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Best Australian Music of the Week: April 15th-21st

Stay up to date with all the standout tracks released last week with Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s weekly roundup

Nick Ward

Nick Ward

Joe Brennan

Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ dives into our favourite Australian music released from the past seven days. Today, explore fresh tracks from Nick Ward, Oliver Cronin, The Rions, South Summit, Kobie Dee, Eves Karydas, Alice Ivy, Becca Hatch, Eaglemont, and more.

Nick Ward – “Shooting Star” 

After impressing with the hooky melodies on “Gimme”, Nick Ward returns with another fun track: the triumphant and affirming “Shooting Star” from the rising pop artist’s forthcoming debut album due out later this year.

Teaming up with fellow Full Circle artists SOLLYY and FRIDAY*, Ward created the new anthem as a confidence boost from family support and his love for music. Accompanied by a cinematic sports-themed video, adding extra star power, the song quickly rose to #1 on Spotify’s New Music Friday AU & NZ, only to be nudged out by Taylor Swift this week.

Oliver Cronin – “Burning House” 

Oliver Cronin, recently recognised in Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s Future of Music, keeps the momentum blazing with his new single, “Burning House”. In this pulsating synth track, the ambitious Sydney-based artist sings about finding solace in the arms of a loved one, even when everything else is going wrong. And the catchy song seems to have started a new Tik Tok trend

The Rions – “Sweet Cocoon” 

The Rions are back with a vengeance on “Sweet Cocoon”, a track described by the band as “an ode to bitterness.” This unapologetic tracks blasts away past selves and mistakes into sweet oblivion, setting the stage for their upcoming national tour next month. 

South Summit – “Givin’ It Up” 

It’s a new chapter for the West Australian group as they unveil “Givin’ It Up” ahead of their headline Australia tour next month. With its breezy reggae vibes, it’s like having a backyard jam session wherever you are.

Kobie Dee – “Warriors & Storytellers”

A huge drop from the Gomeroi rapper. Kobie Dee takes a victory lap on new single “Warriors & Storytellers”, reflecting on a year of milestones with fervent raps over trap beats. 

Eves Karydas – “Girlboss” 

The opening track of Queenslander’s upcoming album, Burnt Tapes, out July 5th, is a stripped-back acoustic gem. Karydas shows a different side, proving she’s a “Girlboss” without being loud. “I’m a whisper, not a scream… maybe I like being soft,” she sings. 

Void of Vision – “Empty”  

The Australian metalcore band drop a powerful new song, written by frontman Jack Bergin during tour last year after serious brain surgery. It’s a raw journey through bottled-up emotions and self-perception shifts.

“We’d just completed our first run of shows back since I had surgery following a brain AVM rupture in April, which left me facing mixed emotions I didn’t expect. On one hand, we were playing our largest-ever headline shows to date and selling them all out, and on the other I was facing the fear of getting up onstage every night risking another potential rupture every set I played.”

Alice Ivy – “Criminal feat. Kah Lo & BJ The Chicago Kid” 

Switching gears from her alt-rock collab “Popstar” with Låpsley, Alicy Ivy taps into pulsating club sounds with “Criminal.” Linking up with US rapper BJ The Chicago Kid and Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah Lo, Ivy proves her chameleon-like talent in this latest international venture. 

Somber Hills – “Not There”  

“Nothing ever fits right, life’s a baggy t shirt,” Somber Hills shrugs off on his new song “Not There”. Serving as his first track of the year, it’s an exciting addition to the rising alt-rap star’s repertoire of melodic pop-punk.

Becca Hatch – “Think of You” 

The Sydney-based artist has been on regular rotation with her infectious melodies, and “Think Of You” is no exception. Its smooth, glitched-up groove is just so easy to move to, and her ethereal vocal performance really stands out.

Emma Donovan – Til My Song Is Done

Emma Donovan returns to her childhood love of country music with her new solo album, Til My Song Is Done. This marks Donovan’s second solo album, following her work backed by the funk/soul ensemble The Putbacks. The album features guest appearances from Liz Stringer and Paul Kelly.

Telenova – “The Power” 

“The Power” is a moody, disco-infused song full of lust and longing from the Melbourne trio. The polished release marks the first single from Telenova’s upcoming debut album, ahead of a national tour.

Eaglemont – “Party Boy’ 

Melbourne’s Eaglemont, AKA Bridgitte Jessop, has delivered another dose of gnarly rock with the title track of her debut record, “Party Boy”.

This song represents the entire ethos of the album itself, also named Party Boy, which is a languishing walk down every wrong turn, every failed relationship and a sense of acceptance, when it all crumbles and you find your way in the end,” Jessop says.

Y.O.G.A. – “Rodeo”

Last but not least, a bit of fun from Y.O.G.A. (Your Only Great Always), Reuben Styles’ solo project. Best known as one half of Aussie EDM duo Peking Duk, he’s gone full country on this straight-up banger featuring Nashville-based sensation AViVA, crooning about being a “cowboy in the neon lights.”