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.
Venus II – Inside Your Sun
An intense mixture of psychedelic, techno, and video game sounds come together to make this groundbreaking debut from the duo that is Venus II. A collaboration between Jarrad Brown of Eagle And The Worm and Ryan Grieve of Canyons, you know you’re in safe hands as this album takes you on a atmospheric journey that leaves you wanting more.
Rebel Yell – Mother Of Millions
Rebel Yell creates some addictively immersive and powerful industrial electronic music. Beautifully haunting, yet comfortingly heavy, Rebel Yell’s debut EP is one of the most superbly crafted pieces of music to come out of Australia in a while. If you’re a fan of Aphex Twin’s ambient era or the ‘Hackers’ soundtrack, this will be right up your alley.
Alex The Kid – Speak Up
As one might gather from the title of the opening track ‘Punchface Champions’, this album indeed comes at you like a punch in the face. Brutal, raw, and full of a sound that is uniquely Australian, Alex The Kid are undoubtedly one of the best punk groups in Australia at the moment.
Plastic World Volume 1
Sydney’s Plastic World label may have only been around for a short three years, but if the artists they work with are any indication, they’ll be around for many more years to come. Mesmerising and enthralling tracks from artists such as Sampa The Great and Mondo Freaks perfectly encapsulate why Australia’s underground electronic music scene is clearly one of the best in the world.
Smoke Rings – Self Titled
The jangly guitar-driven pop that Smoke Rings produce instantly gives you visions of either a lazy, 60’s-inspired road trip, or it may remind you of the last time that Kurt Vile was in town. The group’s raw, yet friendly sound make them unique in a way that will not only win them countless fans, but put them head and shoulders above any other groups of the same genre.
Jinja Safari – Crescent Sun/Crescent Moon
Following on from Crescent Sun, the second half of Jinja Safari’s debut album serves as a fitting farewell for the band. Continuing the sounds that fans everywhere fell in love with, the group’s indie-pop sensibilities are front and center, with a seemingly more emotional approach being taken along the way.
