Friday Flash(back) - Meg Washington - Gem

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

Megan Alexanda Washington or now known professionally as Meg Washington, or formally known as Washington only.

Originally performing jazz music, her style shifted to indie pop and alternative rock. She has released four studio albums, I Believe You Liar (July 2010), There There (September 2014), Batflowers (August 2020), and Hot Fuss (2022). 

Both I Believe You Liar and There There reached the top 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart and Batflowers peaked in the top 25. 

Outside of music, she has become a screenwriter and film producer. She also voices primary school teacher Calypso in the animated series Bluey. So Meg is on the biggest TV show in the actual WORLD!

Meg has won three ARIA Music Awards with two in 2010 for I Believe You Liar, Best Female Artist and Breakthrough Artist – Release. The other win was Best Cover Art for Batflowers in 2020.

In June 2025, Washington released Kidding, the second single from her fifth studio album Gem, which was released a couple of weeks ago. Looking forward to sharing the awesome, new, local release tomorrow with you dear readers.

Album of the Week - KAYTRANADA - {Ain't No Damn Way!}

Friday Flash(back) - The Black Keys - No Rain, No Flowers

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

The Black Keys formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001. The duo consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) & Patrick Carney (drums). 

The duo began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their records, before they eventually emerged as one of the most popular garage rock artists during a second wave of the genre's revival in the 2000s. 

The band's raw blues rock sound draws heavily from Auerbach's blues influences, including Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson.

Friends since childhood, Auerbach and Carney formed the group after dropping out of college. After signing with indie label Alive, they released their debut album, The Big Come Up in 2002, which earned them a new deal with Fat Possum Records. 

Over the next decade, the Black Keys built an underground fanbase through extensive touring of small clubs, frequent album releases and music festival appearances, and broad licensing of their songs. Their third album, Rubber Factory (2004), received critical acclaim and boosted the band's profile, eventually leading to a record deal with major label Nonesuch Records in 2006. 

After self-producing and recording their first four records in makeshift studios, the duo recorded Attack & Release in 2008, in a professional studio and hired producer Danger Mouse, who subsequently became a frequent collaborator of the group.

The group's commercial breakthrough came in 2010 with the album Brothers, which along with its popular single Tighten Up, won three Grammy Awards. 

Their 2011 follow-up El Camino received critical acclaim and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, leading to the first arena concert tour of the band's career, the El Camino Tour. 

The album and its hit Lonely Boy won another three Grammy Awards. In 2014, they released their eighth album, Turn Blue, their first number-one record in the US, Canada, and Australia.

 After completing the Turn Blue Tour in 2015, the duo took a hiatus for several years to work on side projects and produce other artists. They returned in 2019 with their ninth album, Let's Rock. 

Last week the duo gave us, No Rain, No Flowers, their thirteenth studio album. So before streaming the album in full tomorrow, here and some of their biggest tunes to date!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - NINAJIRACHI - {I Love My Computer}

Friday Flash(back) - The Ting Tings - Home

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

The Ting Tings hail from Salford, Greater Manchester, forming in 2007. 

Consisting of Katie White (vocals, guitar, bass drums, bass guitar, cowbells) and Jules De Martino (drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals).

The duo's debut studio album, We Started Nothing, was released in 2008 by Columbia Records to positive reviews and commercial success, peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number 78 on the US Billboard 200. 

It spawned four singles, including That's Not My Name, which topped the UK Singles Chart in May 2008 and reached number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100, & Shut Up and Let Me Go, which earned them a MTV Video Music Award.

They received two Brit Award nominations, including for British Album of the Year and a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2010.

Their second studio album, Sounds from Nowheresville, was released in February 2012, with the lead single Hang It Up released on 16 January 2012. 

Their third studio album, Super Critical, was released in October 2014. 

Their fourth studio album, The Black Light, was released in October 2018. 

And finally, fifth studio album, Home, was released back in June. So ahead of streaming the new record tomorrow, how about a trip down memory lane. It is Throwback Thursday after all!

