Time to look back on another year of excellent local releases! This is the second of a few posts in my year in review series. Here are five essential Australian EPs from 2025.
FELONY. – Midnight Money
BRISBANE/MEANJIN—FELONY. solidifies her position as one of Brisbane’s most exciting pop artists with her confident and assured second EP. Crossfire is a powerful intro that confidently outlines her goals of constantly moving on up and leaving it all on the field, with an unrelenting, propelling rhythm to match. It’s a loud and busy track made for stadiums. Throughout this entire project the artist is filled with such an intense desire for the future that you can only get more excited for what’s coming next. Read my full review…
Favourite track: Crossfire
Dancer – all my best friends
NEWCASTLE/MULUBINBA—Dancer make a strong impression on their excellently produced first EP, which sounds like the work of a much more established band. These four songs have passionate vocals—heart attack now gives me Sam Fender vibes—and are heavy on the synth. Not a second is wasted.
Favourite track: heart attack now
Toy Saints – Colour of the Week
SYDNEY’S SOUTH—With commanding vocals and 90s grunge rock stylings, Toy Saints craft a seriously impressive debut that’s played to perfection. The first three tracks in particular already sound like established classics. All that’s missing is the crowd. Read my interview with the band…
Favourite track: Money Into Worth
Hockey Dad – The Clip
WINDANG—Wollongong’s favourite surf rock duo return to their roots with a scrappier sound owing to their early albums Boronia and Blend Inn. This is a complete departure from the sonic maturation of 2024’s Rebuild Repeat, but it’s an exciting shift, in a tight 20-minute package that doesn’t have any low points.
Favourite track: Backyard
The Tullamarines – Safety Blanket
ADELAIDE/TARNTANYA—I firmly believe the Tullamarines are making the catchiest indie pop music in Australia right now. No one is making ear worms as consistently great as Idiot, Lying and Running On Empty. They’re going to have a huge 2026.
Favourite track: Lying
