The ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide for 2024: From technology to style

With Mother’s Day coming up, the inevitable choice anxiety is starting to settle in. “Mother’s Day Gift Guide” is frantically being searched on Google in the hopes that dependable publishers will sort through the product bog and serve up some curated suggestions. We aren’t sitting this one out at the AU review. Here’s our annual…

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Fiji Airways flight sale

PSA: Fiji Airways just dropped return flights to Fiji for less than $600

Fiji Airways, known for having one of the most extensive networks in the world, has just dropped a surprise sale that’ll run from now until 17th May. With a flexible travel window of 12 months, it marks one of the best ways for Aussies to jump of overseas and, most importantly, control when they actually…

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Interview: Natasha Henstridge on new horror film Cinderella’s Revenge; “Not the fairy tale as you know it.”

After breaking as the lead in 1995’s Species, Natasha Henstridge soon took the silver screen by storm with roles in such high-profile projects as Maximum Risk, opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme, the comedy The Whole Nine Yards (and its sequel, The Whole Ten Yards), John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars, and the Hugh Jackman thriller Deception. Cinderella’s Revenge…

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New Music Discoveries 26th April: Hayley Mary, Tiny Habits, Girl and Girl and more

We have added another ten tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including two tracks from exclusive premieres this week. Our track of the week is “One Last Drag” from one of our most talented singer/songwriters, Hayley Mary. The track was co-written and co-produced with her husband, Johnny Took of DMA’S. The…

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Interview: The Crow director Alex Proyas on navigating studio systems, AI use in films, and reflecting on I, Robot two decades on

Alex Proyas has long been one of Australia’s greatest directorial exports.  Biding his time between international and local fare – in the same sentence of his work you can mention 1994’s defining The Crow, the ambitious neo-noir sci-fi thriller Dark City, and the blockbuster Will Smith outing I, Robot – the filmmaker has made a…

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Australian pop superstars Sheppard announce release of fourth studio album Zora

Australian pop superstars Sheppard have announced the release of their fourth studio album, sure to be one of the most anticipated records of 2024.  Zora will be released worldwide on June 21st on the back of their move to Nashville, a run of headline shows in the US, and the tenth anniversary of their global…

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Body horror and dramatic flourishes don’t play together in The Demon Disorder: Gold Coast Film Festival Review

There’s a fascinating premise at its core and an impressive heft of body horror effects abounding throughout, but The Demon Disorder never quite conjures enough other-worldly strength to rise above its structural flaws. A tale of three brothers and the demonic trauma they share off the back of their father’s death – presumably the result…

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Film Review: Hanky Panky; Lo-fi comedic horror effort is intentionally nonsensical – whether you like it or not!

To call Hanky Panky inexplicable at times would be an understatement.  And in no way is that intended to be an overt criticism towards Nick Roth and Lindsay Haun‘s wild comedy-horror effort that delights in its science-fiction mentality whilst bathing itself in batshit insanity. It’s an acquired taste of a film, and it definitely benefits…

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Book Review: Interior design becomes erotic in Kyoichi Tsuzuki’s Love Hotels

Flipping through this unassuming pocket book, you become privy to a kaleidoscope of exotic rooms. One has seedy fluorescent lighting and a gritty VCR playing an unknown pink film, another is done up like a convenience store, another looks like a child’s playroom, and yet another has steel doors, brick walls and a dentist’s chair….

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Interview: Blick Bassy chats about Africa meeting Australia with new single “MBONDI”

Blick Bassy is a master of world-building. One need only listen to songs like “Bengue” and “LoBa” to hear this African artist’s unquestionable talent at creating music that drips with feeling. Although his instrumentation is sparse and earthy, his vocals fill spaces with a soaring sense of soul. Having such a gift for vocals and…

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Butterknife

Exclusive EP Premiere: Butterknife – Lilith (2024 EP)

Newcastle/ Awabakal’s alternative-pop fem four-piece band Butterknife have been making waves in the local scene since they dropped their 2019 debut single, “misty”, which has amassed over 1.8 million streams on Spotify alone. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, and we are thrilled today to be premiering their debut EP, Lilith, ahead of…

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Blink Twice trailer asks “Are you having a good time?”

