Friday Favourites: The Best New Tracks of the Week 31/07/26

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 Robyn, GRUB, Los Bitchos, Dinosaur Jr. and more.

Robyn ft. Zara Larsson ‘Talk To Me, Zara’

Robyn is the greatest pop star of the 21st century. How she is not perceived on the level of a Taylor Swift or a Charli xcx is unfathomable. Her latest album, Sexistential, lays the blueprint for making catchy dance pop.

One of the highlights is 'Talk To Me', a sizzling and seductive electro-pop bopper about phone sex that's been given the remix treatment, with fellow Swede Zara Larsson adding her sweet vocals to the track. It doesn't make a huge difference, but this track is so good we just had to include it in this week's round-up.

The Daisy Buzzkills - ‘I Dream, Far Away’

Not to be confused with American alt-rockers The Dandy Warhols, local ratbags The Daisy Buzzkills have built a loyal fanbase through their genre-bending songs and chaotic stage presence. Returning off a long layoff, the band's latest single 'I Dream, Far Away' treads the line of ska and rock, taking inspiration from the dizzy heyday of '80s UK new wave.

"I fucking hate people," shares Maxwell Adair, songwriter and singer, when prompted to explain the song's meaning. "It’s an out-and-out pop track that still has some venom. It’s our attempt to make the people dance." Fair play.

GRUB – ‘Shake It’

Distinctly Aussie, Fremantle five-piece GRUB have shared new single 'Shake It', giving fans a taste of their forthcoming self-titled debut album, due out Friday 9 October via Wing Sing Records.

This one's got a sharp riff with a disco pulse that combines wonderfully with songwriter and lyricist Matilda Beales' feverish delivery. Think Amyl and the Sniffers with less punk, more dancefloor appeal but with the same kick-ass attitude.

Coco Elise – ‘Rest My Tyres’

Boorloo/ Perth songwriter and producer Josh Ellis, aka Coco Elise, has shared bouncy new single 'Rest My Tyres'.

Reminding me immediately of Black Sabbath's 'Planet Caravan', with moody, muffled vocals crooning over an acoustic guitar, 'Rest My Tyres' transforms into a sonically joyful, upbeat fusion of indie pop, albeit with heavy themes about questioning your place in the world.

Speaking on the track, Ellis shares, "One of the darker songs I've written. It sits right in a familiar fear: ending up alone in an apartment, no partner, feeling like life has sort of passed you by."

We love it and urge you to give Elise's latest releases a go, including his two other 2026 singles, 'Porcelain Tiles' and 'Avoid Your Stare'.

Dugong Jr – 'Meant To Me'

House meets soul on Chinese-Australian producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dugong Jr's new single 'Meant To Me'.

Featuring singer FELIVAND, the track was constructed via correspondence, with FELIVAND on the Sunshine Coast and Dugong Jr locked in his Flemington studio outside of Melbourne.

'Meant To Me' is also the opening track and title track of Dugong Jr's upcoming EP. Speaking on the release, he said, "The theme throughout the EP is kind of centred around time standing still in a moment of reflection, caught in a daze, almost romanticising it but knowing that you can’t recreate the past. Moving on doesn’t have to mean forgetting."

Dinosaur Jr. – ‘Blowin Up’

Prepping the release of their new album, There Near, Dinosaur Jr. have shared the record's latest single, 'Blowin Up'. Written and sung by bassist Lou Barlow, it's the typical hazy, guitar-heavy song we've all come to expect from Dinosaur Jr. You'll either dig it or you won't.

Los Bitchos ft. Adrian Quesada & Sinkane – 'Hang Up (Part 2)'

What began as a five-piece instrumental act in London in 2017 has transformed into a pan-continental trio featuring Australian and Turkish guitarist Serra Petale, Swedish bassist Josefine Jonsson and South London-born drummer Nic Crawshaw.

Los Bitchos play funky guitar music that makes you want to dance, taking inspiration from '70s and '80s cumbia-style music.

Currently readying the release of their third album, the band have shared 'Hang Up (Part 2)', a groovy cross-border collaboration with American producer and songwriter Adrian Quesada and Sudanese pop artist Sinkane.

If this is what we can expect from their new album, sign me up!

The Genevieves – 'Sprinkler'

Adelaide is a hotbed for nostalgia-sounding indie rock, which is exactly what you get from The Genevieves' 'Sprinkler'. It sounds so familiar and comforting, and once the heavy riff kicks in midway through, you know you're listening to something special. Another fantastic release from the quartet who are quietly going about their business as one of the city's most underrated acts.

Tom Morello – 'Date Night'

Preparing for the release of his new album, Everyone Gets Everything They Want, out Friday 25 September via Mom + Pop Music, former Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave riffmaster Tom Morello has shared new single 'Date Night'.

The thunderous rocker recounts the true story of three young Dutch girls who took on the Nazis during World War II, seducing Nazi officers and then offing them in the forest.

"I make anti-racist songs for anti-racists," Morello said in a statement. "I make anti-fascist songs for anti-fascists. And I make anti-Nazi songs for anti-Nazis. 'Date Night' is really a 'which side are you on?' song. If any of that offends you, do the math. Oh, and Roman Morello wrote the killer riff in this tune."

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – 'Alien Metal'

You certainly can't call King Gizzard boring. Gaining a reputation for their mesmerising run of psych-rock records, the Aussie ensemble have traded the guitars for synths on their upcoming 28th long player, Alien Metal.

Those thinking this could spell the end for King Gizzard needn't worry, as if the album is anything like the title track, it's going to be a belter. 'Alien Metal' is a fist-pumping, shape-busting, face-contorting techno blast that no doubt hits just right at 2am in the midst of a big night. We love it.

Sunsick Daisy – 'Bitter Start'

End your week with some more indie gold from local outfit Sunsick Daisy. Nostalgic shoegaze wrapped up in plenty of reverb that's sure to give you a warm feeling in your tummy.

There's nothing bitter about this track.

Charlie Pittman & Paige – 'glued'

Singer-songwriter Charlie Pittman has teamed up with New Zealand-based singer-songwriter and producer Paige for the duo's very first collaborative release, 'glued'.

Spotlighting both Pittman and Paige's delightful vocals, which sound amazing when the two harmonise, 'glued' is a tasty indie pop track you can imagine a crowded arena singing along to.

Speaking about the single, Pittman shares, "'glued' plays with the language of a love song in the context of heartbreak. Lines like ‘you’re glued to my tongue’ and ‘take the breath from my lungs’ could sound romantic, but here they’re about the exhausting loop of bringing up an ex when you wish you wouldn’t."