The Music chooses one song every week as its Power Pick, shining a light on ONE Aussie song that we think has the potential to be the next big Australian chart hit.
Our Power Pick committee consists of Richard Kingsmill (consultant and former triple j Group Music Director), Maddy Rowe (Nova nights announcer), Nic Kelly (Hit Network nights announcer), Ash McGregor (host of Listen Up with Ash McGregor), Kent “Smallzy” Small (Host of ‘The Smallzy Show’ on the Kiis Network), Irene Hulme (radio consultant and host of Game Changers Radio podcast) and Ollie Wards (ex-Head of Music for TikTok Australia).
Having made their official debut just last year, it feels as though Sydney duo MADEN LANE have wasted absolutely no time in getting their music out into the world and making waves as a result. The story of the duo's meeting is the stuff of musical history.
Comprising Eden Loau and Max Laxon, MADEN LANE first formed when the two musicians were playing in their school's funk band. Soon, a love of acts such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Thundercat, and more gave way to time spent in Laxon's bedroom studio, where his production paired with Loau's vocals, and their combined songwriting talents shone through.
Harnessing a stellar and immersive grasp on the world of R&B, alternative, and jazz-influenced pop, the pair feel like they’re already on the way to a solid career, as evidenced by tracks such as IGNITE and AFTER HOURS.
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Back in October, they unleashed TELL ME, which quickly drew listeners from across the board, but received a massive boost following the release of its associated remix in late December.
Complementing Loau’s vocals and Laxon’s eclectic production with smooth beats and ‘80s-influenced synth, the remix has swiftly become the group’s most-played song on streaming services, and just last week was added to full rotation on triple j, undeniably providing them with a massive platform and unbridled promise for what the future holds.
“There’s a growing hunger for jazz-leaning music right now, and Sydney duo MADEN LANE are the answering it,” Power Pick panelist Ash McGregor said.
“After cutting through on Instagram Reels, 2026 has already seen them build a global fanbase including SZA, who says she’s ‘obsessed’.
“Tell Me is a groove-heavy blend of R&B, pop and jazz that lingers long after it ends. With slick production and effortlessly smooth vocals, MADEN LANE feel primed for much bigger things; they are an Aussie act we’re backing all the way to the global stage.”
PREVIOUS POWER PICKS
We’ve seen an impressive run from the artists featured in our previous Power Picks in the recent weeks and months, with plenty doing impressive numbers not just on streaming and commercial radio, but the charts as well.
While acts such as Yes Boone and The Kid LAROI currently sitting on the likes of the Australian Artists and Singles charts, so too is the Radio Monitor Hot 100 showcasing a strong contingency of local acts in the top 20 alone, especially over the summer months when international cuts find themselves soundtracking those warmer afternoons by the barbecue alongside our homegrown faves.
Currently, Sonny Fodera’s Think About Us sits at #6 on the chart, followed closely by the likes of Tame Impala's Dracula at #11, Yes Boone's All I Really Want at #13, and Keli Holiday's Dancing2 at #19.
Though there’s not too much movement from last week’s chart, the rest of the results show a stronger showing of local acts as well. The Kid LAROI’s A Perfect World sits at #31, while Vance Joy's Divine Feelings follows at #32 – likely set to rise following his role in support of Ed Sheeran around Australia and New Zealand.
The Kid LAROI's Lithe-featuring Rather Be features at #34, while Young Franco & Charlotte Plank's Peaches at #42 is followed by an iconic favourite by way of Men At Work's perennial Down Under. It's a strong closing to the top 50, with Guy Sebastian sitting at #45 with Get It Done, and CYRIL & Maryjo closing out proceedings with Still Into You.
