LISTEN TO THIS - MAY 13TH

This lineup is a masterclass in sonic contrast, bridging the gap between cutting-edge electronic production and raw, visceral energy. Leading the charge is Vegyn, whose new release 'There’s something here for both of us' further cements his reputation as a master of textured, enigmatic beats, especially as he continues to peel back the layers of his HEADACHE persona. On the heavier end of the spectrum, hardcore icons Converge return with 'Doom in Bloom', a track that promises the same relentless intensity they’ve been honing for decades. They are joined by Newcastle’s rising stars HORSE, whose single 'Under Your Sun' signals a breakout year for the Australian newcomers, while Melbourne’s Luv4her brings a dose of neon-soaked "Internet Pop" to the mix.

The week also features a heavy-hitting nostalgia trip and legendary returns. Kurt Vile’s 'Philadelphia been good to me' offers a preview of his signature hazy folk ahead of his new album, while UK electronic giants Underworld revisit their classic sound with a fresh take on 'Pearls Girl'. Perhaps most shocking is the return of Boards of Canada with two brand-new tracks, ending a decade-plus silence with their unmistakable analog warmth. To ground the entire experience, a throwback to Elliott Smith’s Roman Candle provides the perfect, melancholic companion for the cooling weather, rounding out a week of music that feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in indie history.

1. VEGYN - There’s Something Here For Both of Us

While I’m still scratching the surface of Vegyn’s discography, I’ve become completely hooked on his signature lo-fi electronic soundscapes. He has an incredible ability to balance high-profile collaborations—lending his production touch to monumental albums like Travis Scott’s Astroworld and Utopia, as well as JPEGMAFIA’s All My Heroes Are Cornballs—with deeply experimental solo ventures.

His most captivating work, however, is the Headache project. If you haven't heard the 2023 masterpiece The Head Hurts but the Heart Knows the Truth, you need to stop what you're doing and listen; it is a truly one-of-a-kind record. He followed that brilliance in 2025 with Thank You for Almost Everything, further cementing the project's cult status. Interestingly, the Headache albums sparked quite a mystery regarding lyricist Francis Hornsby Clark. While Vegyn eventually confirmed the vocals are AI-generated, he maintains that Clark is a real, albeit private, friend. It’s a fascinating blend of human emotion and digital artifice that makes his music feel like the future.

2. CONVERGE - Doom In Bloom

My obsession with Converge started in 2001 with the release of the seminal Jane Doe, a record that remains a cornerstone of the genre. I’ll never forget being sixteen and getting snuck into their Sydney show; seeing them live at that age was a mind-altering experience that forever changed my perspective on music. Decades later, the band is still operating at a prolific, breakneck pace, recently dropping the single "Doom in Bloom" ahead of their second full-length album of 2026, Hum of Hurt. This new record, following the acclaimed Love Is Not Enough, explores the metaphysical concept of "The Hum"—a mysterious, real-world low-frequency noise. Frontman Jacob Bannon reimagines this phenomenon as the collective audible pain of the universe, a heavy and technical thematic shift that proves Converge is still pushing boundaries on a completely different emotional plane.

3. BOARDS OF CANADA - PROPHECY AT 1420 MHz

I’ll be honest: I haven't spent much time with Boards of Canada over the last decade, but their recent material is hitting me differently in this more mature stage of my life. While their 1998 masterpiece, Music Has the Right to Children, remains a permanent staple for so many of us, the duo is finally making a massive return. Following the mysterious "Tape 05" teaser, they’ve unveiled the opening suite of their upcoming album, Inferno, featuring the tracks "Introit" and "Prophecy at 1420 MHz." Accompanied by a Robert Beatty-directed video full of vintage VHS static and cultish symbolism, this project marks their first full-length album in 13 years since Tomorrow's Harvest. To celebrate the May 29 release via Warp, they’ve even announced "Inferno Sessions" premiere parties across the globe, proving that even after a long silence, Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin still hold a legendary grip on the electronic landscape.

