Songs You Should Know: January

Our own Song You Should Know: Monthly Mix captures what’s been soundtracking my month: recent discoveries, long-standing favourites, and songs I keep telling myself I’ll move on from. Some months it’s focused, others it’s a complete mix bag, but it’s always guided by the same idea: these are songs worth your time, at least right now.

Hudson Freeman - If You Know Me

Folk music and Americana have had small resurgences over the last 10 years, and while some acts feel like bands built by labels to meet a certain quota, often semi-soulless, Hudson Freeman gives me hope. This track is rough enough around the edges to give the song some grit, but I just love his voice and how it wavers.

Harry Styles - Apeture

In various bits of press, Harry has shared that aspects of his forthcoming record Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally. were inspired by seeing LCD Soundsystem live in concert. This first single doesn’t quite hit the same electronic high that James Murphy & co achieve, but it doesn’t need to (someone tell The FADER this, though). For a major-label pop star, it’s an interesting sonic pivot, and it’s got me curious to see how far he leans into dance music on the new record.

2charm - invisible wings

Speaking of dance and electronic music, Australia is really seeing another gold-standard revival as of late. Whether it’s stadium-filling acts like RÜFÜS DU SOL and Dom Dolla, or Ninajirachi winning awards and hearts throughout 2025, it’s never been a better time to be a dance music fan here. Add 2charm to the list of artists repping Australian electronic music in a big way. A side project of beloved band Cub Sport, the duo have released an incredible run of singles ahead of their forthcoming album star scum city, and I imagine they’ll create many of your favourite tracks this year.

These New South Whales - Godspeed

Beloved Aussie punks These New South Whales once again expanded their sonic palette on their fourth studio record Godspeed last November, and it’s the title track I find myself continually coming back to. It bridges the post-punk, big-drums energy of their earlier work in the verses with a shimmery, almost Brit-pop-like sheen across the chorus.

Robyn - Talk to Me

I’m sorry, but if you don’t enjoy the music of Robyn… we can’t be friends.

Consistently releasing A-grade pop music while reinventing herself, she is both a pioneer and an innovator of pop music, and we’re lucky to exist at the same time as her.

MADEN LANE - TELL ME (REMIX)

A young Australian indie duo making soul and jazz-pop that stands up against anything from the pros across those genres. Definitely a case of “just listen to the music before you make any judgement,” but you should know even SZA is a fan (and gave the band a co-sign on social media).

Mitski - I Bet on Losing Dogs

Mitski is returning in late February with a new album, and the first single, Where’s My Phone?, showed us she’s put down the synths and fallen back in love with her electric guitar. I’m super excited to see what the new album has in store, but it also made me revisit this gem from 2016’s Puberty 2.

Shady Nasty - SCREWDRIVA

Yes, I'm late to the party with Shady Nasty

Yes, I'm an idiot.

Just a standout, hypnotic track from their TREK album from last year.

Dry Cleaning - The Cute Things

London band Dry Cleaning return with their slightly left-of-centre indie once again. I could be completely wrong but there’s something that feels almost romantic about this song, not necessarily in the lyrical content but in the energy it gives off.

Tyler Ballgame - I Believe In Love

One of my favourite musical developments of the last decade has been the continued blurring of genre lines. Just when you think every possible combination has been done, a new artist comes along and surprises you. While mixing 1950s crooning with Americana/folk isn’t exactly two wildly different genres colliding, they blend beautifully here, especially with Tyler’s voice, which at times is reminiscent of Roy Orbison.

corook- Scooby

This is the kind of song that couldn't be made 10 years ago without TikTok. I say that for 2 reasons:

1. There’s a certain way songs are written now with a specific kind of virality in mind. It might not be millions of streams, but a quieter virality that knows exactly who it’s for.

2. The lyrical content also speaks directly to the inhumane reality of the United States of America at this point in time. The band isn’t wrong.

   
   

Cat & Calmell - Pop Cult Idol

Our favourite Aussie pop duo returned late last year with their LIVE LAUGH COOL STAR EP, bringing with it a sound that leans more indie sleaze than the indie-pop we’d previously known them for. This was a standout track, showcasing a darker edge for the pair.

Dove Ellis - Jaundice

What if I told you Jeff Buckley was alive and well, reincarnated in the form of a young Irish man named Dove Ellis?

Sabrina Carpenter - Go Go Juice

I genuinely think her Man’s Best Friend album has been overlooked by the masses, simply because it didn’t reach the same heights as its predecessor. Catchy pop music that feels nostalgic, recorded live in the studio with a band, is actually pretty rare these days. As advertised in the title, this is a great song to have a few beverages to.

Fust - Mountain Language

Countrified alt-rock really does something to me these days. Wednesday and MJ Lenderman have been leading the charge, but Fust put out an incredible record last year with Big Ugly. Worth your time if you like the above-mentioned bands and smooth vocals from frontman Aaron Dowdy.

Loyle Carner - lyin

As someone who has recently entered fatherhood himself, the musings on anxiety and parenthood speak to me deeply. Beautifully expressed through gentle, jazz-tinged rap.

Maisie Peters - You You You

Maisie Peters returns, back in her singer-songwriter bag. The sonic playground she’s found herself in on this single, and across the releases from her forthcoming record Florescence, feels like an amalgamation of her first and second albums, and it works very much in her favour.

Slowcoaching - I'm in My Brain Again

This is the project of all-around legend Dean Valentino. A heady mix of indie singer-songwriter sensibilities and shoegaze bands like Beach House, there’s an almost kaleidoscopic nostalgia filter across the entire record. This track is one of my standouts.