Friday Favourites: The Best New Tracks of the Week 07/08/26

There’s so much new music being released in the world these days that it’s hard to keep up. Even if you consider yourself a music nerd, it’s impossible to listen to the hundreds of new tracks dropping every week. That’s why we are here to help.

The crew at The Note are constantly turning up the volume in the office, checking out all the latest tunes from local emerging artists right through to your favourite global superstars.

We want to make sure you stay ahead of the curve, so every Friday we are collating a list of our favourite tracks of the week.

This week’s list features new music from CZARFACE, Rowena Wise, Bonobo, Way Dynamic and more.

Bonobo ft. Joy Crookes ‘Always on Your Side’

Bonobo (aka Simon Green) has teamed up with Joy Crookes for new single 'Always on Your Side', the fourth track taken from his upcoming album Distance in Static.

This collab between two of the UK's most underrated artists will conjure feelings of nostalgia for longtime Bonobo fans, with the track very reminiscent of the DJ and producer's early work. The addition of Crookes' vocals just takes this one into outer space. Love it!

Way Dynamic - ‘Officially’

Way Dynamic is the project of Melbourne singer-songwriter Dylan Young, who creates '70s-inspired mellow rock even your dad will like.

Following the release of his 2025 third album Massive Shoe, Way Dynamic's first single of the year is the cruisey 'Officially'. Released via Spoilsport Records (AU) and Jagjaguwar (ROW), it's an absolute knockout.

"I wrote 'Officially' the week I met my girlfriend, so it really is a shamefully joyous love song," Dylan explains. "But it also contends with the downside of being addicted to someone - I am a very compulsive person."

It feels both old and new and reminds me of Tom Misch. Great Sunday arvo listening.

Unicorn – ‘Sweet Ride’

This one reminds me of The Superjesus crossed with Veruca Salt. Fun, '90s-inspired alt-rock made for the mosh.

According to Unicorn's Jenna Hardie, "'Sweet Ride' is about determination and perseverance. Working towards what you want. Having the belief in yourself that you can do it — and refusing to take on board the noise and negativity of others."

CZARFACE & Frankie Pulitzer – ‘All It Takes Is One Bad Day’

CZARFACE Meets Frankie Pulitzer is the rap album we've all been waiting for: a collaboration between CZARFACE, the underground hip hop trio comprising the duo 7L & Esoteric and Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck, and actor turned rapper Frankie Pulitzer, aka Tom Hardy. Yes, the same Tom Hardy from Bronson, Warrior and hit crime drama MobLand.

'All It Takes Is One Bad Day' follows first single 'Brothers Grimm' and finds Deck, Esoteric and Pulitzer dropping rhymes over an infectious old school L7 beat.

Deck steals the show, unsurprisingly, but it's Pulitzer who impresses, holding his own against the two veterans.

Rowena Wise – 'Unlearning of Love'

How good is Rowena Wise? So good! 'Unlearning of Love' is a sparse, heartbreaking ballad from the Naarm/Melbourne artist. The track stems from her experimentation with non-monogamy.

"I was experiencing the confusion of loving multiple people at once, but more than that, I was wondering what a new connection could become when there were fewer assumptions or expectations around it," Wise explains.

"There was a real tension in not knowing where friendship ended and romance began, or whether it needed to become either. That openness could feel scary and obscure, but it was also exciting, meaningful and incredibly expansive. Getting to know people in that more open way taught me as much about myself as it did about others – how differently people love, communicate, attach and move through the world."

Danielle Ponder – ‘Sun and Moon’

'Sun and Moon' is the soulful ditty from lawyer turned artist Danielle Ponder.

Taken from her just-announced sophomore album, Everything Has Changed, 'Sun and Moon' is produced by Mike Elizondo and Barney Lister and features Ponder's heart-fluttering vocals over handclaps, upbeat percussion and a sexy as fuck bass line.

"I love that this song is upbeat, but the lyrics are quite sad," Ponder says of the track. "The sun and moon provide a beautiful symbol of two lovers who spend a life chasing each other but never quite coming together. The drums and tempo of the song remind me of the push-and-pull chase that I’ve been in more than I’d like to admit. It’s not until the end where the drums stop that she realises how exhausted she is with the game and longs for something deeper."

The Lazy Eyes– 'Never Will She Know'

Ahead of the release of their second album, Cheesy Love Songs, Sydney quartet The Lazy Eyes deliver another heartwarming stab of nostalgia.

'Never Will She Know' is crafted like a classic '60s pop song, with simple instrumentation and gorgeous harmonies, making it another winning single from this Sydney quartet.

Alabama Shakes – 'Garden'

The return of Alabama Shakes is good for everyone. Of the four singles released from the band's upcoming third LP, I Must Be Dreaming, our favourite from the Brittany Howard-led ensemble is the just-released 'Garden'.

A dreamy, blues-meets-jazz lullaby that finds Howard swooning, "If you don't water your garden, I will / If you don't show her you love her, I will".

Suzi – 'Short Lived'

'Short Lived' is the first single from Australiana indie artist Suzi since last year's 'One Way Ticket'. It's a defiant coming-of-age track showcasing Suzi's growth as a songwriter. Two thumbs up.

BIG NOTER feat. Joe Talbot– 'BIG NOTER'

Briggs hardcore outfit BIG NOTER have teamed with Joe Talbot of IDLES for the relentless 'BIG NOTER'.

Trading verses over a probing '80s bassline, 'BIG NOTER' is an aggresive, powerful throwback that's sure to become a live favourite. You can see moshpits across the country getting hairy when this track is performed.

On 'BIG NOTER', Briggs says: "This self-titled song paints the picture of the ultimate punish of an individual. It’s the neighbourhood bully’s anthem. It’s completely satirical; it bears no resemblance to any person you, Joe or I know."

Rapsody – 'Apple Juice'

Rapsody is arguably one of the best rappers out there getting it done. Consider her the female counterpart to Kendrick Lamar: a considerate, conscious rapper who addresses social and political issues through her music.

'Apple Juice' is an unexpected but awesome change-up from Rapsody, who ditches the raps for a soulful croon, showcasing her melodic vocals over a jazzy R&B beat.

If this is what she has planned for her next album, I'm all in.

The Bamboos – 'Rockets & Flowers'

Aussie funk outfit The Bamboos return with a nice helping of soulful '70s-inspired goodness from the minds of guitarist and band-leader Lance Ferguson and vocalist Kylie Auldist,

"Writing songs with Kylie Auldist remains one of the most fulfilling, fun and meaningful experiences that I've had in all of my time in music," says Ferguson. "It's a relationship and friendship that I cherish."