🔗 Share this article Matthew Xue's Intriguingly Atmospheric Curated Collections and The Week's Top Fresh Releases Hailing from Melbourne Ideal listening for those who enjoy the C86 compilation, Australian and New Zealand guitar pop, atmospheric pop Up next The compilation 'Going Back to Sleep' is currently released The artist known as DJ Moopie, real name Matthew Xue, from Melbourne, is celebrated for deeply absorbing musical journeys that often traverse from gelid ambient music to pulsating breakbeats plus other genres. Additionally, he operates A Colourful Storm – an exceptional independent record label that massively punches above its weight when it comes to releasing endearingly atmospheric avant-pop, with contributors ranging from the rhythmic explorations of Valentina Magaletti, Troth, a bass-heavy duo from Hobart, and the prolific underground figure Simon Fisher Turner. In 2017, the label released 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 quasi-sequel to that record which also functions as a carefully curated roadmap to several excellent bands in the gentle pop sphere currently working. The Sydney group Daily Toll, with a 2025 debut, A Profound Non-Event, that stands as an overlooked treasure of the year, offer Time, a seven-minute melodica-and-guitar reverie. Chateau, comprising Al Montfort and Alex Macfarlane, explore percussive, psychedelic lounge pop on How Long on the Platform, whereas the band Who Cares?, channel equal parts the styles of Hope Sandoval and Eartheater on Wax and Wane. On other parts of the compilation, Going Back to Sleep includes contributions from San Francisco indie stalwarts the Reds, Pinks and Purples; Sydney's minimalist outfit the Lewers; and bright, folk-tinged pop from the Dutch pair the Hobknobs. It stands as a humble compilation that’s likely to grow into well-loved and frequently referenced with fans 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 it is superbly executed: propulsive but exploratory soul-jazz with Flea calling for tranquility and compassion. “No cheesiness here – this is the truth!” Daniel Blumberg and Amanda Seyfried – Clothed By the Sun Following his Oscar win for Best Original Score this year, it's easy to picture Blumberg taking home the 2026 Oscar for Best Original Song for this breathtaking duet with Seyfried included in the score for the film The Testament of Ann Lee. Jana Horn – All in Bet This songwriter from Texas paints in every shade of a sigh in this opulently sad new song, in which minimal hints 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, screeching metallic sounds, eerie chorals and cataclysmic majesty. Zora Jones x DJ Polo – Hoes Link Up The creative Austrian producer and singer collaborates with Bristolian UK bass producer DJ Polo to deliver pounding ghettotech: the percussion is overpowering but the melody is almost dream-pop. Jawnino and Surf Gang – Hit Again Featured on the fresh mixtape Amnesia, The UK's Jawnino flows over diverse, ethereal rap production courtesy of Surf Gang, and this is one of its peaks, 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, transitioning from a freight-train momentum to the musician from Austin's dazed reverie about how “my spirit is restored by the moon”.