TILLY FENTON SHARES BUOYANT NEW SINGLE VALENTINE
A dreamy collision of upbeat pop and lush melodies, the new single Valentine out today from Melbourne singer-songwriter Tilly Fenton is equally jubilant and vulnerable, showcasing Tilly’s effortless charm and sharp sensibilities.
Opening with billowing bliss, Valentine blossoms as acoustic guitars underpin Tilly’s honeyed vocals before crisp beats and ethereal elements propel the track into an upbeat dreamy pop wonderland. Nodding to the likes of Lizzy McAlpine’s intimate and conversational songwriting, Lexi Jayde’s charismatic stylings, and the energy of boygenius in the bridge, Valentine also, at its core, gently tugs at the heartstrings with Tilly lyrically detailing a resounding universal theme. “Valentine is about craving the simplest kind of love—the kind that doesn’t take much, just presence, care, and honesty,” shares Tilly. “I wrote it during a time where I felt like my needs weren’t really being met in a relationship, and all I wanted was for that person to just show up for me, even in the smallest ways. It’s a reminder that even the bare minimum can mean a lot when it comes to love, and that those little moments can make all the difference.”
For her sophomore single, following on from her debut The Secret which released earlier this year, Tilly joined forces with producer and mixer Michael Belsar, as well as drummer Ben Ellingworth and mastering by Dale Becker, with Belsar and Ellingworth in particular playing key roles in unlocking Tilly’s vision for Valentine. “I worked on this song with my producer Michael Belsar, and drummer Ben Ellingworth,” explains Tilly. “It was actually the first full song the three of us made together, and we had so much fun bringing it to life. Valentine is me at my most confident – it’s slinky, cheeky, and the poppiest song I’ve written so far! It is more upbeat than my last single The Secret, with punchy drums and plucky dreamy guitars that drive the song.”
Starting her musical journey at the age of seven while learning classical piano at school, Tilly Fenton went on to spend time during the COVID lockdowns teaching herself guitar and writing songs; “it quickly became my little safe space,” Tilly reveals. But after keeping her creative pursuits largely private, it would be after finishing school that Tilly went on to study music, which quickly gave way to unlocking the pathway to the release of two sparkling singles to date in 2025; and, as Tilly concludes, it’s via her latest track, Valentine, that her artistic vision takes full flight.
“It feels amazing and so freeing to be releasing Valentine,” says Tilly. “It was the first song that really captured the vision and sound I had in my head for the whole project, so it feels really special. I’m really proud of this one, and I’m just so excited for everyone to finally hear it.”
Valentine is out today.
CHUCK SICS SHIFTS GEARS ON NEW SINGLE ‘M.A.D’
Bouncing out of the gate with a swaggering bassline, 90s flair and a fearless falsetto, Sydney multi-instrumentalist CHUCK SICS returns with M.A.D, the high-octane follow-up to his debut track REDO. Written, performed, produced and mixed entirely by CHUCK SICS in his bedroom studio, M.A.D finds the artist flirting with a Britpop influence while continuing to carve his own path as one of the most exciting DIY acts in Australia’s indie scene.
If REDO wavered between dreamy psych and introspective alt-rock, M.A.D punches straight into the fast lane – a driving, upbeat anthem that feels like Blur if Damon Albarn had grown up making demos in Western Sydney. Synths shimmer, bass grooves bounce with authority, and a solo midway through the track showcases CHUCK SICS’ mastery of his first love – the bass guitar. “Bass was always my main instrument,” he says, “so I always try to give it its own voice in the song. I love when it’s not just holding the rhythm, but actually talking.”
Alongside its gritty charm and undeniable groove, M.A.D also gives room for CHUCK SICS’ striking falsetto to soar, further highlighting his evolution as a vocalist and producer. “I wanted this one to feel a bit manic – like you’re spiralling but having fun while you do it,” he shares. “Everything’s a bit messy and over-the-top, but that’s kind of the point.”
As with REDO, every inch of M.A.D was tracked and built in CHUCK SICS’ home studio, continuing his lo-fi, high-impact approach to music-making. The synths pulse with attitude, the hooks are instant, and even the instrumental breakdowns carry the mark of a musician who grew up steeped in music.
From trumpet in primary school, to piano, guitar, bass, drums and finally singing, CHUCK SICS has been a student of music his whole life. Now, with M.A.D, he’s embracing the chaos and confidence of a new chapter – one where he’s not just crafting great songs but kicking down the door with them.
