New Music

Toronto dream pop artist ARK IDENTITY (Noah Mroueh) returns with “Closer,” a dreamy, euphoric indie-synthwave track that captures the feeling of standing on the edge of something bigger. Blending nostalgic production with deeply personal songwriting, the single reflects the emotional highs and restless momentum that come with chasing creative ambition and believing that your dreams are just within reach.

New York–based alternative singer-songwriter Lauren Minear returns with “Bruise (made of glass version),” a stark and emotionally exposed acoustic reimagining of one of the most devastating moments from her latest album, Boxing Day. Stripped to its bare bones, the track magnifies the quiet intensity of the original, allowing the fragility of Minear’s voice and the delicacy of the guitar arrangement to carry the emotional weight.

Recorded live at Studio 42 in Brooklyn, “Bruise (made of glass version)” captures the intimacy and vulnerability that sit at the heart of Minear’s songwriting. The performance preserves the raw immediacy of the moment while subtly reshaping the song’s sonic landscape. Though Minear often performs the track live in a lower key, the team chose to retain the original key for its lyrical prosody, allowing the guitar’s natural register to mirror the emotional fragility of the vocal performance.

Berlin-based songwriter Ryan O’Reilly shares his fourth studio album Native Companion alongside the release of its introspective and poetic focus track, “Fear of Flying.” Blending Canadian, Irish, and English alt-folk influences, the album captures O’Reilly’s signature balance of realism and lyricism, finding beauty and meaning in life’s smallest details.

At its core, Native Companion is a reflection on collaboration, movement, and perspective. Written and recorded between Toronto and Berlin with longtime creative partners Tyler Kyte and Liam Blomqvist, the album unfolds as a transatlantic journey. Its first half leans into a warm, live-off-the-floor energy, while the latter embraces more expansive sonic experimentation.

“The theme is seeing the poetry in the little things around you,” O’Reilly explains. “I’m very lucky to have so many talented collaborators around the world. It’s the first record I’ve made completely independent of label support.”

Sydney-based singer-songwriter Lucy Burke is back with her new single and music video, One Way Track, which premiered exclusively via The AU Review. The single is taken from her forthcoming EP, scheduled for release on May 22.

She has also announced a limited run of launch dates, kicking off in Sydney on May 29 at Church Street Studios.

“One Way Track is a smooth, jazzy track with easy, late-night vibes — warm synths and a laid-back trip hop beat. It’s inspired by Portishead, Massive Attack and Lana Del Rey, artists I absolutely love. I wanted the vocals to feel both passionate and sultry, sitting effortlessly in the groove. At its core, it’s about being caught in a loop you can’t escape — replaying moments, overthinking every detail, questioning everything, while the other person moves freely, untouched by it all.”

Lucy Burke blends dreamy pop, cinematic warmth and a playful, introspective edge. Known for her expressive vocals and melodic storytelling, she creates songs that drift between light and shadow — capturing humour, heartbreak and humanity in the everyday.

In March, Lucy released her single Little Ol’ Me, the first offering from her upcoming EP. The track premiered exclusively via AAA Backstage and has since secured airplay on well over 100 radio stations worldwide.

Her new single, One Way Track, is out now on all major streaming platforms.

“A smooth, late-night groove wrapped in cinematic warmth, One Way Track leans into a hazy trip hop palette — all warm synths, understated beats and a vocal that drifts effortlessly through the mix. There’s a quiet confidence in Burke’s delivery here, one that draws you in slowly before revealing the emotional weight beneath its cool exterior.”
Bruce Baker – The AU Review

LUCY BURKE TOUR DATES

May 29 – Church Street Studios, Sydney, NSW
Tickets available at www.humanitix.com| 18+ only

Jun 5 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC 

Tickets available at www.oztix.com.au | 18+ only 

Satya shares “Won’t Let Go,” an emotional and empowering pop single that transforms personal loss into a message of strength, resilience, and enduring love. Rooted in real life experience, the track reflects on the passing of a loved one and the complicated, ever-shifting nature of grief, offering a space for listeners to feel seen in their own moments of loss.

“This is a song that talks about losing a loved one… for me it’s my grandfather,” Satya shares. “I know he’s all around and helping me to carry on and stay strong. I wanted to make a song where people can relate to loss and grief. It’s not easy. It’s a roller coaster of emotions.”

