🔗 Share this article Matthew Xue's Intriguingly Atmospheric Curated Collections and This Week's Best New Tracks Based in Melbourne Recommended if you like classic jangle-pop compilations, AU/NZ jangle-pop, art-pop experimentation Up next Going Back to Sleep out now Matthew Xue, who performs under the moniker DJ Moopie in Melbourne, is celebrated for deeply absorbing musical journeys that often traverse from chilled-out soundscapes to churning drum'n'bass and much more. He is also the founder of A Colourful Storm – an exceptional independent record label that consistently exceeds expectations when it comes to releasing endearingly atmospheric avant-pop, from artists as disparate as London-based percussionist Valentina Magaletti, Troth, a bass-heavy duo from Hobart, and esteemed multi-disciplinary artist Simon Fisher Turner. The label's 2017 release was I Won’t Have to Think About You, a compilation of winsome, C86-ish indie pop. Earlier this year, it put out 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. The Sydney group Daily Toll, whose 2025 debut A Profound Non-Event is an overlooked treasure of the year, offer Time, a seven-minute daydream built on melodica and guitar. Chateau, the pair, featuring members Al Montfort and Alex Macfarlane, explore beat-driven, psychedelic-infused easy listening on How Long on the Platform, whereas Who Cares?, one of Melbourne's best new bands, draw equally from 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 sun-dappled folk-pop from Dutch duo the Hobknobs. It’s an unassuming compilation that’s likely to grow into deeply cherished and often cited with fans of art that is gentle and profoundly emotional. The Top New Releases This Week Flea – A Plea A rare solo track by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist, and it is superbly executed: driving yet inquisitive soul-infused jazz with Flea calling for harmony and affection. “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, you can imagine Blumberg winning best original song in 2026 for this breathtaking duet with Seyfried included in his soundtrack to The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet The Texan songwriter paints in every shade of a sigh on this richly despondent return, as delicate traces of piano and woodwind tinge her fatigued disillusionment. Umor Rex – Lo Animal It's not hard to picture the work of this Madrid cellist's dark, gothic composition touched by industrial music featured in a Dune soundtrack, due to its seismic drum work, metallic shrieks, haunting choral passages and apocalyptic grandeur. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up Austrian visionary Zora Jones collaborates with Bristolian UK bass producer DJ Polo for some slamming ghettotech: the percussion is overpowering although the tune is nearly dream-pop in nature. Jawnino and Surf Gang – Hit Again Featured on the fresh mixtape Amnesia, The UK's Jawnino rides diverse, ethereal rap production by Surf Gang, with this song standing as a peak moment, Jawnino focused and in the zone as he surveys the landscape of drug dealing. Annabelle Chairlegs – Heavy Sleeper Helmed by Ty Segall, this song with a garage vibe chugs along entirely at its own pace, from runaway truck to the Austin-based artist's dazed reverie about how “the moon returns the spirit to me”.