Another ten tracks have been added to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music, including one where we exclusively premiered the music video earlier in the week. And, “Cleo” the brand new single from West Australian indie singer-songwriter Tanaya Harper is our Track of the Week.
“Cleo” is the latest single to be released from Harper’s forthcoming (and long awaited) debut album They Have Become Me, which is all set to be released on October 18th via MGM. The single is described as “an ode to your inner voice that you ignore for too long”. And, according to Harper, the song “explores moments of growth and insight following a relationship’s end. Those moments when you can humbly acknowledge your equal participation in an unhealthy relationship, whilst also offering yourself kindness and the opportunity to sit with and learn from the experience…”
It is also, as we’ve come to expect from Harper, a beautiful slice of alt-folk-pop songwriting, with a vocal that just sparkles and pops (just as much as that guitar work!) It’s optimistic, hopefully and the perfect vehicle for Harper’s “onwards and upwards” message.
Stella Bridie, the 23-year-old Naarm/Melbourne-based songwriter-vocalist has released the haunting “He Didn’t Mean It”. She is calling out bad behaviour, and those that observe yet do nothing about it.
Stella writes: “He didn’t mean it’ is a phrase I’ve heard many times throughout my life in many different contexts, describing behaviour that ranges from a little careless to entirely abhorrent. What it implies is that the person being harmed, the ‘it’, is not worth the discomfort of confrontation or conflict. This song argues that it is; that it has to be. People seem to find it a lot more comforting when women sing about self harm rather than when they express anger, even just metaphorically.”
It’s moving and beautifully written, and is reminiscent of another great Aussie songwriter, Stella Donnelly.
“REAL” is the latest single from Sydney/Eora rising star total tommy. It’s a bit of a heartbreak anthem – a breakup song – but forget about the melancholy. “REAL” is anything but, it’s a high energy, euphoric bop that doesn’t shy away from a hook or two. According to total tommy, the single is “about the dizziness of that post breakup time… It’s the whirlwind of irrational thoughts you have about whether your decision was right… It’s the reminiscing, the hurt, the love that stays for a while after. But ultimately, knowing you did the right thing for yourself.”
You’ll be able to catch total tommy at BIGSOUND in September and SXSW Sydney in October. Given the level of buzz around her expect these performances to be amongst the hottest tickets at both, so get in early
“eleveneleven” from Naarm/Melbourne band Fan Girl throws plenty of twists and turns, shimming in the darkness. It’s brooding and exotic. Fan Girl aren’t afraid to mix it up in their journey. It’s the third single to drop from their upcoming EP real or staged, set for release on the 5th of September.
“Belaya Polosa” is the latest single from recent visitors, Belarusian post-punk group Molchat Doma. The single is from their new album, also called Belaya Polosa, which is out September 6th via Sacred Bones. The single, and the album, is something of a new direction for the band, a bit more polish and more than a nod to 90s Depeche Mode, all the while still retaining their unique minimalist and atmospheric delivery. According to the band, the song “captures the interplay of past and present” and “reflects the realization that you’re no longer drawn to where you left, yet you don’t completely sever ties. It’s as if life has been paused.”
Post-punk outfit Johnny Hunter have released their first single since relocating to the UK. We caught them at The Great Escape in May, and they have hit the ground running in their new locale. “Hot Mess” sees them mix in some electronica feels with their signature 80s-inspired northern English rock sound. It’s a heady mix indeed.
Brisbane’s Nice Biscuit have dropped “Fade Away”, another trippy slice of psych rock from their upcoming record, SOS (out 4th October). The vocals from front women, Billie Star and Grace Cuell are fun and captivating. Fans of The Dandy Warhols are going to love this.
Also added to the playlist this week is the latest collaboration between Samuel Gaskin and Kee’Ahn, a sonic love letter to ancestors – “Find My Way Back”. We’ve also added “90s Theme”, the debut single from Sydney/Eora alt-rock group Kitty of the Valley.
Finally, we have added “MOMENTS” from 51st Avenue, whose video we premiered earlier in the week.
Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:
and on Spotify:
Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:
Tanaya Harper “Cleo”
Stella Bridie “He Didn’t Mean It”
total tommy “Real”
Fan Girl “eleveneleven”
Molchat Doma “Belaya Polosa”
Johnny Hunter “Hot Mess”
Nice Biscuit “Fade Away”
Samuel Gaskin & Kee’ahn “Find My Way Back”
Kitty of the Valley “90s Theme”
51st Avenue “MOMENTS” [Exclusive Video Premiere]
Header Image by Steph Senior
