Adelaide’s best new music
We’ve rounded up Adelaide’s best new music released in December–January, including Any Young Mechanic, Lauren Bull and more.
Aloe Vittoria – ‘Touched by the sender’
‘Touched by the sender’ is a hazy calling card for indie electronic artist Aloe Vittoria.
The celestial rhythm is best suited as a soundtrack to a house party after all but three of your best mates have cleared out. It sounds like being sprawled out on the grass, looking up at the stars through a ring of smoke after 2 am.
Look out for the off-kilter experimental artist’s debut album Farm later this year.
Any Young Mechanic – ‘Snug Barber’
‘Snug Barber’ is a deliciously twangy debut from Any Young Mechanic, the first release from the art-folk five-piece formerly known as Wake In Fright, complete with a music video from Adelaide’s go-to muso director Conor Mercury.
Any Young Mechanic is one of the most exciting Adelaide bands right now, and has been giving a taste of the local scene to the world, fresh off festival slots at the UK’s Reading and Leeds and Istanbul’s Babylon Sound Garden.
The bouncy banjo and perky drums on ‘Snug Barber’ is an exciting taste of what’s to come from Any Young Mechanic, who have a solid footing underneath them and momentum building in their release schedule, which includes a new single on Feb 13 ahead of their first album The Modern Shoe is Ruining the Foot in June.
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awnings – ‘purp’
purp by the three-piece math rock band awnings is certainly January’s most unique release.
Our first introduction to the band, the debut single is a fast-paced track that comes in at just 1.33 minutes and features intricate guitar work and odd time signatures — a true staple of the math rock genre.
The only “lyrics” in the track come from a barely audible robotic voice about halfway through, however, it allows the listener to fully appreciate the band’s instrumental talent.
Those wanting to check out an impressive live show can catch awnings at Arthur Art Bar on February 8.
Eshan Zaveri – ‘Reflection of Us’
‘Reflection of Us’ is the latest track from Indo-Australian R&B artist ZAV-E, which is both a heartfelt and catchy breakup song.
“All I’ve got is these memories of you/you’re my therapy/my favourite melody/I can’t hold on to these memories for long, got all these memories of you,” ZAV-E sings at the chorus accompanied with a bouncy R&B melody.
It’s not the first time ZAV-E has made our Best New Music list, having previously been featured for his track ‘Love Again’.
ZAV-E will play on WOMADelaide’s Academy Stage on Sunday March 8, as the festival looks to unearth emerging South Australian artists of all genres and backgrounds.
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With new music promised every month, fans of ZAV-E won’t have to wait long enjoy his next track.
Lauren Bull – ‘Crooks’
Releasing her first solo single in almost four years, Lauren Bull’s second single ‘Crooks’ is a catchy, infectious tune and a noticeable departure from her 2022 debut track Dreams are for Sleeping.
With the most recent release, Bull isn’t afraid to change pace throughout, often moving from upbeat to a slower tempo to allow the vocals and piano to shine.
The highlights of the track come from the impressively funky guitar solos — the first at the 1.55 mark, followed by a near 40-second crescendo to complement Bull’s vocals as she concludes the track.
The track is the first single off the upcoming debut album Cult of Icarus, set to be released in April.
Nathan Hui-Yi – ‘tenten’
‘tenten’ by Adelaide-based hip hop artist Nathan Hui-Yi has an offbeat quality to it. The song’s title is presumably a reference to the Naruto character Tenten, with the lyrics speaking to Nathan’s Asian-Australian heritage. An arpeggiated piano, reminiscent of music from a Studio Ghibli movie, is accompanied by a funky hip-hop beat. Lyric-wise, the song follows a simple rhyming scheme.
“Wear my scars like an emblem/Kintsugi my redemption/Never seek perfection/Take light, dark and blend ’em/Never finished, just abandoned,” raps Nathan.
The Man Himself – ‘Money in the book’
Adelaide-based indie musician, The Man Himself (a.k.a. Matthew Hill) has returned with his latest release, ‘Money in the Book’. This quirky alternative rock song packs a punch, clocking in at just one minute and 55 seconds. The tune begins with a catchy, clean guitar riff before Matthew joins with his deadpan vocals.
‘Put your money/Put your money in the book/Forget about the page and you won’t take another look,” sings Matthew.