Fall from the Light - Guests

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - HILLTOP HOODS - {Fall from the Light}

Friday Flash(back) - The Kooks - Never/Know

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

The Kooks are an English indie rock band formed in 2004 in Brighton.

The current lineup consists of Luke Pritchard on vocals and guitar, and Hugh Harris on bass, guitar, and synthesiser.

Their music is primarily influenced by the 1960s British Invasion movement and post-punk revival of the new millennium.

The Kooks have experimented in several genres including rock, Britpop, pop, reggae, ska, and more recently, funk and hip-hop, being described once as a more energetic Thrills or a looser Sam Roberts Band, maybe even a less severe Arctic Monkeys at times.

After securing a deal with Virgin Records merely three months after forming, The Kooks achieved instant mainstream success following the release of their critically acclaimed debut album in 2006, Inside In/Inside Out. 

The album is certified five-times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), platinum certified by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and two times platinum by Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). 

Further success followed, with the Kooks winning Best UK & Ireland Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2006 and receiving a nomination at The Brit Awards for the single "She Moves in Her Own Way".

With their follow-up 2008 album, Konk debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart, it recorded first week sales of 65,000, achieving gold status in both the UK and Ireland.

Their third studio album, Junk of the Heart, was released on 12 September 2011. 

The bands fourth album, Listen, was released on 8 September 2014. Their most recent album 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark was released on 22 July 2022 and peaked at No. 32 on the UK Albums Chart.

This Friday get ready to celebrate their 2025 record, Never/Know released back in May.

The Kooks are favourites on indie Australian radio. The second season of the Friday Flash(back) continues to deliver quality local acts and acts from abroad.

See you again next week!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - WINSTON SURFSHIRT - {Winston}

Friday Flash(back) - Morcheeba - Escape the Chaos

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

Morcheeba are this weeks Friday Flash(back).

The English electronic band formed in the mid-1990s with founding members vocalist Skye Edwards and the brothers Paul and Ross Godfrey. 

They mix influences from trip hop, rock, folk rock and downtempo, and have produced ten regular studio albums since 1995, two of which reached the UK top ten.

Edwards left the band in 2003, after which the brothers used a number of singers before she rejoined in 2009. They recruit additional members for their live performances and have toured internationally. In 2014 original founder Paul Godfrey was bored with being in the band. Edwards and Ross Godfrey later formed Skye & Ross and released a self-titled album in September 2016.

Their tenth studio album as Morcheeba, Blackest Blue, was released in May 2021 and was preceded by singles Sounds of Blue, Oh Oh Yeah & The Moon.

It features collaborations with Brad Barr from The Barr Brothers, and Duke Garwood, whom Edwards described as "a diamond geezer".

Skye Edwards revealed in a June 2023 interview that the band had begun working on their eleventh album with ten tracks in the demo phase.

In January, the band released the single Call for Love, which is the lead single from their forthcoming studio album, Escape the Chaos, announced to be released on 23 May.

A second single, We Live and Die was released on 28 February.

Peace of Me, a collaboration with Oscar #Worldpeace, was released on 8 April.

In May, the band released their eleventh studio album, Escape the Chaos. This will be streaming from tomorrow. So come back for season two of Friday Flash(back).

Chemistry - Guests

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - CHRIS LAKE - {Chemistry}

Friday Flash(back) - Bon Iver - SABLE, fABLE

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

Bon Iver is the classic indie/folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 

The name "Bon Iver" derives from the French phrase bon hiver (pronounced good winter), taken from a greeting on 1990s TV series Northern Exposure

Vernon had originally formed Bon Iver as a solo project, but it eventually became a band consisting of Vernon (vocals, guitar), Sean Carey (drums, keyboards, vocals), Michael Lewis (vocals, baritone guitar, guitar, violin, saxophone), Matthew McCaughan (drums, bass, vocals), Andrew Fitzpatrick (guitar, keyboards, vocals), and Jenn Wasner (guitar, keyboards, vocals).

Vernon released Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, independently in July 2007.

The majority of the album was recorded while Vernon spent three months isolated in a cabin in western Wisconsin.

