Top Aussie Releases of 2020

So, lists are pretty arbitrary, especially for a site like ours, where you mostly know what you’re going to get each day. But, still, I always fall for the “Best Of” lists, though this year, I’m personally staying away from the numbering system; it just doesn’t really mean much to me these days. That said, I do spend a lot of time covering Aussie acts, more than most, so for me, its fun to revisit my favorites. Without further hoopla…here’s my Top Aussie Releases of 2020.

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Nightshift Announce New Album, Zoe

Glasgow’s always been a hot bed for the shapes that came after punk, and Nightshift is certainly no exception. After releasing their debut earlier this year, the band have signed on to release their follow-up, Zoe, with our favorite Trouble in Mind Records. You’re not going to find the group throwing out dancing rhythm sections or fast paced riffs, and in fact, its the absence of such moments that makes this single so intriguing. The song seems to slither, swirling through your inner ear as Eothen Stearn leads us through this intoxicating seance…occasionally throwing out a slight little pop bone with just a faint melody hanging in the air. If you dig, its out February 26th!

Melby Share Common Sense Single

Ever since the release of None of This Makes Me Worry, Swedish group Melby have really started to grow and experiment, and I think that’s paying off huge dividends for us as listeners. Their latest single has this sort of prog pop explorative adventure that serves as the prelude to the song’s core; even as a prelude, it builds tension as it awaits the entrance of Matilda Wiezell; she gives this bright roar that would easily fit in any number of modern psychedelic acts, though she accomplishes it with just a faint nod to pop crooning…and its spun to a stunning effect. Keep an eye on this outfit as they grow towards their sophomore release!

Henrik Appel Shares Mrs. Spaceman

I don’t know what it is about Henrik Appel that makes me swoon, but there’s something in his songwriting that just hits that emotional note I can’t pull away from. This song’s mostly all about his vocals and the strum of his guitar; it almost has this odd Bolan-esque quality to it. You ever just love a song and you can’t put it into words why or how, you just want to play it all day long? That’s been my experience with this new track from Henrik; you’ll find it on his new LP, Humanity, out January 8th via PNKSLM.

Drew Citron Shares Dead on Arrival Video

Two months ago to this day, Drew Citron dropped Free Now, her debut solo record. It was an album that celebrated her independence, from other projects and relationships, allowing her to sort of expand her own voice. It was chock full of good tunes, and one, “Dead on Arrival” gets the video treatment here; it features Citron riding around a cemetery, hair blowing in the wind. The song’s got sort of a Jenny Lewis circa early Rilo Kiley vibe to it; its poppy and confident, putting Drew in the driver’s seat all by her lonesome, clearly illustrating that she’s doing just fine now that’s she’ free. If you dig, please go check out the LP, available from Park the Van.

Katy Kirby Shares Title Track from Cool Dry Place

On Katy Kirby‘s latest single from her much anticipated Cool Dry Place LP I’m really in love with the way she uses the song’s storytelling to naturally build tension. The exposition has this careful fragility, mostly Kirby working her voice over ornate guitar play and light percussion; you can feel the volume grow, moving towards a more pronounced moment. But, even then, it’s a false dawn of sorts, as there’s still a more pronounced presence coming down the line…a climax of sorts…all this powerful storytelling, and that’s not even getting into Kirby’s lyrical content. She’s at the top of her craft here, and there’s no looking back. Expect big things when Cool Dry Place drops via Keeled Scales on February 19th.

Lacto-Ovo Share Nu West

While Lacto-Ovo largely been quiet for the better part of two decades, but with the recent digital reissuing of Shoes & You and Tsunami Pop, the band have rekindled the flame, so to speak. In doing so, they unearthed a lost CD from a recording session meant for their third album…and today, we’re excited to give you a first listen. It’s an oddball art-pop dance party, one you might associate with your favorite Devo impersonators. One thing I love, aside from the sheer infectiousness of those hook-laden beats is that the band blend this sort of class pop chorus into it; it gives the song this warmth that sort of offsets the electronic pulse of the tune leaving you with this endearing charm you’ll want to put in your pocket to take with you! The songs being supported by our dear friends at Lost and Lonesome, hinting that the final LO chapter may yet to have been written.

Borito Share Child Single

We came to know Israel’s Borito because of their connection to our friends in Bones Garage, who we’ve backed by helping put out a couple of tapes (right HERE). The band are working on the release of their new album, and in doing so, they wanted to share one of the more infectious numbers on the LP. This one has a great thematic relevance to how we should all see the world, highlighting our need to embrace the inner child from time to time, balancing out the expectations of the world of adulthood. The band employ solid vocal hooks with the chorus, and while they create this natural bounce, they’re not afraid to let loose a little bit and drive the rock home, as you can hear when they close this one out. If the band aren’t on your radar, perhaps its time you rectify that!

The Hannah Barberas Drop Winter EP

We’ve not hidden our adoration for The Hannah Barberas, and as they share their Winter EP with this world, why not highlight one of my favorite tunes from the record? They don’t even play around here, jumping right in with that jangling indiepop guitar line as the drums shuffle their way into the mix. Of course, the band, always experts at combining vocals, bring the big harmonies here, matching line for line in the chorus to cleverly slide melody through your speakers. I love the fuzzier bit that comes in around 1:35, just giving a little blast of volume to round out the rock n’ roll joy. All proceeds from this EP go to Shelter.

Great Earthquake Share I’m Hiding Behind a Mask Video

I first got turned onto Great Earthquake when Thinking & Making was released. I immediately fell in love with the songwriting, so when Organized Religious Sounds quietly dropped on Friday, I was rushing to listen to it. This great song is the perfect introduction to the record; it’s like this steady pop meditation on identity…do we want to be noticed or hide because its easier? The song’s unassuming, but I love that about it. It almost seems too subtle to be noticed, like hiding behind a mask…but there are these slight little tonal shifts the give the song its natural little charm. If you’re looking to spend some time today, you should probably stream all of Organized Religious Sounds, out now via Lost and Lonesome.

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