Words by Kate Johnson

DIVEBAR YOUTH – REMINISCE (LOST TIME)

At a young age, Vinnie Barbaro of DIVEBAR YOUTH was driven by his family’s story of migrant poverty to become ‘adaptable’. His music is a testament to that, acclimatised to the TikTok music formula with his nostalgic melodies, earworm synths and a mumble chorus. DIVEBAR YOUTH is an Adelaide artist who writes and produces his own music. His latest - ‘Reminisce (lost time)’ – is incredibly likeable and would blend into any playlist no matter the season.

Listen to ‘Reminisce' (lost time)’ here.

ENERGY ANGEL – WANT TO RUN (SINGLE)

Gig-rats are simultaneously high-fiving around the state because there’s another head-thrashing band on the scene. Blast ‘Want To Run’ through your speakers to feel butterflies, just like you did when you heard Violent Soho for the first time. Electric guitar and drums make love on Energy Angel’s debut track with an addictive reverb and high octave vocals similar to Dune Rats and Good Doogs. The difference is… they’re local! The boys have played small support slots since August and if ‘Want To Run’ is a taste of what’s to come, we’re sure to be – as they put it – ‘stuck in the crowd’.

Listen to ‘Want To Run’ here.

MODERN RELICS – TELL ME (SINGLE)

As the 42nd Spotify artist in the world, Arctic Monkeys are a little out of reach. Adelaide’s Modern Relics have a shockingly similar sound, with a more relatable 42 listeners per month. Modern Relics are your closest bet to that UK Indie-garage-rock style – just listen to their debut tune, ‘Tell Me’. It’s energetic, euphoric and fun. Plus, they plan to release more music this year. So, ditch your Arctic Monkey records and opt for the local edition for some original raw and punchy goodness.

Listen to ‘Tell Me' here

SONS OF ZÖKU – O SABER (SINGLE)

SONS OF ZÖKU are a unique breed on our local scene, this time releasing a song in Portuguese. Delving into non-English music is therapeutic because you get to enjoy the music for what it truly is: sounds combined in a beautiful way. In their style of worldly, tribal and natural music, SONS OF ZÖKU have released ‘O Saber’, which you could both dance to and meditate with. In addition to their 2021 debut album, SÜN, the ZÖKU outfit released three singles in addition to 'O Saber' last year, which all feature on their sophomore album ËNDLËSS – out today, February 2.

Listen to ‘O Saber’ here.

LOST WOODS - HOUDINI (SINGLE)

Lost Woods' single features a cover with a sloth (we like that) and shares the same title as Dua Lipa’s single, which reached #11 on Billboard Charts. ‘Houdini’ by Lost Woods is a family-friendly indie track with nasally vocals, bouncy instrumentals and the repetitive mantra, ‘I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know’ – which is very fun to sing along to. Billy Zane, actor from Titanic, Phantom, and Back to The Future says Lost Woods have ‘great pipes’. It’s their first release since 2021 and we’re thrilled this five-piece are blessing our city with their rock/pop flavours. Not to mention their certified great pipes.

Listen to ‘Houdini’ here.