Futuremag Music’s favourite releases of the week, picked by our Editor-In-Chief, Brooke Gibbs.

Amanduh - Eye To Eye

This Melbourne-based singer-songwriter is keeping the party going with her second addictive single of 2024. Eye To Eye seems like it should be a sad song - after all, it’s about the end of a relationship, but as the lyrics weave between sad and raw and hopeful and energetic, it becomes clear that this is a brighter look on the post-breakup haze. The relationship ended simply because it had to end. It’s not a negative thing, it’s just that they don’t see Eye To Eye.

Amanduh herself puts it best, “It’s a reflection of everything that didn’t align, not for better, not for worse, just is what it is. A lot of break up songs latch onto the idea of really deep sadness, or anger, but I wanted to recall on all the little intricacies that just don’t align when dating and there’s no bad blood when it doesn’t work out. Sometimes things just don’t work out and it’s ok.”

King Stingray - For The Dreams (Album)

After almost a year of dropping hints to their fans, this Arnhem Land band have dropped their glorious second album. Several themes recur throughout For The Dreams - the glow of nostalgia admist the rush of life, the joy of simple living in a digital age, the bliss of slowing down and returning home to Country, and finding optimism in challenging times.

“We are so excited to finally have this album out in the world,” says the band’s guitarist/producer Roy Kellaway. “It was fueled by good seafood and good times. We are really proud of it and we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

Stay tuned for Futuremag Music’s album review of For The Dreams.

Blue Vedder - FAREWELL. GOODBYE (EP)

Their second EP sees this Melbourne band at their most experimental, yet most refined, as they draw from a menagerie of genres from 90s backbeat, Brit-pop, modern shoegaze and alternative rock. An ode to their DIY upbringing, FAREWELL. GOODBYE is “a modern, trip-hop twist on the shoegaze-derived sound we usually go for,” Hancock shares. “We went with drum machine, lots of synth, and sounds that we’d rarely use. Joe (Agius) helped transform the song into what it is now with many new and exciting layers. This seems like the direction we’re heading in with our new music.”

Tommy Sexton - Start Again

This glittering new release from Brisbane is a soulful disco track and the debut studio release from Tommy Sexton. Alongside the dazzling debut comes a bonus B-side, La La La.

Start Again evokes the euphoric feeling of coming back from the brink, using the metaphor of a heart attack victim who needs ‘A sudden current to the heart to make it start again.’ On the beginnings of the single, Tommy said, “It started as a spark of inspiration while I was washing the dishes. It was a process of uncovering what was inside my head, forming words to a melody that I found myself humming and trying to decipher and build on their meaning. To me it’s about renewal, finding inspiration - the light at the end of the tunnel. As it took shape musically, it gave a ‘dance your troubles away’ feel to the music which matches the theme.”

Make Them Suffer - Self-titled album

A full-circle moment, Make Them Suffer’s self-titled album spans 11 tracks of inventive ferocity, with the five-piece in unwavering control of their sonic identity. Bound with lashings of melodic light and blistering shade, the album also fearlessly steps into new, creative terrain.

“I really like the lyrics,” shares vocalist Sean Harmanis of the album’s closing track. “It’s describing someone trying to flee their hometown. They live in a small town and everyone’s always watching you and talking about each other, so there’s this paranoia and this sort of fear surrounding all of that. That song’s pretty much about Perth. I like that lyrical content, and on the flip side, it’s just very fun to sing.”

grentperez - 2DK

This single taps into an edgy and playful version of grentperez, with high synths and an electronic melody blending beautifully with his signature form of catchy hooks.

grentperez says of the single, “2DK is another track where I wanted to explore different genres and sounds, trying something a little more moody for a change. The track came about through a fit of experimentation. When working with Gianluca, he played some synth stuff that sounded way different to what I would usually write. I was skeptical at first, pretty hesitant to even hum a tune. Eventually I whispered out the words ‘two drunk kids turning up for the night,’ and he liked it. I questioned it like… ‘really?! Are you sure?’ Anyways, I ended up really liking the track and I think this showcases another side of grentperez.’

Dear Seattle - Say What You Want

These Sydney alt-rockers have released a raw, confessional anthem taken from the band’s forthcoming third studio album, TOY, due out in January. Speaking on the track, Dear Seattle share, “It’s about overcoming the fear of expressing yourself and how you feel. Whether you’re head over heels for someone and dying to hear that they feel the same, or so content with your life you don’t want a single thing to change. Say it. Scream it. Tell your friends you love them. Live your life and try not to shut down the feelings that make it real.”

Maya Ixchell - Hurricane

In her newest charming folk-pop song, this Perth-based artist dives into heartbreak and grapples with impulsive thoughts of breaking away and starting a new life. Hurricane is a slow, emotive tune with shimmery guitar and sweet vocals that let her lyrical prowess shine. The sad melody is imbued with a gentle passion, the drums adding gravity to her vocals to let the undiluted feelings build up. With faint, echoing vocals in the background, this is a beautifully moody story told through song.

Blusher - Somebody New

This pop trio is back with a pulsating track that rounds out an exciting year of single releases for the band as part of Spotify’s RADAR program. With shimmering synths, infectious beats, and a euphoric chorus, the single captures the energy or embracing change and stepping into the unknown.

Blusher shares, “Somebody New is our fun, flirty mantra that mirrors the cycle of breaking up, rebounding, swearing off love, and knowing you’ll do it all over again. Mostly, it’s a love song to the friends who are by your side through the whole process.”

thndo - Forward

This track tackles the complexities of trust issues, paranoia, and the work that goes into overcoming betrayal. Guitar riffs layer amongst groovy beats, and harmonies reminiscent of a retro soul era, with a message carried by thndo’s vocal prowess and buttery, soulful delivery.

thndo shares, “Forward is the soundtrack to feeling emotionally unsafe in a relationship after betrayal. Can you really move forward if you’re always looking back over your shoulder.”