TALENT ON TAP // NEW MUSIC FOR NOVEMBER
Words by Emily Halloran | Cover: VERATIE
November’s new music round-up is here, and it’s all about artists finding their voice, experimenting with sound, and sharing stories that hit close to home.
In this edition of Talent on Tap, we feature a bunch of new album releases, a couple of EPs and a huge range of singles across all genres that showcase the diversity of Gold Coast music.
NOVEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Amy John Roberts, EP – Better, Worse, Lunch
Across four beautifully crafted tracks, Better, Worse, Lunch captures Amy John Roberts in her true form: gentle vulnerability, full of heart and honesty and accompanied with her unique vocals. The 16-minute EP opens with its title track; a smooth, soul-baring piece with delicate guitar work and intimate vocals. The rest of the EP moves in a similar way, all tied together in Amy’s delicate grace. Pocket Knife and Sobriety (already clocking up streams on platforms) add a little pace and a soft touch of country notes are heard. Both confessional pieces layer subtle rhythms with her venerable and heartfelt lyricism. The EP is sent out with The End, a raw and moving finale. Poetic and pure, Better, Worse, Lunch is a graceful showcase of Amy’s acoustic folk-meets-soft-rock sound that’s full of quiet strength.
Amy has been making music for the past five years, steadily shaping her sound into something truly her own. Produced by GCMA Studio Producer of the Year, Mattymadeit and Scott French, this EP is as polished as it is heartfelt. Fans of Julia Jacklin and Angie McMahon will adore her. Amy is often performing on the Gold Coast, so a live set is not to be missed!
NEW ALBUMS
Sunny Luwe – Feeling Good
Sunshine pop queen Sunny Luwe has a new album out that’s sure to have you, as it is titled, Feeling Good. Recorded with seven different producers, this 11-track album is classic Sunny: confident, happy-go-lucky pop that’s empowering as much as it’s joyful. The tracks that make up Feeling Good were written in the wake of a creative burn out that followed from her debut release Flowers In The Sky (2023). Each song is a sing-along ballad, marking a reclamation of her spark as an artist. It features tracks you may have heard before including the powerful We’ve Got The Power, Blue Skies and It Won’t Be Long Til I See You Again. The newcomers – Upside Down, I Just Want To Love Myself, and Saturday Night – are equally energetic, groovy and bold. Overall, Feeling Good feels like an early 2000s disco meets the 70s power of feminism celebration and environmental activism.
Mitch King – Power In Your Hands
Southern blues and roots singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mitch King has released a fresh new album, Power Is In Your Hands. Mitch has been busy dropping EP’s and singles over the years, but this is the first album he’s released since making his entrance in the music world 11 years ago with his debut album A Life Under The Sun, released in 2014. Spanning nine songs and just over 30 minutes, the record is an anthemic listening journey of deep, soulful lyrics and layered instrumentation. With over 135,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Mitch continues to cement himself as one of the country’s most grounded yet ambitious artists in the country/blues/folk genres. Our listening picks are Big Bright Moon and Gliding Through The Sea.
TCAT – Ninth Life
It’s a well-known idiom that cats have nine lives, and we’re hoping TCAT’s new album, Ninth Life, isn’t marking the end of their EDM producing. Ninth Life is a listening experience you want to do from start to finish. There’s a 30-or-so second intro that narrates the title, before moving into heavy dance hits you’ll want to listen to loud. Hold on 4 Me is one of the highlights of the album, filled with raw emotion by Dez and in collaboration with TCAT and 0ZLO. TCAT mostly collabs with other artists and vocalists, but Ninth Life features five solo songs. Monsta is one of them – an intricate, trap track that’s filled with energy.
NEW TRACKS
Blind Corners – Cold Sunday
Tamborine Mountain four-piece Blind Corners follow up their much-loved June single Dancer with another indie-rock stunner, Cold Sunday. The track blends gritty textures with relentless drums, emotive vocals and a catchy chorus. Emerging only two-years ago, the band has already carved a niche for their fresh take on indie rock and is building a steady fan base on streaming platforms.
Eleea – All or Nothing
It may be later in the year, but we’re happy to see Eleea return with a new single, All of Nothing. Featuring Eleea’s soulful vocals and soft-pop production, it’s a beautiful ballad that’ll have you chanting “we give it our all” over and over. Like its lyrics, it’s full of courage, and boasts dynamic percussion along with the infectious chorus. A track to listen to when you need a hug, gentle push and will hold your hand through it.
Liquid Contours – The Genie’s Door
The newest release from multi-instrumentalist Colby McMillian’s project Liquid Contours, The Genie’s Door is an experimental, atmospheric journey through lush soundscapes and hypnotic beats. Fusing electronic elements with organic textures, it feels like a dream sequence. It’s a nice showcase of Liquid Contour’s psychedelic sound and knack for sonic storytelling.
