KJ’s Playlist: 21 Aus Music Month Must Listens
November is Australian Music Month.
At Wall of Sound, we take our responsibility for nurturing local talent seriously. From the best newcomers to the greats of the scene flying the flag for the next generations, we can’t get enough of them.
Each week we add the best new tracks to our Aussie Heavyweights and Hitmakers Playlist [Spotify] and [Apple Music] and we will once again be participating in Aus Music T-Shirt Day on November 30 – encouraging our readers to join our team and make a donation to Support Act in the process.
Donate here: AUS MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY – TEAM WALL OF SOUND
It’s getting close to the climax of 2023, so before you finalise your favourite releases for the year, might I suggest revisiting the 21 tracks below. There’s a blend of everything from deathcore to pop punk and a sweet psychedelic excursion at the end. Some are from albums or EPs, others are standalone singles. Grab some headphones, earbuds or a speaker and turn this one up loud.
Don’t forget to rep your fav Aussies on Thursday, November 30 and tag @wallofsound and @supportact + use the hashtags #ausmusictshirtday #WallOfSoundAU on your socials.
Make Them Suffer – ‘Ghost of Me’
Perth band on a tremendous run of singles and some massive shows in North America, UK and Europe. Returning home for a Good Things Festival run with a set that no band wants to follow.
Luca Brasi – ‘Habits’
High-energy pop punk that will also go down a treat at Good Things Festival.
Stand Atlantic – ‘SEX ON THE BEACH’
Just released and already a summer classic in the making. Infectious beats and a booming breakdown. “Bang your fucking head!”
Bloom – ‘Bound to Your Whispers’
An adrenaline rush of hardcore with a massive hook. Get to the barrier and get ready for a circle pit.
Ocean Sleeper – ‘Never the One’
A catchy single that starts slowly with synths and loops but unleashes for a full crowd singalong. Learn the words and sing it back to them at Good Things.
Void of Vision – ‘Angel of Darkness’
After their massive Knotfest set, they went on international tours and left the Chronicles era behind with this new industrial-infused banger.
Thy Art is Murder – ‘Keres’
Other bands might have quit when the CJ controversy led to his sacking. But the band knew they had a cracking album (review here). So they retooled it within a week and dropped it to worldwide acclaim.
Polaris – ‘Nightmare’
Levelled up again on album 3. Their Aussie Fatalism tour was a rousing success and fitting tribute to fallen guitarist Ryan Siew.
Voyager – ‘Promise’
Rode good vibes and mainstream media support to 9th place in the Eurovision Song Contest (recap here). The album Fearless in Love is incredible too. Our thoughts are with frontman Danny Estrin as he undergoes cancer treatment.
Windwaker – ‘SIRENS’
They changed vocalists after one of the better debut albums of recent years and haven’t missed a step with this latest single (review here). They’ve just been announced for Knotfest 2024 too!
Thornhill – ‘Viper Room’
Stylish metalcore heroes continue their move into a broader sonic outfit, this time with driving rhythms that mainstream radio should be playing.
Torrential Thrill – ‘Role Model’
Bad arse rockers with screaming guitars and plenty of swagger. The album kicks butt (review here).
Teenage Joans – ‘Candy Apple’
Their well-anticipated debut album is full of killer hooks (review here). Don’t underestimate their greatness.
Wildheart – ‘Sacred Ground’
Metalcore with a First Nations perspective. Uncompromising and critically important to our national conversation.
To The Grave – ‘Cut Off the Head’
Animal rights activists use excellent deathcore to spread their message. A step above their peers because they mean what they say. We gave Director’s Cuts 10/10 (review here).
Honest Crooks – ‘Burn Eternal’
Released all the way back in January (review here) but don’t sleep on them. Ferocious death metal.
RedHook – ‘Off With Your Head’
Already on their way to world domination with their Nu-metal infused rock/core. We caught up with them at Download UK of all places.
Lycanthorpe – ‘The Human Virus’
Metalcore heroes emerged with a new EP full of thrash beats like this one. Review here.
LUNE – ‘Left Behind’
A late contender for EP of the year, with great melodies and brutal breakdowns. Review here.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – ‘Gila Monster’
Prolific Melbourne band dropped two albums this year, the first of which was rooted in prog-thrash. Or at least that’s how I describe it.
Psychic Mass – ‘Tumbleweeds’
Mysterious Melbourne trio who dropped an EP on streaming and cassette. Fans of 70s orientated hard rock will get a kick out of it. Watch for EP 2 soon.
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is an annual day of fun and awareness on Thursday 30 November to celebrate Aussie music and raise urgently-needed funds for music workers in crisis. You can show your act of support by wearing an Ausmusic T-Shirt and donating to Support Act (Wear & Donate). In music, every little bit matters
Words by KJ Draven (Twitter X and Instagram).
Wall Of Sound // 21 Aus Music Month Must Listens
Spotify and Apple
