Local Artists:

Airling: Not A Fighter (Single) (Pieater)
- Oh, man. New Airling has such an ideal display of thematic atmosphere. It’s at once vulnerable and humble but bold in its presentation because it sounds like it’s made on an old casio keyboard. That small, beige limited piece of polyphonic warmth. It’s simple and understated but, if used appropriately, can be just as affecting as the modern and powerful. Be a lover not a fighter. (Nick Rodwell)

beneb: Feel Something (Indie)
- The multi-skilled Ben Mackay plays in an array of local acts, but understandably, he is his strongest as beneb. His Feel Something EP has the singles that have really resonated with 4ZZZ, and it’s not surprising given that he consistently offers up what Brisbane is renowned for, really great indie-rock. (Nick Rodwell)

Captain Dreamboat: Modern Love (Single) (Indie)
- Modern Love is so richly understated in its capacity for beauty. From vocalist Ofa Fanaika’s Meshell N’degeocello-level of soulful presence to the band’s immersively lush harmonies, you really should give yourself up to this heartfelt single. (Nick Rodwell)

Dangerpenny: Way Of Life (Single) (Indie)
- For all of the alt-rock bands that kick around in the shadows of Soho and Smith Street, Brisbane’s Dangerpenny have a single here that is a contender for it’s own light. For a scrappy bunch of dudes it’s a huge song fit for powerful singalongs and giving your uncombed hair that windswept look, if you’re brave enough to stand close to their amps. Brisbane is in safe hands. (Nick Rodwell)

JayCee: Dreams Are [A BNE Thing] (Single) (Indie)
- JayCee has always been known for his speedy flow and intense lyricism, but I'm not sure he's ever sounded this complete. With the help of TomTom's fusion of a variety of interesting beats, this cut represents for Brisbane in a way that might actually crack through my rocky exterior and tap into some genuine emotion. Impressive stuff. (Chris Cobcroft)

KRAZNOV: Sugoi (Single) (Indie)
- Local DJ and beat-producer KRAZNOV has been a regular in Brisbane’s growing hip hop and club circles for a while now, this single sees him step up with a classy cut of his own. Sugoi has flickers of future-beat with a tasteful minimalism to his knocking bass approach. Get in. (Nick Rodwell)

Mid Ayr: Pocket Her Eyes (Single) (Indie)
- This single explores the idea of the "hunt" in regards to the way sexual pursuits are handled by humans in this day and age and it brings the Brissy duo are back with a vengence. Begining in what sounds like a lo-fi garage sound, the song builds and transforms effortlessly into a brilliantly produced, hi-fi indie-rock tune, complete with some intense guitar bends and grinding synth lines. It's a sonic journey that is ever so satifying once the chorus hits. It's colourful, it's full of energy, it's...actually just listen to it. I'm giving away too many spoilers. (Marli Blanche)

Pale Earth: Always Summer (Indie)
- Still more volumes of ambient sound pouring out of Benjamin Thompson's Pale Earth project. Always Summer does its best to stand in as an ASMR sleep-aid with twenty-five minutes of gently crackling timbres against sweet synth warmth. The three minutes looping minutes of Fever Ghost sound like the gentlest factory on earth, while Shampoo Nurse is some kind of pitch-shifted warm horror, with the occasional errant, electro-jazz snare: any nurse that sounds like that, is a sponge-bath you don't want. This EP though? I'll take that. (Chris Cobcroft)

Playboimillionaire: YGDA/Post Depression (Indie)
- Reuben Aptroot as Playboimillionaire has a really curious double-single in YGDA/Post Depression. Taking from Brit-pop’s largesse and early Radiohead’s desire do away with Brit-pop’s suave facade, this double-single really nicely acts out a duality I wish would happen more in Brisbane. (Nick Rodwell)

SAFETY CLUB: GoodDreams (Single) (Indie)
- Brisbane duo SAFETY CLUB have unleashed a mother of a hip hop single GoodDreams. Rapping and singing their way over a perfectly produced, floating electronic beat, there is no doubt that it will be crowd favourite for 2017. Going forward this release has certainly set a new standard for the Aussie hip hop scene. (Luke Doig)

Schae: The Intersection (Single) (Indie)
- This is a really fine example of found-sound production. The inspiration behind The Intersection is the deaf-signaling blip from pedestrian crossings. It unfolds gently into a somewhat downtempo groove, opening you up to little moments of sonder. (Nick Rodwell)

Australian Artists:

American Doubles: The Swell (Indie)
- Really deliciously cool '80's synth-pop, laidback but poised, wistful and stylish. The Melbourne duo make sitting on the beach with your Tommy Hilfiger wearing friends and looking expensively attractive seem like the right choice. (Chris Cobcroft)

