Body Type, Forest Claudette & More: This Week's Best New Music

Listen To The Hit List Playlist!

Body Type - Holding On

Sydney punks Body Type have shared Holding On, the new single from their upcoming second album, Expired Candy, due for release on 2 June via Poison City Records. Written via shared voice memos passed back and forth across state borders, Holding On is a soaring, rollicking track where the protagonist’s longing and messy “monsoon” emotions are kept afloat by friends, and the pearls of wisdom passed down by family members. Lead vocalist and guitarist Sophie McComish explains that Holding On stems from a particular time in the members of Body Type’s lives, which has evolved into a personal mantra of sorts where they can appreciate the need to 'hold on' but true happiness comes from relinquishing control. 

Forest Claudette - Mess Around ft. EARTHGANG

Mess Around is the sweet new single from the R&B-pop artist Forest Claudette who continues to make massive strides in whatever he releases. We knew from the start that he was made to make hits, which is why he was a main player in our 2023 'Ones To Watch' feature. Mess Around is slinky, sexy and perfectly executed by Claudette whose smooth voice makes you feel some type of way in this single. Filled with soul-centred soundscapes, funky beats and groovy bass lines Mess Around is the slow jam of the summer. EARTHGANG is an essential addition to this track, with their silky smooth verse giving it the extra oomph it needed. 

Rina Sawayama - Eye For An Eye (John Wick Soundtrack)

Rina Sawayama always brings the heat no matter what direction she takes. This time, it's in an industrial-heavy, old-school action song that is the lead single of the new blockbuster John Wick: Chapter 4. As Sawayama sings her heart out, grating guitars and metal-influenced soundscapes slink around, which will be perfect for the big screen. John Wick: Chapter 4 will also be Sawayamas film debut, with the singer playing the role of Akira, the daughter of the hotel manager and Wick’s friend Shimazu Koji. We chat with her more about the film debut and the soundtrack here, in her cover story. 

ROSALÍA, Rauw Alejandro - BESO

Spanish power couple ROSALÍA and Rauw Alejandro have released their hotly anticipated EP RR, which features stand-out track BESO, which is reminiscent of classic 2000s R&B/pop. The E.P RR chronicles the couple’s romantic journey with ROSALÍA saying "After more than three years these three songs are here and each one of them belongs to a different stage of love.” While the couple doesn't say which stage relates to each song, BESO sounds as honeymoon as it can get. A sweet and sultry harpsichord plays in the background while Rosalia and Alejandro take turns singing, seemingly, to each other. Duets where the two singers, sing as though they're in love are so rare these days, and this sound works almost as a conversation with the two dancing around each other. 

Dan Sultan - Won't Give You That

Dan Sultan delivers his second taste of new music in 2023 with Won’t Give You That, an uplifting jaunt that reminds us all why Sultan is such a prolific artist. With a pop feel, Sultan's strong vocals will carry you through a quick-paced format that truly makes you feel alive. On the song, Sultan said, "It’s a high-energy song about resilience and liberation. It’s a beautiful song and its very existence proves its own point. I feel so lucky to be able to create things that I feel are beautiful that give me so much strength and light."

You can listen to the Hit List playlist featuring all the above songs and more on Apple Music or Spotify. We also have our Underground playlists that showcase the best of Australia's emerging artists. Find them here.