STACK #252 October 2025

MUSIC FEATURE

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BIG FEET “I could see us in the suburbs,” Ruel sings on his second album. “Kinda makes me wonder if we could leave the world behind and set up camp, live the simple life.” Maybe that’s in the artist’s future. Right now, Ruel is on just one road – to the top of the charts. As well as working with his long-time collaborator M-Phazes (Australian producer Mark Landon), Ruel Ruel digs deep to deliver album number two.

Ruel

Photo credit: Michelle Ghunder

Kicking My Feet by Ruel is out Oct 17 via Inertia

CHART FACT

crafted his new album with producers Julian Bunetta (Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims), New Zealand’s Joel Little (Lorde, Taylor Swift), and Kenny Beats. He also wrote with Dan Wilson, who has delivered some massive hits over the past few decades, including Closing Time with his own band Semisonic, plus collaborations with The Chicks ( Not Ready to Make Nice ), Adele ( Someone Like You ),

RUEL & THE ROCKET MAN When Ruel was just 14, he appeared on Elton John’s Rocket Hour radio show. The English superstar said, “You

THE NAME GAME

and Chris Stapleton ( White Horse ). Ruel compiled a staggering number of songs for the album. “It wasn’t until I had to finalise the track list that I realised I’d actually made over 200 songs for Kicking My Feet, ” he smiles. “I knew I wanted to push myself on this new

Ruel’s debut album, 4th Wall , hit number three in 2023.

Ruel’s full name is Ruel Vincent van Dijk. He was born in London in 2002. He moved to Sydney with his family in 2006.

album. I was chasing ideas that felt more honest and real to me than ever. It pushed me to drop my guard and say what I actually mean. And that’s what this album is: a collection of songs where I share things I truly, truly mean.” Jeff Jenkins LOVE SONGS UK soul-pop queen Olivia Dean delivers a stunning second album all about love. have the most amazing voice I’ve ever heard from a male singer at 14 years of age and it’s quite incredible.”

Olivia Dean

O livia Dean says her new record is a “tender, intentional deep dive” into the many forms of love – romantic, platonic, self, and everything in between. The eagerly anticipated album was inspired by the book All

Mac, Olivia crafted Nice to Each Other , the bright and breezy single that helped introduce the album and became a Top 10 hit in the UK and the artist’s first Top 40 entry in Australia. “It is a song about the push and pull of exploring your

CHART FACT

About Love by American author bell hooks, who died in 2021. “That book is like the Bible,” Olivia smiles. Hooks wrote: “To know love we have to tell the truth to ourselves and others.” The Art of Loving finds Olivia Dean ready for stardom.

independence in dating,” Olivia explains. “It’s about enjoying someone in the present and allowing it to be both light and meaningful.” Olivia Dean was introduced

Olivia Dean’s debut album, Messy , did not chart in Australia, but was a Top 5 hit in the UK, peaking at number four.

to Australian audiences as part of this year’s Laneway Festival, though it wasn’t her first visit – she came to Brisbane on a family holiday in 2008 when she was just nine. The artist is returning for a one-off show in Sydney on November 20, before a national tour in October next year. “I can’t wait to come back,” Olivia says. “I love Australia.” Jeff Jenkins

No sophomore jinx here. She says making her debut album, Messy , was stressful. Second time around, she embraced her fun side, declaring: “I feel braver, and I feel happier.” After listening to a lot of Fleetwood

The Art of Loving

by Olivia Dean is out now via Universal

THE NAME GAME

Her full name is Olivia Lauryn Dean. Her parents were big Lauryn Hill fans, which inspired her middle name.

90 OCTOBER 2025

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