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ABC News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
The 20 best albums of 2025 so far
It's been another year of brilliant new album releases. The team at Double J have done a lot of listening and, after plenty of friendly arguments, have settled on their 20 best albums of the year so far. The final list is a thrilling mix of fine local talent, international favourites, a few exciting new voices you might not know, and some big hitters you definitely will. Here are their picks, in their own words. Tap the box to read more about each album. Ball Park Music — Like Love Every album Ball Park Music has released is a special encapsulation of time. Like Love doesn't just show the band maturing but a levelling up of their sound and confidence. They've gone through their pop and experimental phase like The Beatles, so call Like Love their Abbey Road — but hopefully there are more albums to come like this beauty from the Brissy Beatles. Listen: Please Don't Move To Melbourne Nick Gerber Bon Iver — Sable Fable 'From great suffering comes great art' is an age-old saying, and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon proves it wrong in turning over a new leaf. He emerges like a slow-jam butterfly from the depths of sadness saying 'enough!', and his bloom is all heartfelt, hands-in-the-air and brilliant collaborations with music's most exciting new voices. Listen: Everything Is Peaceful Love Zan Rowe Chasing Ghosts — Therapy Thungutti man Jimmy Kyle delivers straight from the heart on one of this year's best heavy albums. Therapy tackles mental health, intergenerational trauma and Australia's dark colonial history across 10 anthemic, fist-pumping songs. It might make you cry, it might make you recognise something in yourself or a loved one, and it will definitely stick in your head long after you first hear it. Listen: My Bingayi Caitlin Nienaber Close Counters — Lovers Dance Academy Melbourne-via-Tassie duo Close Counters are clearly deep into their 10,000 hours on the tools. More than a decade of collaboration has sharpened their signature blend of house, broken beat, soul, jazz, and more. We hear all of this across Lovers Dance Academy. A warm, rhythmic journey through connection, movement and love. Built for both the heart and the dancefloor. Listen: Freedom We're Needing Dylan Saville Ela Minus — DÍA Colombian Ela Minus has made a creatively free album that veers between ecstasy and apocalypse. She used to be a drummer and a punk, then got obsessed with synthesisers and eventually crow-barred her punk sensibility into Berklee College of Music. The agony of that forced discipline can be heard here. She's f***in cool. If you sometimes want to set fire to your life, this could be the soundtrack. Listen: Broken Yumi Stynes FKA Twigs — EUSEXUA FKA Twigs's first album in years is a dazzling display of her future-pop brilliance. ( ) 'When a girl feels good, it makes the world go 'round,' sings UK polymath FKA twigs. And the exhilaration of her thrilling third record is highly contagious. It's as deeply sensuous and completely exuberant as an interstellar dancefloor experience can get. Listen: Eusexua Caz Tran Floodlights — Underneath Naarm/Melbourne's Floodlights have steadily built up a following with spikes around their word-of-mouth performances. They've hit their stride with their third album, creating ambitious, world-class rock that feels honest and stays grounded. If success is measured in the ability to connect, there's truly something bubbling under the surface here. Listen: The Light Won't Shine Forever Dorothy Markek Ruby Gill — Some Kind of Control The magic of Ruby Gill's second long player is her astute use of space. It creates room for her voice to move and drift, for melodies to hang in the air then sink under your skin. It makes me feel like a cat perched on a sunny sill; her melancholy, mirth and ruminations draped over me like a favourite blanket. Listen: The Flood Caz Tran Little Simz — Lotus As the London rapper emerges from tumultuous times, the lotus flower proves a powerful metaphor. Six albums into a decade-long career, wherever Simz goes, I'm along for the