A Naarm/ Melbourne-based indie artist whose previous releases have leaned into raw, stark, heartfelt storytelling – like lifting lyrics from a half-forgotten diary – Amanduh's songs trace the contradictions that linger after love fades and reality hits.
2024 saw Amanduh release her debut EP and number of singles; while 2025 has been less productive, with only the slow-burning single 'Indigo Sky' added to her catalogue.
A style fans of Maisie Peters, Gretta Ray and Mia Wray will relate to, Amanduh continues to mine the bittersweet side of love with her newest release, 'Hydroplaning', spotlighting the magnetic pull romance can have over common sense, when you know you're repeating doomed behaviour but are helpless to intervene.
A shimmery, dreamy mix of alt-pop and electropop, 'Hydroplaning' is the feel-good slice of BFF advice you need when love handcuffs your reality allowing your spiralling emotions to take control of your decision-making.
Sparkly, clean synths are paired to a bubbly, breezy bassline that purrs, the rhythm a concoction of nostalgic warmth that envelops the senses, clean, crisp drums and striking yet noodling guitar adding pace to the beat.
Amanduh's vocals are bright yet understated, a calm tone of understanding and kindness floating above the self-reflected lyrics. The song's overall vibe is BENEE meets Mallrat.
"It's ultimately another song about the breakdown of a relationship, but I really loved the concept of the word 'hydroplaning' and lyrically it's so interesting," Amanduh shares.
Ahead of the song's release on Friday (7 November), today scenestr is thrilled to premiere 'Hydroplaning'. Enjoy.
"So the idea for this song actually stemmed from a scene from '27 Dresses'," adds Amanduh. "You know, the one where the main characters are in a car arguing and Katherine Heigl's character is convinced they're going to crash – by the end of the argument she's screaming "we're hydroplaning," etc. I thought it was a really cool concept.
"Hydroplaning is when your vehicle loses traction because of water (rain) on the road. We all know to drive slow when it's wet, take extra care etc and I loved this metaphor for relationships that you know aren't going to last, yet you enter into willingly anyway!"
It was a concept that allowed Amanduh to quickly bring together the lyrical direction of 'Hydroplaning'. "This song wrote itself in about 20 minutes and that's kind of how all of my songs are made, but this one I particularly loved the imagery so I knew it needed to be big.
"I wanted it to be more moody and vibey than some of my previous songs, paving a new way for my music to explore! I love the bass in this, it's so fun and I am in love with it. My producer Sam Swain is a genius; he manages to delve into my brain and just know what I want. It's amazing."
The recording of the song's vocals occurred while Amanduh was pregnant. "That's a fun fact! It is interesting though; the bridge when laying down vocals, we could never nail.
"We didn't like any of the takes, so the bridge is actually the demo vocals! As well as the 'mmm mmms' for the 'outro' is also from the demo. We just liked it so much we chucked it in!"
