Adelaide’s best new music
We’ve rounded up Adelaide’s best new music for June, including Energy Angel, Jon Ann, Motez and more.
Energy Angel – ‘Nalgene’
‘Naglene’ is a mix of both slow and energetic moments, making it a perfect fit for Energy Angel’s debut EP, NRG, which was released on June 6. Describing itself as “hardcore adjacent”, the five-piece band blends genres ranging from pop-punk to heavy metal and hard rock. This song begins with a solitary riff before the rambunctious band kicks in, featuring a wall of sound with a powerhouse vocal performance, thumping drums and effect-laden guitars to match. CityMag previously likened the group’s sound to having a “2000s pop punk grunge vibe”, as well as “progressive rock with a touch of flamboyancy”, adding that, “It’s giving Green Day but in 2024″.
Jon Ann – ‘Kings Cup’
‘Kings Cup’ by Jon Ann has its Aussie-ness dialled up to 11. From the Coopers beers in the slick music video, to the unapologetically Aussie accent of the lead singer and, of course, the song title’s reference to a popular Australian drinking game.
“It’s also a big F U to any buzz kill or pretentious individual at a house party. If you’re not here for a good time, you can walk straight out the door,” says the band about the song.
Jon Ann is an Adelaide-based, female-fronted pub-punk band that compares itself to a mixture of Amyl and the Sniffers and The Chats.
Motez – ‘You Should Not Be Doing That (Motez Edit)’
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Speaking of Amyl and the Sniffers, how about this latest remix of the band’s 2024 hit ‘You Should Not Be Doing That’ by Motez! Motez, who describes himself as a “big fan” of the Australian punk group, explains that techno and punk have interchangeable energies. The remix takes the strength of the original track and completely transforms it, with sped-up vocals, synths and drum machines. “Been keeping this one up my sleeve for a year or so, changing it ever so slightly every time I play it, and this is where it ended up,” says Motez.
Ivy-Lee – ‘Heart On The Line’
This synth-driven track appears on Adelaide-based indie pop artist Ivy-Lee’s eponymous EP. The song’s playful melody contrasts with the sombre lyrics.
“I keep my heart on the line/Psyching myself to get by/To keep myself from losing the one thing that still makes sense to me/That’s why I keep my heart on the line,” sing Ivy-Lee
Ivy-Lee says the song “explores the tension between emotional openness and self-protection” and is “a raw, resilient anthem for anyone who feels deeply and strives to stay true to themselves”.
Oscar the Wild – ‘Blue’
From the jump, ‘Blue’ is a dreamy listen with melancholic lyrics. The titular track of Oscar The Wild’s new three-track mini–EP is an insightful look inside how it feels to be trapped inside the expectations of others. Nowhere is that clearer than when lead vocalist Ruby wails four rounds of “what more can I do”.
About the track, Ruby says it took her “a long time to realise that others’ expectations of me are more a reflection of them”.
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“As someone who chronically disappoints people, I tell myself this to prevent me from getting too blue,” she says.
Oscar The Wild has a refreshing sound that plays with genre deliciously. Catch them live at the Crown & Anchor on July 19.
Placement – ‘Insect’
‘Insect’ is the titular single off Placement’s highly anticipated debut album that will drop a day after we publish this column.
If you’ve seen the Adelaide post-punk/noise outfit live, you’ll likely recognise it, with drummer Giuseppe telling CityMag last year that the album name is one for real Placement fans.
‘Insect’ is a comment on mortality, emphatically delivered in vocalist Malia Wearn’s signature stoic narrative style. The piercing guitars pick up the pace at about the two-minute mark with a touch of clarinet thrown in. This track should get you excited about the experimental tilt of the new album in the spirit of grimy 90s pub-rock.
Placement is launching Insect on June 27 at the Crown & Anchor with Twine, QLD’s Special Features, Somewhere and Wet//Dreems DJs.
Sunsick Daisy – ‘Bite My Tongue’
Yonder is the latest EP by the four-piece band Sunsick Daisy. On the day of the EP’s release, the band took to Instagram to say the body of work is all about: “navigating change, grief, healing and nostalgia”.
“We could go on about how proud we are of this EP,” the band also said via Instagram.
The fourth track off Yonder – ‘Bite My Tongue’ – represents just that, as Sunsick Daisy sing: “I’d bite my tongue if I were you / You’d cry your eyes out if you knew / About the shit you put me through / So I’ll bite my tongue around you”.
The song has an upbeat yet serious rock tone and is one to add to our winter rotating playlist.
Tommy Marsh – ‘Still I Don’t Regret’
‘Still I Don’t Regret’ is one to add to your breakup playlist (we all have one of those, right?) The pop track is a moody and moving tale of choosing to love someone you know will hurt you. Tommy gets vulnerable, singing about walking away with no regrets from a difficult love that helped him grow. Hailing from Maslins Beach, you might know the singer-songwriter as a rapper first from tracks ‘Breddas’ and ‘Surf Ct’ or from his performance at WOMADelaide.
In ‘Still I Don’t Regret’ Tommy’s sound sidesteps influences of Hilltop Hoods and is reminiscent of Kid Laroi meets Imagine Dragons, showing off strong vocals and transitioning from spoken to sung – a welcome new side of the artist.
Tonix – ‘FEEL ALIVE’
CityMag particularly loves the intro instruments in Tonix’s new track ‘Feel Alive’. An old-school electro sound beats intensely, which is then followed by a cheerful strum of a guitar. Shortly after, the band opens by singing: “We’ll sing our songs together yeah yeah / you know my favourite ones”. ‘Feel Alive’ has a fun, upbeat tone which only heightens when the chorus kicks in, which we can imagine would go so hard when performed live.
Speaking of live performances, you can catch Tonix at Divide Club located at 149 Hindley Street, on August 1.
