STACK #262 August 2026

MUSIC FEATURE

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Back to where it began Sydney’s DMA’S are back with a banger. We spoke with Matt Mason about the band’s new self-titled album and how they’re taking their sound back to the beginning.

I t’s always a good month when DMA’S release new music. The Sydney band unveils their eponymous fifth album this month, their first since 2023’s How Many Dreams ? Formed in 2012, the trio of lead vocalist Tommy O’Dell, lead guitarist Matt Mason, and rhythm guitarist Johnny Took released their debut, Hills End , a decade ago. Crafting a distinctive British indie guitar sound, the band quickly found traction with UK audiences through relentless touring – and that popularity has never waned. “Tommy’s dad is a scouser, so I think he’s kind of inherited his Liverpool energy,” Matt Mason tells STACK . “When we first went to the UK, we toured with the Courteneers – who were fairly popular at the time – and they introduced us to the Northern English music scene. “We obviously play a ‘90s-inspired Britpop kind of sound, and I think Tommy’s characteristics, mannerisms, and philosophy, coupled with the fact that we were Australians playing that kind of music, made us more welcome. It’s an interesting one!” Mason wrote the bulk of the new self-produced album, recorded in the band’s own Sydney studio, revisiting the sound of their earlier work. “We went on a bit of a tangent sonically on the last couple of albums, so we thought it was time to revisit the earlier sound.” “But it’s been ten years since our first album, and although our aim was to get to the same place, we’ve changed a lot as songwriters – we’re more refined now. “It’s really hard to replicate what you did a few years ago when you’re in a totally different headspace. But it’s us – just

DMA’s: Matt Mason,Tommy O’Dell, and JonnyTook

Photo credit: Roman Jody

The DMA’S LONG PLAYERS

2026 DMA’S by DMA’s is out Aug 21 via Wunderlick

2016 Hills End

2018 For Now

2020 The Glow

2023 How Many Dreams?

Home advantage

we went to L.A. with who added some production to a few things. Usually, it’s just the three of us in a studio banging it out in a month, very rough, but this time there was a bit more of a blend.” The result is a strong record, packed with anthems set to land well when the band hits the road later this year. “This one is my favourite album,” says Mason, smiling. “It’s been very rewarding. We’ve already learnt a few of the songs when we rehearsed the other day. “They came together quickly – the band could play them straight away. I’m really looking forward to playing them live.” Paul Jones

a little more refined,” explains Mason. “I really wanted to make this record for the fans who’ve been with us since the beginning – I feel like they’ve sort of been forgotten for the longest time.” This hands-on approach to production extended to the writing process too, with the band bringing in outside collaborators for the first time. “This is the first album we’ve done session writing on. There’s a guy called Styalz Fuego; he works with Troye Sivan a lot and has done quite a few big things. He co-wrote Killing Time . He continues: “And then there were two Norwegian producers

DMA’S recorded the new album at their own Sydney studio in Glebe, formerly ATA Studios. The premises were once owned by Australian rock and roll pioneer Col Joye, who hosted sessions there with the likes of David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and the Bee Gees. It gives the band’s first self-produced record an interesting connection to a rich slice of music history.

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