A further ten new tracks have been added to our Discovery playlist on Apple Music and Spotify, including two tracks we had exclusive premieres for earlier in the week. Melbourne alt-folk artist Za Noon takes home our Track of the Week with her new single “Beg”.
Za Noon is the solo venture of Jess Zanoni, the front woman of Melbourne dream pop group Arbes. “Beg” is the first release of the new venture and marks the start of something of a new sonic identity for the artist. Trading in the synths for guitar “Beg” is tender, emotive and quietly captivating – thanks in no small part to Zanoni’s ethereal vocals.There’s plenty of talent backing Za Noon up as well, with Isaac Gunnoo on bass, Arbes bandmate Sam Pannifex on guitar and production, and producer and DJ Georgia Farry on drums.
According to Za Noon, “Beg” is ‘about the love for another person feeling so fundamental to who you are, that you will protect it at all costs, even if it’s to your own detriment.’ Ultimately, it’s a strong and exciting opening salvo to Zanoni’s new project and we can’t wait to hear more.
Japanese Breakfast have released their new album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women). The album is imbued with sadness and melancholy, but it is achingly beautiful. The focus track is “Picture Window”, and a great introduction to the rest of the record. They are coming to Australia in June where they will be performing two exclusive shows – via the RISING festival in Melbourne, and at the Sydney Opera House as part of VIVID live.
“The Stranger” is the new single from the acclaimed and in-demand producer Joseph Futak. Whilst perhaps best known for his work with artists like Tapir!, piglet and lilo, Futak’s own work owes much to the modern American folk songwriting storytellers of Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, and more. “The Stranger” seeps with an atmospheric sombreness that’s utterly compelling and provides ample opportunity for the quality of Futak’s songwriting to shine through.
Planet Rami is the brainchild of Sydney-based artist and musician Rami Al-hanbali. His new single, the soulful indie lament “Pink to Blue” released this week, with a striking Hirondelle directed music video in tow. The introspective track, which was written with ARIA nominated producer, composer and songwriter Tony Buchen and American musician Luther Russell, explores the slow death of a love or romance. Unsurprisingly then there’s a tinge of melancholy to “Pink to Blue” but it never falls into despair.
We’ve been big fans of indie-rockers The Rions since their early days. They seem to stroll through the grades with ease, and their new single, “Shut You Out”, has added further depth to their songwriting and musicianship. This is a track that feels destined to be played in the biggest halls in the country.
Also added to the playlist this week is “This Summer”, the latest noise-pop banger from Sleigh Bells. The track is the third to be released from their new album Bunky Becky Birthday Boy – out April 4th. It’s a bright, bold, overwhelming mash-up of sweetness and aggression that’s an absolute joy to experience.
“Dancing Don’t Feel Right” from Bristol’s alt-indie quartet Adult Leisure is just the track to see you party on into the weekend. The band describes it as , “…. our way of ignoring responsibility, silencing the voice of reason, and giving in to the forbidden thrill of indulgence. The song is about the urge to let loose, to break out of the mould and do the bad thing.”. It’s hard to argue with this – let loose and embrace the moment.
Fresh from a sold out tour of Australia and New Zealand, Durand Jones & The Indications this week announced the release of their forthcoming album (their fourth), Flowers – out June 27th via Dead Oceans. Accompanying the announcement was lead single “Been So Long”, which sees the trio at the top of their game, with immaculate vibes and soulful vocals throughout.
Finally, we’ve added tracks for premieres from Bel Kil (“Wasted Emotion”) and Angelina Curtis (“Stereo”).
Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
Za Noon “Beg”
Japanese Breakfast “Picture Window”
Joseph Futak “The Stranger”
Planet Rami “Pink to Blue”
The Rions “Shut You Out”
Sleigh Bells “This Summer”
Adult Leisure “Dancing Don’t Feel Right”
Durand Jones & The Indications “Been So Long”
Bel Kil “Wasted Emotion” [Exclusive Video Premiere]
Angelina Curtis “Stereo” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
Header Image by Sam Pannifex
