Yirrmal Drops Inspirational New Single 'Keep Rolling On'

Renowned Yolŋu artist from North-East Arnhem Land, Yirrmal, has returned with an inspirational, empowering new single, Keep Rolling On, ahead of the Aboriginal Voice To Parliament referendum this Saturday (14 October).

Keep Rolling On was written by Yirrmal and Neil Murray and arrives with a music video shot by Patrick de Teliga and fashion photographer Simon Upton.

From a funky opening, Keep Rolling On becomes a smooth yet catchy number that displays Yirrmal’s effortlessly generous nature. When Ross Middleton’s saxophone comes in, the track instantly becomes even warmer, and with production by Andy Farriss of INXS fame, Keep Rolling On is a song of timeless quality. You can watch the music video below.

“I believe music has the power to heal and connect people,” Yirrmal said about his new single in a statement. “Keep Rolling On is my way of sharing our stories and celebrating the incredible strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It's a song about resilience and hope, and I hope it brings us all closer to reconciliation.”

In April, The Music reviewer Jess Martyn caught Yirrmal at Bluesfest and wrote in a glowing review: “Yirrmal kicked off his second Bluesfest performance with a new single and impressive acapella notes. Backed only by delicate guitar melodies, his incredibly powerful high range made for a near-religious experience, easing the crowd into a more energetic second number and beyond. Brass and backing harmonies filled out the sound, buoyant with the energy of everyone else on stage.”

To date, Yirrmal has released the Youngblood EP in November 2016 and, subsequently, a string of singles, including Promised Land featuring Dami Im.

Yirrmal has also collaborated with Baker Boy and Emma Donovan and, in an affecting celebration, joined Midnight Oil for a performance of Treaty – you can watch the performance on YouTube and listen to it on Midnight Oil’s Armistice Day live album and concert film.