September 12 - Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite releases of the week.
aleksiah – ‘Keep My Cool’
It might be ironic to say that aleksiah’s latest single is ‘cool’, but the shoe fits – and she’s wearing it. ‘Keep My Cool’ is an upbeat song with bright guitar tones, toe-tapping drums, clean vocals and dreamy background ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’. The lyrics explore themes of a hopeless world, delivered to you in a soft, cushioned gift box. It’s about losing your way; letting imposter syndrome win but still wanting to convince everyone that you’re okay. aleksiah hooks you from the first line, making you question your views on society. As the track builds, so does your anticipation, and when the chorus hits, you’re struck with a wave of catharsis; like a dam’s walls bursting open. The drum feels like a heartbeat, making sure you’re still alive while your flood of emotions are released. This is a healing track and is sure to get stuck in your head!
Sounds like: Screaming into a pillow made of fairy floss.
By Jannah Fahiz
Tommy Marsh – ‘Still I Don’t Regret’
If one ever needed proof that Maslin Beach rapper Tommy Marsh is a man of myriad talents, you don’t need to look much further than ‘Still I Don’t Regret’. A staple of the scene for a few years now, Marsh’s output is as impressive as it is versatile, with the past months previewing his MARSHLANDS project thanks to a number of slick cuts. However, it’s ‘Still I Don’t Regret’ which shows the sonic left turn, with Marsh swapping his slick beats and bars for heartfelt lyricism and bold balladry. Against a touching backing, Marsh’s traditional delivery is eschewed in favour of an anthemic piece of breakup pop, as he backs up powerful vocals with a crashing chorus that underlines the feelings of even the worst moments serving as fodder to grow stronger.
Sounds like: A tug on the heartstrings and a gentle hand on the shoulder.
By Tyler Jenke
Jongo Bones And The Barefoot Bandits – ‘Cubicle’
“I like mash-ups, taking contemporary songs and making them old... old songs, making them new.” – Bria Skonberg.
Jongo Bones And The Barefoot Bandits have embraced this motif with new single ‘Cubicle’. Kicking off as a jangly-punk-pub-rock belter, it provokes body-shaking and head-rocking instantly. Imagine The Cramps, Magazine, and the Cheap Nasties creating some form of a callously charismatic rock cocktail that was so potent, a loosening libation was required to soothe the psychosis. A slowdown interlude inspired by the remarkable RX Bandits is that smoothing relief, before the riot reignites superbly. “You’ll Die Inside That Cubicle” Jongo Bones brashly proclaims, and if one doesn’t embrace the aforementioned “mashup” concept, that cubicle might become a coffin.
Sounds like: Punk, sweat and spirit(s).
By Will Oakeshott
erasvey – ‘In Bloom’ (Feat. Jujue & Akira Bradley)
‘in bloom’ is the opening track to erasvey’s latest release ‘eyestothemoon!’. It’s an extremely short, ethereal song – coming in at only one minute forty-four seconds - that acts as an opening ritual for an upcoming otherworldly experience. It’s a dreamy folk-pop hybrid that’s led by a hypnotic, blues inspired guitar riff. erasvey’s vocals are the standout as they sing with the skill and confidence of a worn trodden troubadour. The minimalist instrumentals let the vocals take the spotlight and shine. erasvey is accompanied by celestial backing vocals from featured guests, Jujue and Akira Bradley. Just as soon as it starts, the guitar suddenly fades out, creating an unexpectedly smooth transition into the rest of the album.
Sounds like: You’ve just locked eyes with someone at a City and Colour concert.
By Thomas Jackson
Marina Anthea – ‘Wash You Out’
Marina Anthea sums up the experience of 2025 dating culture in her ethereal debut folk track, ‘Wash You Out’. The song unpacks the tragic, yet all-too-familiar experience of falling into a situationship which is undeniably bad for you, but seems irresistibly romantic through rose coloured glasses. The track casts a spell on listeners with its light percussive groove and intimate, sultry, jazzy vocals, evoking the same feeling as receiving that flirty ‘come over’ text. Lapping waves of soft folky guitar wash over audiences, creating a dance alone in your bedroom type groove. ‘Wash You Out’ is an enchanting debut that could slot comfortably into the catalogues of Laufey or beabadoobee and be welcomed with open arms.
Sounds like: A bad idea nestled in a bouquet of flowers.
By Millah Hansberry
Broken Waves – ‘The Chase’
‘The Chase’ by Broken Waves is an effervescent piece of disco music. It retains the glitz and glitter of indie pop from the early 2010s – think Neon Trees but if the Trees in question were a native eucalyptus – and enhances it with performances so tight they’re reminiscent of Parcels’ best tracks. The (ironically) unbroken waves of high-hat, as well as the nimble fretwork of lead guitarist Will Physentzou, move this intricate, staccato-driven burst of colour along with a vigour that scans like the first day of Spring. It possesses that same energy: the openness in the air, the renewed optimism of people who spent the winter battening down the hatches – it’s all here in droves, marking ‘The Chase’ as a statement for a band making their case for Adelaide’s most lively pop act.
Sounds like: Carbonated music.
By Jack Paech
