It's the last time in 2024 that we'll be telling you which songs you've been sleeping on and must listen to. So, humour us and allow us to tell you our favourite releases of the last two weeks in Australian music.
James Draper - Then I Was
For some, you may know James Draper as one half of Central Coast duo Winterbourne. The local duo thrive on perfect harmonies and catchy lyrics.
However, for this solo project, Draper goes all-in on that soft, emotional, acoustic-guitar-driven sound.
Draper has this knack for drawing you in nice and close with the softest of vocals and guitar, whilst intimately letting you in on his journey.
This is Draper's second release from his solo project, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear more. His Instagram is also worth checking out, the visuals match the sound perfectly if that's your thang!
Phoebe Joy - Lost My Mind
Joy is one who emerged on the scene with force this year, after releasing a trickle of singles during COVID.
2024 has been a year of steady releases, showing both sides of her musical influence; acoustic singer/songwriter, and pop.
Her latest track, 'Lost My Mind', falls into the alt-pop genre. The song itself is well contained before a big release of sound around two-thirds of the way through the song, symbolising Joy's explosion of emotions on the story.
Given the fact that Joy has released just as many songs this year as the three years prior, you can bet that 2025 should continue in the same vein for the Central Coast local.
Darcy Piltz - Be Your Man
The Budgewoi local's latest release 'Be Your Man' is a perfect cocktail of surf rock and indie rock, with just the right amount of nostalgic 00's rock. So take a sip, it's delicious.
The lead guitar shines the brightest throughout, where Plitz draws from his Coastal upbringing with a surf-rock-like riff. The strumming of the rhythm guitars is where I draw my 00's nostalgia from, where I get hints of Powderfinger or Eskimo Joe.
If you're reading this within 36 hours of publication, you're in luck! Darcy will be playing a FREE launch show for this single at King Street Warehouse in Newcastle tomorrow (December 13).
The Ritzy Kids - Telopia
The Ritzy Kids are back with their latest single 'Telopea'. A heartfelt ode to revisiting places and memories tied to the past. With a raw, emotional edge and a driving melody, the song captures the band's signature sound while pushing into new lyrical territory.
If you love the nostalgia of 00's pop/punk like Kisschasy, definitely give this track a spin!
Lead vocalist Sean Fraser describes the track as returning to a place that shaped you, only to realise how much has changed—not just the place, but yourself.
"It’s one of the most personal songs we’ve written, and we hope listeners can find a bit of their own story in it."
The Ritzy Kids will kick off their first-ever tour in early 2025, with stops in Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.
Slowly Slowly - How Are You Mine?
This song just delivers. From the foot-tapping drums, punchy guitars and a catchy, hearty chorus, the latest offering from Slowly Slowly just makes you feel good.
The song can be interpreted as someone 'punching above their weight', but I believe the song is more heartwarming than that. For me, the song is about being with someone so good for you that it's almost unfathomable. Someone who makes you better. Someone who you have a true yearning for. Someone so good, you just have to ask - "How are you mine?"
Slowly Slowly have been in the UK supporting Liverpool rockers Crawlers, before gearing up for a huge first few months of 2025, which includes the release of their new album Forgiving Spree on January 24 and their biggest Australian tour ever in April.
Their Forgiving Spree Australian headline tour will see the quartet primed to journey across Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
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