A collection of my favourite songs from the month of September and the thoughts that come with them.
OK Hotel Have Probably Written the Chorus of the Year
If the various graduating classes of 2020 need an anthem to capture the mood of the room yet still feel anthemic and uplifted, I’d put forward Life is Crazy (Like That) as the front runner.
A Not Good, Not Bad, But Really Quite Great Song About A Break Up
Sitting somewhere between Middle Kids and The Beths, Not Bad, Not Good offer so much more than their name suggests. A brilliant band that promise bright and blisteringly smart songs.
Positivity, Protest and Place on Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra's Welcome to the Neighbourhood
As a straight white male of colonial descent, it isn’t my job to tell the story of this song, but it is my job to amplify diverse voices the best I can. I implore you to listen to Welcome to the Neighbourhood and then listen to it again and again.
Best Of: August 2020
The best tracks of August 2020, to send off your winter with a mixed bag of brilliance.
Breakups and breakdowns on You Just Hit The Jackpot, Tiger
A delicate and reflective song that contemplates until it cracks and drives its chorus to a strained cresendo.
A Meteoric Song of the Mundane, All The Same, Sees Sweater Curse At Their Best
All The Same is the sum of all it’s parts being continually pushed and twisted around themselves. Just as you settle into the song, a stop is pulled out and further gear is found within the vivid chemistry of Sweater Curse.
The Powerful Helplessness of Doom with Obscura Hail
Doomer is remarkably powerful in its ability to pull you in from the edge of your own internal doom, throw its arms around you and remind you we’re all in this together and working through it.
Jack R Reilly Bares His Bones on Old Guard
As a song, Old Guard is stripped so bare that it forces you to come face to face with it, to feel it and feel moved by it.
Australian Artists to Keep Your Folklore Binge Flowing
Australia is brimming with songwriters who will sing directly to you heart and give you reason to shine when you’ve hit repeat of Taylor one time too many.
PREMIERE: loulou – It Spills Out
Across four earnest tracks of vulnerability and mental health, Meanjin based trio loulou create a memorable debut.
Burnt Out Cars And Relationships In Bec Sykes Stunning Debut
Stripped bare to just a piano and vocal, the song is a stunning act of simplicity that allows Sykes voice to strap you into the passenger seat and drive you deep into its imagery.
Self-Awareness And A Somewhat Celebration With RAT!hammock
Flush with trumpets, a Tamara & the Dreams feature and an endlessly upbeat salvo of drums, guitar licks and lyrics. Word of the Day is a feat of songwriting and production that feels likely to stay stuck in your head for the rest of the year.
The Brilliance of Alexander Biggs
There is something intangible and magical in Alexander Biggs’ ability to entirely floor a listener in an opening lyric. For three releases in a row now, I have found myself entirely arrested and unable to turn away from an opening verse.
Five Tracks For The Love Of Footy
I miss footy.
Who's Who in the New Hood of Australian Hip Hop
Australian Hip-Hop is evolving. Dive in and find a world of talent boiling away outside the eye of traditional music media.
Camp 8 Drops Absolute Chills With Barbie/Shudder Split Release
Two days ago I hadn’t heard a Camp 8 song. Today I can easily say I have listened to both songs on the split release a dozen times a piece without tiring or wanting to turn off.
EGOISM's Latest Single What Are We Doing? Is Stunning Sophisticated Pop That Sticks
Since first seeing EGOISM live last week, I’ve found myself coming back to the chorus of the band’s latest single What Are We Doing? on an eternal loop in the back of my head. A song so beautiful I hope it stays stuck for weeks to come.
Hannah Blackburn's Tiny Car Is A Slow Rolling Rock N Roll Triumph
An exercise in restraint and masterful release, Blackburn, is bold and brilliant in bringing her vision to life in latest single Tiny Car.
Moreton’s ‘See Yourself’ Is A Stunning Duet That Shines
Moreton’s ‘See Yourself’ is lofty, spacious and perfectly executed in a way that leaves its slow drawn lyrics lingering with you long after first listen. It also features none other than James Vincent McMorrow.