From Soundcloud to Coachella… the rise of 18-year-old icon Billie Eilish has been phenomenal. Since uploading ‘Ocean Eyes’ to the internet in 2016, the Los Angeles-based artist has come a long way. She released the single ‘Bored’ in 2017 (which was included in the first season of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why), her debut EP Don’t Smile At Me later that year, and her monumental debut album When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? last year, which won her FIVE Grammy awards. With close to 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, I think we can all agree there aren’t many places you won’t hear the musician’s banger, ‘Bad Guy’. And if the song wasn’t cool enough already, it was also revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone late last year that Australia’s Pedestrian Crossing sound drives the beat of ‘Bad Guy’s chorus.
With the teenage pop star topping Triple J’s Hottest 100 2019, we decided to find five emerging Australian musicians who have the same ‘bad guy’ style.
Isabel Wood
If you love the soothing vocals, vulnerable lyrics and infectious melodies of Billie Eilish, look no further than Isabel Wood. The alternative pop artist from the Sunshine Coast creates a sonically compelling experience that is every bit as therapeutic as it is irresistible in every one of her songs. Her most recent single ‘Ghost 3am’ received radio airplay across the country and played a huge role in getting the artist added to the Caloundra Music Festival in 2019. Expect some singles from Wood in 2020 that are sure to tear you apart and piece you back together again.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Ghost 3am’, ‘Sunburn’, ‘Trippin’ Over Backwards’
Eluera
This musician knows exactly how to make a pop-hit that explores dark subject matter such as toxic relationships. After working tirelessly to perfect her sound, Eluera released her beautiful single ‘Good When We Fight – Alt Version’ in December last year. The honest track co-written, produced and mixed by Dylan Nash (Dean Lewis, Shannen James) describes a turbulent time of endless fighting and forgiving. However, Eluera balances the melancholic tone with a somewhat fun chorus: “Why do you have to look so good when we fight?”. Get this girl in your playlists ASAP.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Good When We Fight – Alt Version’, ‘Blackout (The Comedown)’, ‘HIM’
Bel
Bel consistently utilises crisp production within her music to maintain a unique and exotic allure. The Melbourne-based artist is assertive in her message, rejecting genre conventions to exist as an amalgamation of art, music, creative direction and fashion. Her song ‘Better Than Me’ is a hypnotizing affair which perfectly encapsulates sonic warmth; an effort meant to be consumed through all the senses. Unlike many artists in today’s industry, Bel wants you to walk, sweat, move, cry, listen, learn and evolve beside her. If you want music with the same versatility as that of Billie Eilish, Bel is the artist for you.
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Better Than Me’, ‘Melancholia’, ‘Own Home’
Jade Alice
Jade Alice has the ability to extract feelings of innocence and nostalgia that bleed through and coat your glasses with a rose tint. Melbourne’s electro pop singer/songwriter/producer effectively combines lush vocal layers, honey toned melodies and huge drum sounds to create belter after belter. Since its release in November last year, her pulsing pop hit ‘Pretty Cool’ has racked up nearly 50,000 streams on Spotify and placements in over 1000 Spotify playlists. Alice has featured on many radio stations, TV programs, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and was even shortlisted in the top 15 to represent Australia for Eurovision. You don’t want to miss this artist!
Good Starting Tracks: ‘Pretty Cool’, ‘Work This Out’, ‘Kintsugi’
Maddie Cooper
While she may not have started writing music as young as Billie Eilish, Maddie Cooper has proven you don’t need to be the same age as the megastar to have the same style. The emotively tender performer seamlessly combines poetic folk with electronic pop and has just released her debut single, ‘Plant Song’. The track is a heartbreaking take on ghosting… hidden by the metaphor of a forgotten houseplant. Cooper’s live presence accurately depicts pop finesse through juxtaposing luscious harmonies with dirty bass lines. So, whip out your dancing shoes and prepare to be uplifted by the artist’s vibrant flair.
Good Starting Track: ‘Plant Song’