Molly Millington is one out of many talented artists from Australia. At the age of 14, her parents took her to the Byron Bay Bluesfest. It was her first live experience and she fell head over heels in love with it. Four years later, she performed at the festival herself, playing songs off her debut EP Daddy’s Gotta Gun (which isn’t on Spotify in Europe).

Now 21 years old, Millington’s currently working on a second EP. It’s produced by Xavier Dunn (Amen Mustang, Slum Sociable, Evie Irie, Sarah Wolfe and others). The first trio of songs is available for streaming worldwide, October being the third single. Self-described as ‘possessed pop’, her style has been compared to the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Melanie Martinez.

Talking about the track October, Millington explains: “I wrote this song the day I realised you can look back on someone or something fondly and not want them/it back.”

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After Aussie band Jenny Broke The Window went their separate ways in 2018, singer Sam Lathlean moved to London. It wasn’t long before he reinvented himself as Amen Mustang, a one-man band inspired by Mystery Jets, PNAU, The Maccabees and Passion Pit. Exactly one year ago, he released his debut single Someone To Somebody. It was followed by Isolation Tapes, an EP with three covers and a home recorded version of his first song.

Amen Mustang’s second single (The Shit You Say) When You’re High came out mid October 2020 in Australia. However, it wasn’t promoted outside that continent. Until now. British label Snowhill Songs is determined to make this the indie hit it deserves to be. And I think they’re right.

After an intro that sounds like a collection of samples, (The Shit You Say) When You’re High really kicks off with a driving bass line. Elsewhere, we hear spacey drum patterns, shimmering guitars, cutting edge synths, horns and layered vocals. Indietronica meets downtempo rock. Cleverly produced by Xavier Dunn (Jack River, Slum Sociable, Sarah Wolfe), it sounds like an indie version of OneRepublic.

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Australia has by far my favourite music scene at the moment. The amount of talent it produces is unbelievable, and their success abroad rather underwhelming. I do what I can (and will continue to do so) to introduce you to as many of them as possible.

Did you know Slum Sociable already, earthling? This Melbourne duo, comprised of Ed Quinn and Miller Upchurch, have been around since their 2015 debut single Anyway. That same year, they put out the EP TQ, follow by their self-titled debut album in 2017.

You’re In My Head is their second single of this year. It’s an incredibly catchy affair, that brings you straight back to 1989. It’s groovy beat finds itself halfway If Only I Could and Fool’s Gold.

Co-produced by Xavier Dunn, this track marks the first time Slum Sociable collaborate with another artist. It features Melbourne based, Zimbabwe born, London raised Kye to great effect. “Working alongside Kye was a dream come true”, Quinn said of the collaboration. “She took this track to another level. We’ve always wanted to make a stomper like this, so it feels good to finally release it.”

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Sarah Wolfe has been a music journalist behind the scenes for three years. But then, she decided to switch to being front of stage as a performer. So far, the Sydney singer-songwriter made three sensual indie electro-pop gems. Devil U Know was followed by U Think This Is A Game? and I Think We’re Alone Now. The latter was a collaborative cover with her partner Xavier Dunn.

Although all three are great songs, she easily tops them with her fourth effort. 100 Times features upcoming Sydney band The Flowers (Agnes O’Dwyer and Leighton Cauchi). O’Dwyer, who co-wrote the track, is Wolfe’s long-time best friend. The resulting song is a wonderful, chilled out, gentle guitar pop tune with a softly thumping electro beat.

“Aggy and I have been friends since we were 14, and music has bonded us throughout our entire friendship!” said Sarah Wolfe. “A few months ago we decided to have a crack at writing a collab, so we got in the room with Xavier Dunn (who produced it) and smashed out 100 Times in a few hours! Last year we went on a best friends trip to New York, so this song is our ode to nostalgia and our love letter to that amazing city. I’m holding out for the day we can eventually move there.”

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