July 19 - Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite tunes of the week.
Teenage Joans – ‘INTIFADA’
Rising Adelaide punk rockers Teenage Joans are staying true to the ethos of punk music with their latest single, ‘INTIFADA’.
A blistering burst of guitars, fist-beating drums and shrieking vocals, what makes ‘INTIFADA’ a tune worth listening to, besides the head-banging instrumentation, is the lyrics, with the song addressing the atrocities being committed against the people of Palestine.
“Two hundred fifty people killed every day / There’s no such thing as being on the fence,” Teenage Joans spit with venom on the opening verse, letting their thoughts be known on the current conflict.
In a lengthy statement about why they wrote ‘INTIFADA’, the band explained, “We wanted to write a song about the subject because we feel it’s so important as a punk band to use our music to speak about important issues. Punk isn’t a genre, it’s a movement, it’s about standing up for human rights, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their right to live in peace.”
Only available via Bandcamp, all proceeds from the sale of the song (and t-shirt the band has released) go towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is helping to assist and protect Palestinian refugees.
Jessica Luxx – ‘Unspeakable Things’
After listening to Jessica Luxx’s first single of 2024, ‘Unspeakable Things’, my immediate thoughts went to Lana Del Rey. And I mean that as a compliment.
There’s a dreamy, alluring quality to Luxx’s voice that reminds me of Del Rey. It feels like Luxx is speaking directly to your soul, grabbing hold of your emotions and dragging you deep into her mysterious world of song.
Produced by Sean Timms, ‘Unspeakable Things’ is part 60s pop, part country, with Luxx cooing, “I would do unspeakable things if I had to for you.”
Lickity Split – 'Anaphylaxis'
Four-piece skater pop punkers Lickity Split bring the noise with latest release, ‘Anaphylaxis’. Mirroring its title, the song is about the effects of an allergic reaction, with a ripping guitar solo sandwiched between former vocalist Connor Hudson’s Aussie punk twang.
This one sounds a bit like DZ Deathrays went out drinking with Frenzal Rhomb and ended back at Bad Religion’s pad for kick-ons. It’s punk pop goodness with a side of pub rock.
Maybe Hugo– ‘Fool’
Looking for a little joy on this wet and rainy Friday afternoon? Give Maybe Hugo’s wonderful ‘Fool’ a whirl.
This jazzy indie pop creation finds the multi-instrumentalist dealing with unrequited love, with the chorus asking, “Am I just a fool / If I have you / As you’re picking me all apart / As I’m just into / All that you do / Am I just never enough.”
Despite the subject matter, ‘Fool’ is a boppy indie number featuring fellow musicians Dylan Bosch, Isobel Dahlen-Flight and Ryan Taylor that’s sure to put a smile on your dial.
DIVEBAR YOUTH – 'sharp tongue'
Music is all about hitting you in the feels, something DIVEBAR YOUTH achieve with ‘Sharp Tongue’.
I’m not entirely sure what it is about this tune that grabs me. It could be the orchestral elements, the probing percussion, Vinnie Barbaro’s soulful manipulated vocals, or maybe it’s the way everything comes together in a melting pot of swirling creativity that gets the endorphins in my body flowing.
Whatever the case, ‘Sharp Tongue’ is a fantastic tune that’ll have you hitting repeat.
