Restless Leg Share Sow a Little Seed Video

I’ll admit that Restless Leg have a bit of a nostalgic Oceanic sound, self-proclaiming that they worship at the altar of the Go-Betweens and the Clean. You can certainly hear the guitar lines making nods to those predecessors, particularly in the way the jangle just hits each note perfectly. That steady guitar chug allows for the rhythm section to build in an appropriate bounce, continuing their pop infatuation; I think they double-down though by adding in some nice vocal layers that perfectly mix up the flavors of what they’re doing. This tune appears on the group’s forthcoming Dance Around My Head, which will be out later this year via upstart label Sinister Porpoise Records.

Pop Hit From Royal Otis

As previously mentioned, that indie pop label seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and often the song is either a big pop start hit, or lacking an pop sensibility whatsoever. This new single called “Foam” from Syndey stalwarts Royal Otis somehow lands perfectly in that indie pop zone with subtle hooks and what can only be called an Aussie sounding beat. It’s looking like this may be the year of a return for true indie pop so get your ass ready for some awkward dance floors. Dig it.

Royal Otis will release new album PRATTS & PAIN tomorrow! Pre-orders for a physical release are live now.

High Pitched Scream Release Falsehead

Was in the need of a bit of noise to get me out of my morning slumbers today, and this track from High Pitched Scream was perfectly fitting. It opens with this huge wall of feedback, purposefully keeping you on edge from the moment the drums start crashing down. The song’s success lives in the balance between that noise and the vocals, which offer a softer center, like the center of a Tootsie Roll pop; you’re going to want to get to the center in less than three licks. As the track unfolds, you can hear the musicianship on display, letting the song kind of meander here and there, throwing blasts of noise at you all along the way.

Beryl Share Paint the Walls

It’s not just the Melbourne scene that’s on fire over in Australia; Sydney’s got an equally diverse pocket of artists too, like Beryl. When Gabriela King’s voice enters, for a brief second, you feel like this is going to walk straight into modern pop. But, the song drops right into this bob-and-weave bassline, punctuated by some stick-work percussion, giving this sort of magical pulse to the tune. King’s voice continues to dominate with a standout performance, but the song continues to melt into your brain with layered samples and atmospherics that give the song this beautiful bulk. Bobbing and weaving, with a pop centric vocal, you’re going to love this tune, which should lead you to pick up the group’s new LP, Dry Peel Crack, which drops November 16th.

The Brights Share New Single, Prep New LP

I have never been to Australia, but there’s something that seems linked to the American West in a lot of the songwriting, which definitely felt like the case with this new single from the Brights. Honestly, and I know there’s tons of debate about, but the light guitar strum that kicked the song into gear definitely feels like some Workingman’s Dead era rock songwriting. It’s sunny and sharp, but mellowed by the softened percussion and relaxed presentation. Plus, there are delightful vocal hooks in here, whether call-and-response or just regular old school backing vocals…it’s all charm. With this hit, the Sydney based group announced that they’ll be releasing a new LP, Oyster Rock, in December via Meritorio Records.

Skeleten Drop Heart Full of Tenderness Single

As of late, I’ve been hanging out in my own head, which can be either good or bad, depending upon how you look at it. In that, I’ve also kind of delved into some really chilled late night beats, like Sydney’s Skeleten. On his latest single, there’s this great vibe, like you’re walking through some dark club tunnel, beat bouncing through your ears, but things are just a bit eerie, shadows and lights creeping in from the corners of your eyes. The vocals are seductive, particularly when you focus on the horizon of the visualizer, awaiting the slight pop switch that kicks in right at 1:45ish; it adds another dimension that completes the supreme escapism one might be seeking. Skeleten will release their debut album Under Utopia on July 28th via 2MR.

Straight Arrows Drop Fresh Single

Having not dropped an album since 2018’s On Top LP, Sydney’s Straight Arrows are coming at you hard and fast with this fresh jam. It’s the sort you want to turn up nice and loud and let it rip right through your speakers. It should make sense that the band’s got the backing of John Dwyer and Ty Segall (who’s taking the band on the road); they’ve got this frantic scuzz rock riding high on the thumping rhythm section…all of which culminates in the sweet eruption in the chorus. You can sense the song’s anxiety slicing right through this tune here, amping up everyone that catches the group in the live setting! Single out now via Rice is Nice!

 

Key Out Share Drive Single

I’ve been keeping an eye on Sydney’s Key Out with their Afterville LP set for release in mid-October, and their latest single is precisely why I’ve been so keen on the tunes. This single begins rather benignly, just offering these heavy vocals over strong synths, but give the tune your attention, for as soon as I switched to casual the song begin to build extra textures with backing vocals and then these ringing guitar sounds. To me, the build is what makes the sound explosive, although the volume seems to hold just below the melody, letting that star shine through. If you dig it, the band are releasing Afterville on October 14th.

Bloods Release Radical Ahead of Friday Album Release

Syndey based post-punk outfit Bloods have a new album entitled Together, Baby! coming out this Friday via Share it Music. To get you even more hyped and to entice a pre-order, the band has shared this new driving single called “Radical”. It features the day in the life of Romina Pistolas (friend of the band) as she tries to adjust to a new life, in a new country, having immigrated from Chile. With lead singer MarihuzkaCornelius also having left Chile due to political exile, one can really feel the power and raw emotion behind this track.

Pre-orders for Together, Baby! are live now.

Gee Tee Announce New Rock Phone 7″ for Goner Records

While Goner Records is busy getting the world ready for Goner Fest in September, the heralded label still has work to do, and they’re kicking off this week with the announcement of a new 7″ from Sydney’s Gee Tee. The 7″ drops this Friday, but you can check out the quick little ripper below, offering a glimpse of the insatiable quality that can be yours if you hop to it. I love the heavy drawl on the vocals, giving a bit of a dark humor to the frantic punk nature of the tune. You’re definitely going to spin this on at high volume; grab a copy HERE.

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