Zoë Kravitz is stepping behind the camera for Blink Twice, a twisted, sinister thriller that is sure to raise a few questions about its certain topicality. Originally titled “Pussy Island”, Kravitz – who also co-wrote the screenplay with E.T. Feigenbaum (TV’s High Fidelity) – directs Channing Tatum as tech billionaire Slater King, who charms (or…

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Film Review: The Fall Guy; Crowd-pleasing actioner is both a love letter to the stunt profession and another showcase of Ryan Gosling’s charisma

Not that we needed reminding, but Ryan Gosling‘s distinct energy – rightfully rebranded as “Kenergy” in the culture-shifting buzz surrounding last year’s Barbie – is entirely unmatched.  We saw it earlier this year with his boisterous rendition of the Oscar-robbed “I’m Just Ken” at the Academy Awards where, without even taking off his sunglasses, he…

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girl in red

girl in red to tour Australia in July

Yes! Norweigan’s girl in red has announced today that she is heading back to Australia in July, playing in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her latest album, I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY! has just been released, and her DOING IT AGAIN tour is heading our way. Marie Ulven, the moniker for girl in red, won…

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The Fires Next Time

Book Review: The Fires Next Time is Peter Christoff’s urgent call to action

Australia’s summer of 2019/20 was one of the most catastrophic bushfire seasons ever recorded. Dubbed ‘Black Summer’, the fires killed 33 people, burned more than 24 million hectares of land, and saw three billion animals killed, injured, or displaced. Few will forget the smoke-shrouded season, the ramifications of which are still being felt today and…

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Wilding

Exclusive Video Premiere: Wilding “I Am” (2024)

Last week, Naarm/Melbourne-based indie band Wilding released the catchy Brit-pop-inspired “I Am”, the lead single from their upcoming album, Whatever I Am, due out on the 3rd of May. We’re pumped today to be premiering the video for the track, a startling and twisted clip which suits perfectly the playful nature of “I Am”. It’s…

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The Raid is a brutal and unrelenting action film that serves as a reminder of the true mastery of the genre: Gold Coast Film Festival Review

As easy as it is to call something like The Raid (released in some territories as The Raid: Redemption, this the result of certain legalities) a “thin” movie in terms of plot and character, Gareth Edwards ultimately thrives on such a simplistic nature, turning in a slaughterhouse of an action movie that rarely lets up…

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Sting is an enjoyably camp horror effort that backs its gross effects with some emotional heft: Gold Coast Film Festival Review

Given the ambition he showed with his Mad Max-meets-Dawn of the Dead B-grade genre piece Wyrmwood (and its respective sequel), it makes sense that Australian director Kiah Roache-Turner would continue his genre mash-ups for his follow-up.  What proves surprising, however, is that for Sting, an ode to the creature feature (and, fittingly, Australia’s fear of…

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Book Review: Emily Gale and Nova Weetman deliver a thrilling Aussie adventure in Outlaw Girls

Outlaw Girls is the second teen novel by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman. Their debut as a team was 2001’s Elsewhere Girls, a teen novel exploring the lives of two Australian girls living in different times. The new release, Outlaw Girls follows the same idea: a time-slip adventure, told from two perspectives at once. The novel…

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K-Pop star BIBI teams up with PlayStation for upcoming title, Stellar Blade

PlayStation Australia have announced that K-Pop star and actress, BIBI, has teamed up with Sony Interactive Entertainment for their upcoming hack-and-slash title, Stellar Blade. BIBI has released a new tie-in song titled Eve, along with a new music video, inspired by the world of Stellar Blade. Check it out for yourself below. Stellar Blade follows…

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Photo Gallery: Stumps + Raave Tapes + The Tullamarines + Grxce – Factory Theatre, Sydney (20.04.24)

Stumps on their Australian tour dropped into the Factory Theatre in Sydney and played to an enthusiastic crowd, showcasing their latest album Arcadia plus all their hits. Supported by some amazing Australian artists, Raave Tapes, The Tullamarines and Grxce. Pete Dovgan was there to capture the action.

