Australia’s music scene has seen incredible growth of diverse sounds with notable releases from various artists. Many musicians and bands are creating interesting sounds from their self titled debut to unique experimental projects highlighting diversity within the Australian Music landscape for many of music fans internationally. Several albums are being mentioned as a must-listen this past year demonstrating incredible range and talent throughout a vast variety of styles.
Amyl and the Sniffers Explore Punk Rock Evolution with "Cartoon Darkness" and creative growth
Amyl and the Sniffers show notable evolution from their self-titled 2019 debut album with their newest creation Cartoon Darkness displaying considerable creative evolution in the punk scene. “Jerkin” opening track has the unique signature style of the band highlighting the one-chord punk style while singer Amy Taylor critiques online critics displaying creative writing . Big Dreams showcases unique guitar use alongside diverse instrumentals and well written lyrics which hint at growth to ensure a strong musical journey . Andrew Stafford stated the overall growth and unique instrumentals throughout the album provides something to look for into the near future within this band's discography.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Channel 70s Sounds into Climate Crisis Commentary on Flight b741 Album
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard created Flight b741 album using sounds inspired from classic 1970s groups such as the Steve Miller Band along with the Doobie Brothers demonstrating old school inspired styles. This conceptual shift was to focus on the planet's climate crisis. This concept has a history within this group's past work where many albums explore current issues regarding a failing society using the musical medium to bring light onto global problems using strong instrumentals. The album explores feelings of creature comforts that are unable to hide society’s issues from the people with unique takes that help make album sound upbeat which still maintains heavy tones according to music expert Shaad D’Souza.
King Stingray's 'For the Dreams' Album Provides Upbeat Sound to Face Challenges with optimism
King Stingray provides a more joyful style with their newest album titled For the Dreams which closely mirrors their original award winning debut. Their songs are generally more upbeat offering an optimistic message. Despite the problems that society faces today King Stingray offer hope with music that demonstrates that their songs may sound almost too optimistic given the time it's released as written by Andrew Stafford . These sons and nephews from Yothu Yindi have successfully demonstrated how natural making pop can sound by delivering very strong performance within the album using a clear and crisp mixing board sound which was recorded in a studio to produce such quality for fans.
Dirty Three Return After 12 Years With Transcendental Aspirations Found In "Love Changes Everything"
Dirty Three’s newest record called Love Changes Everything released after 12 years since their last album uses sounds for transcendence with mournful parts from Warren Ellis using piano plus Jim White’s drumming that showcase strong sound dynamics. These songs feature instruments in the distance that are all reaching toward some greater point with music critic Laura Snapes also adding that the group make an indisputable case for revelation while demonstrating the will to push the sounds farther. Ellis also maintains creative expression by expanding his career by establishing a primate sanctuary alongside music projects.
Middle Kids Navigate Existential Questions Through Pop Hooks In "Faith Crisis Pt 1"
Middle Kids delivers catchy pop hooks throughout the album “Faith Crisis Pt 1” where their singer Hannah Joy explores a wide variety of topics that include God complex relationship with others along with life through brooding but upbeat lyrics. Songs on this record explode while showcasing unique instruments. The producer Jonathan Gilmore who has also produced work for The 1975 utilizes many creative methods including an almost free-wheeling approach within their songs according to Janine Israel. The album closing track All in My Head which includes a David Le’aupepe from Gang of Youths delivers very powerful vocals similar in style to popular duo Taylor Swift and Bon Iver.
Missy Higgins Explores the Complexities of Post-Divorce Life on “The Second Act” Album
Missy Higgins has been always capable of navigating different ideas using her popular music with the new album The Second Act reflecting her life following a recent divorce which also explores complex and powerful emotional ranges. The singer does not fully focus on either melancholy or catharsis instead showcases the ups and downs of that situation without leaning to a specific extreme. Her songwriting ability shows in “Don’t Make Me Love You” where she displays emotional anguish alongside soft tones while Blue Velvet Dress uses powerful notes while revealing hidden strength. Joseph Earp writes there are no simple truths within this piece of art demonstrating complex layers by using musical performance for narrative storytelling within all her discography.
Paul Kelly's Album "Fever Longing Still" Explores Human Connection and the Transient Nature of Life
Paul Kelly continues his career as he releases his new album Fever Longing Still using water and a wide range of topics focusing on human desires which showcase that he understands simplicity and human nature. The song “Love Has Made a Fool Out of Me” showcases raw beauty of desire which also contains rich Shakespearean storytelling. The album carries forward Kelly’s idea that human life can be short unpleasant embarrassing and also beautiful therefore should be filled with loving human interactions. He explains most often while writing his musical works he can sometimes end up boring himself which shows his intense focus to provide audiences with original sound.
