Heartsong

There is a moment on Heartsong where the pop sheen parts to reveal something raw, human and devastating. We’ve watched the Australian singer-songwriter evolve from a teenage Triple J Unearthed prodigy into a master craftsman of widescreen pop, but nothing quite prepares you for the emotional architecture of her third studio album.

Born out of an intense period of reckoning, a sudden, serious heart disease diagnosis at 26, coupled with the collapse of a long-term relationship, Heartsong isn't just an album title; it’s a literal and figurative inventory of survival. Recorded alongside Matt Corby, the record strips back the polished maximalism of her previous work to let its folk-tinged indie-pop breathe.

The title track, co-written with Corby, is a staggering centrepoint, balancing fragile vulnerability with a soaring melodic release. Meanwhile, the lead single Swimming, Crying captures the physical and emotional weight of grief while remaining effortlessly infectious.