Budjerah returns in 2024 with his explosive new single, "Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense." Fresh off the platinum-selling success of "Therapy," the multi-ARIA Award-winning artist from the Gold Coast returns with his most soaring vocals yet, gearing up for his biggest headline tour of Australia.
"Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense" pulsates with raw emotion and a powerhouse vocal performance. Budjerah craved a sound that delivered a "punch in the face."
"I wanted to write songs with heaps of rhythm, a punchy beat, and big vocals," he says.
As if by fate, fellow Aussie musician G-Flip called Budjerah out of the blue, inviting him to collaborate. "They're the perfect person for punch-you-in-the-face music," Budjerah says, and it's clear he's not wrong.
The artistic chemistry between Budjerah and G-Flip, renowned for their electrifying live shows, takes centre stage here. Together, they've crafted a stadium-ready anthem primed for mass singalongs.
Budjerah has meticulously built a captivating discography. Following "Therapy" and "Video Game" (co-written with Meg Mac and Matt Corby) in 2023, he's eager to unleash new material after a period of self-discovery in Los Angeles. "Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense," however, was born in G-Flip's hometown of Melbourne.
While the song initially explored Budjerah's struggles with quitting coffee, it morphed into a broader expression of frustration – catchy as it is cathartic.
"It's been a pretty confusing time in my life," Budjerah admits. "I'm still drinking coffee, and that don't make no sense, and neither does anything else that I have to deal with."
Together Budjerah and G Flip have masterfully crafted something that feels universally relatable. Anyone who's ever felt like they're banging their head against a wall will connect with Budjerah's biggest chorus yet – a soaring release that explodes with his signature vocals. It's a testament to his relentless evolution as a vocalist and a clear sign of things to come.
"Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense" arrives after a whirlwind few years for the artist, culminating in a massive 2023. Mentored by Matt Corby, Budjerah has blossomed into one of Australia's most beloved new voices. Already an ARIA Award winner (Breakthrough Artist in 2021 and Best Soul/R&B Release in 2022), he’s been nominated for 13 in total, including five ARIA nominations in 2023. He’s also an APRA Award recipient (Most Performed R&B / Soul Work for "Higher") and, in 2022, he was named GQ Australia's Breakthrough Artist.
He's not just an award darling; he's a captivating performer who has won over audiences at Splendour In The Grass, Spilt Milk, and For The Love. Last year, he opened for Ed Sheeran on his sold-out stadium tour after collaborating with Sheeran on 2022’s “2Step”. On top of that, he sold out his own headline show at the Sydney Opera House for VIVID Live.
He also achieved a career highlight performing with the legendary Kylie Minogue at the QANTAS gala. Speaking of Australian icons, Budjerah contributed the theme song to Baz Luhrmann's 2023 television series, "Faraway Downs."
Over the past three years, he's amassed a staggering 50 million combined streams with “Therapy” achieving over 15 million on Spotify.
With his biggest headline tour looming, it feels like an unstoppable time for Budjerah.
Budjerah's ambition burns brightly. Inspired by legends like John Farnham and Beyoncé, he envisions himself commanding arenas with powerhouse vocals and intricate choreography. This ambition is balanced by a genuine stage presence. He describes a process of bridging his natural shyness with an "on-stage character" that allows him to fully connect with the audience.
"On stage, there's a fire in me," he says. "And I think that's why I love performing so much. Because there's a part of me inside that just wants to come out. And that's when I feel like you get the full view of me as a whole person."
Looking back at his debut single, "Missing You," released just over three years ago, it's clear Budjerah has come a long way. Corby recognized his raw talent early on, mentoring him through his early releases – his self-titled debut in 2021 and "Conversations" in 2022. Since then, he's collaborated with diverse artists like PNAU and MAY-A, proving his versatility and ability to excel in various musical landscapes. With each release, his confidence has grown, evident in the self-assured lyrics of tracks like "Ready For The Sky."
With "Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense," Budjerah proves he's more than ready to capitalise on the momentum.
