I’m going to start 2026 by making three bold predictions (not resolutions) about Australian music.

Firstly, independent acts will start becoming more visible. Secondly, the WA scene will find itself in the spotlight. And finally, lyrical storytelling will no longer be just a buzzword.

Emerging artist Charli Rose is here to prove me right on all three claims. Here’s why. 

ART 255 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE

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Does the name Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) ring a bell? If not, If not, then let me tell you a bit more about it.  

It’s a prestigious institution that has trained several prominent Australians, including Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman and globally acclaimed performer Tim Minchin. Some of its music industry alumni include Stella Donnelly, Meg Mac, and Kučka.

Singer-songwriterand pianist Charli Rose is gearing up to join their ranks. She recently announced her acceptance into the esteemed artistic school.

It’s a pretty big deal for such a young muso, I’d say. So how did she get here?

Charli has been writing, recording, and performing her own songs since she was 11. So it’s fair to say that she has truly worked hard for this honour.

Based in Perth and now 18 years old, she is known in her local scene for writing emotional indie pop songs, which she hopes will help her spread meaningful messages. “As an artist, I’m inspired through stories of people around me, as well as issues going on in the world, to create lyrics and music which will have a lasting effect on others,” she shared.

This altruistic attitude may have something to do with the artists she looks up to in the music industry. Gracie Abrams, Benson Boone, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish all demonstrate the same vaues in their craft.

Despite her young age, Charli’s achievements in the music industry shouldn’t be underestimated.

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She has been gradually building a burgeoning fan base both locally and globally. That includes appearing  in venues across Perth as a solo artist, in duets, and in group shows, i.e. at Optus Stadium and RAC Arena as part of the One Big Voice Concert pre-entertainment “Young Talent”, to an audience of 15,000. She has also performed with the Perth Symphony Orchestra. 

Her list of industry accolades to date is equally impressive. 

In 2023 and 2024, Charli won the Western Australia Junior Country Artist of the Year Award. She was nominated as a Top 5 finalist for the WAM Song of the Year in the youth artist category (15-18-year-olds) in 2023 for her original track “Mirrors” and again in 2025 for “The Last Fairy”. Additionally, her songwriting on “Unknown” has been recognised in the International and Unsigned Only music competitions, where Charli was a semi-finalist in 2024.

The same year saw the release of her debut EP, Letters to Me, Letters to You. Finally, in 2025, her single “Serious” generated rave reviews on the triple j Unearthed music discovery platform as well as airplay on the youth broadcaster’s ‘Home and Hosed’ segment.

Claire Mooney, the Music Director at Unearthed, acknowledged the young muso’s talent in her review of “Serious”, stating: “This is seriously gorgeous. Love the way you hold yourself in this, and those little harmonies are the perfect touch”. While Sharon Gilchrist from 100.9fm Noongar Radio admitted that listening to Charli’s music the whole way home “gave me goosebumps.”

No wonder WAAM welcomed her with open arms then.

The acceptance into the prestigious school has surely given Charli another push to continue on her path with purpose. Hence, her latest release is another example of how skilfully she incorporates meaningful messages in her music. 

“Where do I find you now” is an emotionally moving indie pop song, which is Charli’s signature sound. This time, however, her storytelling touches on coming to terms with loss, hoping for that person to still be around, but realising you need to let them go.

Interestingly, however, it doesn’t refer to any specific event. On the contrary, the artist shared that she “wanted this song to be open for interpretation for each individual listener, whether they have physically or emotionally lost someone (…). This song is about holding onto memories and trying to figure out how to be without someone.” 

Charli sets the tone of the song by painting a situation that could happen to any of us at some point in our lives. In the first verse, she sings: 

The colour in the sky / Shifted again / But this time it felt darker than usual

I rang your phone / Same time I always did / But this time the line just cut out

To enhance this feeling of loss and desperation sonically, the track is arranged in a way that allows the melodic piano to support ethereal vocals, soaring with haunting beauty.

The song was recorded and produced by renowned engineer Gareth Henderson (Birdy, Sash) at Vocal Tech studios, Lake Coogee, Western Australia. This is another example of how seriously the young artist takes her music industry journey, choosing to work with the best of the best.

And even though the track dropped only on January 16 (less than a week ago when I’m typing this), it has already jumped to the top of the artist’s streaming platforms.

So if you still have any doubts about what this year is shaping up to be in the Land Down Under, let me reiterate my theory. Charli Rose is the best proof that emerging, WA-based artists with storytelling abilities are the ones to watch in Aussie music in 2026. And remember – you heard it here first.

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