Today, multi-platinum and ARIA Award winning genre-defying Australian artist Illy has shared his seventh studio album ‘Good Life’ via Warner Music Australia. Featuring 14 tracks, including recent singles Stubborn, title track Good Life co-written with Johnny Took from DMA’s, and new single Kids featuring Latin superstar Sofia Reyes, the album has seen Illy work with a number of key producers, writers and artists ? including Xavier Dunn, Kuren, Tones And I, Hevenshe and Jungleboi.
With the arrival of ‘Good Life’, Illy engages a new creative chapter. An album where threads of hip-hop, pop and electronic sensibilities clash to great effect, it is a culmination of experiences lived and perspectives gained. Journeying myriad emotions, ‘Good Life’ never loses sight of its central theme, in that overcoming anything is possible.
‘Good Life’ is unafraid to balance moments of vulnerability (Braveheart, You Don’t Like Me), with moments of heady emotion and pure euphoria (Closer, Rings, You Lying). An overarching theme of clarity that comes from overcoming pressure and obstacles – both self-imposed and imposed upon you – is one that the album navigates with fun and wit.
“I’ll get to the point – Good Life is coming from the most fully formed Illy, the artist, to date. Some of the most intense moments and emotions of my life, good and bad, happened while making this album. How can I not love every single song on it?! I fought for each of them, sometimes for years, sometimes when outvoted, and sometimes with myself, all over the world, with the help of a lot of great people. It’s so fitting that after all that time, heart and soul, I’m left with Good Life as a reminder of it.” says Illy of the album.
Created against the backdrop of the pandemic, Illy found himself having to rediscover a path as an artist that he still wanted to be on. Unable to tour, unable to connect with fans, other artists, and the sense of normal he was used to, Illy found himself experiencing the full spectrum of emotions; from anger to disappointment and in some ways, grief for what momentum had been taken away from his industry thanks to COVID-19.
New single Kids is a masterclass in catchy hooks and storytelling. A co-write with Tones And I that delves into the trials and tribulations of growing up, Kids features guest vocals by Sofia Reyes, complementing Illy’s lyrical introspection. Last weekend, Illy opened for Tones And I ‘s sold out show at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
“The world can always seem, particularly when you are younger, that every fight will define you; every speed bump is insurmountable and every problem is going to be the end of the world,” he explains. “It rarely is, if ever. This is about the perspective you find, having gone through it.” ? ?
To celebrate the release of ‘Good Life’, Illy will be throwing album release pop ups over the next week which will see him meeting fans and selling merch. Today he will be at The Lord Gladstone in Sydney from 4-pm – 7pm, on Wednesday 20 November he will go to PlayZone in Melbourne from 6pm – 9pm, and on Thursday 21 November he will head to Su Casa Rooftop in Brisbane from 6pm – 9pm.
Illy will also be taking the album out on the road for a capital-city headline tour in March-April 2025. The ‘Good Life’ Australian Tour kicks off in Melbourne at 170 Russell on Friday 28 March before heading to Brisbane at Princess Theatre on Friday 11 April, Sydney at Factory Theatre on Saturday 12 April, and wrapping up in Adelaide at The Gov on Saturday 19 April. This capital city tour follows a mammoth 25 date regional tour which took him all around Australia in late 2023.
“I can’t wait to be back on stages playing ‘Good Life’. Seriously, cannot. The entirety of the album process was spent with “how does it make sense live?” at the front of mind. The new songs work so well with the classics, and we are going to leave everything out on stage”.
Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his decorated career, embracing new sonic inspirations across each of his six critically acclaimed studio albums. After receiving his third ARIA nomination for 2013 record ‘Cinematic’ – home to 3x platinum single and fan-favourite Tightrope – Illy’s follow up project Two Degrees (2016) shot to #1 on the ARIA charts, featuring multi-platinum collaborations Papercuts feat. Vera Blue (5x), and Catch 22 feat. Anne-Marie (3x). 2021’s The Space Between marked Illy’s second ARIA #1 album, with lead single ‘Then What’ ticking over to 2x ARIA platinum. An ARIA Award winner for Best Live Act, Illy has performed at high profile festivals including Falls Festival, Splendour In The Grass, Snow Machine, and Spilt Milk. In 2023, his “Ausmusic Medley” reached #12 in triple j’s Hottest 100 ‘Like A Versions’.
‘Good Life’ IS OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE
‘GOOD LIFE’ ALBUM RELEASE POP-UPS
?Friday 15 November – The Lord Gladstone, Sydney NSW
?Wednesday 20 November – PlayZone, Melbourne VIC
?Thursday 21 November – Su Casa Rooftop, Brisbane QLD
RSVP’s are essential – RSVP HERE
‘GOOD LIFE’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR
?Friday 28 March – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
?Friday 11 April – Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD
?Saturday 12 April – Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW
?Saturday 19 April – The Gov, Adelaide SA
With thanks to Warner Music Australia
