Is it possible for me to think of curating a September music round up that doesn’t start with Big Stars’ September Gurls? Clearly not, but there’s been a lot happening this month (hence us sneaking September into October) including brand new material from every goth girl’s dream band, The Cure. The The are back ahead of their visit to the Opera House later in the year with a suitably sexy and mildly predatory single. For those of us who yearn still for the poetry of Dave Berman, M.J Lenderman has been filling that hole, and some incredible music coming out from Ripple Effect Band. It’s a wild mix of this month and an extra lashing of personal favourites because I’m a romantic little Libra who will never get over receiving romantic songs.

September Gurls, Big Star

If you can convince me that this isn’t a perfect song, I’ll give you $50 dollars. There is something particularly cool about Big Star’s take on power pop, the yearning is there, but it's more lackadaisical than some other more hungry vocalists of the genre.

Alone, The Cure

Robert Smith, you’re voice is still incredible and this song has got me so excited for the forthcoming record. This is definitely in the darker ilk of Cure songs, don’t expect Friday I’m in Love, but more Funeral Party, dark, beautiful and potential for misty eyes.

Zen and the Art of Dating, The The

Matt Johnson once asked me for one of my erotic short stories and if he keeps producing songs like this, how can I deny? I think it’s very hard to make dating apps sound sexy, in the same way I only like songs about landline phones, digitising sex and romance can be hard. Johnson is able to do this. Whilst eating crisps.

16 Ways, Frankie Rose

Do you remember the Dum Dum girls? I got pretty deep into their song, Coming Down, so Frankie Rose bought this out a year ago and I was recently reminded. I think you’ll like it.

Coming Down, Dum Dum Girls

Aforementioned song, still holds up.

Wristwatch, MJ Lenderman

Manning Fireworks is Lenderman’s latest and best record to date. It really is something special with some true poetry on there. Boy’s gonna be big…

Loving and Caring, Ripple Effect Band

The album, Mayawa, is out now and completely worth your time, Loving and Caring is one of the lead tracks from it. Band Member, Rona Lewis said of their record’s meaning “I want to be a role model for other women. To let them know… Don’t sit at home and get worried and stress. Stand up and get involved. Play music. Go fishing or hunting. Make yourself feel better. I’m doing this for my kids, for their future, so they feel proud and they can listen to their mother singing Na-kara language.” The whole album is joyful and certainly makes the listener feel better, it’s special.

Black Dog / White Horse, Big Special

UK duo BIG SPECIAL have announced their first Australian shows, and I will definitely be trying to get tickets, their debut POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES is compelling and lures you into their world rather effortlessly.

Slugger, Sasami

Pop with substance, Sasami can even get away with a Dolly Parton reference and make it her own.

Mind Invader, Pinz

New music from Sydney’s Pinz, inspired by Killing Joke and paying homage to The Prodigy, this will make you move.

Nine Clean Nails, Dummy

I had to shazam this when I heard it on 2SER (yes I still use Shazam and love 2SER’s programming). Dummy’s album ‘Free Engery’ came out this month, and if there is any justice in the world, it will do really well. This song is driving and stripped back but still with some really intoxicating melodies and synth lines in there.

It’s Just a Flesh Wound, Darling, EXEK

I love EXEK and this song. It’s just cool, you don’t need to know more than that. Get into the hypnosis, come on come on…

Metropolis, Kit Sebastian

It’s hard to do retro production and still remain relevance, you have to be pretty masterful to get away with out it being a bit cheesy. Fortunately, Kit Sebastian have so much sophistication in their instrumentation that it just works. It works really, really well.

All I care about you, Future Bible Heroes

If someone sends you this song, you know they love you.

Pure At Heart, Warmduscher

I love the narration of Warmduscher songs, there is a lovable nihilism that is set against this persevering optimism…it’s a hard tone to nail. This video features a blade runner inspired vinyl wearing dancer, pretty accurate visual representation of the band.

Check out the playlist for more stupid Libran romance from Judee Sill and new music from Molly Nillson, Okay Kaya and The Hard Quartet.