Our favourite music and podcasts: What the HerCanberra team is listening to this summer
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Here’s another instalment of what’s sustaining Team HerCanberra in the entertainment department – from K-Pop sensation ATEEZ to folk legend Joni Mitchell.
Long summer days and a slow start to 2025 mean you can squish in some quality “you” time, and for us, that means bingeing music and podcasts. Here are some of our obsessions.
Stay tuned for the next instalment!
Amanda Whitley, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
GOLDEN HOUR: Part 2, ATEEZ
Having been on leave til this week and suffering the indignity of seeing my rebellious team place Matcha on HerCanberra’s list of ‘ins‘, Coke Zero in the ‘outs’ category, and completely ignoring K-Pop, I am taking advantage of our online editor’s absence to ensure that MY QUEEN gets the attention it deserves.
My daughters introduced me to K-Pop a year or two ago and it’s pretty much all I listen to (other than Zumba tracks, which means about 90% of my favourite music is not actually in English). This year, ATEEZ emerged as my firm favourite group (my eldest daughter kindly lets me share her ults) – and their latest EP is an addictive slow burn. I liked it on first listen, but now it is in my bones.
I can’t decide between Man on Fire and Selfish Waltz if asked to pick a fave track. Let me know yours!
But wait, there’s more…
Some of my other faves you may like to explore.
More ATEEZ
From power ballads to Nu Metal and Synthwave, ATEEZ’s discography will take you on a musical journey. If you’ve always written off K-Pop, give it a listen. You might be surprised… These guys are also incredible live – just check out their Coachella performance from last year.
Enhypen
My younger daughter’s faves, these guys are super versatile (and amazing dancers – check out their YouTube channel). Lately they’ve been wading into a more electronic pop vibe, but I love their sound on Memorabilia the most. It’s based around their lore as vampires – go for a deep dive if you like, or just enjoy their music!
Stray Kids
My girls and I went to the Stray Kids concert in Sydney in October and it was up there with the most fun I’ve ever had. These guys (including two Aussie members) are brilliant performers. They’re on the ‘harder’ side of K-Pop and LALALALA is one of my faves. So addictive and absolutely bonkers live!
Also please check out
K-Pop is such a diverse and wide-ranging genre – from super Poppy sounds to Latin and Afro influences and even Dancehall. You’re sure to find something that scratches your musical itch. Here are some of our family’s faves: Le Sserafim, TXT, IVE, Aespa, P1Harmony and ILLIT. I’ve even made an ever-growing playlist of my faves (warning: there are a lot)…
Emma Macdonald, Associate Editor
Blue, Joni Mitchell
She’s the singer who teaches Emma Thomson’s cold English heart to feel in Love Actually, and as a teenager, listening to Blue actually did change my life. I feel the world is divided into two camps. Those who love and appreciate the absolute genius of this Canadian-born folk singer without which we would not have the Taylor Swifts of this world (she also inspired Prince and countless other musicians), and those who live in a less poetic and beautiful realm. I played this album a lot last year in anticipation of flying to LA in October to listen to Joni’s very last concert at the Hollywood Bowl (she is, after all, 81).
It never ages for me and the themes of vulnerability and truth touch me as much as they ever did. In fact, this album hurts even more to listen to than it did when I was younger because I can better relate to the pain. Joni changed the way songs are written, lyrics are understood and emotions are expressed. So much so that I simply sobbed through the concert (God bless the kind woman sitting behind me who kept rubbing my back and handing me tissues). This album is worth listening to and reading about as it is consistently rated in the top echelons of musical achievements. Here’s The New York Times’ 50 Reasons to Love Joni Mitchell’s Blue to get you started.
Erin Cross, Online Editor
Country Mix
I’m in my Country Era because Stick Season by Noah Kahan, Pink Skies by Zach Bryan, and Carry You Home by Alex Warren are currently on repeat. Another repeat on my Spotify? A Bar Song by Shaboozey.
The Great Impersonator, Halsey
It’s hard to put into words why I love this album so much. Released this year, The Great Impersonator by Halsey is a concept album written like a confessional – inspired by different decades of music and the feeling of looking in the mirror and not recognising who’s looking back at you.
Containing reflections about Halsey’s struggles with life and death, the crux of the album lies in their experience of dealing with chronic illnesses. Diagnosed with Lupus SLE and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, The Great Impersonator is Halsey’s attempt to make sense of the person they’ve become, and who they once were all while looking death in the eye.
Encompassing pop, folk, and even subgenres of rock, a lot of her lyrics in the album echo emotions I’ve felt when dealing with my own chronic illness. Hearing someone be so raw and vulnerable while expressing things I’ve felt or thought was almost an out-of-body experience. In short, it’s a bit of an emotional gut-punch with a few bangers mixed in. It’s probably not the most cheerful summer soundtrack, but I recommend giving it a listen.
Two Broke Chicks
My obsession with this podcast continues. From talking about expensive sh*t not worth the money to a spend-and-save checklist for your 20s, Two Broke Chicks is honest, full of great life tips, and it feels like you’re having a chat with your besties.
If you’re looking for easy listening with the bonus of life advice, I recommend giving this podcast a go.
