🔗 Share this article Matthew Xue's Charmingly Moody Curated Collections along with The Week's Best New Tracks From Melbourne Recommended if you like classic jangle-pop compilations, Australian and New Zealand guitar pop, art-pop experimentation Newest project 'Going Back to Sleep' is available now Melbourne-based DJ Moopie, AKA Matthew Xue, has built a reputation for captivating and eclectic DJ sets that effortlessly shift between icy, atmospheric ambience to churning drum'n'bass and much more. He is also the founder of A Colourful Storm – a remarkable DIY imprint that consistently exceeds expectations when it comes to putting out quirky and introspective pop experiments, with contributors ranging from London-based percussionist Valentina Magaletti, Troth, a bass-heavy duo from Hobart, and esteemed multi-disciplinary artist Simon Fisher Turner. The label's 2017 release was I Won’t Have to Think About You, an assortment of charming guitar-pop reminiscent of the C86 era. More recently, it has issued Going Back to Sleep, a record that acts as a companion piece which doubles as a neatly drawn guide to several excellent bands in the gentle pop sphere active today. Daily Toll, a band from Sydney, with a 2025 debut, A Profound Non-Event, that stands as an overlooked treasure of the year, offer Time, a sprawling, seven-minute meditation featuring melodica and guitar. Chateau, the pair, the duo of Al Montfort (Terry, Total Control) and Alex Macfarlane (the Stevens, Twerps), push into rhythmic, trippy lounge music on How Long on the Platform, whereas Who Cares?, one of Melbourne's best new bands, blend influences from the styles of Hope Sandoval and Eartheater on Wax and Wane. Elsewhere, Going Back to Sleep includes contributions from Bay Area indie fixtures the Reds, Pinks and Purples; minimalist Sydney group the Lewers; and bright, folk-tinged pop from the Dutch pair the Hobknobs. It’s an unassuming compilation that’s almost certain to become deeply cherished and often cited for aficionados of art that is gentle and profoundly emotional. Fresh Tracks of the Week Flea – A Plea An uncommon single release from the RHCP bass player, and a magnificently realised one: rhythmically forward-moving but adventurous jazz-soul where Flea pleads for harmony and affection. “No cheesiness here – this is the truth!” Daniel Blumberg and Amanda Seyfried – Clothed By the Sun After securing this year's Oscar for Best Original Score, one could envision Blumberg earning the Best Original Song award in 2026 for this stunning Seyfried duet taken from the score for the film The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet The Texan songwriter depicts all the nuances of melancholy on this richly despondent return, where the slightest touches of piano and flute tinge her fatigued disillusionment. Umor Rex – Lo Animal One might readily envision this Madrid-based cellist’s dark, gothic composition touched by industrial music featured in a Dune soundtrack, with its thundering drums, screeching metallic sounds, eerie chorals and cataclysmic majesty. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up The creative Austrian producer and singer joins forces with Bristolian UK bass producer DJ Polo for some slamming ghettotech: the beats are absolutely crushing although the tune is nearly dream-pop in nature. Jawnino and Surf Gang – Hit Again Featured on the fresh mixtape Amnesia, The UK's Jawnino rides varied cloud-rap beats by Surf Gang, and this is one of its peaks, Jawnino focused and in the zone while he examines the landscape of drug dealing. Annabelle Chairlegs – Heavy Sleeper Helmed by Ty Segall, this garagey number propels itself forward at a self-determined tempo, transitioning from a freight-train momentum to the musician from Austin's hazy daydream about how “the moon returns the spirit to me”.