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Johnny Hunter

23 Australian acts heading to Brighton for the 2024 Great Escape

Next month, the UK’s premier showcasing event, The Great Escape kicks off. It’s an incredible opportunity for bands to present themselves to new audiences, and it has been a staple for many years for Australian talent. Running from the 15th to 18th of May in Brighton, there are more than 500 artists from around the…

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EP Review: Unpeople – self-titled (2024 EP)

Unpeople emerges as a brilliant beacon in today’s rock scene with their debut self-titled EP, encapsulating a vibrant fusion of punk, metal, and alternative sounds. This band, comprised of former Press to Meco members Jake Crawford and Luke Caley, alongside bassist Meg Mash and drummer Richard Rayner, showcases an impressive synergy and musical craftsmanship. Each…

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Album Review: SeeYouSpaceCowboy – Coup de Grâce (2024 LP)

Since their formation in 2016, SeeYouSpaceCowboy has been a force to reckon with, led by the enigmatic Connie Sgarbossa, whose life experiences form the heart and soul of their music. Through themes of existential angst, addiction struggles, and the depths of mental anguish, Sgarbossa fearlessly delves into her pain with unflinching honesty. This raw vulnerability,…

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Trophy Eyes announce headline Aussie tour with mates Boston Manor

Two powerhouse bands, Trophy Eyes and Boston Manor, are gearing up for an electrifying exchange of live performances across Australia and the UK. The headline Australian tour by Trophy Eyes comes hot on the heels of their massive success with the 2023 album Suicide and Sunshine, a record that has solidified their status as giants…

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The Rions

New Music Discoveries 19th April: The Rions, Pillow Queens, The Charm of Finches and more

We have added another ten tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including two singles we exclusively premiered this week. Our track of the week is “Sweet Cocoon” from Sydney rockers The Rions. Driven along by fuzzy guitars, there’s a maturity and self-assuredness to this new release. It’s about self-preservation, or as…

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Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman officially opens on Waikiki Beach (and it’s very, very good)

Honolulu’s Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (which I reviewed earlier this year) has recently undergone a more than US$80 million renovation. It’s seen the iconic resort (with its origins dating back to the 1950s) reimagined with updated rooms, facilities and the addition of the much lauded Monkeypod Kitchen restaurant – now the fourth location in the…

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The OPPO Enco Buds2 Pro earbuds provide a sleek design and solid battery life

OPPO might make some decent smartphones across multiple price points, but it’s worth noting, that they’ve gotten pretty good at earphones too. We checked out the Enco X2 earbuds last year and were pleasantly surprised. Put it this way; I still use them as my daily drivers. The OPPO Enco Buds2 Pro earbuds might sound…

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Interview: Matthew Brown on Freud’s Last Session, casting Sir Anthony Hopkins, and staying neutral in opposing conversations

In his final days, Sigmund Freud, a recent escapee with his daughter from the Nazi regime, receives a visit from the formidable Oxford Don C.S. Lewis (author of “The Chronicles of Narnia”). On this day, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century intimately engage in a monumental session over the belief in the…

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Here’s every announcement from the Nintendo Indie World Showcase

Nintendo’s new Indie World Showcase took place overnight, highlighting some impressive smaller titles that certainly deserve the hype. We’ve wrapped up all the announcements and accompanying trailers for your convenience below. Enjoy! Little Kitty, Big City Steamworld Heist II Europa Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Cat Quest III Yars Rising Valley Peaks Sticky Business…

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