Best new tracks Down Under #37

With the vibrant indie music scene in Australia and New Zealand constantly outshining much of the output from their British and American cousins, Little Indie picks our weekly bunch of some of the best new tracks on offer.


NEIL MACLEOD - OPENLY

Wellington, NZ electronic pop singer-songwriter Neil MacLeod's 'Openly' is the lead single from his forthcoming 'We Have Known Lost Days' EP. Released at beginning of September, it is an eerie, stirring three-minutes-plus helmed by a strong production and vocal delivery.
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GRENADE JUMPER - THE POWER YOU FLAUNTED

Credit: Billy Zammit

The Sydney alt-rockers pack a punch on this second outing of the year. Vocalist Bianca Davino leads a power thrash storm of guitar and vocals on the fast-paced track. "'The Power You Flaunted' focuses on generational distrust, propelled by losing faith in the leaders - both political and within the arts world - who failed to take care of us like they promised," she says. "It’s about tearing away the facade that they exist behind, and outing them from their positions of power."
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BRENDAN MACLEAN - GEMINI

Sydney artist Brendan Maclean offers a moody electro-pop sojourn on 'Gemini', the follow up to 'Easy Love'. Produced by Melbourne's Yeo, the track is driven by a synth-weighted highlights, snapping percussion and Maclean's own accomplished vocal.
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CRY BABY - CRY BABY

Produced by brother, Judah Winnett, "'Cry Baby' introduces who I am," says Sunshine Coast alt-pop artist, Rebekah Winnett of her eponymously titled single, out now via somewhatstrangesounds. "Once upon a time, being called a ‘cry baby’ used to break me. It made me feel weak, but now I’ve turned it into my superpower. I don’t want anyone else to be held back because they’re sensitive or emotional. We shouldn’t see feelings as flaws, but as badges of honour. No one should ever have to apologise for being connected with their emotions and for essentially being human." The first taste of Cry Baby’s breakup concept EP, which is due for release next year, is a slightly quirky bop with Oz-twang-ed, cheeky vocals and punchy production.
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OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY - I SAID I'M FINE

Melbourne-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Pawel Cholewa (pronounced Pa-vell Ho-liv-er), takes this self-produced, lo-fi bedroom pop/psychedelic track (that evokes cultural memory and nostalgia for the popular entertainment of the past), and utilising electronic strains, loops, and samples with layered guitar, makes for a mesmerising and experimental soundscape.
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LA WOMEN - FALLING IN LOVE

Released last week, the second single of 2020 from the Auckland, NZ indie-pop trio, 'Falling In Love' embraces R&B touches, with a funky pop-electronica. It's infectiously likeable, with steady beats and catchy rhythms.
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