The Belair Lip BombsFor as long as music has existed, so too has the trouble of discovering your new favourite artists. While there's no shortage of stunning music out there in the contemporary Australian music scene, a finite amount of time in our daily lives means that discovering those highlights can often be an arduous task.
In 2025, Spotify celebrated a decade of its Fresh Finds playlists. A platform on which listeners can discover their new favourite local artists, shining a light on those rising creatives, and giving fans the chance to get in on the ground floor of the careers of Australia's next big exports.
While the New Music Friday playlists will collect all the big releases for the week, Fresh Finds is the peek behind the curtain, allowing music-lovers the opportunity to find their new favourites before the rest of the world follows suit.
In Australia and New Zealand, Fresh Finds is made possible thanks to a team of dedicated music lovers, including Editor Joe Khan and Artists & Label Partnerships Manager Vanja Bezbradica.
Khan – whose broadcasting background boasts roles at FBi Radio and triple j – explains that his role involves a lot of searching for the most exciting music on offer each week, alongside pitching local music to editors around the world, and also meeting with emerging acts as they meet the Spotify team and find themselves equipped with vital information to help their music reach a wider audience.
"I know how important it is for independent voices and artists to be heard in the music industry," Khan says. "It’s something I'm super passionate about, so I feel really lucky to contribute to something like Fresh Finds. It’s been the perfect vessel to channel that energy into."
Bezbradica, meanwhile, spends much of her time speaking to the labels, the artists, and their teams to discover what these rising artists are working on, and informing the Fresh Finds team in regard to how the program can be taken beyond the playlist.
"Our local artists are putting out some of the best new music in the world, and I love that Fresh Finds gives me a way to support those artists early and help more people hear them," she says.
While a discovery tool at its core, Fresh Finds has resulted in real-world change for the artists who find themselves featured. A strong example of this is DON WEST, who was featured just last year when he boasted just 3,000 listeners. Currently, WEST has more than 3.8 million listeners, underlining the importance of Fresh Finds and its reach.
"It was those early signals that his music showed within Fresh Finds AU & NZ that opened up doors for us to continue testing his music in other spaces," says Khan.
While Fresh Finds has since gone beyond just the concept of a humble playlist and is now a dedicated program that helps to foster the careers of these burgeoning acts, it goes without saying that a feature on Fresh Finds is a stamp of approval and an indicator that these artists are on the right path.
This year, Spotify's Fresh Finds AU & NZ Class of 2025 is a strong and diverse one, boasting the likes of The Belair Lip Bombs, Dylan Atlantis, Folk Bitch Trio, Fade Evare, ALZZY, Harry Hayes, and Velvet Trip, showcasing the strength and breadth of Australia's musical genres and the talented acts helping further them on a global scale.
"Aside from being a list of artists that our team have been swooning over all year, the Fresh Finds AU & NZ Class of 2025 are a group of very talented humans who have quite simply been killing it," says Khan.
"These are the artists who have been championed on our Fresh Finds playlists that have either gone on to make an incredible impact this year or that we’re expecting big things from in the year ahead."
The Belair Lip Bombs
Having first formed back in 2017, Frankston quartet The Belair Lip Bombs have been enjoying a massive rise to success over the past eight years. After a pair of well-received EPs, the group issued their debut album Lush Life in 2023 and then exploded from there.
Catching the attention of Jack White's Third Man Records label, the group became the first Aussie outfit to sign to the impressive stable and released their second album, Again, in late October. Hitting No. 25 on the ARIA charts and with a batch of US tour dates on the horizon, The Belair Lip Bombs are undoubtedly bringing solid local music to global audiences at every turn.
If there’s one rising Australian rock band that deserved our attention in 2025, you’d be hard pressed to look beyond The Belair Lip Bombs (if Hey You isn’t one of the best rock songs you’ll hear this year, I’ll eat my shoe).
Their yearning, jangle-inclined indie rock has taken them to new heights this year, earning them millions of streams and landing them on the cover of global flagship playlists, Fresh Finds Class of 2025 and Best of Fresh Finds Rock. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
We say we’re indie rock, although each of us has a pretty diverse taste in music. We’re all keen to branch out on each song. Lush Life had many more post-punk elements. I’d say our latest album, Again, is inspired more by pop and classic rock.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
The highlight had to be the release of our second album, Again. It was such a long time coming, and the reception has been more than we could’ve hoped for.
