Welcome back to Happy Mag’s Best New Music, every Friday we highlight the best new releases from the past week.
Another Friday comes to pass and the weekend awaits, we’ve made it friends! Before we clock off and crack a cold one, we have got another week’s worth of amazing new music releases to share with you.
From Indy Yelich’s highly anticipated debut, to stunning new music from Janelle Monáe, and our favourite synth lord Harvey Sutherland we have got some real treats for you today; so without further ado, let’s get into that sweet sweet music.
Indy Yelich – Threads
Indy Yelich drops her highly-anticipated debut EP ‘Threads’ today, featuring the playful new single Freeloader. Inspired by a friend who overstayed their welcome in her tiny NYC apartment, the song is a cathartic call-out to all the past boys who have taken advantage of her kindness. The EP includes previously released tracks, Killer, and Hometown, as well as a brand new collaboration with Trackside in LA called Hero.
Janelle Monáe – Float
Janelle Monáe has returned with the brand new single Float, a soaring, soulful anthem that showcases Monáe’s powerhouse vocals and unbridled passion for social justice. Monáe has brought some new collaborators into the mix. Joining them on the track is Seun Kuti, the youngest son of legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, and his Afrobeat band Egypt 80. Together, they create a sound that is at once vintage and modern, with Kuti’s virtuosic saxophone solos adding fiery energy to the mix. A true testament to Monáe’s commitment to making music that speaks to the times.
Harvey Sutherland – Changes
Melbourne producer Sutherland’s latest track “Changes” is a mesmerizing, hooky, and polished production that features an unexpected sample. The repetitive house sound is irresistible, and the lyrics were inspired by the mantras and made-up songs he sang to his daughter when she was a baby. As it turns out, he had unwittingly re-recorded the hook to “Changes” by Sandy Rivera, an amazing 2002 house record he hadn’t thought about in 20 years. The experience allowed him to reconnect with classic UK club music and serves as an excellent introduction to his new collection of choppy soulful garage beats.
Mom Rock – Bullseye
Boston-born, Austin-based Mom Rock dropped Bullseye and a Valentines-esque video this week. The trio’s infectious tunes and signature-themed get-ups have won them fans the world over. Mom Rock’s discography explores young adulthood in real-time, touching on heartbreak, self-love, and the human need to belong, and we can’t get enough of it.
Charlie Gradon – Changer
Charlie Gradon, the introspective multi-instrumentalist who’s making waves in the Australian music scene. His latest single Changer is an absolute gem of indie pop perfection. From the moment the track begins, it’s clear that Gradon is a master of his craft. The song is built around an infectiously catchy melody that will have you humming along from the very first listen. With recent accolades including a finalist spot in Happy Mag’s Needle in the Hay competition, it’s clear that Gradon is a rising star to watch.
BLESSED – Heya
London-based rapper BLESSED, originally from Ghana and raised in Western Sydney, recently released his first single of 2023, an afrobeats-inspired track called Heya. The song explores the connection between a man and a spirit and is accompanied by a visually stunning music video shot during the rapper’s recent trip to Ghana.