In 2012, the band won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album for their eponymous album Bon Iver.

They released their third album 22, A Million to critical acclaim in 2016.

Their fourth album, I, I, was released in 2019. The album was nominated at the 2020 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year. Their fifth and most recent album, SABLE, fABLE, was released back in April.

The album is a continuation of the Sable EP, released last year. Marking the band's first album in nearly six years since I, I , it features guest appearances from Dijon, Flock of Dimes, and Danielle Haim, with additional contributions from Kacy Hill, Jacob Collier and Mk.gee, among others.

Produced by Justin Vernon and Jim-E Stack, it is musically split between Bon Iver's predominantly folk-leaning output showcased on Sable and the contemporary R&B, pop and soul-leaning Fable.

The album received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with critics noting its brighter soundscapes and Vernon's more straightforward approach to songwriting.

Return tomorrow for the full album as the Friday Flash(back) continues for season II in 2025.

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - WET LEG - {moisturizer}

Friday Flash(back) - The Superjesus - The Superjesus

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

The Superjesus hail from Adelaide, forming in late 1994. 

Their debut album, Sumo was released in February 1998, peaking at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, whilst their second album, Jet Age was released in October 2000, reaching No. 5.

Their third album, Rock Music came along in the May of2003, peaking at No. 14. 

Their top 40 singles include Down Again (1997), Now and Then (1998), Gravity (2000) & Stick Together"(2003). 

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 they won Best New Talent for Eight Step Rail and Breakthrough Artist – Single for Shut My Eyes. 

The group disbanded in mid-2004, and reunited in 2013. The band has undergone multiple line-up changes, with lead vocalist Sarah McLeod and bassist Stuart Rudd serving as mainstays. 

As of 2024, they are joined by lead guitarist Cam Blokland and drummer Ben Todd.

In September 2022, the band announced a headlining tour for January 2023 in support of a forthcoming new single, Money.

The following month, the band confirmed that they would release their fourth studio album in 2023, which is being recorded at Studio 85 in the Blue Mountains and produced by drummer, Murray Sheridan.

In December 2022, the band formally inducted lead guitarist Cam Blokland and drummer Murray Sheridan into the line-up.

The Superjesus toured Australia from August through to December 2023, promoting their new single Lights Out.

Back in late March, the band released their self-titled fourth studio album. Making them the second act for season two of the Friday Flash(back). I saw the Superjesus at an all ages gig at the Metro Theatre in Sydney many years ago and again at Mingara on the Central Coast.

The group are outstanding and Sarah McLeod is an awesome front woman. Who has also had a solid solo career. So ahead of tomorrow's Friday Flash(back), here are so highlights.

Did I Stutter? - Guests

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - DJANABA - {Did I Stutter?}

Friday Flash(back) - Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be the Light

(Pre) Friday Flash(back)

It's the long awaited return of the Friday Flash(back). Kicking off with Garbage's eighth studio album, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light.

Released back in late May, when this series was hiatus after season one for 2025 concluded. Now it's back, season two of the Friday Flash(back) for 2025.

What a way to kick off with huge 90's legends, Garbage. This record was recorded between 2022 & 2024 across sessions in two California-based studios and Shirley Manson's bedroom. It was produced by the band and producer Billy Bush.

Musically, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light departs from the socio-political ideas of 2021's No Gods No Masters & features more optimistic lyrics and themes. 

To promote the album, Garbage released the singles There's No Future in Optimism & Get Out My Face AKA Bad Kitty, & announced the Happy Endings tour.

Critics praised the emotional depth of the record, with some calling it the best album released by the band since their self-titled debut.

The album's recording and production would be subsequently interrupted by two concert tours and affected by personal incidents, such as Manson's 2023 and 2024 surgeries, writer's block and the death of her dog Veela.

Over the next two years, several deadlines were missed and the album's release would eventually be pushed back to 2025, from an initial plan to finish it by spring 2023.

During the album's recording, the band also released two EPs: Witness to Your Love in 2023 and Lie to Me in 2024 as part of Record Store Day.

