Community radio music directors often have an encyclopedic knowledge of local music and an insatiable thirst to keep their ears ahead of the curve. So in this Tone Deaf series, the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) invites music directors to highlight new Aussie tunes that you might have missed.

In this edition, Luke Penman from Radio Adelaide contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amrap’s music distribution service ‘AirIt’.

Check out Luke’s selections below and if you’re a musician you can apply here to have your music distributed for free to community radio on Amrap’s AirIt.

Tkay Maidza – ‘Simulation’

Tkay’s had a hell of a lot of hype after a few massive singles, but she continues to impress and evolve. This one’s a fair bit softer than what we’ve seen from Tkay traditionally, with an eye clearly kept on the impending summer.

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Timberwolf – ‘Something That I Said’

Looks, there’s lots of swearing and it’s pretty sad-sounding, but what a beautiful recording of a deeply personal song. Timberwolf’s first release was easily lumped into the “folk” category, but each new song he releases steps further and further away from such simple pigeonholing. A chilled tune bordering on classic psych sounds.

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Cosmo Thundercat – ‘Warning Bell’

Harmonies, harmonies, harmonies. Cosmo Thundercat are all about the harmonies, and this is their best showcase yet. A beautiful recording of a beautiful tune.

MANE – ‘Bitter’

Paige Renee Court got a lot of attention as an acoustic singer-songwriter with a distinct soulful vocal sound, but after some work with the team at Northern Sound System, she has re-emerged as MANE: still soulful, a little playful, a little dark, a little electronic.

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Bad//Dreems – ‘Mob Rule’

It sucks that the world has gotten to this point, but it’s excellent to see rock bands writing protest songs again. Between this and The Peep Tempel’s “Rayguns”, surely the days of bigoted deadshits are numbered.

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Naomi Keyte – ‘Company’

A Passenger-esque presense, Naomi Keyte can hold a crowd in the palm of her hand, the entire room silent to the point you can hear a pin drop when she takes a breath. A delicate but powerful voice, Keyte impressed with her solo album, but working with a full band for her latest has her name on everyone’s lips.

Wasted Wanderers – ‘In Your Fire’

Dusty Lee Stephensen is one of the strongest singers in town and his work across SKIES, Angels Of Gung-Ho and Wasted Wanderers [as well as solo] shows his excellent range. This one’s a personal fave, with sister duo Nikai on the backing vocals and just pure feelgood vibes that’ll always brighten your day.

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