Friday Favourites: The Best New Tracks of the Week 09/10/26

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're 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 bringing you our favourite tracks of the week.

This week's list features new music from Sampa the Great, The Tallest Man On Earth, Worm Girlz, Twisted Teens and more.

Sampa the Great – 'Location'

Anytime Sampa the Great shares new music is a good day.

'Location', taken from the ARIA Award winner's upcoming third album Nu Zamrock, is another example of how icy her flow is.

Combined with the Zamrock-inspired production, the result is another remarkable addition to Sampa's discography.

Awning – 'Little Green Book'

I'd not heard of Awning before 'Little Green Book' dropped in my inbox.

A steady beat plays off the driving guitar melody before exploding during the chorus, with visual artist Christian Dimick's distorted screech giving the track an emotional edge.

'Little Green Book' arrives as Awning announce their signing to Winspeak, which is also home to celebrated acts Swapmeet, Winter and Teethe, continuing the band's rapid ascent towards global domination.

The Tallest Man on Earth – 'In the Silver Wire Up the Hill'

Today, The Tallest Man on Earth dropped his eighth studio album, Just Beyond Endless Mountain. Taking inspiration from traditional Swedish folk music, one of the highlights of the 11-track album is the joyous 'In the Silver Wire Up the Hill'.

Inspired by the natural beauty of Sweden, the track finds Kristian Matsson joined by Martin Hederos (violin, viola, piano), CJ Camerieri (trumpet, French horn, flugelhorn, piano) and Björn Sima (drums, percussion) on this melodic finger-picker.

Worm Girlz – 'Funeral'

Following the announcement of their latest EP In Loving Memory Of..., Magandjin/Brisbane rockers Worm Girlz have shared another single from the release, 'Funeral'.

Fueled by rage and grief and the way marginalised communities are being treated in the modern world, 'Funeral' strips back Worm Girlz's usually vibrant rock sound for a gloomy, emotional post-rock gut punch that builds towards a devastating guitar solo straight out of Slash's playbook.

Lyrically, Worm Girlz are at their bleakest, with 'Funeral' the type of song that will leave you with plenty to think about after the final lines are sung.

Ricky Albeck – 'Famous Friends'

The rollout for Ricky Albeck's new album Expensive Music continues with the release of 'Famous Friends'.

Continuing the post-pub artists' love affair with Americana, 'Famous Friends' has a slight country influence with a dash of southern rock.

"This is defs one o' my faves from the record," Albeck commented on social media. We agree.

L7 – 'Loma Linda'

LA punk rock outfit L7 have reunited with former bassist Janis Tanaka for 'Loma Linda', the band's first new release in three years.

It's a groovy, grungy rocker with frontwoman Donita Sparks' recognisable vocals the icing on the cake.

"I was searching the band's archives and came across this unfinished track from when Janis was in the band," Sparks said in a press release.

"It still sounded rather fresh and very L7, so we recorded new vocals with new lyrics and some other additional tracks and cranked it out in a couple of days ahead of this upcoming tour. Gotta warn ya, we dig it and hope you do too."

Twisted Teens – 'Stalks'

Band of the moment Twisted Teens have another new track out in the world.

'Stalks' is a fuzzy blast of the New Orleans punk outfit's signature sound taken from their upcoming third album of 2026, The Holy Cross Tigers.

The nostalgic video clip is worth a mention too, and features the band performing while surrounded by garbage with trippy, old-school visuals.

Speria – 'HOLE'

Labelled indie-punk, there's a bit more going on with Speria's latest track 'HOLE'.

Agitated guitars clash with clobbering percussion as Coco Scott's vocals swoon through the pockets of space before 'HOLE' erupts into an '80s metal thrasher with a Slash-esque solo and some killer double-bass pedal action.

With ARIA-winning producer Paulie Bromley (george, The Beautiful Girls) on board, if 'HOLE' is what we can expect from Speria's debut record ARKOMAI, out Thursday 5 November via Yama Nui Records, prepare your ears for a battering (in the best kind of way).

Bag Raiders & Abby Bella May – 'Ur Type'

It's safe to say electronic duo Bag Raiders are officially back. Chris Stracey and Jack Glass have released a series of singles this year, but none have been as energetic and catchy as 'Ur Type'.

A warped version of Sydney's Y2K princess Abby Bella Mal's song of the same name, released under her alias Hey Baby, Bag Raiders take on the track retains the energy of the original but slows down the vocals, crafting a club-ready anthem about being single and flirty.

The Gnomes - 'Batteries'

Anyone who misses the distorted alt-rock of the '90s will be all over Frankston four-piece The Gnomes' latest effort 'Batteries'.

Taken from the group's just-announced EP With A Gnome, out Friday 4 November, The Gnomes' lead singer Jay Miller describes 'Batteries' as their "softest and quietest song" and also their "loudest and heaviest".

For fans of Pavement and Dinosaur Jr.

EGOISM – 'It Takes Two'

Following the release of last year's And Go Nowhere, Sydney trio EGOISM are back with new single 'It Takes Two'.

"I used to write lyrics in a very overt way, like a narrative, but this song is more abstract," explains Scout Eastment. "I tried to capture a moment of impulse where two people decide to hook up despite their history. The music and lyrics are about the thrill of taking a risk and succumbing to lust."

I could use a heap of superlatives to describe this song, but I'll just say this is a great track from another awesome Aussie act.

Catch them playing with The Rions at Adelaide Uni Cloisters' Halloween Special on Friday 30 October. Tickets on sale here.

Ruby Gill – 'Porchlight'

Ahead of the release of her new record, Fishing in not about fishing, out Friday 16 October, Joburg-born, Victorian-based artist Ruby Gill has shared new single 'Porchlight'.

Co-produced with Tom Iansek of #1 Dads fame and recorded with her beloved band in London, Gill calls the track "a very lesbian love song" that explores the fears and baggage that come with new love and the struggles that come with adjusting to a new partner.

Accompanied by a gentle piano melody and light percussion, Gill delivers raw and honest lyrics over a light piano that capture the uncertainty of a new relationship.

Chase & Status feat. Little Simz – 'Carnage'

I can't say I'm a huge fan of UK drum and bass duo Chase & Status, but when I heard they were linking up with Little Simz, I had to give the track a listen.

It's pretty much what I expected, with Simz (one of the best MCs to come out of the UK in recent memory) delivering solid bars over a bombastic DnB beat that's sure to get the kids excited.