New Music Discoveries 17th April: RUEL, Beth Orton, Joan and The Giants, and more

We’ve added ten new tracks to our Discovery Playlist this week, including two premieres from earlier in the week, with our Track of the Week going to Ruel and his striking new single “Hate Myself”. Fresh from a surprise Record Store Day pop-up in Sydney, the track marks a sharp left turn ahead of Kicking My Feet & Screaming (out 12th of June), trading polish for punch as Ruel leans into a darker, grittier sonic palette.

Driven by a relentless kick drum and a distorted, synth-laced guitar line, “Hate Myself” sits somewhere between alt-rock and dystopian pop, with producer Kenny Beats helping push Ruel’s sound into more urgent, confrontational territory. Lyrically, it’s one of his most cutting releases to date—charting the spiral of a relationship gone wrong with biting self-awareness and flashes of dark humour. It’s messy, immediate and uncomfortably honest, but that’s exactly what gives the track its weight—Ruel sounding more human, and more compelling, than ever.

AU favourites Joan & The Giants return with “Mamma Don’t Cry”, an emotionally charged alt-pop rock cut that sees the band once again balancing vulnerability with soaring release. Built around a deeply personal story of leaving an abusive relationship, the track transforms heartbreak into strength—frontwoman Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s vocal carrying both the weight of the past and the hard-won sense of freedom that follows.

“Waiting” is the life affirming new single from singer-songwriter Beth Orton; the latest from her freshly announced new album The Ground Above, which is set for release June 26th via Mushroom Music/Partisan Records. According to Orton “Waiting” ‘is a celebration of moving out of the holding pattern fear keeps us in”. With subtle nods to the likes of Laura Nyro and Carole King, “Waiting” is this gorgeous slow burner of a track; full of wry and witty lyricism, and with Orton’s distinctive vocal taking centre stage atop a delightfully jazz inflected backdrop.

Also added to the playlist this week is “Blood Ties” the first solo single from Naarm-based artist Rowena Wise in two years. The track was written following a close friend’s mental health crisis and explores themes of family dynamics and the costs of emotional restraint. As has become a hallmark of Wise’s work, “Blood Ties” is full of introspection, candid poetics, and features a strong emotional core. Its central message delivered via this compelling taut, understated, but driving band-led groove. Accompanying the single release Wise has announced a run of East Coast dates in Late May and early June. For more information head HERE.

NYC duo Widowspeak lean into a hazy, widescreen indie-pop groove on “No Driver”, pairing breezy guitars with a slow-burning sense of emotional clarity. Taken from their forthcoming album Roses (out 5th of June), the track captures the push and pull of loving someone stuck on autopilot, balancing patience and compassion with the quiet hope of change.

Another new addition this week is “Beth” the new single from Iceland-based Canadian alt-folk newcomer Spouses – the alter-ego of songwriter, musician and producer Joel Durksen. Taking inspiration from Leonard Cohen, “Beth” is the latest single to be released from Spouses debut album I Could Be Your Dog (out May 22nd via Kaifholt Records). According to Durksen, it’s ‘about loving someone so desperately that you would do anything for them, like changing for the better/worse; contorting yourself into whatever image they would like the most.’ It’s not exactly the most healthy of relationship advice, but on “Beth” at least it’s delivered with a finger-picked charm that’s hard to deny.

Also this week we have “Thanks A Million”, the deeply personal debut single from Dublin trio DIVIL. It’s a strong debut, solid indie rock about the power and potential of friendship. Alongside that we have “Blue Skies”, the latest single from the forthcoming collaborative album from Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen. It’s classic Bingham – raw feelings, compelling lyricism and a strong sense of authenticity; with the sheer musicianship of The Texas Gentlemen added to the mix.

Finally, we also have “How I Know It’s Right” from Max Aurora & The Southern Lights, which we premiered exclusively earlier this week; and “BORED!” from Jazzy K which we premiered the video for.

Catch all the new music updated every Friday on Apple Music:

and on Spotify:

Here’s the complete list of new additions this week:

Ruel “Hate Myself”
Joan & the Giants “Mamma Don’t Cry”
Beth Orton “Waiting”
Rowena Wise “Blood Ties”
Spouses “Beth”
Widowspeak “No Driver”
DIVIL “Thanks A Million”
Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentleman “Blue Skies”
Max Aurora & The Southern Lights “How I Know It’s Right” [Exclusive Single Premiere]
Jazzy K “BORED!” [Exclusive Video Premiere]

Header image credit: Maria Alvarez