Astral Skulls: What We Lost (Single) (Psychic Hysteria)
- With the addition of female vox and the occasional blast of guitar, give the electro of Kurt Eckhardt's Astral Skulls outfit more of a human feel. Despite their raging ennui the choruses are positively warm. I'll take it. (Chris Cobcroft)

Battlehounds: Night Crawl (Single) (Mirador)
- This sounds a bit different from the last time I heard Adelaide's Battlehounds. Still, sounds like a very loud rock band fronted by a guy who sounds a bit like Paul Dempsey. That's fine, but Night Crawl sounds a bit like The Ramones if the Ramones were a shoegaze band and that, my friends, could be the best thing ever. (Chris Cobcroft)

Ben Wright Smith: Hellion Heeled (Single) (Indie)
- Melbourne’s Ben Wright Smith has a really distinct sense of melody. As his phrases in Hellion Heeled climb and wind amongst the fleecy drive and twinkling leads, you become quite engaged in his investigation of the individual. Which is really quite fitting as he has developed a sound that is independent of any other indie-rock around at the moment. (Nick Rodwell)

The Brow: Echo, Echo (Single) (Indie)
- The Perth hip hop troupe really have a lot going on: the live band with the brass, that new diva Talia Hart, the surge into drum'n'bass, the conscious but slick lyricism. I'm not sure if urban roots is really playing to a huge crowd right now, but if you were going to do it, you should do it like this. (Chris Cobcroft)

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack: Do It For Nothing (Single) (HopeStreet)
- Much like other stuff I've heard from this collab, The Cactus Channel are all restrained and introspective in the verses as Ball Park Music's Sam Cromack croons like a quiet and melancholy Richard Ashcroft. The chorus opens up like a psychedelic flower: modulating into a major key, spilling out a warm stream of brass and a waterfall of keys. Can that formula work for a whole record? It's certainly been working for the singles. (Chris Cobcroft)

Clowns: Pickle (Single) (Poison City)
- This latest single from Melbourne band Clowns sounds like The Bronx have stolen The Edge’s pedal board. If only that were true, there would be much rejoicing. But to be clear, it’s a huge hard rocker with a psychedelic flair that would raze a stadium let alone the clubs that they’ll be hitting on their upcoming tour. (Nick Rodwell)

Cold/Heat: New Life (Single) (Indie)
- This single from Sydney's Cold/Heat sounds like the love-child of The Dead Kennedys and Midnight Oil. If that doesn't sound at least intriguing to you then we cannot be friends. Big, snarling '80's guitars and drummer/vocalist John Hynd's sung-spit-spoken stuff sounding just like Jello Garrett. Great! (Chris Cobcroft)

Dumb Dog: Good Songs (Indie)
- Melbourne 4-piece Dumb Dog have released their new, aptly titled EP Good Songs. There is no false advertising here, Good Songs features some bare bones rock songs with a killer groove. Highlight, Tell Mumma (remix) has a nostalgic feel that is reminiscent of early Rolling Stones and is simply good old fashioned rock n roll. (Jonathan Cloumassis)

Field Waves: Diagram (Indie)
- We’ve a bit of a sleeper unit here in Melbourne’s Field Waves. A soundtrack composer and designer, his wide array of influences create really exotic vibes. With plenty of balance between off-kilter grooves and pastoral spaces, this kind of electronica wouldn’t sound out of place in the delicate end of Ninja Tune’s roster. (Nick Rodwell)

Heat Wave: The Man (Single) (Psychic Hysteria)
- Savage and stark guitar stabs and drum machine underwrite the sing-song, spoken-word male/female vocals. They sound almost like a children's playground chant ... written by Iggy Pop and Karl Marx. Hope that sells it for you. (Chris Cobcroft)

Lionizer: Out Of Breath (Single) (Indie)
- After all these years I'm still a bit of a sucker for a (proper) emo anthem. Perth's Lionizer have weaponised that effect by going all acoustic for this latest single. Moody guitar shares the space with breezy piano melodies and the restrained feels are echoed by screams off in the distance building to the we're-all-in-this-disaster-together climax. For the end of a hard week and the pumping of a crowd of fists. (Chris Cobcroft)

Mindsnare: Unholy Rush (Resist)
- New Mindsnare after what seems like too long. These Melbourne hardcore thrashers just up and dropped an album and it’s huge. These guys have a solid standing as veterans and this album shows that, uncompromising in it’s scope and ability, this is consummate heaviness. (Nick Rodwell)