Brett Voss – Another Way
Veteran musician Brett Voss has been venturing in a side solo project over the past decade. His new release, Another Way, is a guitar-driven Aussie rock track laced with 80s-90s nostalgia. The song reflects on second chances and the courage it takes to move forward, pairing heartfelt lyrics with moody tones. “The song is about that moment you realise you have to shift gears. About understanding that holding onto a difficult situation isn’t always strength. Sometimes, true strength is finding the courage to say, ‘There must be another way,’ and actually taking that first step.” Brett knows his stuff, having spent decades performing under the name Starbug, and was also a founding member of 90s grunge band Filter. They disbanded before the famed US band rose to fame around the same time under the same name.
Lecia Louise – Reeperbahn Blues
Renowned guitarist, songwriter and blues powerhouse Lecia Louise brings blues swagger and soul on Reeperbahn Blues. Inspired by her time performing in Hamburg’s iconic Reeperbahn district, the track delivers smoky vocals, blistering guitar solos and a groove steeped in classic rock ‘n’ roll spirit. It’s gritty, playful, and foot-tapping.
VERATIE – Honey
Gold Coast alt-rock/nu-metal outfit VERATIE unveil their sixth single Honey, giving us a nudge of what’s to come on their forthcoming debut album IN//HUMAN. Relentless rhythm and grungy guitars take lead on this track, with haunting vocals and a touch of synth. Frontwoman Sarah says Honey captures “the unsettling experience of seeing through a charismatic façade”. The record explores the collision of humanity and society, something that we’re expecting will follow through on the album.
Emily Grace Taylor – Road Back Home + Good Word
Country sweetheart Emily Grace Taylor returns with Road Back Home, a warm and nostalgic ode to roots, resilience and belonging. Paired with the tender Good Word, the dual release shows off Emily’s heartfelt storytelling and timeless country tone. Both are playful and filled with country charm—gentle twang, rich harmonies and a touch of wistfulness. Produced by Emily’s good friend George Carpenter, the lyrics reflect on the pull of home and the comfort of familiar places, while weaving in themes of love, faith and finding your way back to where you belong.
Laurel Hill – Chasing The Coastline
Newcomers fresh off the back of their first tour run and first release in July, Laurel Hill don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Chasing The Coastline is their second single—a two-minute burst of coastal nostalgia wrapped in driving indie rock energy. It’s looking like the four-piece ‘fit are firming up their signature sound. This track is all about thrills, the band says: “This one’s always had a special energy live. It’s about chasing that feeling you can’t quite pin down – whether it’s a wave, a moment, or just the freedom of the open road. We’ve been playing it for a while, and people always belt the chorus back at us.” It’s fun, high energy with a bit of cheekiness, and ends with some commentary from the viral “so pitted surfer bro”.
Nightshade and the Fates – Crossfire
It’s moody, it’s grungy, it’s brooding and dark… Crossfire was a perfectly timed Halloween release by post-punk band Nightshade and The Fates. With layered guitars, synthesiser, and heavy, haunting vocals, Crossfire is true to NATF’s signature sound of post-punk meets goth. The track originally came to fruition musically and lyrically as an acoustic song by the NATF’s frontwoman Angie, before moving into something more rocked up and grittier. Playing in the spaces between heaven and hell, light and darkness, it’s the third single by the five-piece band and we’re hoping to hear more from them soon.
Neem – I Miss You
If you’re looking for something to make you feel both heartbreak and also comfort you, you’ll love Neem’s I Miss You. It’s delicate, touching and features beautiful guitar work, brooding violin, along with Neem’s moving vocals. “‘I Miss You’ came from that moment when someone who once felt like your whole world suddenly slips away. Writing this song was my way of sitting with that vulnerability and turning it into something others might see themselves in,” Neem said. It’s a vulnerable release with sincere and resonating songwriting about a love lost too soon.
MYLES – Wrong Son
Rising young Gold Coast artist MYLES returns with Wrong Son, his fourth release that marks another grunge-infused track. It’s filled with heavy guitars and brooding vocals that meet raw emotion. The song explores themes of identity and the weight of expectations, capturing the tension of feeling miscast in someone else’s story. MYLES has shaped and affirmed his own style and has been showcasing regularly at venues around the Gold Coast and beyond. His tracks are made to be played live, and we recommend seeing it yourself. Listen to Wrong Son when it releases on November 7.
Giséle – Hold Me Down
Following her debut single Scared last month, emerging pop artist Giséle returns with a moving new single Hold Me Down. It’s a sleek, emotionally charged pop track, blending vulnerability and strength. It starts with a piano intro before moving into cinematic pop that carries on with Giséle’s commanding vocals at the forefront. It’s an anthemic song about having resilience and strength.
The Van Bams – Wish Wash
STREAM THE TALENT ON TAP PLAYLIST NOW!
ARE YOU A GOLD COAST ARTIST WITH NEW MUSIC ON THE HORIZON? WE WANT TO HEAR IT!
If you’ve released new music or have something due for release in November, December or January, shoot us the details for the chance to be considered for the next ‘Talent On Tap’ column. Email our new music guru Emily Halloran on newmusic@gcmusicnetwork.com.au with a link to the song (Spotify preferred), an artist press shot and a few words/media release about the track or album being released.