Canberra based songsmith Jack Biilmann has just dropped hissoaring new single called Forbidden Fruit, which premiered recently via Double J and The AU Review. The single is the second offering from Biilmann’s new and upcoming sixth album release, which is set for release later this year.

“The single was inspired by the concept of all the Forbidden Fruits we encounter in life that are usually enjoyable, memorable, and exciting things. Despite these things not necessarily being the right thing to do, we all love to walk on the wild side.” 
After ten years of prolific touring, world famous Fender and Maton guitars endorsements, millions of streams, ARIA/AMRAP/AIR chartings, praise from USA guitar sensation, Joe Bonamassa, five albums and a reputation for a hell of a live show, Biilmann has earned his place as one of Australia’s most talented artists for appreciators of Blues, Country & Rock.

Freshly signed to Frankdon Music Publishing, endorsed by Fender/Maton guitars and Badcat amplifiers, the new single is just the beginning of the album rollout ahead of the LP’s release in spring with Pat Quinn Quirke (Guitar), Jono Warren (Drums) & Alec Coulson (Bass) creating a formidable live band that is a hot commodity on the Australian festival scene with performances at Wanderer Festival, Queanbeyan Music Muster,
Thredbo Blues Fest, Zestfest and Peak Festival to name just a few.

Jack Biilmann kicked off 2026 with the release of his single Outlaw, which quickly secured airplay on Double J (Tower Of Song) and
ABC Country (Saturday Night Country).

New single Forbidden Fruit is available on all major streaming services. 

Ottawa, ON singer-songwriter and pianist Alanna Sterling (they/them) shares “More,” a quietly powerful and emotionally exposed pop ballad that sits in the tension between desire and acceptance. Blending chill, nostalgic, and moody textures with piano-driven songwriting, “More” explores the fragile space between wanting deeper connection and learning to live without certainty of its return.

At its core, “More” is about emotional honesty in its rawest form; those unspoken needs for more presence, more truth, and more love, even when it’s unclear whether they will ever be fully met. Rather than resisting that feeling, Alanna leans into it. “It’s me learning to sit in that vulnerability instead of running from it,” they share.

The result is a song that feels intimate and unguarded, carried by Alanna’s expressive vocal delivery and understated piano arrangement. Built around emotional restraint rather than release, the production allows space for silence and reflection, echoing the push and pull of longing at the heart of the track.

Lyrically, “More” captures the quiet intensity of emotional wanting less as a dramatic plea, and more as an internal dialogue. It’s a meditation on attachment and acceptance, unfolding slowly in a way that mirrors the complexity of real emotional experience.

Stylistically, the track sits comfortably within Alanna’s evolving sonic identity, a blend of contemporary pop sensibility and timeless vocal influence. Drawing natural comparisons to artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse, Alanna’s work remains distinctly personal, shaped by introspective songwriting and a deep focus on emotional connection.

Their artistry is further defined by a growing international presence, including a standout performance residency tied to the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as recognition within Canada’s music community through nominations for Songwriter of the Year and Solo Artist of the Year at the Capital Music Awards.

Edmonton’s St.Arnaud, the project of Ian St.Arnaud, returns with St.Arnaud, a vibrant and collaborative third record that captures the full spirit of a band in motion. Expanding beyond its singer-songwriter roots, the album blends buoyant indie pop, roots textures, and early indie rock influences into a dynamic, lived-in collection that feels both loose and deeply intentional.

Released as a series of three deluxe singles before arriving as a full-length, St.Arnaud introduces a unique structural approach, grouping songs into distinct “movements” shaped by production style rather than genre. Drawing inspiration from the playful, raucous energy of Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, the album leans into pop hooks, sardonic lyricism, and a collaborative energy that defines its sound.

Strange Plants return with “Ground Falls Away,” an energetic rock single that blends kinetic grooves with the band’s signature analog warmth. Driven by pulsing rhythms, vintage textures, and an undeniable forward motion, the track captures the restless feeling of pushing through life’s daily pressures and refusing to stand still. Following up on February’s “Lay Your Mind,” it’s the second release to be shared as part of a collection arriving throughout the year.

The inspiration for “Ground Falls Away” came from a candid conversation between friends. “I was speaking with a friend over drinks one night and he was really going through it,” explains songwriter Matt Brannon. “He was hustling day to day just to stay ahead, and it felt like if he ever stopped moving the ground would just swallow him up. Despite all this pressure, he remained hopeful and willing to keep soldiering on.”