The October 31 drop of Middle Way from Valley Onda through Valley Onda Records gives the Gadigal-based trio their full album after years of buildup from a chance meetup in a Sydney spot back in 2019’s quiet stretch. Lineup staples Jordan Wilson (vocals/guitar, ex-Georgia Fair with supports for John Mayer and Paul Kelly), Michiya Nagai (keys, Lamalo performer at packed The Grass is Greener sets and TEDx sound designer), and Galen Sultmann (drums) fuel a catalog with 350,000 streams, tour openers for Brightness and The Money War, and buzz via triple j. Singles ‘Minacious’ hit CLASH, ‘Reebok Fantasy’ got EARMILK shine and NPR spins, while Happy Mag, The AU Review, and Clunk Mag features cemented their slot in the indie circuit.
Middle Way carves out space in indie electronica territory, weaving live rock textures with electronic accents for a sound that channels Gorillaz‘ eclecticism and Muse‘s buildups alongside Bon Iver‘s intimacy. Lead ‘Seraph’ swaps traditional guitar hooks for hypnotic drum loops and atmospheric pads, with Ian Brown-esque delivery rising through layered electronica into a reverb-soaked expanse—echoing The Acid‘s poise and Feathered Sun‘s float, all tied to the record’s blend of tactile drive and subtle lift.
Born from warehouse runs and genre-crossing links, Valley Onda‘s output holds that versatile core, now fully realized in Middle Way‘s tracklist.
Valley Onda shared: “‘Middle Way’ is the boisterous combination of three unique creative minds. We knew we wanted to harmonise organic instruments with technology and the electric world; a feat as grand as Robert M. Pirsig’s classic novel ‘Zen & The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance’. ‘Fishin’’ screams out like one big om from the universe, whilst tracks like ‘Seraph’ moves with cyclical rhythm and warm synths. There’s certainly an intensity to the album, but one we hope we match with joyous celebration.“
Middle Way Album Tracklist:
1. Fishin
2. Brutha
3. Seraph
4. Minacious
5. Reebok Fantasy
6. Wendigo Way
7. Effigy
8. Minacious (Radio Edit)
9. Seraph (Radio Edit)
Stream Middle Way:
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