Luke Beavis

Delivers a resounding rock triumph with his explosive self-titled album

A record of raw energy and intimate emotion, the new self-titled album from Geelong singer-songwriter Luke Beavis roars with a fiery, feverish passion. Released December 23, Luke Beavis is a resounding triumph of an alt-rock record filled with ups, downs, and everything in between.

Written and recorded within the confines of his home, Beavis’ latest 11-track album packs a punch, blending rock with alternative styles into a cinematic, cathartic and endlessly alluring soundtrack that builds upon the path blazed by bands like Nirvana and Foo Fighters over the past few decades.

Struggling with mental health and using music as a means of healing (evident from the sheer abundance of music attached to his name), Beavis’ new record embraces everything that makes Luke Beavis, Luke Beavis. It’s intense yet subtle, soaring yet subdued: A tastefully balanced mix of chaos and control, showcasing Beavis’ voice that’s perfectly suited to classic rock, raspy and full of emotion.

From the roaring, fervent opener ‘Freeze’, the gritty, impassioned ‘No More Victim From A Gun’ and the soft ballad ‘I’m Gunna Be A Mega Star’, to the pop-driven ‘Whale of a Time’ and the epic spicy finale ‘Sex Vibes’, the record keeps listeners engaged throughout. Beavis even goes above and beyond with experimentation in ‘Spiritual Bride’, featuring a range of vocal intonations alongside metal-style drums – it’s a dark, eccentric song with spirit. As a whole, the project reveals a musician truly willing to exceed boundaries musically.

With this latest output epitomising Beavis as both an expert songwriter and proficient musician, the album was taken to greater heights with an expert collaboration with powerhouse producers Zac Barter and David Wilson.

Ultimately, Luke Beavis’ self-titled album is a pure thrill, delivering an expansive and smouldering collection of rock anthems emanating raw feelings from the core. Poised to be a prominent voice in the local rock scene, Luke Beavis has already proved to be a powerhouse – and one we’ll be paying extra special attention to in 2023.

Stream Luke Beavis’ latest album on Spotify.

Darcy Fox

Melbourne’s Darcy Fox delivers achingly intimate folk-pop masterpiece in ‘Your Best’

Hailing from Gippsland and now residing in Melbourne’s inner north, Darcy Fox has been carving out a reputation as a songwriter and evocative storyteller in recent years, pouring her heart out over ear-worm melodies ready to soundtrack our days and night. It’s heartfelt, irresistible and unassailably visceral music that connects on a deeper level.

Following the release of her original, queer Christmas song, ‘She Loves Christmas Time’ back in November, Fox returns with ‘Your Best’, a four-minute outpouring of the bittersweet acceptance of letting go.

Two cups of warm folk, one cup of dazzling pop, and a dash of heart-wrenching poetry, the queer singer-songwriter oscillate between sorrow and spite throughout the track, much like authentic heartbreak. Here Fox mourns what once was while feeling cheated for not getting to meet the better version of the one who wronged her.

“I went back and forth about whether I’d release this one, it’s so personal and vulnerable to open the door on a private moment of grief. But when I play the song at my shows, people always call it their favourite - so I knew I had to,” Fox explains.

“I just hope people who have experienced the same things I have feel seen and heard.”

Equal parts Gretta Ray, Phoebe Bridgers and girl in red, Fox flexes her ability to make you tap your feet while she rips your heart out. Through stunningly sweet vocals and melancholic electric guitars pouring into a buildup, the chorus eventually bursts into a heartrending folk-pop explosion, like a thundering heartbeat behind a vulnerable confession.

“If you’re in love again / I hope you’re giving them / Everything I know that you can be / Because I know you didn’t give your best to me.”

A rare talent that is fearless and unapologetically herself, Fox has once again left a lasting impression in our ears and hearts.

‘Your Best’ is the third single from Darcy Fox’s highly anticipated sophomore album, set to be released this year. Stream it on Spotify or Apple Music.