Monkey Marc: No Surrender Feat. Sizzla, Capleton, Fantan Mojah & Mista Savona (Single) (Digi Killaz / Jahtari)
- This is completely ****ing badass dancehall. Combat Wombat's Monkey Marc does a reframe of Mista Savona's work and, well, it's pretty hard to top Mista Savona, but this might do it. Monkey's production skills have clearly just been getting better and better over the years and his politics are just as sharp as ever. With a bunch of brutally effective toasters ... I just can't stop listening to this. (Chris Cobcroft)

Oliver Tank: Charlene (Single) (Indie)
- The juxtaposition of the space in Oliver Tanks new single is a superb example of tension and release. His downtempo goes from slinky chop to warm expanding space in an effortless breathe of creative flair. Such smoothness is to be recognised. (Nick Rodwell)

PANCHI x WWNTR: Gypsy (Single) (The A & R Department)
- The first song from this collaboration of PANCHI & WWNTR, these laidback vibes are straight from Fremantle, causing waves of smooth bass washing a dreamy guitar over you, backed up by a whispering vocal that makes you feel like laying back and enjoying the ride. (Rhett Whittaker)

PIPSY: Why Can't I Get What I Want, For Once? (Single) (Warhammer Kid)
- Ahead of a(n apparently) much anticipated album I'm having a hard time coming to grips with PIPSY. It's like jangle pop, but without actually being out of tune. It sounds like really lush '80's soft-rock but a bit tongue-in-cheek, maybe like The Reels? No, that's probably wrong. Certainly a bit like former countryman Connan Mockasin. Definitely not much like the bands they list as influences like The Mint Chicks or The Cribs. CONFUSING! ...but I really like it. (Chris Cobcroft)

SHOUSE: Without You (Single) (Indie / Smooch Records)
- This side-project from Melbourne's Harpoons is pumping out some smooth dance grooves. The bouncy, syncopated house beat plays real nice with the ambient synth wash. Add the layered vocal loops and you've got strong echoes of Orbital's classic Halcyon And On And On. Derivative? I literally do not care - take me to my happy place. (Chris Cobcroft)

Supermini & Frankie Romano: Right Now (Single) (Tinted)
- Supermini & Frankie Romano are puveyors of funk house out of Sydney. This sound's oldschool - it kinda reminds me of some of Resin Dogs' dancier stuff. Some of the samples also make this feel like a P-Funk extravaganza. The big, cheesy, house production is still more over-the-top than all the rest put together. A big, guilty, pleasure. (Chris Cobcroft)

This Way North: Pressure (Single) (Indie)
- This female duo out of Melbourne have made something deceptive: it's an '80's rock anthem in the style of The Boss, but synthy enough to be new wave too. In that way it sounds a bit like the fusion anthems of Ainsley Wills and a bit like the heartland rocking of Liz Stringer, too. I like both of those artists quite a bit and I think I'm going to like This Way North a lot too. (Chris Cobcroft)

Timberwolf: Hold You Up (Single) (Indie)
- Adelaide’s Timberwolf is refining his style. Having consistently released music which displays an intricate approach to popular song, his love for folk, rock and pop’s ability to successfully meld genres into a compelling form is really evident in his latest single Hold You Up. With a really enagaging sense of dynamics and melodic motif Hold you up is quite an enjoyable song. (Nick Rodwell)

Time For Dreams: S T R A N G E R (Single) (it)
- Amanda Roff (of Harmony) and Rob Carlyon (of Standish/Carlyon) were always going to be a good combination. Here they start off sounding a bit like The Cure, if The Cure were genuinely menacing instead of playing it for laughs. Roff's whispers play in amongst chiming lead bursts, the loping bass and electro beats. That would be enough I'm sure, but the track builds into a dreamy mid-tempo dancer that is hauntingly beautiful. Being a stranger is a sexy thing. (Chris Cobcroft)

vhs dream: So High (Single) (Husky)
- So High is the latest single off Melbourne duo, vhs dream's debut album, Departure. Layered like a wedding cake, So High builds up, calms down and rises again taking the listener on a rollercoaster ride that sounds like a synthy Sigur Ros song. The ambient vocals blend seamlessly into the ethereal backdrop of echoed drums, floating synths and wispy guitar, creating a soft but powerful song. (Jonathan Cloumassis)

Overseas Artists:

!!! (Chk Chk Chk): The One 2 (Single) (WARP / Inertia)
- I always have a bit of a soft spot for US dancepunks !!!, this single really floats my boat though. The two-step beat and the house diva vocals go to work against muffled saw-wave synths. Cheesy but very stylish throwback dance. Craig David eat your heart out! (Chris Cobcroft)