M.A.D is out today Tuesday July 1.
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA RELEASE NEW ALBUM ‘THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO’ OUT TODAY – TOURING AUSTRALIA FROM AUGUST 1
Melbourne’s most explosive musical export is back. Today, the ARIA Award-winning Melbourne Ska Orchestra release their latest record The Ballad Of Monte Loco, a 13-track journey through revolution, rhythm and a wild Spaghetti Western dreamworld.
With the dust still settling from recent singles Walls of Jericho, John Wayne and the electrifying Bom Bom Bom, this brand new full-length album sees the beloved 20-piece orchestra dial everything up — the horns, the drama, the storytelling and the soul.
Opening with the clang of a distant church bell and ending in a whispered moment of reflection, The Ballad Of Monte Loco is anything but a typical ska record. There are heavy dub textures, sweeping brass arrangements, protest lyrics and moments of pure joy. Think Ennio Morricone in a sound clash with Lee Scratch Perry, with a full horn section and a dancefloor at the ready.
“This record takes a wider lens on our musical journey—dipping into cinematic reggae, big-band storytelling, and soulful protest vibes. Expect a melting pot of deep grooves, lush horn lines, and a global soundscape that keeps one foot on the dancefloor and the other in the clouds.” Says the band.
Tracks like No Doubt About It and Read Between The Lines show the band’s love for slow-burning dub and layered grooves, while When Bootsy Came To Town and Spring In My Step bring the funk and uplift that have become signatures of the MSO live show. There’s even a Spanish-language protest track, No Me Mientas, that swings between salsa percussion and driving ska with cinematic intensity.
“We wanted to capture some of the cinematic energy of Sergio Leone classics like The Fistful Trilogy and merge it with some of the wilder, more surreal visions of the West,” shares Bomba. “We love the craziness of films by Alejandro Jodorowsky, so we hoped to bottle a bit of that energy as well. We figured a good tribute to these cinematic ideas would be a trailer to our fictional Western film The Ballad Of Monte Loco. We worked with long-time collaborator and friend Clayton Jacobson—he’s got the eye for mixing real grit with cinematic magic. He’s done some of our most popular music videos and he just gets it.”
Recorded and produced by Nicky Bomba with MSO’s in-house crew, and with sound design by multi-ARIA winner Wally Maloney, The Ballad Of Monte Loco is a sonic leap forward for the group. It’s still unmistakably Melbourne Ska Orchestra, but with a deeper, dustier and more cinematic scope.
To celebrate the release, Melbourne Ska Orchestra are hitting the road for a massive world tour, with shows locked in across Australia, Japan and Canada from July through October. The Australian run kicks off on August 1 at Liberty Hall in Sydney and wraps with a triumphant hometown show at 170 Russell in Melbourne on October 3. Full tour dates below.
“This album was born in a time of uncertainty, but also one of reflection and fire,” says Bomba of the upcoming album. “The Ballad of Monte Loco is our imagined Western world, where rhythm is resistance, and people rise together through music. It touches on revolution, false prophets, joy as rebellion, and the power of truth when it’s sung loud. We wanted it to feel like both a warning and a celebration.”
Since their debut in 2013, Melbourne Ska Orchestra have earned a place as one of Australia’s most original and powerful musical collectives. From ARIA wins to international tours and sold-out hometown runs, their fusion of ska, reggae, funk and big band energy has captured fans around the globe.
And now, with The Ballad Of Monte Loco, the band invites listeners into something bigger than just a record. It’s a fever dream with a beat. A protest party with a saloon soundtrack. A reminder that unity, rhythm and rebellion all belong on the same stage.
Stream: The Ballad Of Monte Loco
For tickets, merch and more: www.melbourneskaorchestra.com
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA – THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Tickets: www.melbourneskaorchestra.com
FRI 01 AUG | LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX
SAT 02 AUG | UC HUB, CANBERRA
Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au
SAT 09 AUG | TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS
Tickets: www.ticketlink.com.au
FRI 29 AUG | THE WOOL EXCHANGE, GEELONG
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
SAT 30 AUG | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
FRI 05 SEP | ALTAR BAR, HOBART
Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au
FRI 12 SEP | THE GOV, ADELAIDE
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
SAT 13 SEP | PORT BEACH BREWERY, FREMANTLE
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
FRI 19 SEP | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au
SAT 20 SEP | MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au
FRI 03 OCT | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au