Friday Favourites: The Best New Tracks of the Week 16/10/26

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 Fontaines D.C., mikii, TISM, San Cisco and more.

Fontaines D.C. & Rosalía – 'Where Is Gone?'

Reminiscent of a James Bond song, Fontaines D.C. recruit Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía for their first-ever collaborative song, 'Where Is Gone?'.

Taken from the band's fifth album Dopamine Chamber, which dropped today, 'Where Is Gone?' is produced by James Ford and seamlessly blends Grian Chatten and Rosalía's vocals over a moody, orchestral production.

"I've been a fan of Rosalía since her debut album, which was absolutely beautiful," explains Fontaines guitarist Carlos O’Connell in a statement.

"What really excited me was how she was keeping a Spanish tradition of music alive, which in a spiritual way felt akin to what we've tried to do with Irish music. For someone with roots in both countries, it's been beautiful to see. She's an artist who's blown me away at every stage since."

Grimes – 'ACCELERANDO'

It's been six years since we last had a Grimes album in the world, and a lot has happened since 2020's Miss Anthropocene.

Having announced her return with Psy Opera, set for release next year, Grimes has shared the album's first single, the rave-influenced 'ACCELERANDO'.

A collaboration with producer VADAKIN, the track retains Grimes' electro-pop sound with a swirling darkness fueling the sonic assault. The music video is also something to behold and features Grimes appearing in various science fiction and fantasy-inspired settings.

TISM – 'Clint Eastwood / Tradies Get The Ladies'

Who saw this coming? Australia's favourite weirdos TISM have released a new song that interweaves Gorillaz's 'Clint Eastwood' with a bouncy beat and lyrics about tradies who, surprise surprise, get the ladies!

There are references to COVID, Scott Morrison and hi-vis on what is a rather chill track compared to some of TISM's more frantic and energetic work.

DIVEBAR YOUTH – 'react'

There aren't too many local artists with a sound as diverse as DIVERBAR YOUTH. The alias of Vinnie Barbaro, this one-man creative force slips in and out of genres seamlessly, with his latest project, Echo Chamber, leaning into indie rock, '80s post-rock, '90s rave culture and so much more.

Picking a standout from the five-track release is hard, but if I had to choose, it would be the pulsating drive of 'react'. Barbaro's manipulated vocals float between the spaces of frenetic instrumentation on a track merging indie bursts with pop flourishes.

San Cisco – 'Miles Away'

It might be two years since San Cisco last dropped new music, but they haven't lost their touch for crafting fun, indie pop ditties.

'Miles Away' is exactly what you want and expect from the trio and kicks off the band's new era.

Raleigh Ritchie – 'I HAD A FEELING'

Remember Grey Worm from Game of Thrones? He's also an accomplished musical artist who returned this week with 'I HAD A FEELING', his first single in two years.

'I HAD A FEELING' remains firmly in the R&B meets pop space Ritchie has lived in throughout his career. It has a little '70s soul feel that complements the actor's soothing vocals.

Chinchilla - 'Irrevocably Changed'

Auto-tune gets a bad rap, but when used well, it's quite effective. Take rising UK artist Chinchilla's latest 'Irrevocably Changed', a heartbreaking electronic pop fusion that immerses you in the singer-songwriter's ever-evolving sonic landscape.

Co-written with ARIA-winning songwriter Aidan Hogg and ARIA-winning artist G Flip, who also plays drums on the track, 'Irrevocably Changed' also contains a brilliant '80s operatic guitar solo. This track gives off big Prince vibes.

Max Norton – 'Dark Moon'

Here's a rousing taste of garage folk rock from American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Max Norton.

It's a sweet song, made even more impressive by the fact that Norton performed all the instruments on 'Dark Moon'.

Garrett Kato – 'Saviour' feat. Anna Vaus

Canadian-born, Australian-based folk troubadour Garrett Kato has announced his new album Natural Light, out Friday 9 April 2027 via Nettwerk, and shared new single 'Saviour'.

A collaboration with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Anna Vaus, there's a calming, wistful vibe to 'Saviour', with the duo's soothing harmonies pulling at the heartstrings over the violin and lightly strummed guitar.

"'Saviour' is about understanding that sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply be there for someone without trying to fix the problem, giving them the space to feel, process, and move through the moment."

mikii – 'i ached (start again)'

Fijian-Australian artist mikii is back with new single, 'i ached (start again)'.

Written with longtime collaborator Nydge, the track is the start of mikii's next stage as an artist and is a song she likens to Lizzy McAlpine, with a little bit of a dancefloor edge.

"The production reflects the gears turning, and the juxtaposition between the soft and the hard parts of grieving," she says. "The chorus sums me up as an artist, sitting somewhere between headphones on a Lime bike and a dancefloor."

Club Halifax – 'Headphones'

Gundungurra/Blue Mountains Region and Eora/Sydney outfit Club Halifax's 'Headphones' is delicate guitar expression that slowly builds towards a swirling solo as vocalist Bree Greasley yearns, "Come share my headphones with me."

When you consider singles 'Headphones', 'Bee Sting' and 'Blah Blah Blah' are all taken from Club Halifax's debut album BUG, which dropped this week, it's safe to say the band has delivered a nostalgia-driven collection of songs with heart that's sure to resonate with music lovers. We love it and hope you do too.

Anberlin – 'TRENCHES' feat. Switchfoot

I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of Anberlin's alt-rock musings, but I'm not afraid to admit that I'm digging new single 'TRENCHES'.

A collaboration with fellow rockers Switchfoot, 'TRENCHES' is a much more mellow affair than the band's last couple of singles and showcases vocalist Matty Mullins' terrific timbre.

Speaking about the song, Mullins says, "'TRENCHES' is a reminder that no one has to fight their darkest battles alone. It's written from the perspective of someone who's survived their own pain and is reaching back to say, 'I've been where you are, and I'll stand beside you until you make it through'."