Teen Song Reviews: SA
We tasked a group of Aussie teens to rifle through their record bins and pick a track they’ve been spinning lately. Meet the next gen of South Aussie music reviewers and the killer songs soundtracking their lives from Issue #1 of Teen Spirit
The Dainty Morsels - ‘I have Seen’
The Curse Of The Dainty Morsels (2023)
Dainty Delights
With their ethereal alt-country sound and brain tickling guitar riffs, Adelaide’s The Dainty Morsels are a band to look out for. Their single ‘I Have Seen’ takes you to a place of raw emotion, confrontation and understanding. Vocalist Emily Dodd hooks you like a siren, lulling you into the depths before finally attacking. ‘I Have Seen’ explodes like that moment in a movie where a long-suffering main character finally breaks and loses it. With undeniable feminine rage, this song with its alt-country, Fleetwood Mac sound is an addictive hit waiting for you.
Sounds like: Being shaken awake after a soft filtered dream.
By Harriet H (14, SA)
ninajirachi - ‘ipod touch’
I Love My Computer (2025)
NLV RECORDS
Ninajirachi’s ‘iPod Touch’ is a rare kind of song which brings forth nostalgia combined with an unmistakable modern edge. The single from the Central Coast producer tells the story of how she discovered electronic music online at a young age. The song kicks off with a beat which would fit in perfectly with the sound of the mid 2010s, building to a chorus which seamlessly combines elements of EDM with hyper-pop. The lyrics instantly conjure evocative images; hot summer days and the fear and excitement of being a young person in an increasingly digital world, combined with an instrumental which is equally reminiscent and innovative. This a track for the digital age, crafted with an unmistakable fusion of genres which create something wholly unique.
Sounds like: Nostalgia filled memories of the summer.
By Harry C (16, SA)
Fontaines D.C. - ‘Favourite’
Romance (2024)
XL RECORDS
Fontaines D.C. have a particular way of making you experience all of your emotions simultaneously. Their upbeat tune ‘Favourite’ captures the feeling of acceptance and new beginnings in a hopeful and happy, yet sentimental and bittersweet way. The bright guitar opening instantly makes ‘Favourite’ a danceable track, paired with a driving riff that makes you want to cry and boogie at the same time. Fontaines D.C. blend in faint back-up vocals which add to the nostalgic essence of the song, reminiscent of watching old home videos. ‘Favourite’ is a timeless song. It’s fun and catchy but it also relates with a raw human experience.
Sounds like: Frolicking on a grassy hill on the first day first day of summer, like a kid.
By Ella Bruce (18, SA)
Yes Boone - ‘All I Really Want’
Best I’ve Found (2025)
TMRW MUSIC
‘All I Really Want’ by Adelaide’s Yes Boone is a celebration of selfish joy on the dancefloor. A nostalgic sample of Mary J. Blige’s ‘Be Happy’ has been cut, looped, and thrown under strobe lights. The result is a bright, high-energy dance track. “All I really want is for me to be happy,” is the mantra beneath disco piano stabs, driving the feel-good energy. With a nod to early Kylie Minogue dance-pop, it balances glossy hooks with club-ready rhythms. When the final hands-in-the-air beat drops, it’s decided; all Yes Boone really wants is to keep us dancing all night long.
Sounds like: A dance-pop rush on a hot summer night
By Satine R (17, SA)
Arctic Monkeys - ‘Opening Night’
HELP(2) (2026)
WAR CHILD RECORDS
In 2026, Arctic Monkeys return from their 4-year hiatus with ‘Opening Night’ from War Child Records’ HELP(2). The new song feels fresh but still familiar, almost as if you’ve heard it before, taking elements from past albums and particularly leaning into the feel of Humbug (2009) and The Car (2022). With lead vocals by Alex Turner and backing vocals from Matt Helders, the song feels mysterious, as the main chorus draws you into the music in a way that surrounds you. The music hardly changes throughout the track, keeping a steady beat, which gives Alex’s lyrics a chance to lead the song and leave you caught on every word. The song has a powerful finish with overlapping vocals that get stuck in your head, inviting you to listen again.
Sounds like: A detective, watching each and every move people make, waiting for something.
