The Fortnightly Five - 07 July 2026
A rundown of five fresh items on my headphones from the last fortnight.
PJ Harvey - Voyager (Official Site)
Surprise! Dropping out of nowhere is a lovingly crafted single that imagines the journey and voice of the 1977 Voyager probe. Professor Brian Cox's specifically requested Harvey to make this piece for his new show. It is stunning. A delicate balance between flowing synths and full orchestral resonance. Of course, Carl Sagan and his golden records are referenced as well! For a little music space nerd like me, it's the little cookie crumb I need to keep me going through 2026.
Gnoomes- Losey (Bandcamp)
Life-partners and creative duo Gnoomes tease their sixth album release with this little hummer called 'Losey'. Grounded by a dance-forward bass pattern and persistent clap-hits. This song grabs you by a string in the chest and drags you into a joyful, glowy, cosmic crescendo. Originally from Russia, and now based in Slovenia, they are purposefully exploring "Rave as therapy. Pop as resistance. Love as endurance". This is worth a pre-order. (A thank you to the reader who sent this through to me!)
The Lazy Eyes - Cheesy Love Songs (Official Site)
Another one for the pre-order list is the Lazy Eyes next album Cheesy Love Songs.
About 5 years ago, there was a surge of adept Aussie garage-psych bands, and this are one of my darlings from that scene. Influenced by 70's psychedelia, the Beach Boys, Andy Shauf and a huge dose of the Beatles, their work is earnest, breezy and fun. From what's been released already, Cheesy Love Songs mines the trope of the vulnerable yet iconic heartbroken male pop star behind a piano. Skillfully riding that fine line between jaunty hits and genuine heartache. It's a little bit sweet and a little bit endearing.
Delaney Davidson - Baby Heavyweight (Official Site)
This man is like fine wine, every album attains more depth, character and flavour. His 11th Album, Baby Heavyweight, delivers with an emotional heft. Always the storyteller and allegory maker, Delaney spins us a fine yarn as we follow Lucifer's fall from grace, his subsequent years roaming the earth as a trickster and vengeful spirit, before finding a space of peace after a meeting with Tane Mahuta. (Wild!) However, he has a talent for putting the universal in the work, there is space for a little of us in each song on this journey. Maybe we aren't so different from the devil himself?
Battlesnake - I Killed Satan (Official Site)
Speaking of the devil, it would be remiss not to leave you all with this final track as this week's earworm. Chaotic, anthemic and fiery, Aussie band Battlesnake deliver high fantasy on a power metal budget. We get colossal riffs, full-force keytar and snarling vocals. To be honest, if you want to go down as the most metal band in history, why not kill the king of darkness himself?
Thank you again this week to all my readers. Remember that listening to new music is good for the brain and soul. If you have a fresh tune you wish to share, please email me: waxonandonandon@gmail.com.