ride. Uncompromising from the outset and devoted to pushing boundaries, Little Simz sits safely among hip hop's elite. Comfortable but never complacent. Listen: Flood Dorothy Markek Obongjayar — Paradise Now Despite loving Obongjayar's scene-stealing features with Little Simz, Fred Again.. and Danny Brown, I was criminally late to the Nigerian-bred, London-based artist's debut album. You can bet I wasn't making that mistake a second time. Paradise Now is an auspicious showcase of his shapeshifting talents, both vocally and sonically, on approachable songs that are impossible to pigeonhole but easy to admire. Listen: Holy Mountain Al Newstead Panda Bear — Sinister Grift On his eighth solo album, Panda Bear explores the intense emotions that come with a break-up, while revelling in some of his warmest, lush-sounding songs so far. Working with Animal Collective band mate Deakin, he's served up a feast of sound, embracing breezy rhythms, psych-pop, reggae and sad ballads. But it's Panda Bear's incredible ear for melody and layered, Beach Boys-style harmonies around his signature happy/sad vocals that is the star of the show. And has me coming back again and again. Listen: Praise Karen Leng Press Club — To All The Ones That I Love Everything I've loved about Press Club is still here on their brilliant fourth album. But somehow the hooks are hookier, the melodies are bolder, the riffs are more emotional and the lyrics are an even harder punch in the heart. This Melbourne/Naarm band have really levelled up, delivering what could be the best local rock album of 2025. Listen: To All The Ones That I Love Ryan Egan Skeleten — Mentalized Warmth is the anchor that roots the sonic eclecticism of Skeleten's second album, Mentalized. Trip hop, house, electronica and indie pop collide in a melting pot of genre, where the secret ingredient is Skeleten's genuine love for the music that's shaped him. It's that love that translates into the warmth we hear and feel, which makes Mentalized such an enjoyable listen. Listen: Deep Scene Stephen Goodhew Liz Stringer — The Second High It's so easy to dive into The Second High — you'll be fully immersed from its first seconds. You can tell this was recorded in the backstreets of Brixton. Many songs channel some of the UK's most hypnotic music from the past few decades, all the while perfectly intersecting with the empathy and curiosity of one of our country's finest contemporary songwriters. Listen: Coming Home Henry Wagons Surprise Chef — Superb Many will use the new album from Melbourne funk world-beaters Surprise Chef as a sleek and luscious background soundtrack. Nothing wrong with that. Lean in, however, and the experience becomes imminently richer. One of the country's most adept bands channel the taut funk of Stax and imbue psychedelic, cinematic touches that keep us wondering where their sound will go next. Listen: Bully Ball Dan Condon Antony Szmierek — Service Station at the End of the Universe The poetic debut album from Manchester's Antony Szmierek has a retro-futuristic scope. There's redolence in his words, and a pressing vitality to the beats and synths that couch them. The Streets is the obvious point of comparison, but Szmierek's somewhat more cerebral approach and clubbier instincts show he's operating on a different track. Listen: Rafters Dan Condon Julien Baker and Torres — Send a Prayer My Way Big riffs and big heart; this joint album is raw in a way that feels like a hug, or a punch. Classic country tones come intuitively to Baker and Torres, intimate without indulgence. 'Sugar in the Tank' is an especially furious-yet-graceful belter. This album is joyous, banjo-filled, flamingly queer, and easy to love. Listen: Sugar In The Tank Steph Hughes Viagra Boys — viagr aboys The magic of Viagra Boys' fourth album lies in the dynamic between its visceral and putrescent slacker punk energy, and its moments of genuine and tender lyrical poignancy. It's the magnetism between these opposing poles that keeps the album grounded and relatable; a valuable counterpoint to its Ren and Stimpy-esque intensity. Listen: Man Made of Meat Stephen Goodhew Marlon Williams — Te Whare Tīwekaweka I bought this album for my mum and myself as