With Easter just around the corner, we have added another ten tracks to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including one single we exclusively premiered on Wednesday. Our track of the week is “Through The Trees” from Yolŋu surf-rockers King Stingray.
The track has a euphoric feel to it, yet comes with a serious message, as the band explains: “On the surface it’s a fun traveling song representing adventure, but beneath the surface it talks more deeply on the concept of time and how precious it is. It’s about overcoming adversity, coming out the other side, and reaching that breath of fresh air.”
Good news also came for fans of King Stingray in the last couple of weeks, confirming that they are working on the finishing touches to their sophomore album. We can’t wait for that to drop.
If there’s one thing we really like at AU it’s a jangly guitar. So we’re obviously enjoying “Mallee Country”, the new single from Sydney group Indian Pacific. The band is the brainchild of songwriter, musician and producer Charlie Wells, formerly of Hunting Party.
The single is the first from the forthcoming Indian Pacific debut album, and is inspired by the plight of soldiers returning from World War I and the Victorian soldier settlement scheme. Musically, the cues come from 80s bands such as The Triffids (There’s no denying the nod to “Wide Open Road”) and The Go-Betweens, and some more contemporary fare like The War on Drugs. It all makes for a compelling and atmospheric slice of alt country rock, and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.
We were lucky enough to see Norwegian alt-pop icon AURORA at WOMADelaide last year, and were blown away by her performance. Not just a talented singer/songwriter, she is passionate about causes for the environment and LGBTQIA+ rights. “Some Kind of Skin” starts delicately and builds into an anthemic, swirling high-energy banger.
“On The Run” from Sydney’s Salarymen, may be tracking a relationship that is on the rocks, but they give it a little bit of joy in the process. Continuing on in their rich vein of beautiful harmonies and jangly guitars, their blend of indie rock, psych and pop is always a joy to listen to. They are about to head off to the UK for a tour in May, so it’s bound to be another busy year for the duo.
“Pure & Grey” is the new single from UK producer, composer and musician CAVN. The track, which features vocals from Stefan Kelk, is described by CAVN as a “poignant musical saga that expresses the wrenching experience of loss and heartbreak”. It’s four minutes of barely restrained drama and style, with CAVN in true magpie fashion, plucking sounds and ideas from a whole range of genres and styles. Musically it complemented Kelk’s vocals perfectly and really emphasised the song’s inherent dramatic tension.
If you’ve ever had a massive crush on someone, then you might be able to relate to Melbourne’s Olympia “Creep”. Turning the usual unrequited love song on its head, she boldly sings “‘You just say the word and I’ll be anything you need. Let me be your creep”. This atmospheric and enchanting single is the second from from her upcoming EP, Love For On.
Vampire Duwop is an afro-idigenous art project based on the Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. The project is the brain child of award-winning Mohawk artist, writer and music producer Jonathan Garlow. The purpose of the project is to explore and embrace Indigenous identity, all whilst pushing against the confines of what ‘Indigenous music’ is supposed to sound like. They certainly succeed on their latest single – “Let Him Try”, a cover of the 1974 Alton Ellis single, and features vocals from the multi-disciplinary Afro-Indigenous performer Odell Alexander. It really captivates right from the start, with a big sound and a fantastic premise. We want more!
Finally, we have an exclusive single premiere from Jordy Burns (“Second Chances”).
Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
King Stingray “Through The Trees”
Indian Pacific “Mallee Country”
AURORA “Some Type Of Skin”
Winona Oak “Inside Out”
Salarymen “On The Run”
CAVN “Pure & Grey”
Olympia “Creep”
Andreas Moe “Not Yet”
Vampire Duwop “Let Him Try”
Jordy Burns “Second Chances” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
