🔗 Share this article Matthew Xue's Charmingly Moody Curated Collections and The Week's Top Fresh Releases Hailing from Melbourne Ideal listening for those who enjoy the C86 compilation, Antipodean jangle-pop, atmospheric pop Newest project 'Going Back to Sleep' is available now Melbourne-based DJ Moopie, AKA Matthew Xue, has built a reputation for deeply absorbing musical journeys that often traverse from chilled-out soundscapes to pulsating breakbeats plus other genres. Additionally, he operates A Colourful Storm – an exceptional independent record label that delivers far beyond its size when it comes to putting out charmingly moody experimental pop music, featuring a diverse roster including the rhythmic explorations of Valentina Magaletti, dubby Hobart duo Troth, and renowned underground polymath Simon Fisher Turner. Back in 2017, the imprint put out I Won’t Have to Think About You, an assortment of charming guitar-pop reminiscent of the C86 era. This year saw the release of Going Back to Sleep, a record that acts as a companion piece which also functions as a neatly drawn guide to a selection of top-notch twee-pop acts making music now. Sydney band Daily Toll, their 2025 first record A Profound Non-Event being a hidden jewel from this year, contribute Time, a seven-minute melodica-and-guitar reverie. The duo Chateau, the duo of Al Montfort (Terry, Total Control) and Alex Macfarlane (the Stevens, Twerps), explore rhythmic, trippy lounge music on How Long on the Platform, while Who Cares?, one of Melbourne's best new bands, draw equally from moody vocalists Hope Sandoval and Eartheater on Wax and Wane. In other tracks, Going Back to Sleep features tracks from the enduring San Francisco indie group the Reds, Pinks and Purples; minimalist Sydney group the Lewers; and bright, folk-tinged pop from the Dutch pair the Hobknobs. It stands as a humble compilation that’s destined to be deeply cherished and often cited with fans of music that is subtle and emotionally resonant. Fresh Tracks of the Week Flea – A Plea A seldom-seen individual effort by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist, and a magnificently realised one: driving yet inquisitive soul-infused jazz as Flea advocates for peace and love. “I’m not being corny – this shit is real!” Daniel Blumberg and Amanda Seyfried – Clothed By the Sun Having won this year’s best original score Oscar, one could envision Blumberg earning the Best Original Song award in 2026 for this stunning Seyfried duet taken from his soundtrack to The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet Jana Horn, an artist based in Texas captures the full spectrum of a sigh on this richly despondent return, in which minimal hints of piano and flute colour her weary disappointment. Umor Rex – Lo Animal It's not hard to picture this cellist from Madrid's gothic masterpiece with industrial shades featured in a Dune soundtrack, with its thundering drums, metallic shrieks, spooky vocal harmonies and end-times grandeur. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up The creative Austrian producer and singer joins forces with UK bass producer DJ Polo from Bristol on a track of hard-hitting ghettotech: the beats are absolutely crushing but the melody is almost dream-pop. Jawnino and Surf Gang – Hit Again On new mixtape Amnesia, The UK's Jawnino flows over diverse, ethereal rap production by Surf Gang, and this is one of its peaks, Jawnino sharp and fully engaged while he examines the landscape of drug dealing. Annabelle Chairlegs – Heavy Sleeper With production by Ty Segall, this garage-rock-influenced track chugs along entirely at its own pace, transitioning from a freight-train momentum to the Austin-based artist's hazy daydream about how “the moon gives me back my spirit”.