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FEATURE MUSIC THIS MONTH?

BILLY’S PICK

LEAD BELLY Sings Folk Songs SUNSET BLVD/ MGM

SABRINA CARPENTER Short n’ Sweet UNIVERSAL

THE SCRIPT Satellites BMG

Get in early for this limited 40-track/two CD collection, as only 1500 units have been pressed worldwide. CD one represents this folk/blues legend’s best-known compositions, while six of the live performances on CD two are previously unreleased. Huddie Ledbetter (aka Lead Belly), born around 1885 in Louisiana, was inspired by music he heard in his childhood. The son of a share-cropper, he would accompany his father on Saturday nights at local square dances. Inspired by the music he heard at these functions, he took up guitar, harmonica, accordion, and violin. At the same time, he began writing songs. Some were completed during periods spent in prison, including Goodnight Irene (successfully recorded by The Weavers), the much covered Midnight Special (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Cottonfields (The Beach Boys), and Rock Island Line (Lonnie Donegan). In the 1940s, he collaborated with folk music legends Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee. It was remarkable that a black man achieved such widespread popular acclaim when racism in the US was rampant. Lead Belly died in 1949 at the age of 64. As shown in this collection, his music remains immortal.

American singer and actor Sabrina Carpenter is just 25, but she’s already up to album number six and it’s destined to be her

The Script’s seventh studio album is tinged with tragedy – it’s their first since the sad passing of guitarist and co-founder Mark Sheehan, who

breakthrough blockbuster. Preceded by two chart-topping singles, Espresso and Please Please Please, Short n’ Sweet is set to be one of 2024’s biggest success stories. SAY ANYTHING … Is Committed COOKING VINYL/ SONY Twenty years after their

died last year after a brief illness, aged 46. “If you miss me, like I miss you, then the feeling goes both ways,” Danny O’Donoghue sings. X Smoke & Fiction FAT POSSUM/ ROCKET Not to be confused with the Aussie punk band of the same name, this X is the American

punk band who have been rocking since 1977. They’ve

second album, …Is a Real Boy , American alternative rock band Say Anything release their ninth album,

announced that Smoke & Fiction – their ninth studio album – will be their last. They’re going out on a high.

…Is Committed . After a brief break, Max Bemis sings: “We are born again, we’ve died and sprung to life, so wet and fresh.”

Radio legend Billy Pinnell presents Billy Pinnell’s Musical Moments on YouTube.

AUSSIE RELEASES

ALLDAY The Necklace DEW PROCESS/ UNIVERSAL Ten years after his debut album, Aussie rapper Allday (real name Tom Gaynor) is releasing his fifth studio album and reflecting on his journey from Adelaide to the world. “Thought I’d have a Beamer twice by this age,” he states in Drip Drop . “Some dreams came, some evasive.” After four hit records – including three Top 10 albums – Allday was burned out. He says he “needed to get his personal and artistic mind right”. After a break, including a stint working on an olive farm in Italy, Allday is back in top form.

DUNE RATS If It Sucks, Turn It Up BMG The Brisbane brats are back with their wonderfully titled fifth album, their most musically adventurous outing yet, citing fellow Brisbane band Regurgitator as role models. “We wanted to make an album that throws you around a bit, like you’re being washed around in the surf,” explains singer and guitarist Danny Beus. A decade after their debut, Dune Rats are still bringing the tunes and keeping it real. “You might think having money and sick cars would be the cool thing,” Beus says. “But, really, the coolest thing is hanging out with your mates at the skate park.”

EMILY WURRAMARA NARA ABC A lot has happened to Emily Wurramara since her debut album, Milyakburra , in 2018. As well as stacks of shows, the artist had to deal with some personal struggles and then her house burned down. On the upside, she became a mum. So Wurramara, a proud Anindilyakwa woman, had lots to write about for her second album, NARA . The title means “nothing” in her native language. It’s an ironic title because there’s a lot on this record. And amidst all the chaos and joy, there are some cool collabs, including Tasman Keith ( Lordy Lordy ), and Lisa Mitchell ( See Me There ).

THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND D.I.Y COOKING VINYL/ SONY The Southern River Band, from Thornlie in Perth, are one of Australia’s finest live bands. They call it a rock ’n’ roll dance party. You can’t help but move at an SRB gig as they whip up some mighty grooves. As Justin Hawkins from The Darkness said, “Now this is a proper f-cking rock band.” SRB have brought a D.I.Y ethic to their career, spreading their rock around the world. Ironically, this is the first album that they haven’t released independently – they recently signed a global deal with Cooking Vinyl. They’re ready to step up to stardom.

Coming in September

MISSY HIGGINS The Second Act (Sep 6) POLISH CLUB Heavy Weight Heart (Sep 13)

KEITH URBAN HIGH (Sep 20) THE RUBENS SODA (Sep 20)

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