we have recently started exploring our Māori heritage. Marlon makes us feel invited into this journey with this gorgeous album. Learning language is the portal into understanding a culture. I'm also learning songs from this with my kids to keep this journey alive for the next generation. Listen to it all. Be emotional. This album is good for your soul, whatever journey you are on. Listen: Rere Mai Ngā Rau Dylan Lewis Wretch 32 — Home? Home? is an apt title for this album. Not because I've lived in the UK, nor lived the Black Brit experience, but because the lyrics and production feel super comfortable and familiar, and it warms your heart with each listen. Maybe it's because Wretch — seven albums and 17 years into his career — is now stepping into elder-statesman territory and knows exactly who he is and how he wants to present himself? Either way, it's such a dope and well-crafted album. Listen: Home Sweet Home
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Platonic Sex Follow-up ‘90s-Rock Elegy 'Impress You' With New Single ‘Easy'
[Friday, May 30, 2025] – While touring with Ball Park Music, Magandgin/Brisbane band Platonic Sex unveil 'Easy', a pop-rock confessional steeped in the nostalgic hum of a worn-out cassette. The track layers honeycomb sweetness with a raw edge, preserving fleeting memories of early romance until intimacy's currency dwindles and the initial thrill subsides. 'My verse in this song was written when I was in high school', says Jane Millroy. 'It was a whole song that never went anywhere, until it just fit – one of those puzzle piece songs.' 'We often write about the in-between stages of love', says Brandolini, adding, 'It's so effortless to fall into intimacy with someone, but if it's not the right match, it can become transactional.' Recorded with the acclaimed Antonia Gauci (GAUCI, The Buoys, Body Type, Ripple Effect Band) at Golden Retriever Studios and polished to perfection back home with Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music, Asha Jefferies, Bean Magazine) at Prawn Studios, 'Easy' joins 'Impress You' in showcasing Platonic Sex's eager progression into exciting new territory. Catapulting into 2025 as Best Rock Song finalists at the Queensland Music Awards, Platonic Sex embarked on an energetic all-ages weekender, playing the inaugural She Can Rage party in Gadigal Land / Sydney, and a sell-out DIY headliner in Magandgin / Brisbane, in collaboration with Anti Dismal. Adding to their growing momentum, Platonic Sex received a notable mention as a band to watch during the national TV broadcast of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Perth Now
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussie indie rock legends to descend on WA's south coast
The beloved Australian indie rock band Ball Park Music are coming to Bunbury this Thursday on their national Like Love Tour 2025. The five-piece band, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Sam Cromack, bass guitarist Jennifer Boyce, Paul Furness on keyboards, Dean Hanson on rhythm guitar, and Daniel Hanson on drums, will be playing at the Prince of Wales Hotel on May 8. The Brisbane indie nerds will fly in from Hobart — where they performed on Saturday night — returning to Bunbury for the first time since 2023, when they played at the Groovin' The Moo festival. Like Love is the band's eighth studio album, which comes fresh from the success of their seventh, Weirder And Weirder in 2022, which featured the hit single Stars In My Eyes. Ball Park Music have long been at the summit of Australian music, with five of their seven albums having debuted in the ARIA top five, four of their songs selling more than one million copies, and 12 making the triple j Hottest 100. 'The new record has seen us explore a more tender, introspective side of our band and we're excited to redesign our show to accommodate this, as well as all our usual faves for the stage,' the band said in a statement. 'Joining us in support for the Aussie leg will be our new fave Brissie band, Bean Magazine. We adore them and they're gonna kill it,' they said. 'We couldn't be more pumped to go. We'll see you out there!' Tickets are still available on the band's website.
