Welcome to “This Week’s Sonic Safari,” where we will be taking you on a thrilling adventure through the vibrant world of independent music. We’ll wander across beautiful lush soundscapes in this sonic journey, looking for hidden gems and digging up musical treasures created by brilliant musicians from all around the world. Our journey promises to be an intriguing investigation of originality and invention, from the busy streets of indie music to the peaceful woods of acoustic folk.
So secure your seat in, set your headphones, and come along with us as we embark on a musical exploration of the highest calibre, ready to experience the amazing variety of this week’s best and newest songs.
Frederik – Saturday
Frederik’s latest single, Saturday, is a tender and introspective piece that effortlessly draws you into its emotive world. As the heart of his second album, Saturday combines soft, haunting melodies with poetic storytelling, creating a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. There’s an atmospheric quality to the track, where each note feels carefully placed, adding to the reflective mood. If you’re a fan of artists like Alex G, The National, or Bon Iver, you’ll find yourself right at home with this beautifully crafted song, which seems to linger in your thoughts long after it’s over.
Following the success of Consequence on SRF 3 Sounds’ Top 5, Frederik’s Saturday takes his sound to a more personal level. It’s clear that this track is close to his heart, as it navigates themes of introspection, the passage of time, and the quiet moments that shape our emotional lives. With its raw sincerity and atmospheric charm, Saturday is the perfect listen for anyone who enjoys a blend of heartfelt indie music with thoughtful lyricism. Whether it’s a quiet moment on a rainy day or a late-night reflection, Saturday is bound to resonate deeply with listeners.
Sara Angel – Soul Tied
The latest single from Sara Angel entitled Soul Tied has perfectly encapsulated the bittersweet reality of a love that feels destined but just can’t find its way in the here and now. With up-tempo, catchy rhythm, this track narrates the story of two deeply connected people whose timing is not right. It’s a beautiful exploration of the tension between heart and head, when two people are drawn to each other unmistakably, yet remain apart because of circumstances. Sara’s lyrical storytelling forms a sense of love in limbo, where the connection remains, but fulfillment just feels out of grasp.
That comes full circle in the emotional line, “maybe in another life,” during the bridge. It’s one of those lines that feels so right in your heart and takes the tone and emotion from fun and upbeat to raw and reflective. At that moment, Soul Tied truly shines by infusing its catchy beat with a deeper, emotional realisation of love that might never be fully realised in this lifetime.
Finn O’Sullivan – do something!
“Do something!” is Finn O’Sullivan’s new single off of her EP entitled bite it back. The song is a playful yet pointed anthem, showcasing all the dynamic ways one can write songs. The track wraps up clever lyrics in infectious upbeat energy, finding that perfect middle ground between fun and frustration. Lines like the innocuous-sounding “If I’m poison, darling, I’m the kind that tastes good” show off O’Sullivan’s quick wit, while the chorus, with its frustrated command to “DO something ’bout it, babe!” makes for a poppy, easy-to-relate-to hook. O’Sullivan’s knack for storytelling shines through in the track, which in turn comes off as both personal and universally relatable.
Musically, it’s buoyed by O’Sullivan’s multi-instrumental talents, amidst bright, shining vocals that drive the melody. The production, which O’Sullivan handled herself, brings out the playful edge in the song, with layers of instrumentation building up to a climactic chorus. “Do Something!” is the lightest and most playful track on her EP: quietly breaking through as a fun but pointed reminder of the push and pull in relationships. This single is another reminder of why O’Sullivan has built a reputation for blending levity and depth in her music.
Ava Swan – Baby Got Spoiled
Ava Swan’s latest single, “Baby Got Spoiled,” is an irreverent, clever take on the often absurd expectations and privileges of growing up in a meritocracy. With sharp, satirical lyrics, Swan turns her own “special snowflake” upbringing into this fun, bootscootin’ anthem that playfully spoofs entitlement. This is some bright y’allternative pop full of lots of twangy guitar and an incessant beat that’ll have any listener snapping their fingers and or taping their toes. The moment the single starts, Swan comes into view with her signature blend of indie-pop and Americana as she delivers her lines in comical tones with acerbic social commentary.
