Naarm based band Blush have a new single out for all you shoe-gaze, pop-punk and new-wave loving freaks
Naarm-based band Blush have dropped their cheeky new sophomore single, Madonna, a face-melting fusion of shoegaze, pop-punk, and new wave that pushes their sound into fresh, more volatile territory.
If their debut single Burning was a slow burn of melancholic pop remedies, this one hits like a storm, unapologetically heavier and more urgent.
With a name that’s bound to make you blush, the band are quickly establishing themselves as one of the most exciting indie fusion acts on the modern scene.
Their sound blends the dreamy haze of shoegaze, the punch of punk, and the eerie allure of new wave, creating something that feels both nostalgic and cutting-edge.
And with Madonna, they’re proving they can do more than just dreamy melancholia– they can make your bones rattle, too.
Right from the opening seconds, Madonna throws you into a maelstrom of crashing drums, aching post-punk guitar waves, and ethereal yet commanding vocals.
It calls back to a golden era of shoegaze-infused indie, somewhere between Mazzy Star’s hypnotic allure and The Horrors’ shadowy intensity, yet with a punkier, more urgent bite.
What sets Madonna apart from their previous work is its underlying sense of rage. Hidden deep within the track is a departure from their usual melancholic sound, a raw energy bubbling just beneath the surface, threatening to crack through at any moment.
This sonic shift makes Madonna their most intense, high-stakes track yet, leaning into the noisier, more chaotic instincts that were only hinted at before.
Lyrically, Madonna acts as a call to the protagonist’s younger self, a bitter and introspective journey into past selves and self-reflection – something we can all relate to.
Lines like, “Can’t take back what you taught me, stretched my canvas of skin”, feel poignant and haunting, nestled within the thick, layered production.
Despite the ferocity of the instrumentals, there’s still an undeniable dreamlike quality to the track. The vocals hover just above the chaos, shimmering against the backdrop of swirling distortion and hard-hitting percussion, creating a tension between delicate emotion and unrelenting noise.
In short, Madonna is a huge leap forward for Blush. If this is where they’re headed, it’s clear they’re not afraid to take risks and push their sonic boundaries. This isn’t just another shoegaze single – it’s a statement, a bold reintroduction to a band ready to carve out their own space.
For more info on releases, check out Blush’s Spotify, and show Madonna some love.
