This week’s New Music Radar brings a little country comfort.
I think somehow the universe knew we’d need a little extra country today.
With the news of Dolly Parton’s passing hanging heavy, this week’s New Music Radar has landed with more than a few country-tinged gems, alongside some scrappy emo, Sydney pop-punk and sunburnt indie rock for good measure.
DARLENE DARLING – ‘life’s a trip’
Self-described “analog girl stuck in a modern daydream” DARLENE DARLING absolutely delivers on that promise with ‘life’s a trip’. Hazy, nostalgic and a total mood.
Mela Luca – ‘Red Rock’
Meanjin singer-songwriter Mela Luca folds folk warmth into a slightly rougher alternative-rock frame on ‘Red Rock’. Earthy, understated and beautifully lived-in.
FIN KEY – ‘Coffee Blue’
Gold Coast mates FIN KEY bottle sunscreen, surf trips and mild ute-related chaos into ‘Coffee Blue’. Breezy indie rock with a slittle scrappy little charm thrown in for good measure.
Kyle Durell – ‘Brother’
Kyle Durell wears his heart completely on his sleeve with ‘Brother’, a tender country gem built around plainspoken storytelling and the kind of emotion that will quietly floor you.
Emma Sproxton – ‘Marlboro Lips’
Brisbane country-folk newcomer Emma Sproxton makes a very sweet first impression with ‘Marlboro Lips’. Warm acoustic textures and vulnerable songwriting give her debut single decidedly perfect.
Loose Shoelace – ‘FATHERS’
Loose Shoelace arrive straight out of Meanjin with a tasty drop of indie-emo rock on debut single ‘FATHERS’. A little ragged around the edges in exactly the way good emo should be.
Will Day – ‘Life’s Highway’
Will Day leans into big-hearted Australian country on ‘Life’s Highway’, pairing powerhouse vocals with the sort of open-road storytelling made for disappearing down the highway for a few hours.
Facelift – ‘Ceiling Fan’
Sydney’s Facelift come swinging with ‘Ceiling Fan’, a sharp little dose of pop-punk that wastes no time getting its hooks in.
Keira King – ‘Drive A Truck’
Keira King keeps things very sweet on ‘Drive A Truck’, bringing her Midwest country roots together with a knack for clean, immediately likeable songwriting.
Sarina Haggarty – ‘One Of Those’
London, Ontario-born, Nashville-based Sarina Haggarty taps into the melodic side of contemporary country on ‘One Of Those’. Easygoing on the surface, but there’s plenty of songwriter instinct underneath it.
Chuck New Indie Music: Happy’s Mixtape a follow. Updated every week with emerging indie, rock and alt artists picked by Happy Mag.