Perth Now
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
More Aussie artist openers for major global music acts
Big-name international music concert tours will get discounted arena hire fees at some of Australia's largest venues if they choose home-grown Australian acts to open their shows. The Australian live music industry is struggling against streaming services that favour American tunes, and the local scene in NSW has taken a hit over the years since the pandemic and lockout laws. NSW Premier Chris Minns said that giving Aussie artists their first big break in front of thousands of locals will help them get high rotation on playlists. "The Hoodoo Gurus got their first big break after they performed with Lou Reed in 1984," Mr Minns said. Mr Minns dedicated the incentive to the late Michael McMartin, who managed the Hoodoo Gurus and had a passion for pushing Aussie talent to be included on the stadium tours. "We want more Australian musicians to have that opportunity, performing on the biggest stages in NSW alongside the best international artists," Mr Minns said. Venues covered include: Accor Stadium, Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the Sydney Cricket Ground, WIN Stadium and Entertainment Centre and the Sydney Opera House. Under the plan, the NSW Government will reduce the venue hire fee by $20,000 for each eligible show across various NSW venues and will offer a $5,000 reduction at the Sydney Opera House. To be eligible for the incentive, at least one Australian artist must be included as a support act on an international artist's headline tour. The Australian performer or band must appear on the same stage as the international artist and be announced at the same time as the tour. The measure kicks off Monday and spans an initial two years. "There were just three Australian albums in the ARIA top 100 charts in 2024," Arts Minister John Graham said. "This represents a crisis for Australian music." Oasis is touring Australia in October and November and has asked Australia's Ball Park Music to open for them. "There's no denying the benefit of a big support slot. The opportunity to play your music live in front of a new audience is the best marketing we have as artists, the chance to showcase what we're all about in the most real and authentic fashion," Ball Park Music said. "Any initiative that can help amplify Australian talent, increase exposure, and aid in building a long-term and engaged audience is a massive step in the right direction."
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
International stars to get big venue discount for booking Aussie acts on stadium and arena tours
International artists who book Aussie acts on their tours will get a discount of up to $20,000 on venue hire of NSW stadiums and arenas hire as the Minns Government boosts the coveted opportunity to get homegrown music back on the big stages. Getting a support slot on superstar tours to play in front of tens of thousands of fans is a game-changer for Aussie musicians. Rising rockers Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are now touring America with Pearl Jam after opening for them on their stadium gigs in November while Kita Alexander has a hit on her hands with her latest single Press Pause after performing on the Dua Lipa tour. Chart-topping rockers Ball Park Music will score invaluable exposure to a new audience when they open for Oasis at their sold-out stadium shows in November. 'In our career to date, we've had - and continue to get - great support slots where we've seen a direct growth in our audience that often translates to a boost in our number of long-term fans, none of which would have discovered us without that exposure,' Ball Park Music's Sam Cromack said. The initiative will offer promoters booking bigger venues including Accor Stadium, Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the Sydney Cricket Ground and WIN Stadium and Entertainment Centre a $20,000 venue hire discount and $5000 at the Sydney Opera House in return for choosing a local act to open the show. The NSW Government is the first to adopt 'Michael's Rule', named after the late artist manager Michael McMartin whose passion was to see Aussie talent get the big stadium gigs to boost their audiences. The career of the Hoodoo Gurus, who were managed by McMartin for almost 40 years, took off after supporting Lou Reed in 1984 and in the 1990s, You Am I played Australia shows with Soundgarden before touring the US with them. 'This will help Aussie artists take an even bigger stage on international playlists, skewing the Spotify algorithm to mix in more Aussie tracks and put NSW up in lights as a home of great music,' Premier Chris Minns said. Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham has introduced a raft of measures to rebuild the state's live music has added 302 venues by extending trading hours. The Government also boosted the cap on concerts at Allianz Stadium with all available slots now on hold by local promoters for more tours to be announced later this year. But Graham said the Australian music industry remains in crisis, with only three local acts on the 2024 ARIA top 100. 'The rise of streaming is flooding our market with American music and creating a roadblock for NSW artists trying to break through. By adopting Michael's Rule we will get more local acts on to the big stage,' Graham said. 'While local shows are suffering, fans are still paying the big money for big international acts. Michael's Rule will help our local artists capture that attention.' Teen Jesus singer Anna Ryan called on other states to wave the carrot of a venue discount at the big international acts. 'We received the news (about Michael's Rule) at the airport on our way to Nashville to support Pearl Jam so we are proof that having Australian artists on international tours at home really does impact careers,' Ryan said. 'Hopefully other states will join the call!'
