Live Review: PREMIERE: Take a day trip with Austen and her video for anxiety-anthem 'Worse Things'

Rising indie star AUSTEN graced us with a new single last month, and in doing so, signalled a new era for her artistic and sonic direction. We fell in love with her dark pop sounds, but since the release of her Passenger Seat EP in late 2019, she's undergone a transformation and emerged out the other side with a whole lot more to explore. Channeling the likes of her influences like Lily Allen or Sky Ferreria, we first heard from this new chapter with 'Worse Things', and now today we get an extra piece of the puzzle with some fitting accompanying visuals we're thrilled to be premiering today.

A song about the unnecessary and unwanted advice people offer when we need it the least, Austen teamed up with Luke McDonald (Holiday Party) and Jono Ma (Jagwar Ma) to bring her new single further into the indie pop realm she now finds herself in. Highlighting her lyrical prowess more than ever, Austen is real and upfront with her anxiety, creating a total ear worm in the process.

Teaming up with fellow Melbourne artists ROSE PURE and drag artist BLAZE EDWARDS for edgy make up looks, Austen brings her new single to life in an other-worldly clip made during the brief period between Melbourne lockdowns. Even managing to sneak in a visit to the aquarium ("The most relaxing place we could think of to film for a song about panic attacks," she said), Austen's 'Worse Things' is given more depth, relatability and life with these captivating, almost-hypnotic visuals.

Highlighting the new artistic evolution of a project that has seen her support Love Fame Tragedy, Col3trane, Running Touch and more as well as amass thousands of streams and become a finalist in triple j unearthed's #DIYSUPERGROUP competition with Wolfjay, Austen is hitting the ground running in 2020.

'Worse Things' is out now.

Words by Parry Tritsiniotis

Image: Supplied

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

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