🔗 Share this article DJ Moopie's Charmingly Moody Curated Collections and This Week's Best New Tracks From Melbourne Ideal listening for those who enjoy classic jangle-pop compilations, AU/NZ jangle-pop, Mess Esque Newest project The compilation 'Going Back to Sleep' is currently released The artist known as DJ Moopie, real name Matthew Xue, from Melbourne, is renowned for engrossing, wide-ranging sets that often traverse from chilled-out soundscapes to churning drum'n'bass plus other genres. Additionally, he operates A Colourful Storm – a fantastic indie label that massively punches above its weight when it comes to putting out quirky and introspective pop experiments, with contributors ranging from the rhythmic explorations of Valentina Magaletti, dubby Hobart duo Troth, and renowned underground polymath Simon Fisher Turner. In 2017, the label released I Won’t Have to Think About You, a compilation of winsome, C86-ish indie pop. More recently, it has issued Going Back to Sleep, a record that acts as a companion piece which simultaneously serves as a carefully curated roadmap to several excellent bands in the gentle pop sphere active today. Sydney band Daily Toll, their 2025 first record A Profound Non-Event being one of the year’s underrated gems, offer Time, a seven-minute daydream built on melodica and guitar. The duo Chateau, featuring members Al Montfort and Alex Macfarlane, explore rhythmic, trippy lounge music on How Long on the Platform, whereas Who Cares?, draw equally from the styles of Hope Sandoval and Eartheater on Wax and Wane. On other parts of the compilation, Going Back to Sleep showcases songs by Bay Area indie fixtures the Reds, Pinks and Purples; the sparse-sounding Sydney ensemble the Lewers; and the sunny folk-pop of Netherlands-based duo the Hobknobs. It’s an unassuming compilation that’s destined to be well-loved and frequently referenced for aficionados of all things delicate and deeply felt. This Week’s Best New Tracks Flea – A Plea A rare solo track from the RHCP bass player, which is brilliantly accomplished: rhythmically forward-moving but adventurous jazz-soul where Flea pleads for harmony and affection. “This isn't cliché – it's genuine!” Daniel Blumberg and Amanda Seyfried – Clothed By the Sun Having won this year’s best original score Oscar, it's easy to picture Blumberg taking home best original song in 2026 for this stunning Seyfried duet featured on his soundtrack to The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet This songwriter from Texas depicts all the nuances of melancholy on this richly despondent return, where the slightest touches of piano and flute colour her weary disappointment. Umor Rex – Lo Animal One might readily envision the work of this Madrid cellist's dark, gothic composition touched by industrial music featured in a Dune soundtrack, with its thundering drums, metallic shrieks, spooky vocal harmonies and apocalyptic grandeur. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up The creative Austrian producer and singer collaborates with Bristolian UK bass producer DJ Polo 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 Included on the latest mixtape, Amnesia, UK rapper Jawnino rolls over an assortment of cloud-rap instrumentals from Surf Gang, and this track is a highlight, Jawnino alert and locked in as he observes the landscape of drug dealing. Annabelle Chairlegs – Heavy Sleeper Produced by Ty Segall, this garagey number propels itself forward at a self-determined tempo, shifting from a runaway vehicle to the Austin-based artist's woozy reflection about how “the moon gives me back my spirit”.