🔗 Share this article DJ Moopie's Intriguingly Atmospheric Experimental Compilations and This Week's Top Fresh Releases Based in Melbourne Perfect for fans of the C86 indie pop sound, Antipodean jangle-pop, Mess Esque Up next The compilation 'Going Back to Sleep' is currently released Melbourne-based DJ Moopie, AKA Matthew Xue, is renowned for deeply absorbing musical journeys that often traverse from icy, atmospheric ambience to pulsating breakbeats and much more. He also runs A Colourful Storm – a remarkable DIY imprint that consistently exceeds expectations when it comes to putting out endearingly atmospheric avant-pop, featuring a diverse roster including percussionist Valentina Magaletti, based in London, Troth, a bass-heavy duo from Hobart, and esteemed multi-disciplinary artist Simon Fisher Turner. In 2017, the label released I Won’t Have to Think About You, an assortment of charming guitar-pop reminiscent of the C86 era. More recently, it has issued Going Back to Sleep, a quasi-sequel to that record which also functions as a carefully curated roadmap to a selection of top-notch twee-pop acts making music now. Daily Toll, a band from Sydney, with a 2025 debut, A Profound Non-Event, that stands as one of the year’s underrated gems, contribute Time, a seven-minute melodica-and-guitar reverie. The duo Chateau, the duo of Al Montfort (Terry, Total Control) and Alex Macfarlane (the Stevens, Twerps), push into percussive, psychedelic lounge pop on How Long on the Platform, whereas Who Cares?, channel equal parts the styles of Hope Sandoval and Eartheater on Wax and Wane. In other tracks, Going Back to Sleep features tracks from San Francisco indie stalwarts the Reds, Pinks and Purples; Sydney's minimalist outfit the Lewers; and the sunny folk-pop of Netherlands-based duo the Hobknobs. This is a modest collection that’s almost certain to become a beloved and regularly mentioned resource among connoisseurs of music that is subtle and emotionally resonant. This Week’s Best New Tracks Flea – A Plea A rare solo track by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist, which is brilliantly accomplished: rhythmically forward-moving but adventurous jazz-soul with Flea calling for tranquility and compassion. “This isn't cliché – it's genuine!” Daniel Blumberg and Amanda Seyfried – Clothed By the Sun After securing this year's Oscar for Best Original Score, one could envision Blumberg earning the Best Original Song award in 2026 thanks to this remarkable collaboration with Amanda Seyfried included in the score for the film The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet Jana Horn, an artist based in Texas depicts all the nuances of melancholy in this opulently sad new song, in which minimal hints of piano and woodwind shade her exhausted letdown. Umor Rex – Lo Animal It's not hard to picture the work of this Madrid cellist's gothic masterpiece with industrial shades playing over scenes in Dune, thanks to its pounding percussion, screeching metallic sounds, eerie chorals and cataclysmic majesty. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up The creative Austrian producer and singer joins forces with Bristolian UK bass producer DJ Polo for some slamming ghettotech: the beats are absolutely crushing yet the melody approaches dream-pop. Jawnino and Surf Gang – Hit Again Included on the latest mixtape, Amnesia, British MC Jawnino flows over varied cloud-rap beats by Surf Gang, and this is one of its peaks, Jawnino focused and in the zone as he observes the drug trade. Annabelle Chairlegs – Heavy Sleeper Helmed by Ty Segall, this garagey number chugs along entirely at its own pace, shifting from a runaway vehicle to the Austin musician’s dazed reverie about how “the moon gives me back my spirit”.