August 16 - Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite releases of the week.
Words by Tobias Handke
Shifty Peaks – ‘Coast to Coast’
The best thing about writing this weekly column is getting the chance to hear a wide cross-section of music from Adelaide’s thriving local scene. While I’m familiar with plenty of these bands, every now and then I come across someone new, such as Shifty Peaks.
Comprising vocalist/guitarist Joe, guitarist Luke, bassist Matt and drummer Ryan, the four-piece’s sophomore single ‘Coast to Coast’ is a joyful mix of jangly surf rock riffs, cooing harmonies and Talking Heads melodies.
This tune is a tasty afternoon treat sure to encourage anyone with a love for the ocean to grab a surfboard and hit the waves.
DIVEBAR YOUTH – ‘all you ever wanted’
DIVEBAR YOUTH is really making waves in the Australian music scene. The alias of producer and artist Vinnie Barbaro already has a long list of achievements to his name, including having six of his songs feature in Spotify’s New Music Friday AU & NZ playlist since October 2023 and accumulating over 2 million streams across all digital platforms for his debut EP, Sonder.
The burgeoning creative’s latest, ‘all you ever wanted’, is an atmospheric production about “realising what you love in life and not letting your thoughts stand in the way.”
This one has a bit of everything, from downtempo boom-bap beats to distorted vocals and a violin outro. There even seems to be a bit of sax filtered in the background, with DIVEBAR YOUTH crafting another genre-defying piece of music that’s hard to shake.
Sturt Avenue – ‘Passenger side’
Adelaide continues to be a hotbed for indie folk acts, with Sturt Avenue the latest to get me excited.
Sturt Avenue is a family affair, with SCALA award-winning singer-songwriter Bryn Soden joined by his father John on lead guitar, lap steel and harmonies. The rest of the band is made up of Bryn’s good friends: Bryce Lehmann on drums, Isaac Kerr on bass, Dave Thompson on keys and accordion and Sophia Dennis on saxophone.
‘Passenger Side’ is the group’s new single, a soothing folk number inspired by a drive Bryn took through Mount Lofty that’s about appreciating the small things in life.
The Tullamarines – ‘Loser’
People really love The Tullamarines, and if you’re not already converted, ‘Loser’ is sure to change your mind.
This is a solid indie rock track that continues to showcase the band’s knack for writing catchy, upbeat indie-pop jingles that get stuck in your head. It’s already getting play on triple j and is a great introduction to everything The Tullamarines are about.
Be sure to catch The Tullamarines in September when they end their national tour at Jive. Grab your tickets here.
Lily Rose – ‘good to see you’
Feel like rocking out in your bedroom or on your daily commute to work? Whack Lily Rose’s ‘good to see you’ on and I challenge you not to start nodding your head or tapping your foot along to the beat.
‘good to see you’ is a little punk and a little rock with a sprinkling of 80s shoegaze. The song finds Rose singing about unrequited love amongst crushing guitars and powerful stick work.
Top stuff.
