep you trapped in patterns that don’t serve you anymore,” Chitra says, describing the freedom that comes when you finally see things clearly.
The Wolston Butchers – “Play These Games”
Following the rip-roaing “Live Dead Die Fast”, The Wolston Butchers keep their energy high with “Play These Games”, signalling the band’s continued momentum.
KAHUKX, BackRoad Gee – “Caribbean”
KAHUKX teams up with UK’s BackRoad Gee for “Caribbean”, a heavy drill number blending contrasting flows. KAHUKX says, “I’m proud to continuously show that the Sydney sound can collaborate with any other in the world.”
Loose Content – Costumes
Melbourne/Naarm-based alt-rock trio Loose Content release their debut EP Costumes. The EP explores pivotal moments in the band’s journey, including haunting tracks like “Where The Hollow People Sleep” and the politically charged follow-up “Pet Alsatian.”
Close Counters, Shiv – “BUTTER BREAD”
After their ARIA-charting album LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY, Naarm-based Close Counters are back with the soulful “BUTTER BREAD”, featuring Irish singer-songwriter Shiv.
Allan McConnell says, “It’s nostalgic and reflects on the closeness that once was, but with an understanding that things have changed. There’s a bit of longing, but also a quiet appreciation for the memories that linger.”
Venice Qin – “NEW WOMAN”
After performances at CGRA, Colorado, and BIG GAY OUT in New Zealand, Venice Qin is feeling like a “NEW WOMAN” in 2025. Qin says: “I wrote ‘NEW WOMAN’ while sitting on the floor of my apartment in Sydney. At the time I had recently gone through the most horrific heartbreak (up until this point, lol), flown to China and back, just moved apartments, it was chaos. It’s the typical girl with heartbreak, and I am MOVING ON story! We’ve all been there.”
Velvet Trip – “The Here and Now”
Velvet Trip announce their national EP tour ahead of the May 2nd release with their new single “The Here and Now”. The band also landed a spot on triple j’s One Night Stand lineup.
MF Tomlinson – “Die to Wake Up From a Dream”
London-based, Australia-born MF Tomlinson’s third album Die to Wake Up From a Dream arrives July 11th. The record explores human experience, weaving folk, shoegaze, art-rock, and orchestral traditions. The nine-minute title track captures dreams of monsters and the sensation of drowning in time. “It speaks to the sensation of drowning in the years. Scenes flash by so fast we soon know that we are in a dream, then a nightmare,” he says.
Jerome Blazé – “Rosella Blessing” (ft. Beryl, Hannah McKittrick, and Kathleen Frances)
Sydney’s Jerome Blazé drops “Rosella Blessing”, a rework featuring Beryl, Hannah McKittrick, and Kathleen Frances. It’s part of a series of monthly reworks, coming alongside Blazé’s debut East Coast tour.
Yorke – “sorry in advance”
Last but not least, Australian alt-pop artist Yorke isn’t holding any punches with the single “sorry in advance” from her upcoming EP unfinished business, set for release on June 13th.
