<p><span><span><em>- </em>Possibly, when the music history of the 2020s is written, there should be a central chapter on how, finally, the dominant cisgender, heteronormative, white European descent musical paradigm was irreparably shaken apart by various artists who came from almost none of those standard musical backgrounds.

<p><span><span>- Since releasing her debut track on <strong>Body Promise</strong>’s <em>Fantastic Effects</em> compilation two years ago, Andy Garvey has been busy. A multifaceted individual, Garvey works in a variety of capacities: from music producer, DJ, radio host on FBi and Triple J, as <strong>Pure Space</strong> label-head AND co-founder of the agency Nectar. She has just released her latest of two EPs for<strong> Lobster Theremin</strong>.

<p><span><span>- When you think of punk rock frontmen, songwriting craftsmen seldom come to mind. However, <strong>Brian Fallon</strong>, former lead singer of New Jersey band, <strong>The Gaslight Anthem</strong>, is both of those things. With <em>Local Honey</em>, Fallon’s third solo album, he proves that he is more of the latter and less of the rambunctious punk rocker. A tight set of songs, Local Honey is Fallon’s most homogenous album with each number showcasing acoustic guitars and simple folk melodies.

<span><span>- The Chats have multiple major festival spots and a healthy -albeit naive- coverage from unsuspecting, mainstream TV networks are safely stashed away alongside two rough and ready EPs in the bag. The band are also dropping their debut album. It’s a record that I’ve been well and truly champing at the proverbial bit for the release thereof. Slick, three-chord fret-board abuse, snarling larrikin humour and the classic punk chorus stretched out across fourteen rippers of puerile, juvenile delinquency is what is on <em>High Risk Behaviour</em>.

<p><span><span>- I have no idea where American multi-instrumentalist <strong>Nandi Rose Plunkett</strong> aka Half Waif, found the time to record <em>The Caretaker</em>. Following on from her third solo record <em>Lavender, </em>and extensive work with folk rock band <strong>Pinegrove</strong>, Half Waif has come out with a luscious, baroque pop inspired new album.</span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><em>- Far Enough</em> is the second album from Melbourne four-piece Cable Ties. 2017's self-titled record was an indie hit both in Australia and around the world - a blast of angry, politically aware, hard-edged indie rock.</span></span></span></p>