4. HORSE - UNDER YOUR SUN

HORSE is an incredible emerging five-piece out of Newcastle that you definitely need to keep on your radar. I first caught them making waves at Bigsound in Brisbane last year and was so impressed I booked them for a major citywide festival; they are absolutely a band to watch as they find their wings. Now, following their brooding release "The Gap," they’ve announced their highly anticipated debut EP, Ask Me Again Next Year, slated for a July release.

The announcement comes alongside the new single "Under Your Sun," a driving and sonically complex track that perfectly captures their gritty, untamed sound. Currently one of the most talked-about acts of 2025, HORSE is hitting the road for a string of shows across NSW and Queensland, with a full EP tour expected to be announced soon. It’s an exciting time for the band as they transition from local standouts to a major force in the scene.

5. KURT VILE - ZOOM 97

Vile season is officially upon us once again, and I am fully tapped in for this new era. Kurt Vile, the master of laid-back indie rock charm, is gearing up to follow his 2022 major-label debut, (watch my moves), with a fresh LP titled "Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me." The record feels particularly personal, as it’s largely self-produced and recorded at his home studio in Philly’s Mount Airy neighborhood.

After the strength of the lead single "Chance To Bleed"—which I’ve been spinning constantly—he’s just dropped another track to keep the momentum building. I’ve always been a fan of his breezy, meandering style, and this new material is hitting all the right notes. If you haven't checked out the latest singles yet, now is the time to dive in before the full album arrives.

6. Underworld - Pearls Girl (r18_for2026)

I am absolutely loving these new Underworld reboots. Their latest drop, "Pearl's Girl (r18_for2026)", is a perfect example of why they remain legends in the game. It’s wild to think they started back in 1987 as a synth-pop outfit before completely pivoting to redefine techno and dance music with classics like Dubnobasswithmyheadman and Second Toughest in the Infants.

Decades later, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith are still proving their influence. This 2026 reimagining of "Pearl's Girl" captures that signature atmospheric, progressive energy and Hyde's iconic "stream of consciousness" vocals that first blew everyone away in the 90s. It's rare for a group to stay this relevant for nearly forty years, but these new versions feel as fresh and dynamic as their legendary live sets.

7. LUV4HER - DON’T YOU SEE

luv4her is an exciting 21-year-old duo out of Melbourne that has been carving out a unique sonic universe, blending pop, indie, rock, and lo-fi into something truly special. With over 70,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, their heartfelt lyrics and dreamy melodies are clearly resonating.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with these lads before—helping pull together their first Melbourne headline show, which was a massive, packed-out success. I’m stoked to be back in the driver’s seat with them, looking after their bookings across Australia once again. If you’re a fan of that hazy, Eyedress aesthetic, you definitely need to tap in and keep these guys on your radar as we gear up for what’s next.

8. Elliot Smith - Roman Candle (Throwback Reco)

It’s funny how music works like a contagion—a dear friend spent some time immersed in Elliott Smith’s world, and I must have subconsciously caught the bug. One defeated night was all it took for me to dive back in and get completely re-hooked on his 1994 debut, Roman Candle.

There’s a specific kind of magic in the history of this record. Recorded in late 1993 while Smith was still fronting Heatmiser, the album was never actually intended for the public. It was captured in the basement of his then-girlfriend and manager JJ Gonson, using nothing but a four-track recorder and a couple of inexpensive microphones (including a basic RadioShack dynamic mic).

Smith originally only hoped to secure a 7-inch single deal, but once Gonson played the tapes for Cavity Search, the label was so struck by the intimacy of the recordings that they insisted on releasing them as a full-length album. Though Smith initially hesitated, he eventually gave his permission, gifting us that raw, "homemade" sound where he plays every single instrument himself. In this colder weather, those lo-fi textures feel less like a recording and more like a shared secret.