Friday Favourites: The Best New Tracks of the Week 25/09/26

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 CHVRCHES, Tegan & Sara, Lottie McLeod, Motez and more.

CHVRCHES – 'Roses'

Three years on since their last release, Scottish synth-pop trio CHVRCHES return with dynamic single 'Roses'.

A euphoric synth number with a rock undercurrent, 'Roses' ushers in the next era of Lauren Mayberry, Martin Doherty and Iain Cook.

The track, which features rattling percussion, swirling electronica and Mayberry's familiar vocals, finds the band taking a swipe at the current state of Britain.

Speaking on their new material, Mayberry says, "This is the longest break we had ever taken between albums, and when we got together to write new music, we wanted to really push ourselves and not be retreading ground we'd walked before. I really think we achieved that. It feels like the most coherent vision we've had as a band. We're excited to be back..."

Even Hannah – 'Lady Maria'

Here's a fun little guitar rocker from local outfit Even Hannah. 'Lady Maria' gives off tropical vibes. It's the kinda song I wanna listen to while knocking the top off a cold one on a warm summer arvo.

Evolving from a backstage noodle on the guitar at a high school play to a fully formed track over the course of 12 months, 'Lady Maria' has fast become a live favourite, with the official version a great showcase of why this four-piece is on the cusp of breaking out.

Rex Orange County – Grandma Song'

I've never really got the buzz behind Rex Orange County, but I'm starting to turn after listening to 'Grandma Song' several times this week.

A dreamy pop lullaby that, according to friends who are big fans, sounds like his older material with a fresh approach, 'Grandma Song' is a pleasant ditty taken from the UK artist's upcoming new album, Dream Fatigue.

While I'm still sceptical as to whether he's my cup of tea, I'm more inclined to give Dream Fatigue a spin when it drops in November and find out what all the hype is about if this is what Rex Orange County is offering.

Lottie McLeod – 'Thomas'

Magan-djin/Brisbane-based singer-songwriter Lottie McLeod's long-awaited The Boathouse EP dropped today, and one of the standout tracks from the release is the closer 'Thomas'.

An alt-folk ballad anchored by an acoustic guitar layered with trumpets, banjo, pedal steel, stunning vocal harmonies and violins, McLeod says the track is "about seeing a future with a person who wasn’t sure about you and never getting closure about why."

Produced by Josh Beattie (Dami Im, Serendipiti) at 4000 Studios, the track is accompanied by a music video shot on Quandamooka Country directed by Adam Potts (FELONY., Emeree).

Give The Boathouse EP a listen here, and check out our recent chat with McLeod here.

Tiakola – 'Jetlag' feat. Jorja Smith

French rapper Tiakola connects with UK songstress Jorja Smith on the bouncy 'Jetlag', a track taken from Tiakola's recently released sophomore album, WpointM.

Sadly, my French extends to "Je voudrais une bière, s'il vous plaît", which roughly translates to "I would like a beer, please".

So while I don't have a clue what Tiakola is rapping about (although the internet tells me the track concerns Tiakola's relationship with his Congolese heritage), I can understand Smith, who once again delivers a sultry verse that suits the dancehall vibes this track gives off.

Motez – 'Hold Me'

Adelaide's Motez brings the heat on pulsating new single 'Hold Me'.

Described by Motez on social media as "a song about summertime and all the love in the air", this thumping club banger is sure to get you fired up for the weekend and beyond.

'Hold Me' continues a hot run of singles from Motez this year, and we are really hoping an album is on the horizon.

Among the Restless – '6 Years of Madness'

Ahead of the release of their anticipated debut album Seasons, Naarm/Melbourne group Among The Restless have given fans a taste of what to expect with alt-rocker '6 Years of Madness'.

Very much indebted to the early '00s Aussie alternative scene, this nostalgic foot tapper has a familiar feel, much like your favourite hoodie.

"'6 Years of Madness' is straight to the point but gentle and not afraid to let a sensitive topic rear its head for all to see," shares the band. "It has the elements of an alt rock track, which is where our roots are as a band, so we got to dig in and hone in on what we love. It covers some pretty personal struggles faced by Lachie [Dunn], but we aren't afraid to shy away from that. It's a loud and proud, bold final single."

If you like what you're hearing, you can pre-order Seasons here.

Natasha Bedingfield – 'Dot Dot Dot'

It feels like the early 00s never left. UK songstress Natasha Bedingfield, who had a UK #1 hit in 2004 with 'Unwritten', is back with 'Dot Dot Dot', her first single in two years.

Written with Brett Hitte, formerly of the band Frenship, 'Dot Dot Dot' is a modern pop synth collaboration that ticks all the right boxes.

Bedingfield has always had a great voice, but her choice of beats has been questionable at times, but she's found the right chemistry here, with the playful drum loops and basic yet satisfactory guitar riff combining well.

Tegan & Sara – 'Our Year' feat. Lights & Felix Cartal

Twin sisters Tegan & Sara are back with their first new track since 2022. Not only have the duo dropped a newbie, but 'Our Year' also marks their first collaboration with fellow Canadian artists Lights and Felix Cartal.

Combining Tegan & Sara's love of playful synths and early 00 indie tropes, 'Our Year' finds all four individuals ruminating on how a year can get away from you quickly, and then hoping the following 12 months will be the year when it all comes together.

On their website, Tegan & Sara also revealed how the "inspiration for the song came from our messy relationship with this beautiful city we call home, this beautiful part of the world we choose to live in, and this complicated, sometimes deeply frustrating job we all have."

Jessie Reyez – 'HIGHER'

I can't get enough of Jessie Reyez's voice. Despite her raspy nature, she has quite a dynamic range, which she puts to good use on 'HIGHER'.

The Canadian singer-songwriter opens the track with a short narration before her effortless vocals meld with the pumping beat that sounds like someone breathing heavily.

Things really get hot under the collar when she takes her voice up a notch for the chorus, soaring over the rhythmic beat that never lets up.

ixaras – 'internet luv'

Reinforcing her status as one to watch last year with her EP WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN'T, emerging creative ixaras is back with the new single 'internet luv'.

Ditching the rock-pop of her previous work, 'internet luv' finds ixaras taking inspiration from the EDM world, with devastating synths and manipulated vocals running through this one.

Alien Ant Farm – 'Gaslighter'

I didn't even realise these guys were still going. After having a moment in 2001 with their cover of Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal', Alien Ant Farm disappeared back into the overpopulated nu metal cave they came from. But it seems that they've still been making music, with 'Gaslighter' the latest in a slew of singles the band have released since their 2024 record, Mantras.

Look, this one isn't reinventing the wheel and is exactly what you expect from these guys, but it does have a solid rock riff and is sure to please anyone who listened to nu metal as a youth.