New Music Friday featuring deadforest & Dera Meelan, MUNGMUNG and DOWNGIRL –

Another week, another chance to dive into the depths of New Music Friday

deadforest & Dera Meelan – aw true? yeah nah

Aotearoa hip-hop duo deadforest and Dera Meelan deliver a five-track EP full of hard beats and razor-sharp lyricism. Essential listening for fans of Aotearoa’s killer hip-hop scene.

MUNGMUNG – FĒI

MUNGMUNG’s new EP FĒI is straight-up club fun. With Taka Perry on production, playful lyrics, and late-90s/00s R&B/pop vibes, tracks like POPDATTRUNK and WOMPX4 really hit. The title track FĒI brings grit and confidence, turning self-celebration into a dancefloor-ready anthem.

DOWNGIRL – CPR

Sydney punk four-piece DOWNGIRL hit back with ‘CPR’, a snarling, high-voltage burst of guitars and drums. Born from a terrifying gig experience, Alex Neville’s vocals cut through with raw fury. The Tim Kent-directed video shot on the streets of Enmore, celebrates queer joy and solidarity. ‘CPR’ is riot-grrrl energy at its finest.

Dry Cleaning – Let Me Grow and You’ll See the Fruit

South London art-punks Dry Cleaning strip things back on their latest single. Florence Shaw’s spoken-word musings on loneliness float over gentle guitars and folk-tinged instrumentation. It’s intimate, quirky, and reflective, offering a softer glimpse into their avant-garde sound.

Miss Kaninna – Backstreets

Melbourne First Nations artist Miss Kaninna slows it down on ‘Backstreets’, a vulnerable R&B-pop reflection on early relationships and cultural clashes. Blending late-80s/90s pop-rock vibes with confessional lyricism, it’s tender yet defiant. Produced by Lucy Blomkamp, it highlights Kaninna’s range spectacularly.

Alice Ruby – xx

Alice Ruby closes 2025 with dreamy synths and delicate strings on ‘xx’, capturing modern dating anxieties in intimate, cinematic fashion. Produced by Edward Quinn, the track blends self-protection with vulnerability, layered vocals with 80s-inspired textures.

DMA’S – Hills End (10th Anniversary Edition)

DMA’S reissue their debut Hills End for its 10th anniversary on double vinyl with demos, alternate artwork, and deep-red marble vinyl. Hits like ‘Delete’ and ‘Lay Down’ remain indie-rock essentials, blending anthemic energy with tender introspection. A collector’s must-have that celebrates one of Australia’s defining indie releases.

Melody’s Echo Chamber – The House That Doesn’t Exist

Melody’s Echo Chamber returns with the ethereal ‘The House That Doesn’t Exist’. Swirling strings, gliding synths, and layered vocals create a cinematic psych-pop gem. Produced with Sven Wunder, the track balances intimacy and expansiveness, reflecting Melody’s signature liminal, story-driven sound.

Gorillaz – Damascus (feat. Omar Souleyman & Yasiin Bey)

Gorillaz team with Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey for the hypnotic, globally infused ‘Damascus’. Middle Eastern melodies and electronic textures meet Damon Albarn’s genre-blending production, teasing the upcoming album The Mountain. Infectious, eclectic, and highly danceable.

Nas & DJ Premier – Light Years

Nas and DJ Premier finally drop Light Years, blending decades of hip-hop mastery. Premier’s beats underpin Nas’s storytelling, balancing classic boom-bap with contemporary insight. The album is both a celebration of their legacy and a reaffirmation of their timeless influence on rap.

Emma Donovan – Do I Need You (Ann Peebles Cover)

Emma Donovan covers Ann Peebles’ ‘Do I Need You’, turning it into a warm, soulful reflection on self-love and peace. Rich vocals and thoughtful instrumentation breathe new life into the classic.

Obongjayar – Not In Surrender (The Blessed Madonna Remix)

Obongjayar’s ‘Not In Surrender’ gets a club-ready remix from The Blessed Madonna. Electronic textures and global influences elevate the track while keeping its introspective soul intact. It’s bold, emotive, and dancefloor-ready.