Dion Pretorius, Contributor
Marina
Since her debut single “Obsessions” in 2009, I have been obsessed with Marina (previously known as Marina and the Diamonds). Each of her albums has reflected parts of my own life and experience, and her latest album Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land is no exception. Highlights are the feminist ballad Man’s World and I Love You But I Love Me More – she has a knack for creating music that is perfect to vacuum, shower, or road trip too!
The Economist podcasts
The world is a bit scary at the moment, but I find that the podcasts by the Economist give me a really good summary of what’s happening with less of the sensationalism I find elsewhere. Though it is a bit USA-centric, I particularly enjoy the Drum Tower, which gives you a view of modern China and its internal challenges and developments, and the Intelligence, a daily look at issues on the global stage. They offer a free sampling of podcasts through your usual platform, but others you will need to subscribe for.
The Colin and Samir Show
A bit niche, this podcast is all about the world’s most successful YouTubers. The hosts are great – thorough, thoughtful, and analytical – and they bag some amazing interviews with people making millions on the internet. As more people turn to alternatives to mainstream media for their news and entertainment, it demonstrates how content that seems very normal, casual, and low-budget may actually be meticulously crafted to look that way. I also find a lot of the business insights and tactics surprising and at times a little frightening, and it has given me much more appreciation for the work involved in creating meme-worthy content and compelling video content.
Georgie Smith, Digital Content Producer
Timeless by KAYTRANADA
I have tuned into Kaytranada’s new album so I’m prepared for when I see him live this month. His music is a blend of hip-hop, house, funk, and R&B. It’s nostalgic yet futuristic and it just feels like my 2025 summer soundtrack!
Tia Priest-Willimott, Intern
Emails I can’t send fwd: by Sabrina Carpenter
After listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album, Short n’ Sweet, and finding I’m a fan of her style, I wanted to listen to more of her music. I chose the deluxe version of her fifth album – Emails I can’t send fwd. I knew a few of the songs, especially after seeing her open for Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour (subtle brag).
Listening to the whole album, I noticed how the songs complement each other so expertly. If you listen in order, a storyline and links between songs slowly forms. But, if you hit shuffle, you get a mix of upbeat songs and slower more melancholy songs, allowing for each listen to result in a different emotion, depending on the order of the songs.
While all the songs have their own draw, standout songs for me are ‘opposite’, ‘Tornado Warnings’ and ‘Fast Times’.
Kansas Anymore by ROLE MODEL
Finding this album was completely accidental – I heard the song ‘Something, Somehow, Someday’ on social media and wanted to know who sung it. American singer Role Model creates music that’s catchy, soothing and danceable all at once. This album explores his life after a breakup (fans have picked up lyrics they believe are references to his ex, Emma Chamberlain).
This is the perfect album to listen to on a cloudy day, the slower songs match the grey sky, whilst the more fast-paced songs help lift the mood. If you’re after a fun song, try ‘Superglue’, but to see how heartbreaking his lyrics can be, hit play on ‘Frances’ followed by ‘Something, Somehow, Someday’.
Rae by Ashe
Rae is my go-to album. Even though it came out 2022, I can’t get enough of it. Ashe’s lyrics are relatable, fun to sing along to, and poignant. The lyrics traverse a variety of topics – there’s a feminist anthem in ‘Angry Woman’, there’s a song about letting go and having fun in ‘Emotional’, and a song dedicated to her brother who died from a drug overdose – ‘Love is Letting Go’.
This is the sort of album that works best when listening in order – there are a few songs that fade into each other, to help the lyrics flow into one storyline. Listening to this album takes you on an emotional roller-coaster, and you’ll be sure to find a song to connect with.
Sammy Rose, Contributor
The Bridget Jones Diary Soundtrack
There were many road trips with my family over my summer break, in particular my three sisters. We took a trip down memory lane and listened to a bunch of our nostalgic favourites. The soundtrack from the first Bridget Jones’ Diary was the sing-along track for our trip home from visiting family on Christmas Day. We belted out the lyrics to Jamie O’Neal’s All By Myself, bopped along to Don’t Get Me Wrong by the Pretenders, and got emotional to Gabrielle’s classic Out of Reach.
Inherited
This has become one of my favourite podcasts. The host Ruby Hall interviews well-known Aussies, asking them the four R’s; their Rule, Ritual, Relic, and Recipe. It’s a relatable and comfortable listen, perfect to accompany your long Sunday morning stroll. My favourite interview so far has been with comedian and performer Michelle Brasier on the importance of embracing each day as it comes, after finding out she had a 98 per cent chance of being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Sarina Dao, Contributor
Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
Let’s be very clear from the get-go – I avoid being involved in drama like the plague, but I most certainly LOVE hearing about it. And you may be asking, “Where in the world do I find the most dramatic, outlandish stories?” Through this legendary podcast, of course!
Shayne Topp and the cast at Smosh (if you know, you know) read, react, and dissect the most insane real-life stories that have been posted on Reddit over the years. And these stories cover everything from relationship problems, the worst roommates, betrayal, the biggest mistakes people have made in life, family drama, people’s deepest darkest secrets, to narrowly escaping criminals – the list goes on! So, whether you’re driving to and from work, meal prepping for the week, going for a walk, or just need some entertainment before bed, put this on and you’ll be enthralled from start to finish.
