New Music Review #28: ‘Just A Little’ by Abbey Lane
No one likes to admit to co-dependence. Michael Jordan needed Scottie Pippen. Ken needs Barbie. Brexit certainly hasn’t worked out the way they hoped.
But Sydney singer-songwriter Abbey Lane knows it’s important to stretch your wings. To know you might be better than your situation. That your greatest triumphs will come after the you leave the comfort of the familiar, even if (perhaps, especially if) the comfortable place was actually really nice.
That feeling – the insecurity and apprehension of separation, and the gravitational pull of that security blanket – is explored spectacularly in Abbey’s new track, ‘Just A Little’.
For fans of Middle Kids, The Buoys and The Beths, Abbey Lane is your new must-listen artist. Imagine if Paramore grew up in suburban Sydney listening to Deadstar and The Jezabels on repeat.
‘Just A Little’ is a burst of indie rock energy, channelling yearning and frustration and hope through jangling guitars and a punching chorus that surges and sweeps. It’s super catchy, and will strike a chord with anyone who ever made a brave decision, than instantly regretted it, and then rode with it anyway. So, you know, most of us.
Sometimes you’ve gotta leave the nest. LeBron left his hometown of Cleveland for Miami and won an NBA championship. Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese created 10 incredible movies together, but they won their Oscars apart. Destiny’s Child were a bit deal – Beyonce was bigger.
As Abbey herself would no doubt agree: Don’t settle for ‘just ok’. You deserve to go out and find awesome. And ‘Just A Little’ is awesome.
And a few others:
‘Golden’ by Mac The Knife: The sweaty post-punk punch of Sydney’s Mac The Knife takes on a grander and more indie slant in this triumphant track. The craving and catharsis of Bryn’s cracked “Tell me I’m not broken” is a real moment. Massive for fans of Gang of Youths and The Smith Street Band.
‘Headspins’ by Hannah Brewer: Every new Hannah Brewer song is a wonderful surprise – each so different from the last, save for the consistent sardonic genius of her lyrics. ‘Headspins’ is a lilting, dreamy pop tune, her voice carving a trippy path through the sonic clouds.
‘Bad Enough’ by Zhuli: 2024 has been dominated by sparkly, winking, sex-forward electro-pop – and if you’re looking for something in the vein of Charli, Sabrina and Billie, then may I point you in the direction of Zhuli? ‘Bad Enough’ is addictive hyperpop with a giant perfect bounce of a hook.