Parker’s Surf Pop Body Mover

17-year-old Gold Coast artist Parker has introduced himself to us this month with the energetic, surf-pop body-mover ‘Local Paradise’. Taking cues from fellow guitar-driven ratbags Skegss and Teenage Dads, the track is a raw and rough love letter to Parker's coastal lifestyle, exploring end of school emotions and finding new beginnings. With the help of Scotty French at Lovestreet Studios and longtime mentor Dale Norton, Parker is set to release an EP full of salty rock tunes in the coming months.

Archer Makes Her Mark

New Gold Coast resident Archer has made her mark on the local scene with the irresistibly catchy new single ‘Bittersweet’. Written about the fallout of a one-sided relationship, the bedroom-pop anthem is full to the brim with ear-worm melodies, dynamic production and infectious charm. With the glitchy chorus back-beat of a Flume banger and the vocal intimacy of Olivia Rodrego, ‘Bittersweet’ is all things good about modern pop music.

Maddie Cail’s Country Rock Jam

Maddie Cail is sure to lift your sprits this month with her light-hearted country rock jam ‘Drink With Me’. Featuring soaring guitars, punchy drums, and a hard-hitting chorus this perfectly formulated country banger is an injection of positivity, reflecting on memories growing up on the beach and gathering together with friends. You can catch Maddie Cail performing a host of local dates over the next month including Country On Cavil in Surfers Paradise on 1 October.

Kirsty Abrahams' New Chapter

Kirsty Abrahams has returned with her first official release in over four years ‘Running’; an ethereal, indie folk-inspired single that was first penned back in 2015. Perfectly described by Abrahams as “a heartfelt message of determination and motivation” the meaning behind the track was actually part of the process that inspired her to return to releasing music after all these years. With fresh material in the works ‘Running’ is a beautifully written feel-good anthem that marks a new chapter for this much-loved Gold Coast artist.

Brook Chivell’s Breakup Ballad

Brook Chivell is bringing things back to basics with the classic country rock ballad ‘Bad Guy’. Written about one-sided stories that often circulate after a breakup, Chivell’s raw, unaffected vocal gives the authentic approach that every good country song needs, taking the listener on a melodic journey through heartfelt emotions and introspection. Building from a stripped back acoustic intro to harmonised duelling guitar solos, ‘Bad Guy’ is a well put together track that adds to the mixed bag of diversity that Brook Chivell has put forward this year.

Selve’s New Wave Club Rave

Selve have given us another brilliant taste of their forthcoming debut record this month with the psychedelic, vintage electro-banger ‘Phone Booth’. Continuing the visual storyline set by previous releases, the accompanying video dives deeper into the wonderfully peculiar late-night realm created by the First Nations led group. Driven by an arpeggiated synth and a fast-paced drum loop, the track really comes to life at the 2:30 mark, transforming from 80’s new-wave to 90’s club rave in the matter of seconds. Brilliant stuff here from Selve.

Sky Eater Put Us Under Their Spell

Sky Eater have put us under their spell this month with the alluring new single ‘Lost’. Released as the third single from their latest album, the emotive down-tempo/trip-hop slow burner draws influence from Morcheeba and Florence and the Machine with it’s emotive keys, haunting Viola and sultry vocal tones. Written about reflecting on the unknown, Sky Eater’s ‘Lost’ is an immersive experience best consumed in headphones.

Mekong Merchants Return

Almost five years after their last release, Mekong Merchants have returned with a brand new, guitar-fuelled psychedelic long player ‘My Brother's Axe’. Written mostly during songwriter Stuart Tume’s extended trip back to New Zealand, the album was brought to at LoveStreet Records in Currumbin with producer Scotty French (who also lends his skills as the band’s drummer). Hypnotic vocal melodies, muddy guitars and clever mid-tempo rhythms set the foundation for a low-fi psychedelic journey that will have you digging through the bands back catalogue for more of the same.