We've seen some huge successes recently, including becoming the first Aussies on Third Man Records, some impressive inroads in the US, and the release of your new album, Again. How did you approach the writing and recording of this album? How did that process compare to your first record?
We had much more time in this release to perfect each song in the album. A lot of focus was put into each song’s identity, both sonically and lyrically.
How have you seen your audience grow over the past year, and what sort of opportunities has that opened up for you?
We’ve seen our international audience grow considerably. Third Man have played a big hand in pushing us internationally. We’ve also backed up the exposure with a lot of overseas shows with Spacey Jane in the US and our own headline tour of the UK/Europe.
What are things looking like for you in 2026? What can we expect from The Belair Lip Bombs next year?
We’re pretty busy. But, we are having a break at the start of the year. We’ve also just moved into a new rehearsal space, and we’re keen to start putting some ideas together. Maybe some new music may start to be forged in the coming months.
Dylan Atlantis
Born in the Philippines and raised in Mount Druitt on an eclectic diet of musical genres, Dylan Atlantis has swiftly become a shining example of sonic diversity in Australia's vibrant music scene. With a sound that traverses the likes of indie rock, hip hop, R&B, and more, Dylan's sound is a kaleidoscopic one, offering something new and unique at every turn.
Though her Instagram bio might have previously described her as an "amateur artist," Dylan's debut album – It Starts Again – arrived back in October, with its widespread acclaim proving that there's nothing amateur about this stellar musician.
Dylan Atlantis is one of those artists that has such a deep bag that you never really know what you’re going to get every time they drop a track. But the throughline for Dylan this year has been the quality.
We got a real sense that Dylan’s priority is artistry on her debut album It Starts Again, and that dedication to craft has really gotten us pumped about what the future might have in store for her. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
I am whoever you want me to be. I make alternative pop music.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
Getting on a billboard in Times Square, going on my first national tour with grentperez, and releasing my debut album.
Your music is a really eclectic and interesting blend of different genres from R&B to rock and everything in between. Tell us about who has influenced and inspired your musical journey.
Thank you! My mum, honestly, is the main reason for me being exposed to so many genres. She listened to everything when I was growing up, except for rock music. She was kind of deep in her religious era in my childhood, so she thought it was devil music. I would listen to rock music as a form of rebellion.
How have you seen your audience grow over the past year, and what sort of opportunities has that opened up for you?
I only released my album two months ago, but that alone has opened up so many doors. I think it's given people a better insight into who I am and what I’m trying to create.
What are things looking like for you in 2026? What big things can we expect from Dylan Atlantis next year?
I don’t know, to be honest. I just want to be better than before. People will have to stick around and find out why my next move will be!
Folk Bitch Trio
It goes without saying that when an artist like Folk Bitch Trio makes a splash as they have in 2025, you need to stand up and take notice. Hailing from Melbourne, the three-piece – comprising Gracie Sinclair, Jeanie Pilkington, and Heide Peverelle – first formed in 2020 before live music and further singles gave way to a signing with esteemed indie label Jagjaguwar and the release of their debut album.
Titled Now Would Be A Good Time, the record's response was immense. Charting within the top 20, winning the J Award for Unearthed Artist Of The Year, being nominated for the Australian Music Prize, and scoring four nominations at the ARIA Awards. Needless to say, if you're yet to check out Folk Bitch Trio, well, now would be a good time.
Folk Bitch Trio are three best mates from Melbourne making the most enchanting folk music you’ve ever heard. They’ve just had the biggest year of their career, earning four ARIA Award nominations, touring the world and selling out some sizey local shows.
With more than 11 million streams under their belt in the last 12 months and a cover feature on Best of Fresh Finds Folk, this really felt like Folk Bitch Trio’s year. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
Folk Bitch Trio is a collaboration between three friends from Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. It is guitar music and three-part harmony from the heart.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
Taking the leftovers of Shaboozey’s rider at an Australian festival. First show of the year at Sydney Opera House, opening and performing with Rufus Wainwright. Sitting on the lounge room floor listening to our album for the first time.
This year saw the release of your debut album, Now Would Be A Good Time, a record that really leans into traditional aspects of folk with lyrics that add a contemporary twist. What did making this record teach you about your sound, and how do you feel your identity as a band evolved throughout the process?