Speed Hardcore Band Breaks Barriers in the Genre with Powerful Album "Only One Mode"
Speed known for being a Hardcore band has added unique flute solos creating music that is both high energy and incredibly unique within their musical production that helped secure them an Aria . Only One Mode combines unique instrumental skills which can be clearly heard in car stereos and homes creating something very enjoyable for diverse audiences. Lead singer Jem Siow sings with vulnerability by conveying important themes concerning marginalization or isolation which creates a highly compelling body of work that showcases their loyal support of the Hardcore Community according to critic Nick Buckley.
Emily Wurramara's "Nara" Album Explores Healing and Connection to Community through music
Emily Wurramara’s newest record Nara translating to nothing in Anindilyakwa came from when she had recently lost her home in a fire in 2019 while recognizing her relationships and new baby that she still had left over after the tragedy. Nara provides an intimate space where she sings to her family and the environment while letting go of previous traumas. The album has tracks showcasing a wide range of styles which all maintain connection through Wurramara’s unique vocals that makes you feel like you're in the same space as her while listening. Nick Buckley states her album serves as both an intimate offering that shows connection and strength to move on from traumatic times.
Grace Cummings Displays Powerful Vocals with Raw Emotionality in 'Ramona' Album
Grace Cummings whose album "Ramona" created musical joy for Sian Cain with strong vocals influenced by Nancy Sinatra Nick Cave and Annie Lennox yet maintains an incredibly original sound. Ramona features heavy instrumentals with enormous vocal cords that break down any emotional walls built during past romances. Songs like “Everybody’s Somebody” allow unique uses of instrumental elements such as powerful horns that demonstrate how Cummings commands her music. Grace Cummings strong voice and unique instrumentation provide audiences with a complex sound.
Dobby’s Warrangu: River Story Educates Through Hip-Hop Regarding Degradation of the Murray-Darling Basin
Dobby's creative expression resulted in a didactic album known as Warrangu: River Story focused on the ecological impact that occurs along Murray Darling Basin using powerful lyrical stylings. Dobby a Murrawarri Filipino rapper also uses various instrumental styles such as drums piano and even bird calls to educate his audiences. Dobby includes interludes with elders from Indigenous communities as they discuss the state of the environment which brings a connection to Lauryn Hill’s work . Sian Cain mentions that this form of hip-hop utilizes protest through art to empower his community. This album features diverse music production skills from the artist.
Cherry Chola Blends Flirt and Flint on Debut Album Bimbo Esoterica with unique sonic identity
Cherry Chola combines two main elements together creating an intense form of expression with her newest album Bimbo Esoterica in collaboration with Mexican DJ Chico Sonido. Her work provides unique viewpoints creating songs that name check iconic symbols using hard style dembow beats. She blends sweet and psycho characteristics while maintaining a strong personality across tracks according to Michael Sun . The album opens with a twist to the highly popular Daddy Yankee’s "Gasolina". Cherry Chola vocals that are often perceived as icy add to the album’s dynamic creating complex moods in a short time with varied techniques to express a wide variety of creative concepts.
Sycco Transforms from Indie Pop Artist to Dynamic Pop Persona with Album “Zorb”
Sycco shifted from popular Indie artist by producing an anonymous type of music with their newest record called "Zorb" which they had released after being signed for six years. Her new pop persona has psychotropic elements as she displays growth with tracks that showcase high saturated dance breaks. UK garage along with distorted vocal techniques create something brand new that makes listeners feel that Sycco’s new album has more personal growth that shows the many aspects that help make unique work as stated by Michael Sun.
J McFarlane’s Reality Guest Returns with Unique Trip Hop Sound and Ethereal Style
J McFarlane’s Reality Guest returns after five years and completely pivots toward unique trip hop sounds in "Whoopee". The new album utilizes many musical techniques creating an ethereal atmosphere. Songs within this piece feel sexy yet alien featuring both intimacy and solitude at the same time with elements of Jazz exotica plus Indie-pop combined all together into her own unique creation with a sound signature unique for all music fans according to Shaad D’Souza. The album clearly creates a late night aesthetic.
Good Morning Album "Seven" Showcases Decade of Music Collaboration Through Impressive Arrangements and musical expertise
Good Morning band collaborated on album titled Seven after 10 years of shared creation between members Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons showing a strong connection and music expertise. Seven is unique as it blends many samples across music history showing complex and creative arrangements. The band released a surprise album showcasing another side with classic jangle indie tunes showing a breadth of experience and skill and creative processes they continue to use when crafting songs and performing live . Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen mentions that Good Morning’s continued success is due to their diverse style of music that they continue to innovate.