Fresh out of Eora/Sydney and firmly in their feels, indie up-and-comers The Sooks are back with a new single that feels like a deep breath you didn’t realise you were holding.
Their latest track, ‘Take It Slow’, is a breezy, sun-drenched gem produced by Jack Nigro (The Terrys, Pacific Avenue, Mid Drift) – and it’s all shimmering guitars, laid-back percussion and frontman Corey Fitzsimons’ soaring, heart-on-sleeve vocals. It’s reflective without being mopey, hopeful without being cheesy – the sweet spot every band is chasing.
The Sooks – ‘Take It Slow’
Lyrically, the song zeroes in on that all-too-familiar tug-of-war between ambition and burnout, capturing the chaos of early adulthood when everything feels exciting and terrifying in equal measure. It was written in the summer of 2024, just weeks before the band played their very first festival — a milestone moment that was as overwhelming as it was euphoric.
“It was a big time for the band… we were so stoked to be playing on a big stage, but it was also so new for us,” the band explain. “The cost-of-living crisis was really getting to us. Ultimately, the song is about not letting life dim your shine and doing what you feel you’re meant to do, despite the roadblocks life puts in your way. It’s a mantra. Take it slow. Take it slow. Take it slow… and you’ll pull through.”
Alongside earlier singles ‘Kickstarter’ and ‘Sober (For The Second Time)’, the new track will feature on The Sooks’ forthcoming EP, landing Wednesday, February 18 – and it arrives at a moment when the band are seriously hitting their stride.
They’ve been steadily building a rep as one of Sydney’s most likeable live acts, clocking up support slots for the likes of Daily J, Le Shiv, Salarymen, Press Club, Surely Shirley, Bread Club and GRXCE, plus festival appearances at The Great Escape (TAS), The Big Chill and Good Gumnuts.
Last year’s debut EP Oyster Boy laid the foundations, blending influences from DICE, Rum Jungle and The Terrys into a sound that feels easygoing but emotionally switched on. And at the heart of it all is a story that’s as wholesome as it is relatable.
“As corny as it might sound, I fell in love with music after seeing One Direction when I was 8 or 9,” Corey admits. “After meeting Jeremy at school, we got obsessed with Aussie indie, bought guitars and taught ourselves to play. Then I roped in my brother Keenan, primary school mate Jeremy and local legend Flynn – and it was game on.”
Further Reading
Good Gumnuts 2026 Line-Up: Dope Lemon, The Jungle Giants, Young Franco + More
triple j’s 100 Best Unearthed Discoveries: The Complete List
DICE Share Their Top Career Highlights, To Celebrate Album Release Day