OId Man Friday’s Spaghetti Surf Banquet

Old Man Friday are keeping things nice and diverse this month with their refreshingly different instrumental album ‘Spaghetti Surf’. Layered electric guitars sing sweet melodies over surf rock drums, rollicking bass riffs and immaculately placed rhythm guitars. Described by the band as “a mix of Spaghetti Western and surf culture” the ten-track album was written and recorded in various coastal locations and you can almost hear the salt air resonating through every song. Highlights include the Tarantino movie soundtrack vibes of the opener ‘The Terifying Tale of James Strond’, the blues influenced ‘Tea And Biscuits’ and the soothing ukulele sounds of the albums closer ‘Happy Sunday at the Alley’.

Matchbreakers' Energetic Thrasher

Matchbreakers are flying the flag for heavy music this month with their energetic new single ‘The Blues’. Evolving from a live jam, the band gave this song the studio treatment, setting it apart from previous releases which are largely marked as ‘demos’ across streaming platforms. Backed by thrashing drums and distorted guitars, vocalist Jordan Lee delivers a powerhouse performance full of raw emotion touching on themes of mental health and introspection. Brilliantly brutal stuff from Matchbreakers.

Bobby Alu’s Sunset Charmer

Blank's inaugural cover star Bobby Alu is sure to get you moving this month with his 80’s soul reggae throwback ‘Sunsets (With You)’. Capturing the joy of a sunset shared with a mate, the track displays Bobby’s innate ability to create intricacies within simplicity through masterful percussion, clever lyricism, and sharp production. No stranger to life on the road, Bobby has just embarked on a massive 23 date world tour through the US and EU with an album planned later this year. Keep an eye on his socials for local tour dates and more new music.

Natalie Pearson's Breakup Anthem

Natalie Pearson is on a roll with the release of her second single within six months, ‘is he happy’. The heart-warming breakup anthem delves into the complexities of moving on, while still cherishing the memories of what once was. Led by spacious acoustic guitars and uplifting synths, the track is brought to life with Natalie’s dynamic vocal performance, displaying both intimacy and power to portray a strong message. You can catch Natalie performing at Lights on the Hill in Gatton on 30 September.

Chloe Styler’s Effortless Predecessor

Nine months on from here acclaimed debut EP ‘Side A’ local songstress Chloe Styler has released the five-track predecessor ‘Side B’. Again, recorded with Andy Mak (The McClymonts, Vera Blue) at The Grove Studios on the NSW Central Coast, the five deeply personal tracks were written over a six-year span, collating solo work with co-writes with Darlinghurst’s Jason Resch and Andy Mak. Highlight moments include the effortless flow of the latest single ‘Hometownless’, the stripped back approach to ‘Light Years’ and the beautiful, earnest vocal on the EP’s closer ‘Come Back Around’.

Vultura’s Swaggering Foot Stomper

Local rockers Vultura have gifted us with their third single this month, the swaggering blues rock inspired foot stomper ‘She Says’. Telling a tale of lustrous misfortune, the protagonist is repeatedly robbed by a cunning lady who takes him for all he’s got before using his money to move overseas. Filled with distortion and shredding guitar solos, ‘She Says’ was recorded and mixed by the band and is a meaty sounding rock track that harks back to the raw authenticity of 90’s grunge.

Karl S Williams’ Stripped Back Stunner

Local troubadour Karl S Williams has been blowing our minds for over ten years with his heartfelt, blues inspired music and has reminded us how much we love him with the stunning new single ‘Built This Way’. Winding it back to where it all began, the track is raw and unaccompanied, capturing a beautiful, one take performance featuring Karl and a piano. Offered as the first taste of the forthcoming record titled ‘Rainbows in the Gasoline’, the entire LP was recorded live-to-tape in a fibro cottage up on Mount Nebo in South-East Queensland. This is another impressive step for one of Australia’s most underrated artists.