🔗 Share this article Matthew Xue's Intriguingly Atmospheric Curated Collections along with This Week's Best New Tracks Hailing from Melbourne Perfect for fans of the C86 compilation, AU/NZ jangle-pop, Mess Esque Up next 'Going Back to Sleep' is available now The artist known as DJ Moopie, real name Matthew Xue, from Melbourne, is celebrated for deeply absorbing musical journeys that effortlessly shift between chilled-out soundscapes to pulsating breakbeats and beyond. He is also the founder of A Colourful Storm – a remarkable DIY imprint that massively punches above its weight when it comes to issuing charmingly moody experimental pop music, from artists as disparate as London-based percussionist Valentina Magaletti, Troth, a bass-heavy duo from Hobart, and the prolific underground figure Simon Fisher Turner. In 2017, the label released I Won’t Have to Think About You, a collection of delightful, C86-inspired indie pop. 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. Sydney band Daily Toll, with a 2025 debut, A Profound Non-Event, that stands as a hidden jewel from this year, offer Time, a seven-minute melodica-and-guitar reverie. Chateau, the pair, comprising Al Montfort and Alex Macfarlane, venture into percussive, psychedelic lounge pop on How Long on the Platform, while Who Cares?, one of Melbourne's best new bands, blend influences from the styles of Hope Sandoval and Eartheater on Wax and Wane. In other tracks, Going Back to Sleep showcases songs by Bay Area indie fixtures the Reds, Pinks and Purples; Sydney's minimalist outfit the Lewers; and bright, folk-tinged pop from the Dutch pair the Hobknobs. It stands as a humble compilation that’s likely to grow into well-loved and frequently referenced with fans of music that is subtle and emotionally resonant. This Week’s Best New Tracks Flea – A Plea A seldom-seen individual effort from the RHCP bass player, which is brilliantly accomplished: driving yet inquisitive soul-infused jazz with Flea calling for harmony and affection. “No cheesiness here – this is the truth!” Daniel Blumberg and Amanda Seyfried – Clothed By the Sun After securing this year's Oscar for Best Original Score, you can imagine Blumberg winning the 2026 Oscar for Best Original Song for this stunning Seyfried duet taken from the score for the film The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet The Texan songwriter paints in every shade of a sigh on this deeply gloomy comeback, where the slightest touches of keys and wind instruments colour her weary disappointment. Umor Rex – Lo Animal It's not hard to picture this Madrid-based cellist’s gothic masterpiece with industrial shades featured in a Dune soundtrack, with its thundering drums, piercing industrial noises, haunting choral passages and cataclysmic majesty. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up Imaginative Austrian producer-vocalist joins forces with Bristol-based UK bass maker DJ Polo to deliver pounding ghettotech: the beats are absolutely crushing although the tune is nearly dream-pop in nature. Jawnino and Surf Gang – Hit Again Featured on the fresh mixtape Amnesia, UK rapper Jawnino flows over varied cloud-rap beats by Surf Gang, with this song standing as a peak moment, Jawnino sharp and fully engaged as he observes the drug trade. Annabelle Chairlegs – Heavy Sleeper With production by Ty Segall, this song with a garage vibe chugs along entirely at its own pace, shifting from a runaway vehicle to the Austin musician’s dazed reverie about how “the moon returns the spirit to me”.