The AU Review's weekly playlist update on January 30 features ten fresh tracks from Australian and international artists. Newcastle's Rum Jungle earns track of the week with their reflective single 'Coal Dust' ahead of a major UK and European tour. Other highlights include returns from Sly Withers and Sally Seltmann, plus new releases from Telenova and more.
The latest edition of The AU Review's New Music Discoveries, published on January 29, adds ten tracks to its Spotify and Apple Music playlists, spotlighting emerging and established talents. Leading the pack is Rum Jungle's 'Coal Dust,' selected as track of the week. The Newcastle band describes the single as a nostalgic reflection on formative places: "about revisiting somewhere pivotal that once felt restrictive but now feels nostalgic…. It’s the crushing weight of growing up." This bittersweet release arrives just before their largest UK and European tour begins.
Perth's Sly Withers makes a comeback with 'Look Down,' a driving rocker exploring the risks of complacency in discomfort. It previews their independent fourth album, To Be Honest, set for April 10—their first since Overgrown in 2022. Sydney's Sally Seltmann offers 'Do I Want Fame?,' a melancholic track from her sixth album Art School Reverie, due February 20. Inspired by her time at Sydney’s College of Fine Arts, it meditates on fame and self-definition with nylon guitar and harmonies.
Telenova's 'IN THE NAME OF YOUR LOVE,' the third single from THE WARNING (out February 27), captures love's disruptive power, per frontwoman Angeline Armstrong: "Something that wakes you up. Calls you upwards." The band plans tours in Australia, Europe, and the UK in April and May. Western Australia's Blush delivers the fierce 'EMBARRASSED 4 U,' produced by Andy Lawson, echoing Wolf Alice and Hole. Byron Bay's HEADSEND unleashes 'And Angel,' a live-recorded anthem produced by Nick DiDia, following 'Stove' and 'Chugg,' with a debut EP slated for 2026.
Rounding out the list are Tom Misch's guitar-driven 'Sisters With Me' from Full Circle (March 27), Boy In Space's introspective 'Who’s Crying When I’m Leaving?,' plus exclusive premieres from Emma Bass ('Sweet Dejavu') and DUB ZOO ('Pocketful'). These additions showcase a mix of indie, rock, and pop energies, updated every Friday.