Allan Rayman: 13 (Single) (Communion / Universal)
- One of music's most mysterious figures has emerged with this homage to the people who didn't have an interest in him pior to his rise as a musician. Envision the raspy timbre of a tortured blues soul singer, the musicality of an '80's new wave band and the hooks of an rnb track and you have yourself 13 by Allan Rayman. It's a fusion like no other; producing an incredibly catchy track that is equally as infectious as it is individualistic. (Marli Blanche)

The Bug vs. Earth: Snakes Vs Rats (Single) (Ninja Tune / Inertia)
- Neither of these two artists should need much of an intro; electronic producer extraordinaire The Bug and Earth are all things heavy and dark. They’ve collaborated before and they’re back at it again. It’s as dark, foreboding and immersive as you’d expect an instrumental from these two to sound. And, it sounds good. (Nick Rodwell)

Don Bryant: How Do I Get There? (Single) (Fat Possum / Inertia)
- Soul legend Don Bryant has returned. Having worked with late greats Solomon Burke and Albert King, Bryant is one of those voices rich with feel. This release sees him with a full band of Memphis veterans who add a verifiable prestige to his classic sound. (Nick Rodwell)

Figure-Ground: Out Of The Shadows (Shadow Story / EPM)
- Bradford duo Figure-Ground make fearlessly inventive IDM. It's as experimental as Autechre but much more rhythmically focussed. Sometimes murky, stealthy contemplative, but often surging forward at a breakneck pace. Sometimes it's driven by the trebles, sometimes by a wildly syncopated bass -a-la early dubstep. Sometimes your attention will be drawn to strange rhythmic patterns undulating in the background, made out of nothing more than fuzz. Whatever it is (and it's constantly changing), it's great and, furthermore, all the proceeds for this LP go to a mental-health charity. Take my damn money! (Chris Cobcroft)

HVOB and Winston Marshall: Silk (Tragen / Tailored)
- The Austrian duo and their English collaborator are evocative of a lot of things: from the sleek Euro lines of Trentemøller to the effortless hooks of Olafur Arnalds. It's also not exactly like The xx or Fever Ray, but it might be the offspring of both? At any rate, if any Scandi-noir needs a theme song, these folks have you so covered. Sad, stylish darkness. (Chris Cobcroft)

Jlin: Nandi (Single) (PLANET MU / RED EYE)
- Footwork is an extremely percussive genre. With this latest single, Jlin really pushes that characteristic forward. The only harmonic elements are from the savagely cut vocal samples and the subtly tuned drums. Regardless, she has once again proved to be a captivating proponent with this heavily tribal vibe. (Nick Rodwell)

Perfume Genius: Slip Away (Single) (Matador Records / Remote control Records)
- Perfume Genius has really spread his wings with this single. It bursts open with the same grand pop-eclecticism as Sigur Ros’ Jonsi imbuing his usual approach to song with a greater sense of drama. Have a listen, it really takes off. (Nick Rodwell)

R. Missing: Unsummering (Indie)
- I remember when Zola Jesus used to sound a bit like New York's R. Missing, I liked her more back then. This is understated, gothic electro-pop with echoes of Chelsea Wolfe or Brisbane's own 100%. Synthetic but often beautiful. (Chris Cobcroft)

Seramic: I Got You (Parlophone / Warner)
- A hefty spoonful of funk beats, a delicious dollop of soul vocals and a dash of buzzed synth lines are all effortlessly blended into Seramic's new single. Mixing together a plethora of both timeless soul and modern day influences into his own, individualistic slice of funk pop. This concoction is then topped off with incredibly tight production which rightly cements Seramic's position as one of the most hyped about musicians in the internet realm in recent times. (Marli Blanche)

Slowdive: Sugar For The Pill (Single) (Creation / Inertia)
- I sorta had to stop and check I was actually listening to Slowdive. When certain bands say they're not shoegaze you roll your eyes (hey, J+MC??), but this is really different from yesterday's fuzzy stuff. Quiet, warm, heartbroken and gorgeous. I couldn't be keener (in a diffident, melancholy manner), to hear the new record. (Chris Cobcroft)

The Veldt: Symmetry (Single) (Independent 5.B.C.)
- The Veldt are out of North Carolina in the US and they make this really hazed out indie pop. To clarify, think about what TV On The Radio would sound like if they tried their hand at shoegaze. You follow? It’s quite strange and and a little psychedelic but there’s enough soul in it keep it grounded and enjoyable. (Nick Rodwell)

Vorhees: Black Horse Pike EP (Styles Upon Styles)
- If avante garde pop is your jam than look no further, because Vorhees has birthed an EP just for you. NYC dweller, Dana Wachs wrote, recorded and produced the five-track suite in her home between touring. Each track stands on its own as a different piece to a greater puzzle, with moments of experimental breathing samples, instrumentals perfect for soundtrack and an indie rock love song. (Luke Doig)