Dovize – ‘Kickin’ Sand’
Experimental trio Dovize take us into a world of improvisation with ‘Kickin’ Sand’, which features on their debut EP.
A saxophone takes centre stage on the track, seeming to have a mind of its own, while a musical motif from the post-punk sounding guitar is mimicked by the other instruments.
Dovize is a music project by Sean Desmon and includes Sean Blackwell on Bass, Doyle Holmes on drums and Vittorio on sax.
Gratts – ‘Pretty Lights’
‘Pretty Lights’ fuses genres, combining sounds from drum and bass and psychedelia.
Beginning with an effect-laden piano, the song is joined by the R&B-style vocals and a fast-paced drumbeat.
The track changes pace at the 2.27-minute mark, when a crunchy synth-bass line takes over, and then again at the 3.51-minute mark, when an 80s-infused synth riff kicks in.
‘Pretty Lights’ features on the Pretty Lights/Euphoria EP, with DJ and producer Gratts saying he was invited by two gifted Adelaide artists to rejig their previously released songs.
“First up, local jazz force Grace Mensforth dove into the studio with Jake Amy, Dylan Paul, and Miles Farnan to bring a thrilling liquid drum and bass take on ‘Pretty Lights’,” he said.
JesseMelancholy – ‘silver sky’
CityMag‘s best new music regular JesseMelancholy returns to the column this month with ‘silver sky’.
Throughout the love song, JesseMelancholy playfully uses autotune as he sings the refrain, ‘There’s nothing that I’d rather do than see your silver sky”, followed by many, many “dos”.
JesseMelancholy says his music creates “emotionally rich soundscapes” and “blends raw vulnerability with experimental production, exploring themes like mental health, identity, and the complexities of human connection”.
“Each track pulls listeners into his world — one built on introspection, sonic innovation, and unfiltered honesty,” he says.
LAITSI – ‘Since a Youngin’
Starting with a sweet acoustic guitar riff, ‘Since a Youngin’ by Laitsi soon launches into his deep and meaningful rap.
“Since a youngin’ man, I had a vision on my mind/I been tryna get it every time, every day and every night/I ain’t gotta let slide, ain’t gotta wastin time/Every time I gotta get it, every time on the busy all this time ok,” he raps.
‘Since a Youngin’ features on Laitsi’s debut album, Through My Eyes.
Laitsi says his music “captures his journey from Zambia, through years in a Malawian refugee camp, to finding his voice and building a music career here in Adelaide, turning hardship and hope into sound”.
Maybe Hugo – ‘Another Lvl’
Since we listed Maybe Hugo in our Class of 2025, a guide of Adelaide artists to watch, back in February, we’ve been eagerly awaiting his next release. The multi-instrumentalist has been busy on the DJ front, supporting Bag Raiders, Keli Holiday and others, but he’s back with his first release of the year and positioned to end the year with an even stronger catalogue.
This latest single is soulful as ever from the heartfelt songwriter and groovy vocalist. Hugo describes it as a tune “about two people moving in different directions”.
It’s the laid-back tone we love from him, if slightly more refined, a credit to his own production and mixer Ed Long from Berlin’s Soundrays Studio. CityMag recommends playing the track at a dinner party to impress your friends with your effortlessly cool taste.
Miss Orange Juicy – ‘Sorry Not Sorry’
As a self-described “sweet and sour pop” duo, Miss Orange Juicy’s sophomore single perfectly encapsulates a bittersweet feeling.
Following their first single, the self-titled ‘Orange Juicy’ in September, the two-and-a-half-minute Sorry Not Sorry is short, shiny and uplifting, with lyrics that are sure to resonate with anyone who has feigned an apology.
The duo isn’t afraid to experiment with the production either, with dreamlike backing vocals and an infectious hook that is sure to stick in your head for the rest of the day.
Miss Orange Juicy will be performing their second single live at the Ed Castle on November 22.
Night Rites – ‘Dragonfly’
Adelaide-based psychedelic rock trio Night Rites released their debut album Nine of Swords early last month, and the track ‘Dragonfly’ is our pick of the bunch.
The track builds steadily and, like the titular insect, moves at a fast pace. The neo-psychedelic trip is reminiscent of bands from the 70s or, more recently, Australia’s own King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
The layered guitars are in overdrive, and the distorted vocals drive the song forward towards a blistering crescendo that is sure to get crowds riled up at live shows.
Night Rites is holding the Nine of Swords album launch party on November 14 at the Grace Emily Hotel before the band jets off to play a gig in Melbourne later this month.
Soulbird – ‘Spare Me’
‘Spare Me’ is the second release from alt-rock band Soulbird, the first taste of their debut EP expected later in 2026. While their first single was more folky, ‘Spare Me’ is rock-solid grunge.
Lyrics like “bleed me out / beat me down / try to keep me defenceless” set the tone for the moody track, which the band says is about being liberated from emotionally abusive relationships.
Formed by Lilli Collins and Stew Heatley Jr, the band has a ’90s grunge influence which is at its strongest with raw vocals singing “spare me my severed soul” over gritty guitars.
Sunsick Daisy – ‘Pale Blue’
Sunsick Daisy is another from CityMag’s Class of 2025 that we are pleased to say “we told you so” over the band’s recent successes on the main stage of Harvest Rock and a slot at Queensland’s Big Sound.
‘Pale Blue’ is the band’s first release with bass player Ella Phillips joining the fold, and what a release. Guitarist Kane Gabell takes vocal lead on the hazy track with a catchy raspiness to his voice that gives the song a retro-psychedelic feel.
The band say the track is about young love in the digital age: dizzying and addictive. The two-and-a-half-minute track sounds like how going on a successful third date on an overcast spring day feels, complete with saturated guitars and a dash of nostalgia.
The Mushniks – ‘Eagle’
Coming off The Mushniks debut album, Jump the Shark, Eagle is a punchy three-minute track that hooks you in with a fuzzy bassline before jumping headfirst into a playful guitar riff.
The simple yet effective drums and distorted garage-rock energy is sure to be infectious in a live setting.
The band obviously isn’t afraid to be tongue-in-cheek, with the expletive-ridden track likely reminding listeners of other Aussie acts such as The Chats.
Here’s to hoping Jump the Shark isn’t a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the trio can continue their streak of quality tunes in the future.
The Eagle is set to land at Unibar on November 15 for the launch of The Mushniks debut album.