Alice Ivy & Sycco - Weakness

This collaboration is exactly what’s needed at this time of year. Dreamy and soulful, Weakness has me hooked within seconds.

Alice Ivy & Sycco had to film the video clips separately due to Covid and still absolutely knocked it out of the park. Weakness arrives as Alice Ivy’s first independent release, out via her own label imprint Kewpie Mayo Records, and standing as the first single previewed from her forthcoming third studio album, a project which has been in the works since the release of Don’t Sleep in July of last year.

Banjo Lucia - That's Not Loving

Perth's Banjo Lucia has impacted strongly with her first single, That's Not Loving. A strong voice weaves through an understated piano line, creating a heap of space for the lyrics to connect through. 'Don't treat me like shit just because you're hurting.' With some great festival slots on the way, Lucia is already leaps ahead of the pack and this is only single #1. Watch this space.

Briggs Feat. Troy Cassar-Daley - Shadows

A collab between Briggs and Troy Cassar-Daley feels like one of the most natural and overdue in recent years. While the two arguably could not be more different in terms of musical style, their passion and outspokenness regarding the rights of their fellow First Nations people is equally palpable.

With Shadows, the two come together in a powder keg of emotion and vulnerability - showcasing their powerful storytelling abilities that blend so effortlessly with their music.

Briggs explained of the track earlier this year, “Shadows was brought to me by Troy; I was honoured he’d share this part of his story with me. There was so much depth and this haunting truth that is woven through his words.”

A gripping and essential listen for 2021.

Caiti Baker - Spice

Sleek, genre-bending '90s nostalgia is the best way to sum up Darwin-based soul/pop artist Caiti Baker’s latest track, Spice. Following on from Mellow - the lead single from her forthcoming and yet-to-be-announced album - Spice continues Baker’s seamless trajectory into fully-fledged R&B territory; downtempo, dripping in throwback '90s production and unmistakably confident. Produced by Papertoy and longtime collaborator Kuya James alongside Baker herself, Spice takes yet another sidestep away from her previous work on 2017’s ZINC and into a brand new era of music. I, for one, am here for it.

Dune Rats - Up

Drenching their indie-punk style with the saccharine ridiculousness of a prototypical Dune Rats video clip, Up is one of the most danceable and lively tunes from the band to date. Church-based choreography, incredible costumes and a fight scene almost certainly inspired by Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, the boys know exactly how to marry their music to the visuals (as per usual).

Elsy Wameyo - Nilotic

Nairobi-born, Adelaide-based singer, rapper and producer Elsy Wameyo explores self-identity with every release, and assertive new single Nilotic is no different. On the new single, Elsy said: "In search of the missing link, I dug deep attempting to dismantle what the world had so cruelly constructed. With all my irritation, confusion and fury I began to write out a game plan. Claiming back what the enemy had stolen. Ota Benga. Trayvon Martin. George Floyd. My heart wept until it couldn’t anymore. But as I remembered our mothers, I didn’t dare to drop another tear. Who am I?"

Flight Facilities - Heavy

Reminiscent of previous efforts on tracks like Crave You, Two Bodies and Foreign Language, Flight Facilities latest track Heavy - which features vocals from LA-based artist Your Smith - feels like a return to the early days of Flight Facilities. The Australian duo – comprising Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell – had, in the lead up to their sophomore album FOREVER, shared a deluge of tracks, including Lights Up with Channel Tres, The Ghost, Forever featuring Broods and Move with DRAMA. However, few, if any, of these singles managed to encapsulate the quintessential smooth, summery, disco-house that the duo became known for. Is this a bad thing? No. It’s a natural progression of musical maturity. But for fans of FF’s earlier work on Down To Earth, Heavy feels like coming home; a beautifully crafted and delightfully soft single that conjures visions of summer and perfectly encapsulates the essence of what people have come to love about the group.

G Flip Feat. UPSAHL - Scream

There’s something oddly refreshing in the straightforwardness of Scream by G Flip.

Their collaboration with US indie artist UPSAHL doesn’t hide behind exhaustive metaphors and cheeky allusions - instead, being incredibly upfront about the subject matter. In doing so, somehow any notion of stigma behind it is completely gone, and the intention of the track as an ode to the physical form can stand proud. It’s not only a sexy tune, but a sex-positive one too.

Genes - Kind Of Bi

Genes is an indie pop artist from Townsville who has just dropped her new EP, Super Single. Nailing sugar-sweet pop, Genes says "it’s the song I wish I could play my 15-year-old church-going, confused, queer self. That it's ok to be queer and it’s okay to be you."

Harvey Sutherland - Jouissance

Having spent the bulk of 2021 working behind the scenes on a plethora of remixes, and slowly building a catalogue of impressive production credits, Melbourne-based disco purveyor Harvery Sutherland returns with Jouissance, a fizzy, disco-laden track that feels like the obvious and most natural progression from Sutherland's previous releases. 

Jouissance, both the single's title and a term coined by psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan, was discovered by Sutherland during a one on one session with his therapist. The phrase, which loosely translates to ‘an itch that demands scratching’ or ‘a masochistic desire’ accurately reflects the neurotic, fuzzed-out progression of Sutherland’s latest solitary synth work; somehow equal measures sporadic and structured, Jouissance is undeniably infectious, fidgety, smooth and timeless all at once.

Jesswar Feat. Erica Banks - Bad Like RiRi

This song SLAPS. The moment RiRi’s audio is used in the first few seconds, I am IN. “Rihanna’s power has inspired us all,” explains Jesswar. “When I see her thrive it makes me feel like everything is possible.”

And this song gives you just that. Put this on before a night out and you’re walking out the door taller. Sharp verses combine perfectly with her witty chorus and then Erika Banks comes in and matches the energy.

Kyland - Dancing

If you LOVE pop, you will LOVE 21-year old Brisbane indie-pop artist Kyland. Raised on a diet of Ruel, Lauv and Bazzi, his unashamed lean-in to melody and vibe has created Dancing, a breezy summer jam that leaves cares behind and celebrates the joy of a new relationship. 

Dancing was inspired by the film La La Land and it's a joyous celebration of dance and love. With a swag of songs in the pipeline and a summer of experience still to come, 2022 will be the year that Kyland emerges as one of Australia’s real pop contenders. 

The Smith Street Band Feat. Brisbane Symphony Orchestra - I Still Dream About You

Way back in May 2021, sandwiched in that sweet spot between two of Queensland's most impromptu lockdowns, Melbourne suburban-rock outfit The Smith Street Band managed to briefly slip into Queensland for a totally reimagined version of their usual live show, with the help of Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. It’s a pairing that probably shouldn’t work, and yet the band's first taste from the forthcoming live concert film, a live rendition of crowd favourite I Still Dream About You proves this hypothesis completely wrong. Somehow the combination of a 37-person strong orchestra, Wagner’s raw, emotional vocal style and the band’s unique blend of indie, slacker rock suck you in even more than the original.

Vigilantonie - Cool

Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Vigilantonie may not be on many folks' radars, but with her debut single Cool, the artist has burst onto the scene with the confidence and prowess of a bonafide star. A delicate balance of upbeat bop and cuttingly personal, the tune laments lost relationships and the deadly grounds of post-love camaraderie.

The simple question “am I the bullet you dodged?” hits like a shot of its own and stands alone as perhaps one of the best lyrics of the year. Simple, powerful, and unlike anything else out there, Cool is a perfect amalgam of so many styles and influences, all the while remaining wholly unique.