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.
Camp Cope – Camp Cope (Poison City)
If there was an award for surprise hit Aussie album of 2016 – Melbourne trio Camp Cope would definitely be likely favourite to take the prize with the release of their recent self-titled debut.
The band actually had their first rehearsal together 11 only months ago, and now they’re celebrating the fact that their debut album entered the ARIA Albums Chart at No. 36 and the Australian Albums Chart at No. 9, an unprecedented feat, though if you’ve heard their unique take on emotive indie punk songwriting (recommended track: ‘Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams’) you’ll understand the hype.
Pikelet – Tronc (Chapter Music)
Still undeniably one this country’s most fascinating yet underrated musical icons Pikelet (aka Evelyn Morris) is back with a brand new, eight track mind warping recording Tronc.
Following the success of full-band LPs Calluses (2013) and Stem (2010), Tronc is a return to the super intimate solo format of early Pikelet recordings, with each of the tape’s eight songs recorded and performed by Evelyn at home. Producing something both familiar and genre defying in Tronc, Evelyn cements her position as one of the most adventurous and compelling voices in Australian music.
A Dead Forest Index – In All That Drifts From Summit Down (Independent)
Originally hailing from New Zealand, and now based overseas (via the way of Melbourne) – we’re still going to claim A Dead Forest Index as our own for the purpose of being able to brag about Aussie music.
In classic A Dead Forest index fashion In All That Drifts From Summit Down paints is sophisticated, overbearing imagery utilising a very small palette of actual sounds. It’s been four years since we fell in love with the duo’s debut EP Antique so to have this full length drop (seemingly with little fanfare) and to be of such moving quality is nothing short of a treat.
Wabz – Sleep Less (Solitare)
We’ve said it before and we’ll sat it again: Local label Solitare have been releasing some of the most impressive and fascinating electronic sounds of late, and they’re continuing this winning streak with Sleep Less the latest effort from Melbourne producer Wabz (aka Nick Wuksta).
More worldly in ambition than most, Sleep Less is a culmination of Wuksta’s years traveling around Australia – working in mines, remote airports, factories and in warehouses – and as a result has developed his sound around the nomadic lifestyle he’s previously lead. Dipping into elements of UK garage, and two step while maintaining his own unique sound, Sleep Less is a lesson in how to produce wild, carefully crafted electronic music.
Melody Pool – Deep Dark Savage Heart (Liberation)
A follow on from 2013’s The Hurting Scene, Melbourne songwriter Melody Pool has recently released Deep Dark Savage Heart a worthy follow up to her debut effort.
Melody actually wrote all the songs on Deep Dark Savage Heart. After trying a number of co-writing sessions she found her best work always came from solo endeavours. “I like co-writing,” she recently explained, “but I don’t like it for my own songs. My songs are so emotionally heavy; it doesn’t feel right to share that with someone else.” Oscillating between genres of alt-country, indie, and folk, Deep Dark Savage Heart is a moving trip into the psyche of one incredibly fascinating songwriter.
Stay At Home Son – Stay At Home Son (Neat Lawn)
Out via the newly formed local label Neat Lawn (an independent record label started by Japanese Wallpaper earlier this year) Stay at Home Son’s debut self-titled EP is an impressive introduction of what to expect from the fresh imprint.
Nuanced, atmospheric and dreamy, Stay at Home Son is the project of 21 year old solo artist Jesse Martin-Allan. Sleepy in tone, yet incredibly ambitious in scope, this four track release is an impressive introduction to this rising producer.
RKDA – CS (Riot Expert Records)
Melbourne electronic trio RKDA have just recently released their brand new EP titled CS. A follow on from their 2015 single releases ‘META’ and ‘Spaces’ CS is also the very first release from another newly founded local label Riot Expert Records.
Channeling the moody electronic territory of Fever Ray and Clark with a clear post punk ethos the industrial electronic outfit’s new brooding four track release is definitely worth a few visits.
Juñor – Free Mined: Psyde A (REAL Music Family)
Local MC, producer, engineer, DJ (most notably for Ivan Ooze) and potentially one of the most chilled and likeable dudes on the Aussie music scene, Juñor recently dropped a new mixtape titled Free Mined: Psyde A.
Not afraid to push boundaries, this 8-track release sees the multi-talented artist explore Australia’s evolving music and hip-hop landscape, taking elements of traditional hip hop and merging them with dreamy psych vignettes and otherworldly imagery. It’s an incredibly progressive effort from a fascinating local talent.
Matt Malone – S. I. X (Heart of the Rat)
Ballarat based singer/ songwriter, experimental musician and poet Matt Malone, has just recently unveiled his debut LP S .I. X via local favourites Heart of the Rat Records.
Following on from his brooding lead single ‘Revelation Law’, Matt’s vivid songwriting and baritone voice sees the multi-talented musician release a collection of tracks that traverse the world of blues, country, post-punk, and metal, all produced with an unprecedented level of class.
Pretty City – Colorize (Inependent)
Melbourne rockers Pretty City have been a pretty busy bunch of late. Between selling out hometown shows to visiting Austin for SXSW music festival and conference, it would be fair to assume the guys haven’t really had much time to write and record a new LP, though you’d be wrong.
After an epic journey, Pretty City are back with the release their long anticipated debut album COLORIZE. A follow on from the band’s 2015 Triple A side release which featured the killer singles ‘Running Around, Melt & Second Hand Clothes’ they’ve now unleashed 9 new tracks spanning spacey shoe gaze, psychedelic rock and back to the wall fuzz and grunge.