Manson explained that the writing of the album was influenced by her hip replacement surgery in 2023, during which she was bedridden and under the influence of pain medication.

Recorded over the course of several international conflicts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Congo-Rwanda conflict, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite initial intentions to record the album with a clean slate, the band admitted it was inevitable for societal and political topics to start affecting the album.

The idea of including an octopus on the album cover was brought to the band by Manson as they were trying to find references to the number eight on the album. She wrote it on the whiteboard at the studio the band was working in and it eventually became a metaphor of the band and the way they work.

So ahead of returning to the series tomorrow, let's check out some new and old Garbage hits. Welcome back to the Friday Flash(back).

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos + Interview

Album of the Week - LORDE - {Virgin}

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - HAIM - {I Quit}

 

My Hottest 100 VOTES - 2025 Aussie Countdown

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Look at Me Now - Guests

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - ONEFOUR - {Look at Me Now}

Album of the Year Nomination #2 - Addison Rae - Addison

Following PinkPantheress yesterday, it's time for the second Album of the Year Nomination for 2025! The second Album of the Year Nomination also happens to be this week's feature album.

Addison is the debut studio album by American singer Addison Rae. 

Released last Friday, the full length release was preceded by the release of five singles. Diet Pepsi, Aquamarine, High Fashion, Headphones On, & Fame Is a Gun.

Addison received positive reviews, with critics especially praising the album's production.

Rae originally rose to prominence as a content creator on TikTok where she had amassed over 88 million followers.

She later ventured into acting and singing, the latter of which was spurred by her adoration of pop music.

Back in August, 2023, Rae released her debut EP AR, which included her debut single Obsessed as well as four other tracks, including a collaboration with British singer-songwriter Charli XCX.

Rae revealed that XCX played a crucial role in shaping her musical journey following the release of the track. 

Speaking with Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone in January 2025, Rae revealed that she enlisted only Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd to produce her debut studio album. 

Ahead of its release, numerous publications referred to the album as one of the most anticipated musical projects of 2025.

If you haven't listened to the record yet, get on it below. It's been the feature album, now the second Album of the Year Nomination for 2025.

Album of the Year Nomination #1 - PinkPantheress - Fancy That

Winter is really here now, Vivid is almost done and it's almost fucking school holidays again! So kicking off the Album of the Year Nominations for 2025, the race is finally on!

Fancy That is not technically an album, however it's DOPE! It's a vibe, it's totally fun! It is the second mixtape by English superstar, PinkPantheress. 

Released around a month it, Fancy That is the follow up to her debut mixtape To Hell with It from 2021.

The "Britain-coded" artwork depicts the singer wearing the Imperial State Crown surrounded by a circle of flowers that is said to represent "everything kitsch and U.K.-centric".

The mixtape was written and produced by the singer-songwriter herself, alongside other musicians, including Aksel Arvid, Count Baldor, Phil, Oscar Scheller, and the Dare and features samples and interpolations by Panic! at the Disco, Jessica Simpson and Basement Jaxx.

For the project, she pulled from "more classic dance music," citing artists such as Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada and Fatboy Slim as her main inspiration. 

Her goal was to "make music where it sounds like a statement is being made with the songs" and wanted to "take on board" what appealed to her.

One of the singles Illegal (also one of my favourite tunes) contains a sample of Dark & Long, by Underworld, while Girl Like Me contains samples of Romeo by Basement Jaxx.

First single Tonight contains a sample of Do You Know What I'm Seeing?, performed by Panic! at the Disco, & my other favourite, Stars contains a sample of Starz in Their Eyes, performed by Just Jack, & Oh My Gosh, by Basement Jaxx.

Clearly PinkPantheress likes her some Basement Jaxx!

This is a super fun record, with loads of fun, short, catchy TikTok era tunes. Tomorrow a second Album of the Year Nomination will land. Come back then for another reveal. Very excited for the journey of the Album of the Year for 2025 to begin!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - ADDISON RAE - {Addison}

Lotus - Guests

Album of the Long Weekend - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Long Weekend - LITTLE SIMZ - {Lotus}