After a brief hiatus, Australian hip-hop royalty Hilltop Hoods are back, delivering “The Gift,” a richly textured collaboration with Larrakia-born artist Marlon.
The track is a taste of their highly-anticipated ninth studio album, set to drop later this year—their first full-length release since 2019’s The Great Expanse.
Teaming up with singer-songwriter Marlon—whose soulful vocals evoke shades of Leon Bridges and The Weeknd—was a natural choice for the Adelaide trio. Both acts share a longtime collaborator in producer Trials, making this fusion of storytelling, nostalgia, and emotional depth feel like a seamless extension of their artistic evolution.
Well known for their quick-witted lyricism, the MCs get deep on this track. “My dad used to put on the blues, I could hear his head banging on the wall in the next room / And now after he had passed, I realised it was music he had passed,” Suffa spits in one heart wrenching line.
“‘The Gift’ explores the relationship between family and music,” he explains. “I grew up in a house filled with music. My Dad played guitar and was an avid record collector, my Mum was a music teacher, and my brothers were musicians. I know that this informed my love of music as a kid, and for me, that’s the greatest gift that my family ever gave me.”
Accompanying the release is an official music video directed by award-winning filmmaker Richard Coburn (“1955,” “Cosby Sweater,” “Exit Sign”). The visual tribute taps into the nostalgia of growing up in a home where music was ever-present, illustrating how one’s passion for sound is often passed down through familial lines.
“We’ve collaborated with Richard Coburn on a lot of film clips, but for me, this video might be the most special—it just has so much heart,” says Suffa.
“The clip deals with the Hoods remembering the music their parents and families, neighbours and friends exposed them to that helped form their love of music. Beautiful vignettes that tell the story of the influence of
growing up in an environment of music,” Coburn adds. “It’s a nostalgic look at how our parents’ love of music is like a gift that they pass down to their children.”
While the Hoods have remained active with single releases and regular tours in recent years—including 2020’s “I’m Good?,” which went triple ARIA Platinum and raised over $608,000 for Support Act’s Roadies (Crew) Fund, and 2023’s “Laced Up”—”The Gift” marks their official return to album mode, setting the stage for their highly anticipated next chapter.
Hilltop Hoods’ forthcoming album—their first in six years— is nearly complete, and Pressure believes the time away has only strengthened their craft. “We’ve had a long time to work on the record and expand on ideas,” he says. “It’ll be six years since The Great Expanse when this comes out, but it will be a stronger record because of the time taken.”
Hilltop Hoods will return to Australian and European festival stages this year, with confirmed performances at Bluesfest Byron Bay and Switzerland’s Taubertal, Openair, and Lakelive festivals, with more shows expected to be announced.
Hilltop Hoods’ “The Gift” is out now via Island Records Australia/Universal Music Group.
