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In a music world obsessed with perfection, Psyarchy (they/them), a bold new voice out of Melbourne, flips the script. With a debut EP that leans into the uncomfortable and the unresolved, Psyarchy doesn’t just make music—they build worlds from wounds.
Their journey began during a nine-month gap between high school and a degree in music production, and it’s already producing echoes far beyond local airwaves. This is the sound of a queer artist turning pain into purpose—and making space for others to do the same.
The Sound of Survival
Alt-pop may be a crowded genre, but Psyarchy’s take carves out something deeply personal. Their debut EP, 17, is more than a musical project—it’s a survival archive. Focusing on the emotional landscape of their teenage years, Psyarchy dives headfirst into topics like queer rejection, depression, anxiety, and gender-based harassment. The songs are charged with the electric vulnerability of someone not just revisiting trauma, but transforming it.
Drawing from the stylings of YUNGBLUD, Linkin Park, and Melanie Martinez, there's an unapologetic edge throughout the record. At the same time, nods to pop icons Ariana Grande and Troye Sivan thread elements of melody and intimacy into the noise. Tracks like "Mr. Jones" and "Principles" fuse dark subject matter with polished production, embodying Psyarchy’s unique ethos—beauty through brutality.
Process, Not Perfection
When it comes to songwriting, Psyarchy doesn’t aim for commercial hooks—they aim for truth. Each track begins with raw lyricism and melody, later dressed in immersive soundscapes that reflect the emotional stakes. It’s a process rooted in deep self-reflection and emotional excavation, guided by the belief that even the darkest moments can be generative.
Collaborating with B.C. Slumber, a professor at COLLARTS and mentor, added depth and bite to 17. The co-production partnership helped bring a sonic edge that mirrors the EP’s inner turbulence. From layers of distortion to piercing synths, the record refuses to soften its message. “It was therapeutic,” Psyarchy shares. “I was able to process everything that happened and overcome it.”
The Visual Mind of Psyarchy
Psyarchy’s artistic vision doesn’t end with the music. Their visuals are a critical extension of the message. The cover art for 17 features them seated on a tree-throne—a haunting metaphor for navigating mental health struggles while still trying to lead oneself. Details like forget-me-not flowers with teeth symbolize the self-criticism and mourning woven into their teenage experience.
The imagery is intentional and layered, signaling an artist deeply invested in storytelling. Each visual component, from music video concepts to promotional material, amplifies the emotional world of the songs rather than distract from it.
On the Rise and Looking Ahead
Despite being new to the scene, Psyarchy’s impact is already tangible. Airplay on community radio, television interviews, and a growing base of listeners signal that their message resonates. And they're not stopping here. Psyarchy hints at evolving both sonically and visually in upcoming projects, with fresh concepts already brewing.
Live shows are another focal point. Performing isn’t just a promotional tool for Psyarchy— it’s an emotional exchange. “I love seeing and feeling how people connect to the music and the performance I put on,” they say. That exchange, that mutual recognition, is the point.
Conclusion
Psyarchy’s artistry is rooted in a desire to make space—for grief, for growth, for identity. They offer no polished resolutions, only an honest invitation to confront and reframe pain. “Recognise the darkness and validate it,” they advise. It’s a fitting motto from an artist who’s made that principle the backbone of their work. In a world that often demands silence from those who suffer, Psyarchy answers back with sound—loud, raw, and deeply necessary.
