Naarm/Melbourne’s enigmatic Queenie has unveiled her eagerly awaited debut album, ‘New Moult’ - a release that has the artist’s complexity, vulnerability and emotional depth shining through as she bares her heart and soul to us across eleven powerful tracks.

Featuring her highly praised 2024 releases “Not Divine”, “Mama” and “Everything Sucks”, New Moult introduces us to eight brand new tracks. Delving into themes of heartbreak, family dynamics, coping mechanisms and self image, she dismantles her experience navigating the world as an imperfect young woman.

Queenie shared, “I feel as though this record is a representation of my rebirth into writing, solo especially. We were heading into virtually a year of lockdowns and for the first time since I was about 13, I had unlimited time on my hands. I’d just split up with the love of my life after 10 years and was incredibly displaced. I’d been set adrift in the universe for the first time in my adult life. I decided after an especially long session of wailing and wallowing that I should pick up my tiny acoustic guitar and at least try to make use of the sudden abundance of inspiration bubbling away in my head.

On a sonic level I wanted the songs to sound nostalgic - with a sense of longing. A sprinkling of the 80’s; like perhaps you’d already heard them. Heartbreak is something human beings all over the world can relate to and I think that familiarity is what has come to fruition throughout these recordings. I never really write with a purpose or an idea, it kind of all falls out at once and I tend to find or recognise meaning in the lyrics later down the track.”

‘New Moult’ is an album that should come packaged with its own smoke machine and laser show - it’s an as equally progressive sound as it is contemporary pop, with stadium-sized appeal. It’s a brilliant anthology exploring the multiverses of Queenie, from the heavily cinematic intro of ‘Not Divine’, shifting through Kate Bush-tinged alt pop, into 70s swampy progressive blues funk, into torch songs, Tea Party-inspired Middle Eastern alt rock and more, yet all on a bed of singer/songwriter simplicity. In ‘New Moult’, Queenie has delivered a beautifully complex and strange creature; a release that begs the listener to peel back each meticulously placed layer to eventually expose the rawness of this artist’s journey.

New Moult is bold, gritty and anthemic whilst showcasing Queenie’s softer side in the face of heartache. She will be taking her debut album on tour across the country and is set to perform at the Queenscliff Music Festival and Town Folk Festival in November. Soundmerch Record Store in Collingwood will be hosting an intimate performance and party to celebrate the new album on Friday 30 August with great vibes and free beers. Find out more about the special event here.

Queenie is the alter-ego of Melbourne musician Eloise Thetford. Taking the industry by storm, she has booking agent Collective Artists, Cheersquad Records & Tapes for label and Wildflower Artist Management in her corner.

Garnering attention for her fearless songwriting and electrifying live shows, she has played notable festival slots including Party In The Paddock, Gum Ball, Tamworth Country Music Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival. A force to be reckoned with, Queenie has also supported the likes of Tex Perkins, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, Daddy Long Legs and more.

Invited along to perform at the APRA Music Awards in 2023, she has a stack of accolades in her belt including her ongoing collaboration with Henry Wagons. With the release of New Moult and a heap of live shows and festival slots on the horizon, 2024 is looking to be Queenie’s biggest year yet.

‘New Moult’ is out now on all streaming platforms.