On the cusp of SXSW Sydney kicking off, we’ve added ten new tracks to our Discovery Playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. Our Track of the Week is “David Byrne” from Sydney-siders STUMPS.
STUMPS are undoubtedly one of the feel-good bands of the last couple of years to emerge out of Sydney. “David Byrne” is from their upcoming album (Arcadia, out 19th Jan 2024) and has sweet finesse and restraint running through it, teasing and tantalising, that builds and uplifts. The band are stretching themselves creatively and it is paying off in spades.
Sydney duo Salarymen have released “Second Sight”, yet again showcasing their gorgeous harmonies and jangly guitars. They describe the song as “..essentially about having a good bullshit radar – seeing through the social climbers and the manipulators.”. Definitely a skill you need in the music industry. The band are on a roll, having toured with Royel Otis, playing at SXSW Austin, on the bill for this year’s Lost Paradise and alson on the lineup for SXSW Sydney.
“Leather” is the new single from Naarm/Melbourne shoegaze-indie rockers Blue Vedder. The vibe, however, is a bit less dreamy and airy than your standard shoegaze track though. Instead it’s a little bit moody, a bit melancholic, with taut swirling guitars and edgy vocals. It’s a vibe. You’ll be able to catch Blue Vedder this weekend at Yours and Owls and then at Split Milk (Ballarat) in December. The band will also be launching the single at The Bergy Bandroom on November 6th. Tickets are available HERE.
Manchester singer-songwriter Morgan Harper-Jones has this week announced the release date of her forthcoming debut album, Up To The Glass, by dropping lead single “Boombox”. It’s a strong and welcome introduction to Harper-Jones’ music; with a stunning central vocal that tows the line between vulnerability and defiance. But it’s the defiance that wins out in the end with, Harper-Jones’ character offering up the ultimatum “let me in or let me go”. This one is a bop, and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.
Chvrches fans will be delighted that lead singer Lauren Mayberry has dropped another solo single, “Shame”. As you would expect, her vocals are gorgeous. It follows on from her debut solo single, “Are You Awake?” that dropped last month. She has been touring in the US and Europe. Let’s hope Lauren heads down to Australia before too long.
“Please Come Home” is the latest collaborative single from soul singer Maiiah and the Hamburg collective Angels of Libra; and comes ahead of the release of a full-length self-titled album next week. This is a track that absolutely revels in its classic soul sound; from those tight horn arrangements to those powerhouse vocals this delivers. If you’re a fan of Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, then this is for you. If you’re a fan of the music of Motown and Stax, then this is for you. Get amongst it!
Finally, we have premieres from Space&Ages and Muscle Mary.
Catch the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
Stumps “David Byrne”
Blue Vedder “Leather”
Salarymen “Second Sight”
Morgan Harper-Jones “Boombox”
Lauren Mayberry “Shame”
Beth Caldow “Rose Coloured Glasses”
Friend of a Friend “Always on Time”
Maiiah & the Angels of Libra “Please Come Home”
Space&Ages “Trial & Error” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
Muscle Mary “Optics” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
