Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ rounds up our favourite Australian music releases from the past seven days.
Catch up on previous coverage on The Terrys, Polish Club, James Johnston, Illy, Hayden James, Angie McMahon and RUFUS DU SOL, and check out fresh highlights from Ripple Effect Band, Arno Faraji, Miami Horror, Rin McArdle, Boy & Bear and Boo Seeka, and Slowly Slowly below.
Ripple Effect Band – Mayawa
This all-women’s group from Maningrida, Arnhem Land, just dropped their debut album. Made right on Country with community input, it features nine folk and rock tracks, some in the rare Na-Kara language. It’s a heartfelt tribute to both past and future generations.
Arno Faraji – Return To Raji
For a smooth and melodic hip-hop album, look no further than Perth-based rapper and producer Arno Faraji’s debut mixtape this week.
Faraji explains,“To me, the title Return to Raji is about regaining a sense of identity and spirit. Looking at where I’ve been and where l’ve been tryna go, having a sense of confidence and direction reinstalled, it’s about getting a spark again and feeling charged.”
Miami Horror – “TOGETHER”
Australian-born, LA-based producer Benjamin Plant is back with “TOGETHER,” nine years after their last album. It’s a nostalgic blend of downtempo disco and indie pop, featuring Ngaiire, Ayoni, and Beckah Amani. Plant says it’s about unity and capturing that magical, childlike feeling in music.
“‘TOGETHER’ was originally about coming together, as we wanted to remind people about unity in a time when we were experiencing so much division. We grew up in a time when countries felt more united, and people had more of a ‘love thy neighbour’ approach to life.
“As we were playing around with the sample, we felt the song had a childlike innocence that we also wanted to channel. It reminded us of the nostalgic childhood emotions we felt toward music, when it wasn’t pretentious, when it felt somewhat magic, and a song could feel like an adventure. We’ve always admired songs that resonate across all ages, whether you’re a child or a grandparent.”
Rin McArdle – “Strings”
Naarm/Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist Rin McArdle has a new single, “Strings,” exclusive on Bandcamp with proceeds going to Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA).
McArdle says,“Art should reflect the times and what people are experiencing, not just individually but collectively. I personally would love to see more artists writing about things that are happening in the world that matter and to not be scared. There is nothing normal about what is happening in Palestine, we can’t just ignore it.”
Boy & Bear, Boo Seeka – “Want You”
Boy & Bear and Boo Seeka join forces on the uplifting “Want You,” made during their UK and Europe tour earlier this year. The story goes that Ben ‘Boo’ Gumbleton came up with the lyric and melody “I want you all the time” while lost in thought on grimy backstage steps in Berlin.
“I was completely in my own world… Jay caught me and said I should show it to the boys and without hesitation this song was being born. One of the quickest songs I’ve personally ever seen get written,” Gumbleton shares.
Slowly Slowly – “Forgiving Spree”
Indie rockers Slowly Slowly have announced their fifth studio album, Forgiving Spree. The title track kicks off the record with a bang, about letting go of grudges and moving forward.
“‘Forgiving Spree’ was written at the end of the writing period for the album. It’s a song about moving on, real deep lasting change, and the act of forgiveness as a tool to achieve it. It is also a reminder that forgiveness can be a tool used to move forward, let go, grow. and not look back.”