By Kobie W (16, SA)
The Rions - ‘Idol’
SINGLE (2026)
COMMUNITY MUSIC
Northern beaches four piece The Rions have announced the upcoming deluxe edition of their debut album, Everything Every Single Day. This new era is led by an irresistibly catchy single ‘Idol’, described by the band as an exploration of “how truly powerful love” can be. The track opens with a warm, nostalgic guitar riff and indie-pop style drums, capturing the atmosphere of summer nights and an overwhelming gratitude for the people you love. Sonically, ‘Idol’ feels reminiscent of The 1975 and The Japanese House, combining bright instrumentation with introspective lyrics like “Baby, you’re my idol, let’s spiral, get bridal babe.” After gaining traction from their debut EP Minivan, The Rions continue to solidify their place in the Australian indie pop and rock scene.
Sounds like: Tearing up with overwhelming joy and admiration for the people you love
By Grace F (18, SA)
Magic Dirt - ‘Plastic Loveless Letter’
Tough Love (STD Edition) (2003)
WARNER MUSIC AUSTRALIA
Between the raw vocals, fuzzy guitars, and catchy lyrics, it’s no wonder ‘Plastic Loveless Letter’ became one of Magic Dirt’s biggest hits. Even now, 22-and-a-half years after its release, it’s still just as iconic as ever. There’s something about Adalita’s blunt, almost conversational vocals that make this song feel all the more real. The lyrics sit in a perfect sweet spot between emotional and detached, channelling the restlessness and frustration that comes with trying (and failing) to get over someone. It’s hard to not sing along to this Aussie pop-rock anthem. In the words of Adalita, “I just have to say / I just can’t resist!”
Sounds like: Wasting away in bed when you could be doing better things.
By Maya Westell (16, SA)
ninajirachi - ‘ipod touch’
I Love My Computer (2025)
NLV RECORDS
Oftentimes the word “nostalgia” is used to describe anything that’s vaguely melancholic, sample-heavy, or lo-fi. To me, the songs most deserving of the word are ones that can evoke a nostalgic feeling to those outside of the target “nostalgia” audience. ‘iPod Touch’ is one of those songs, and like most songs on Ninajirachi’s debut album, it encapsulates a vibe, an experience, and innate feelings all at once. This track balances the textures and weights of all of its sounds in a way that feels masterful and intentional. The jumps between dense, bass-heavy bridges and airy pre-chorus key breaks come naturally but bring enough surprise to keep you hooked for the entire track. You can absolutely feel the fun and love for the craft that’s in this song, and the magic is that it sounds like something different for every person.
Sounds like: A bus home while the sunset’s light diffuses through the window.
By Ark V (17, SA)
jen cloher - ‘regional echo’
Jen Cloher (2017)
MILK! RECORDS
Jen Cloher’s ‘Regional Echo’ is an undeniably raw ode to growing up in the suburbs and regional towns of Australia. The song starts out folkish, with lazy, layered guitars and a steady drum beat that somehow feels exactly like walking through a suburban street in the summer. As the song progresses, so do the instruments, climaxing in a final, powerful chorus. However, the heart of this song is in Cloher’s lyrics. Lines like, “I’m never gonna dream of things that just can’t be done” manage to capture the bitterness and anger and nostalgia of youth in such a relatable, timeless way. You'll want to sink into this muggy track and never come back out.
Sounds like: A never-ending heatwave.
Lucia (15, SA)
The Rions - ‘Cry’
Everything Every Single Day (2025)
COMMUNITY MUSIC
The Rions ‘Cry’ is an indie-pop laced track opening with a gentle blend of guitars and drums. This clean production highlights raw emotion in frontman Noah’s vocals, with a spice of passion. With its focus on toxic masculinity, ‘Cry’ channels raw, uncomfortable emotion in a way that’s hard not to appreciate. Lyrics like “if pathetic was a man, he would look just like your dad,” emphasise on the common attitude passed on from father to son. ‘Cry’ lyrically carries influences from Spacey Jane, yet themes from The 1975 production-wise. This song feels you leaving light, yet heavy. Almost like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders yet questions are still left unanswered.
Sounds like: A late-night drive, reflecting on how negatively people treat you.
By Olivia M (17, SA)
READ MORE: Teen Song Reviews: New South Wales