We made this record insularly, bunkering down for a winter month in Round Head studios in Auckland, Aotearoa. With a collection of songs varying from very fresh to written long ago, the focus was to record a clear picture of what we sounded like at the time, live.
Keeping our heads down and living in the world of the recorded for that month was an exercise in letting go of perfection and embracing ourselves as we are. It’s given us integrity and lightheartedness, as well as confidence professionally, as a creative unit.
How have you seen your audience grow over the past year, and what sort of opportunities has that opened up for you?
With the release of our debut record, Now Would Be A Good Time, our music has reached and touched more people, further away than ever before. It’s meant headline tours in Australia and Aotearoa, Europe, and America, filling rooms with people who have connected to our songs.
It’s meant playing festivals around the world, connecting with other artists and forging real friendships and new creative projects, endless inspiration from being on the road, and playing better shows together than ever before. Hearing audiences sing back these songs that were just ours for so long has been wild. People forging relationships with the deep cut, non-single tracks on the record… so wild.
What can we expect from Folk Bitch Trio next year?
Benevolent and inspiring world domination. More touring, more music, more love.
Fade Evare
Fade Evare are one of those acts that felt as if they came out of nowhere and swiftly rose to the top in no time at all. Centring around the brother and sister duo of Mira and Tori Holleman (formerly of Retiree), the Melbourne four-piece burst onto the scene in 2024 with Yamaha Dreaming ahead of its official release, the momentum quickly gained, and before we knew it, Fade Evare's rapid rise led to the release of their debut album, Welcome Back, barely a year since their formation.
With massive achievements already ticked off the bucket list in such a short period of time, it's clear that Fade Evare will be taking on the world before soon, and we're eager to see what's in store for year two.
Aside from their debut album Welcome Back topping my personal Wrapped this year, self-described ‘tripwave cultivators’ Fade Evare really captured the essence of a trend that shaped indie in 2025.
The resurgence of trip hop. Their dusty, sparse arrangements channel trip-hop influences into something entirely their own, and I reckon they are a criminally slept-on band that are primed for a cult following. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
Tori: What have we been calling it? Tripwave.
Mira: Trip hop and new wave.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
Tori: Probably supporting Mount Kimbie at The Forum, which is a pretty insane second show. And it was terrifying, but we pulled it off.
Mira: No minor technical difficulties or anything as well.
Tori: And we got to meet the idols. That was pretty sick.
Mira: And go in The Forum green room, which is also really cool.
You released your debut single and your debut album in the space of a year. That’s a pretty quick turnaround. Tell us about how this project first began and what you’ve learned between dropping that first single and the album moment.
Mira: We just wrote a full album, I don't know! But the main goal, I think, as well as releasing an album, was also just to play shows. Because we really wanted to play shows.
Tori: When we released Yamaha Dreaming, and then kind of linked up with Astral People – when they reached out to us – we just kind of presented them with a record, and it was kind of… It wasn't that difficult to kind of turn it around.
Mira: We didn't really have a deadline because we were just creatively making the music at the time.
Tori: We made it all pretty quickly, too, so it wasn't like we were like… It's flowing, and you gotta get going.
How have you seen your audience grow over the past year, and what sort of opportunities has that opened up for you?
Tori: Our first gig was like our own little show that we did.
Mira: There were way more people there than I thought, and a majority of them, though, were friends, family, etc., which was really cool. But I think as time has moved on, the reach outside of our social circle has grown.
And so at our launch, there were people I had never seen in my entire life. And they came up to me and were talking about our music and saying they loved it, and I was just like, 'Oh my god!'
Tori: They were asking us to sign their set list, and it was pretty cool.
Mira: I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy. I don't know you, and you don't know anyone in the band. What?'
ALZZY
The musical moniker of Melbourne-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Alyssa Allet, ALZZY is a sonic journey that effortlessly blends indie pop, neo soul, and R&B with the likes of jazz and folk, expertly combining all genres to create a sound that is as refreshing as it is unique.
With her debut EP arriving at just 15, the past eight years have seen Alyssa working as a songwriter while also carving out a solo career that is quickly gaining some well-deserved attention. With a string of slick singles arriving across the past year, and her singular approach to melody turning heads, it won't be long before the rest of the world takes note of ALZZY.