The playful touch to the song gets campified with a line dance, which Swan frequently shows to a live audience that loves performance and shows evidence of theatre training from her past. Recorded in Nashville with her band, “Baby Got Spoiled” is fresh and hooky, fitting in perfectly with today’s independent Americana scene. That sarcastic charm, along with the catchy rhythm, makes the song one of the budding discographies for Ava Swan, who cements her place as one thrillingly new voice in alternative country and pop.
Tobias Wonderdog – Player
The latest single from Tobias Wonderdog, entitled Player, is a sonic journey that marries heartfelt lyricism over cosmic soundscapes to form a track that’s as wide and expansive as the Australian outback. Part four of the Death of Intimate Listening series, Player is an ode to music and the intricate dance of romance. There’s a magnetic pull between the male and female vocalist in such a way that Hayley Mengel lends her ethereal voice to complement the earthy tone of Tobias Wonderdog. With shimmering guitar solos courtesy of Cory Jach and a rhythm section grooving in perfect sync, the rich layers of this song come alive and whisk listeners away. That’s a case of The Gambler finding his modern-day muse, sporting a guitar in one hand and heart upon his sleeve.
Produced with precision by Damien Young and the iconic Mark Kennedy, Player offers a modern take on classic rock storytelling. The track gleams with professional polish while still retaining its raw emotional core, recorded at John Butler Studios. Fresh from Australian Idol, Hayley Mengel shines bright with the collaboration of Wonderdog, making the duet a tale of lovers and musicians. This song stays in your soul, being one excellent example of a well-crafted sound with profound substance.
Chloey Rose – Ghost
Ghost is the latest single from Grimsby-born Chloey Rose, and it really is achingly beautiful alt-pop that burrows deep into the shadow of a broken relationship. This sews powerhouse emotion into every line, inviting listeners into the melancholic memories of love lost. Her voice—so often harked back to the likes of Adele and Paloma Faith—soars with cinematic grace, while the track feels like the perfect soundtrack to a rom-com or dramatic TV moment. Co-written with producer Aron Bicskey, Ghost distills the lingering doubts and fears that follow the end of a romance, all while building toward its sense of liberation and hope. With a tone reminiscent of flair, Chloey crafts the emotional journey that is heartache and sources of empowerment in equal measure.
As the song progresses, Ghost morphs from a hailer of the past to an enabling anthem of self-discovery and resilience. Ten seconds into Chloey’s lyrics, one can be transitioned from being haunted by memories of love gone wrong to embracing the freedom that comes with letting go. With her delicate yet commanding vocals, she brings a message of hope when everything seems really dark, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Having gained reputation for moving audiences through emotive, powerful performances throughout the UK and Spain, Chloey Rose’s unmistakable mix of alt-pop and theatrical storytelling makes Ghost one standout track that will most definitely find its place in the hearts of anyone who has ever battled their own ghosts.
Nessi Gomes – Morning Mirrors
Nessi Gomes’ latest single, Morning Mirrors, shares a very raw reflection amidst the complexities of toxic femininity. Amidst the delicate mesh of soulful lyrics with her signature acoustic sound, Gomes confronts themes of jealousy and comparison to shine light upon struggles that are often not recognised between women. The song’s hauntingly beautiful melody captures the emotional weight of these insecurities, while her voice—tender as it may be, powerful—acts as an emissary through the pains of tearing others down to build oneself up. Morning Mirrors is more than just a song; it’s a call to action to break free from these toxic cycles and into a culture of mutual uplift and empowerment.
This makes Gomes very sincere about telling stories, which turns Morning Mirrors into something very personal yet universally resonant. The production is by Liam Fletcher, who takes care of adding synth textures and modern nuance, while Ricardo ‘Tiki’ Pasillas is on live drums, giving this song some organic feel to balance the emotional elevation. Nessi’s plea for empathy and understanding is heart-breaking yet inspiring, as it leaves listeners with restored hope that we can collaboratively create a caring community. With Morning Mirrors, she uncovers not just the shadows of insecurity but lights up the path to healing and connectivity.
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.