The fortnightly five - 21 July 2026

A rundown of five fresh items on my headphones from the last fortnight.

Yard Act - You're Gonna Need A Little Music (Official Site)

Full disclaimer: I have a signed vinyl copy of 'The Overload', Yard Act's debut album, and it takes pride of place in the pool room. As well as a pub yarn about a failed attempt to see them at Laneways, which involved a set of crutches and large-scale flooding. I definitely fall into the fan-girl camp. Definitely.

Third albums are a tricky beast, and I had trepidation about whether this would be the one that would make or break my heart. But I had no need to worry. Yard Act have gone bold, full throttle and dialled up the bite. Musically, they still waltz all over the show, the titular track leaning into disco-driven grooves, riffing up a Screamadelic storm on 'New Beginnings', and channelling rock rage in 'Redeemer'. It may sound choppy, but it keeps the record on its toes, never dwelling too long and moving the listener forward. The introduction of producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen brings a richer and bigger sound, without sliding too far into anthem territory. Lyrically, it's incredibly playful and witty. But what else would you expect from a band that is named after one of the best dad jokes out there?

Tricky - Different When It's Silent (Bandcamp)

Like walking foggy streets at 3 am trying to calm wounds of the heart, 'Different When It's Silent' is all the pains, anguish and loss of loving too hard. The album features young, rising Bristolian singer-songwriter, Mitch Sanders, I am enthralled by this pairing. We have the contrast of Sanders' delicate yet soulful voice gliding through to us, paired with Tricky's gravelly whispers underneath. A pair of ghosts entwined in perpetual sadness. Considering Tricky lost his daughter a few years ago, the prominence of grief in this album is completely understandable. Sonically this feels less bass-heavy than previous albums, and explores a wider range of instruments that build a melancholic, slow beat and hazy sound. In particular, 'Cannon Fodder' floored me; that lowing guitar nearly wrenched my heart out of my chest. Despite the heaviness, 'Different When It's Silent' is absolutely beautiful.

The Babe Rainbow - Acid and Honey (Linktr.ee)
Aussie Surf-Psych rockers Babe Rainbow bottle up the long days of summer and deliver it to us all over again, in their seventh full-length album. The band began recording with an op-shop acoustic guitar aboard a houseboat in Amsterdam, before heading off to finish the album with producer Kyle Mullarky at his Malibu ranch. The breeziness of this approach feels woven into the songs. Although it comes across as dreamy and easy, there is some nuanced synth and guitar work going on in the background, plus plenty of fun play with groove and tone. Overall, it serves up the good vibes and sunshine.

Dawn Porter - Waning in the Sun (Bandcamp)

Dawn Porter's debut EP meanders through melancholic angst, gloom, and a dash of self-pity. Reminiscent of Cindy Lee, with its shoegaze bent, jangly doo-wop guitar, and foggy aesthetic, it also feels lo-fi, gritty, and murky. As this promising artist is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, we should be hearing much more from them in the future.

Mykki Blanco - Butt Sex (Official Site)

Rounding off this week and taking out the crown for 'filth list' spot is Mykki Blanco with 'Butt Sex'. A little cheeky and a whole lot queercore, it is a caper, it is a romp, it is undeniably danceable. I love the video with the uninhibited takeover of the infamous Richard-Wagner-Platz U-Bahn station in Berlin. Everything about this track is fun.

Thank you again 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.