ALZZY is a rising pop artist that caught the attention of not only our local pop editor, but editors from abroad. Her instinctive ear for melody and playful yet sticky songwriting is a winning recipe that well and truly landed her on our radar. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
For anyone just discovering me, I would describe myself as a deep thinker and a bit of an old soul. But then on the other side of things, I love to be goofy, have a bit of fun, not take things too seriously because then, where's the joy? So I definitely think those parts of myself come through my music very strongly.
If you identify as an overthinker or just a deep thinker, as a dreamer, as someone who loves personal growth and development, oh yes, that is me. And if you love artists that pull from a lot of retro influences like Rex Orange County, Olivia Dean, and Dayglow, yeah, I think we'd get along great.
What are things looking like for you in 2026? What can we expect from ALZZY next year?
2026 for me is looking like a jam-packed but crazy fun year. I'm so excited. You can expect a whole bunch of new music, a whole project, as well as lots of singles and things later on in the year. I've got some music videos in the works, and some live shows in the making, where I'm planning a whole bunch of fun live stuff.
And also got some really cute merch coming that I'm super excited for. Not only stuff to wear, but cute little things to collect if you're a collector like me. So it's going to be a really fun year. I can't wait.
Harry Hayes
Sydney producer Harry Hayes is the very definition of a rising star in Australia's electronic scene. With the past few years giving rise to the creation of a prolific and well-rounded discography, it hasn't taken long for the wider world to take notice.
Scoring an impressive support for Canadian electronic icon Caribou this year, and releasing his Before It Goes EP in early August, Harry's genre-shifting, eclectic, and mesmerising musical style has gained traction both here and abroad as he pairs emotional introspection with big dance floor energy.
Australia has no shortage of dance producers making a mark, and Harry Hayes is well and truly one that you should be paying attention to.
If you didn’t catch his euphoric production chops on full display while he supported Caribou on his national tour, you can get a taste for it on his stellar EP which dropped in August. Yet another artist with a deep bag who we are forecasting big things for. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
Hey, I'm Harry Hayes, and for someone just discovering me and my music, I would describe myself as someone who doesn't love getting in front of the camera, but I recognise that it's an important thing to do to grow your audience. But I love being in the studio all day long. I need to get outside more like I am now.
The way I would describe my music is electronic, which is pretty broad, but you can find a lot of different styles of electronic music within my discography, and that's what makes listening to my music so fun.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
Easily one of the best highlights for me this year was being able to support Caribou on his Australian tour earlier in the new year, during summer. It was amazing. It was wild. It was every adjective ever because, well, only positive adjectives.
Getting to play the Enmore Theatre in Sydney was wild. Like, that is a dream venue, and obviously, it's Sydney, where I'm from, which is unbelievable that I got to play there.
Also, doing the pop-up DJ set in the Manning Bar was wild and had such an amazing crowd. And yeah, just getting able, being able to play in front of big crowds I never usually would play in front of was such an eye-opening experience.
What’s your process when creating music?
My process for creating music is weird. I wouldn't really wish it upon anyone because it just is really slow, and it takes a long time, and it sounds really, really, really bad right up until the point where I sort of export it and send it to people to listen. But the first day of working on a song can just sound so repetitive and really boring, but it pays off in the end, I think.
I'll usually sit down, and I like to start with chords and melody, that sort of thing first. That's usually how I start most of my music, and that gives me the emotion of the song, and then I sort of just take it wherever it needs to go. Maybe it needs to go into the club world, maybe it needs to go into the ambient world, whatever it might be.
But I usually like to sit down and write some chords out on my piano, my MIDI keyboard, or find a vocal sample and write around that. That's another really good way of writing music.
How have you seen your audience grow over the past year, and what sort of opportunities has that opened up for you?
I've seen my audience grow, especially through doing the Caribou support. That has been amazing. I've also just seen it grow through general social media stuff like posting and teasing music, and posting reels and things like that. I don't do it loads and loads, I definitely do it more, but the few times I have posted a reel or tease my music on socials, it's really helped see my audience grow.
Also collaborating with other people. I put out a track with Kelbin earlier this year. They're an Italian artist making really awesome music. And I also put out a collaboration track just recently with a French Canadian artist called CRi, and that's also seen my audience grow a little bit more as well, which is really cool.
And I think it's super important to do; definitely collaborate.
