Girl Power! Celebrating International Women's Day

Sarah Wolfe

Sarah Wolfe’s swirling synth-drenched sound encapsulated the core of modern pop with her debut single ‘Devil U Know’ in late 2019. Her second alt pop offering: ‘U Think This Is A Game?’, came out in February, and we love it. Dancing along with attitude-drenched percussives, soaring ambient synths, and Wolfe’s evocative vocal timbre, the track oozes with sonic magic.

Having spent the last three years working as a video presenter while honing her music behind the scenes, Sarah Wolfe has been constantly surrounded by the narratives and stories of some of the world’s biggest artists, including Troye Sivan, Vance Joy, Fall Out Boy, The Vamps, Montaigne, Matt Corby, Lauv, and more.

Now, the seeds of her pop story have been sown, and the narrative has commenced with ‘U Think This Is A Game?’, co-written by Muki (Slayyyter, Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, LDRU, Cosmos Midnight, Kilter and Nicole Millar) and Xavier Dunn (Jack River, CXLOE, GRAACE, Carmada, Peking Duk), who also produced it.

Bel

Melbourne-based experimental-pop artist Bel is taking 2020 by storm, first with her pulsating, emotively captivating track “Better Than Me”. We’ve also had a sneak peak of her next single, “Spectre”, and we can confirm that it is addictively sensual soundscape infused with worldly and woozy synths, an R’n’B-esque groove, and Bel’s signature sultry and powerful vocal delivery. 

Bel is gearing up to make 2020 her year; January saw her travel to the US to film the amazing music video for "Spectre", which she worked on with James Mountford, the creative director for BANKS and Chance The Rapper. The resulting art-house meets fashion film exemplifies Bel’s unique visual artistry and intense introspection, making comment on the demanding and often falsified nature of the fashion and music industries.

Bel is an artist born from a supernatural cataclysm; a mysterious young woman, she exists in a world of her own design, where the ugly and raw nature of the world is not looked at through rose coloured glasses. Everything is real and authentic, with no veil to hide imperfections through. Instead, she celebrates them, unashamed and unwilling to compromise in her approach. A fire burns deep within Bel and fuels her to march forward, refusing to back down when it comes to her dreams and desires. 

Athena Joy

Indie pop singer-songwriter Athena Joy revealed her first single since 2018, “Just Like You”, in February. Imbued with hauntingly clear vocals and dark pop production, the track is an enchantingly original contribution to the Australian pop scene.

“Just Like You” is inspired by a need to feel strength in the defeat and pain life throws at you, every time a bad period is over something else happens to drag you under, the track  is about overcoming this.  

Athena Joy has described the emotive writing process behind the track. “I was feeling really sorry for myself in a kind of bitter ironic way - like of course this would happen to me it's just like you, but instead of continuing to feel like the victim I wanted to feel like I could also be the strength that brought me out of this situation. I feel like the lyrics kind of explore both the vulnerability of what was going on as well as the strength I was needing to find to get through it.”

E^ST

The lavish new single from alt-pop maverick E^ST was unveiled by Richard Kingsmill on triple j In February, and is already making waves in the alternative scene. Following up her 2019 bangers “FLIGHT PATH” and “TALK DEEP”, which became the number one most played song on triple j and earnt the 70th spot in the station’s coveted Hottest 100 countdown, “FRESH OUT OF LOVE” is an addictively melodic and opulent track which showcases E^ST’s stunning vocals and flair for extravagant production. 

“This song is about feeling really empty after realising you’ve given all your love to someone who doesn’t love you back,” said E^ST.

In a world where it’s hard to know what’s real, E^ST’s opulent pop provides a rare glimpse of honesty. Historically, E^ST has used music to explore her passion for fantasy, poetry and storytelling, but now it is time for a new chapter. Her debut album “I’M DOING IT”, set for release in June 2020, was recorded with acclaimed long-term collaborator Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, Anne-Marie, Halsey), and centres on dealing with heartbreak and feelings of isolation and failure. It signals a huge leap forward from her EP releases “Old Age” and “Life Ain’t Always Roses”, which drew plaudits from the likes of The Fader and Paper. 

Reb Fountain

NZ singer-songwriter Reb Fountain has created her very own brand of alternative folk, breathing new life into the stylings of Nick Cave, Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and Janis Joplin. Her beguiling new single “Samson” was unveiled this year, alongside the announcement of her next full length album, set for release in May this year. 

“Samson” is a captivating listen, weaving together raw, truthful spoken words with the perfect mixture of dark, soft-rock elements and folky warmth. Accompanied by a stunningly engaging lo-fi music video, premiered by Fader, the track promises depth and reflection of the best kind on the upcoming album.

Reb Fountain has an impressive catalogue of songs behind her, each of which is imbued with the honesty and creative spirit of a true wanderer and storyteller. In 2017 she released her EP “Hopeful & Hopeless”, recorded live at Auckland venue, The Wine Cellar, quickly followed by the album “Little Arrows”. She won the 2018 APRA NZ Best Country Music Song for “Hopeful & Hopeless” and the Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist Tui for the EP of the same name.