We listen to a lot of music here at Tone Deaf HQ, and we’re the first to admit we’re perhaps a little biased towards sounds of the Australian variety. We do make the best music in the world, after all.
In honouring our favourite Aussies, we’ve once again compiled a list of the most outstanding local releases you should be listening to right now – whether they’re smaller indies acts or big-name essentials, these are the newest Australian records you should be adding to your ‘must-listen’ list.
Let’s get started.
Kučka – Unconditional EP (Midnight Feature / Inertia)
We’ve been keeping our eye on Perth electro talent Kučka for a while now, and now finally with the release of her debut EP Unconditional our thirst for her futuristic electro is being quenched.
Following on from the release of a string of killer singles ‘Flux 98’, ‘Divinity’, ‘Recovery’ and the EP namesake ‘Unconditional’, the seven track release weaves in and out of liquid soundscapes, R&B influenced beats and spacey production while being held together by Kučka’s striking vocals.
A little pop, a little R&B and a whole lot of futuristic ambition, Unconditional is just scripting the surface of what Kučka is capable of and we can’t wait to hear more.
Jess Ribeiro – Kill It Yourself (Barely Dressed / Remote Control)
Melbourne songwriter Jess Ribeiro has been producing some stunning crafted alt country/ folk/ pop tunes for a while now and her latest endeavour is potentially her most exciting work yet.
Kill It Yourself is the brand new album from the local talent and it sees Ribeiro embrace a much darker and moodier side to her creative mind. This sonic change is thanks in part to the collaboration with the legendary Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey) which Jess has described as being “like working with an old school punk, German headmaster and spiritual advisor all rolled into one.”
Featuring the lead single of the same name, Kill It Yourself is a slow burning, dark, folk rock gem featuring sophisticated nourish lyricism and ambition that’s hard not to fall in love with.
Kwasi – The Golden Voyager (Independent)
Not too long ago local hip hop talent Kwasi came across our radar via Unearthed, we loved his ambitious explorations in hip hop so much that we added him to out most exciting acts on Unearthed feature in April. Now he’s just dropped his debut The Golden Voyager and it’s an impressive effort.
Having been working hard cutting his teether writing and performing live, which includes sharing stages with the like of Grammy award winner M-Phazes as well as Yelawolf, 360 and Hopsin, Kawsi has definitely paid his dues and it shows.
Stand out tracks are aplenty on The Golden Voyager as the talented MC weaves between moody R&B on songs like ‘Thru 2 U’ (feat. Doyle Perez) to the more energetic and playful ‘Just Like That’. With a ridiculous smooth flow and the ability to adapt across so many various we predict big things for Kwasi.
JODY – Jerk’s Backyard (Independent)
Hailing from Sydney’s Inner West, garage rockers JODY have just recently dropped their new EP titled Jerk’s Backyard following on from their killer lead single ‘Codeine’.
Following in a very similar vein to ‘Codeine’, Jerk’s Backyard is straight up, good old fashioned garage rock, addictive in its singalong simplicity and infections in its youthful energy.
Produced and Recorded by Nick Franklin at Linear Recording Jerk’s Backyard is simply a collection of great fun garage gems worth seeing live and spilling your cheap beer to.
Jungle Giants – Speakerzoid (Amplifire)
If you know a local band who can produce shimmering indie garage pop gems better than Brisbane’s Jungle Giants we’d like to hear it.
The four piece’s new long player Speakerzoid is the band at their hooky, indie pop best. Featuring the lead single ‘Kooky Eyes’ this record shows a band wanting to leave behind their ‘teenage band’ (of which they’ve grown out of literally and metaphorically) tag while still maintaining a sense of fun.
Pushing boundaries of indie guitar pop while remaining completely accessible and undeniably fun, Jungle Giants prove once again why they’re one of this county’s most loved bands.
Stories – The Youth To Become (UNFD)
Local heavy legends Stories are about to unleash their highly anticipated debut album titled The Youth To Become, and trust us – it’s worth the excitement.
Having cut their teeth playing live relentlessly, the lead single ‘Under Haze’ is Stories demonstrating exactly what’s possible when talent meets dedication.
With two brothers guiding the band’s creative process – guitarst Nic writes the music and vocalist Morgan the lyrics they’ve produced something undeniably cohesive and complete. With the release of Stories‘ debut full-length get ready to experience the sound of five young men rewriting the rules of heavy music.
