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intense, probing and cathartic contemporary rock. – Backseat Mafia
The Breakdown Constellation Records – 9.0 Let’s start with some facts. Godspeed You! Black Emperor are a seminal alt rock, orchestral collective formed 1994 in Montreal. People who write about contemporary music see their early noughties trilogy (F♯ A♯ ∞, Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven and Yanqui U.X.O.) as definitive long form, instrumental statements. If you are reading this ‘review’, you’ve probably, like this ‘reviewer’, listened to these records many times. They are ageless albums, as impactful as the first time you curled in a ball and gave in to them, able still to unsettle and question, anger and uplift…but that’s drifting away from the factual. In…
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mau from nowhere Returns With ‘Soft Steps’ – Backseat Mafia
Kenyan-British riser mau from nowhere returns with his latest offering, Soft Steps, a seven-track EP that showcases a unique blend of Afro-fusion, R&B, and electronics to create a rich and authentic sound. Raised in Nairobi, the UK, and the Netherlands, mau’s multicultural upbringing informs his genre-blending style, which seamlessly fuses local African influences with global sounds. mau’s music effortlessly spans hip-hop, R&B, and electronic landscapes to create a sound which is at once infectiously danceable but also considered and emotive. A four-track EP and various singles, laid the groundwork for his debut album, which was hailed for its originality and introspection. In May 2023, Apple Music recognised mau’s talent, naming…
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Kodiak Arcade & Cabin Fever Orchestra Unite For Uplifting New Single ‘No Reason To Change’ – Backseat Mafia
Kodiak Arcade and Cabin Fever Orchestra have released a powerful new single, ‘No Reason To Change’. This poignant pop track, enriched by an orchestral accompaniment, delves into the universal longing to be fully accepted, imperfections and all. The song delivers a heartfelt message: despite our flaws, we are worthy of unconditional love. With its rich, emotional depth, ‘No Reason To Change’ invites listeners to let go of defences, embrace vulnerability, and trust that openness can lead to genuine strength and connection. The orchestral beauty behind the song comes from the mind of Graeme Cornies, a seasoned composer and the driving force behind Cabin Fever Orchestra. With over 18 years of…
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Eleine Share Official Video For Track ‘Never Forget’; Band Currently On Tour In Europe And The UK – Backseat Mafia
To celebrate their first European headline tour which started with a sold-out show on October 3 in Leipzig, Germany, Swedish metal band Eleine unveil the official video for ‘Never Forget.’ The song is taken from their acclaimed fourth studio album ‘We Shall Remain’ (2023). Frontwoman Madeleine Liljestam and guitarist/vocalist Rikard Ekberg comment: “After the latest album “We Shall Remain” was released and we have been touring, it became clear to us that we wanted a proper music video for the song ‘Never Forget’ that is a powerhouse itself. We are celebrating 10 years as a band this year, and we have just started our first own headliner tour that is going better than our expectations – so why not celebrate this with an epic music video in…
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A Look Into 2024’s Listen Out Festival Featuring 21 Savage, Skepta and John Summit! Eora/Sydney, 06.10.24 – Backseat Mafia
Listen Out 2024 took over Centennial Park on Sunday, transforming the lush parklands into a full-day festival, blending hip-hop, house, R&B, and everything in between. The sprawling space became a playground for music lovers who eagerly bounced between the three stages—Atari, 909, and Prophet. With a few last-minute lineup changes, there was plenty of anticipation in the air, but the artists more than delivered, ensuring the crowd was kept on their toes from midday to nightfall. Arriving early, punters strolled in, drinks in hand, decked out in festival fits that ranged from the bold to the barely-there. The sun was mercifully kept at bay by the stage fronts and sporadic…
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Boorloo/Perth Stars Joan & The Giants Release coming-of-age track ‘How Could You?’ – Backseat Mafia
Boorloo/Perth based indie-rock band Joan & The Giants have recently released their euphoric single, ‘How Could You?’ – click to stream. Infused with lively rhythms, poignant vocals, and fleeting guitar riffs, ‘How Could You?’ feels like an anthem from a coming-of-age film. The soundscape captures a whirlwind of feelings as the gentle, vintage soundscape gradually cultivates in a powerful climax of electric guitar and crashing drums. Lead singer Grace Newton-Wordsworth shares the single is about, “When a person breaks all the trust you once had in them it isn’t just sad, it’s completely chaotic. I was going through life still doing all the things I have to do like working…
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Laneway Festival 2025-The Jaw-Dropping Lineup You’ve Been Waiting For Is Here! Charli XCX Confirmed. – Backseat Mafia
Laneway Festival has always been a tastemaker’s paradise, but with the 2025 lineup, they’ve outdone even themselves. The bill reads like a fever dream of indie’s brightest stars and cutting-edge newcomers, a collection of artists who define the now and point to where music is headed next. It’s bold, eclectic, and impossibly current, spanning everything from genre-blurring boundary pushers to the established acts who continue to set the bar for innovation. 2025 will feature Charlie XCX, Clairo, Beabadoobee, Bicep, Barry Can’t Swim, Remi Wolf, Olivia Dean and many others. LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2025 Head HERE for full ticketing information.AUCKLAND / Tāmaki Makaurau (16+)Thursday 6 February 2025 – Western Springs BRISBANE (16+)Turrbal…
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Will Knox Releases Emotive & Intricate Fourth Album ‘English Silence’ – Backseat Mafia
Indie-folk singer-songwriter Will Knox has released his highly anticipated fourth album ‘English Silence’. A collection of beautifully constructed, introspective collection, the track boasts 11 soundscapes of wonderful, warming organic textures and some beautifully crafted alternative-folk soundscapes. Known for his candid, emotionally raw songwriting, Knox has garnered comparisons to artists like Elliott Smith, Bear’s Den, Villagers, Nick Mulvey, and Passenger. Recorded in London with renowned producer Ian Grimble (Bear’s Den, Daughter, and Axel Flovent), ‘English Silence’ delicately balances intimate themes—coming-of-age, fatherhood, and healing—against a backdrop of lush acoustic guitars, harmonies, and understated percussion. The result is an evocative sonic journey, one that offers listeners a space of comfort and reflection. Knox…
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Sunk Loto Reclaim Their Place with ‘God Complex’ – Backseat Mafia
After two decades of near silence, Sunk Loto have returned to with their first new music since the early 2000s. Their latest release, ‘The Gallows Wait,’ signalled the band’s rebirth, and now, nearly a year later, they are pushing boundaries once more with their newest track, ‘God Complex’—one of the heaviest and most unrelenting pieces in their career. From the opening notes, ‘God Complex’ tears through any expectation of a mellow return. The track is an assault of searing guitar riffs, relentless drums, and basslines that feel equally unhinged. Jason Brown, the band’s frontman, alternates between clean, melodic vocals and brutal screams, amplifying the intensity of the piece in a…
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King Stingray announce 2025 Australia tour with Beddy Rays and The Belair Lip Bombs – Backseat Mafia
King Stingray’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and with the announcement of their 2025 For The Dreams tour, the band shows no sign of slowing down. Since the release of their debut self-titled album in 2022, King Stingray has taken their infectious energy from the remote Northern Territory to stages across Australia, proving that their sound is as expansive as the land they call home. As guitarist and producer Roy Kellaway reflects on the band’s journey, he talks about their evolution from “a pretty sleepy, rural lifestyle in the bush” to a whirlwind of tours and newfound acclaim. But if you’re expecting ‘For The Dreams,’ their upcoming album,…
