It’s not a Splendour playlist, in fact we only have one act playing the festival included, but instead a focus on a bunch of acts that we may very well see at the festival over the next few years, starting with super US buzz band Parquet Courts and their track ‘Master Of My Craft’. Next up, flying the flag for Sydney, Jinja Safari (with a track off their forthcoming debut album), Cosmo’s Midnight, and Elena Stone. Going a little further north we see and hear the return of Bleeding Knees Club, then head back down south for Elizaband, and Buchanan, before we finish with our one Splendour act Bernard Fanning with his first single off his second solo release.

Parquet Courts – Master Of My Craft

Opening their debut album, Light Up Gold, ‘Master of My Craft’ is a high-energy punk rock song. It begins with slow guitar chords and then immediately layers a pumping bass line and drum beat with heavy guitar licks and lead singer Andrew Savage’s curled vocals. Channeling 1970s punk (think The Ramones), it’s a track that makes you want to listen to the band’s other works, or at least the next track on the album.

Jinja Safari – Oh Benzo!

Released as the latest single hot off the press from their up-coming debut album, Jinja Safari have delivered their infectious paradise pop full of afro-rhythms with a tasty side of cowbell. Finger-licking bass runs provide substance to the sparse synth-pop backdrop of the sunny track, while catchy cries of “Oh Benzo!” punctuate the mellow course of the song.

Cosmo’s Midnight – Phantasm Feat. Nicole Millar

Cosmos’s Midnight are two young guys from Sydney’s inner-west who produce Flying Lotus-esque, hip-hop infused beats. They’ve always done what they do well but often it takes the right vocal collaborator to really make an instrumental shine. Enter the sweet as pie vocals of Nicole Millar. Her appearance on ‘Phantasm’ makes the track, and ensures that Cosmos’s Midnight will be around for some time to come.

Elana Stone – Sleep Doesn’t Come

Sydney’s Elana Stone has the kind of voice that could lead her through any genre of music. She’s chosen to put her pipes to work against some lazy yet tight vintage synths which come courtesy of Zebra Zap, and it works a treat. Her voice is strong and dense yet still manages to seem sweet and effortless.

Bleeding Knees Club – Feel

Channeling their inner Blink 182, Gold Coast based garage-punks Bleeding Knees Club return with their new track ‘Feel.’ Despite advertising the track on their twitter as “inspired by Nickleback and Avril Lavigne’s future baby,” (which honestly doesn’t automatically excite us all too much) the track’s teen-angst vibe is fairly catchy. Simple guitar hooks and a frustrated drum section crash through some nasally vocal work that will have you feeling 17 again; no Zac Efron cameo required.

Elizaband – Be Your Own Good Friend

‘Be Your Own Good Friend’ is the new track from Elizaband, Melbourne-based outfit started by singer-songwriter Rory Cooke. The track’s motif of “Be your own good friend/When you’re alone” serves as an uplifting anthem for the times you’re feeling, well, a bit crappy. It’s a promising song from the up-and-coming band – a catchy pop-rock tune with a great melody, Cooke’s brilliantly clear vocals and that all-encompassing message. All in all, it does no wrong.

Buchanan – Human Spring

‘Human Spring’ is the title track of Buchanan’s upcoming debut full-length album, which notably features the producers of Foals, Interpol and Death Cab For Cutie. The freshly uplifting track takes off with soaring guitars and is powered by upbeat drum kicks, a perfect piece of foot-tapping pop. Great indie bands need great vocals, and Buchanan more than meet that criteria. If the title track is anything to go by, expect their forthcoming release to be a polished album packed with charming indie rock.

Bernard Fanning – Battleships

‘Battleships’ is the first single taken from Bernard Fanning’s forthcoming album Departures, due for release this June. In a bid to escape the Powderfinger stronghold, Fanning wrote the album in Spain before enlisting super producer Joe Chiccarelli to record it in LA. The track is warm, catchy and slick without sounding over-produced, showcasing a more soulful rock side to Fanning with keys and the backing of orchestral layered instruments. We like!