What are things looking like for you in 2026? What can we expect from Harry Hayes next year?
I know this sounds ridiculously cliché, but I really, really, really think I have some awesome stuff in store next year. I probably can't say, but I have some music coming out. I'm very, very excited about it, and it's stuff I'm super, super, super proud of, and it's been getting some really awesome support behind the scenes so far, and I can't wait to start teasing it and showing everyone.
There's also a lot of unknown for next year, but that's what makes it really exciting. I'm really excited to play more shows. I'm excited to maybe do some more stuff in Europe and in the UK. But we'll see what happens. I'm just very excited about next year.
Velvet Trip
When it comes to artists who are well poised for global success, one needs only to look towards Velvet Trip, the impressive musical project from Wiradjuri man, Zeppelin Hamilton. Having been releasing music under the Velvet Trip moniker since 2018, this impressive rise has resulted in an output that boasts numerous singles, a handful of EPs, and 2024's Harmony Blooms album.
This past year has seen some global recognition, widespread touring, and even more new music as Zeppelin's Glimmers EP provides a bit of a taster of what to expect next year. With a new album – Glimmers Continued – scheduled to arrive in 2026, and with some impressive momentum setting Velvet Trip up for some global domination, the future is looking incredibly bright currently.
Velvet Trip is the alternative project of Wiradjuri man, Zeppelin Hamilton. He’s been at it for a few years now, but 2025 saw Velvet Trip really level up, releasing the strongest music of his career and by extension, finding new audiences all over the world.
From featuring on Turn Up Aus billboards, playing at the NIMAs, to touring with Parcels, Velvet Trip has gone on to kick some huge goals since being supported in Fresh Finds and it feels like he’s just getting started. – Joe Khan, Spotify.
For anyone just discovering you, how would you describe who you are and the music you make?
I’d describe myself as a lil' Suffolk Park Koori who’s still tripping on the fact that I’m travelling the world, playing music, and getting asked to describe myself to The Music mag, haha. I make immersive psychedelic pop... introspective, moody, but filled with love and joy at the same time.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
I literally can’t answer that singularly. I’ve had an insane year, and I’m so grateful. I’ve toured the country a bunch — supported Djo, Parcels, sold out the Opera House for Vivid, played a bunch of festivals like Bluesfest and triple j's One Night Stand, announced my second album — blah blah blah. I also got to go to LA recently and write new music with some very cool people and reconnect with Djo. He took me to the Stranger Things premiere... that was mad, haha.
Your sound has grown and evolved over the last few years from a really blues-driven, fuzzed-out rock band to something a lot more refined. Tell us about the creative evolution of Velvet Trip and the skills you’ve worked on to bring this project to where it is today.
Aw thanks! I’ve had many musical evolutions over the years. I used to have a metal band with Julsey from Parcels, so I started playing heavy music as a teenager, then ventured into blues and finally psych/pop music.
I think I just have a really broad taste in music, and I want to keep pushing myself and challenging myself with every release. I’ve made a promise to myself to never repeat what I’ve done – so I hope to keep evolving the further I develop as an artist. Maybe I’ll make an industrial techno/metal album next... who knows!
How have you seen your audience grow over the past year, and what sort of opportunities has that opened up for you?
For the first time ever, I have an actual team around me, pushing and driving me. It’s been really special and motivating, so I’m really grateful for everyone’s hard work. I think as a collective we’ve been trying to refine what Velvet Trip is and how to connect with my audience... It’s an ongoing process, but I feel like maybe I’m getting somewhere with that? Who knows!!
There have been heaps of incredible opportunities, and I see more and more people singing my songs back at me now. I think that’s how I quantify audience growth, haha.
What are things looking like for you in 2026? What can we expect from Velvet Trip next year?
I’ve just announced my sophomore album, Glimmers Continued, which comes out on January 30th. I’m so excited to release this one... It means a lot to me, and I hope people feel that. I reckon there’ll be a bunch of shows on the cards... and I’m going to lock in and start writing my next record. Psyched!!
Check out Spotify’s editors' picks of this year's best local songs from independent artists and labels as part of their Best of Fresh Finds AU & NZ 2025 playlist.
This feature has been published in partnership with Spotify's Turn Up Aus - the next-generation evolution of Spotify Australia’s music DNA, as they continue their 13-year commitment to championing local music.
