“If you’re a fan of Julia Jacklin, Alvvays, & Big Thief, you need to dive into this melodic journey of introspection and storytelling”
Life Without Andy
Multi-award-winning Naarm/Melbourne-via-Belgium artist Romanie announces her new album It’s Not That Funny, set for release on Feb 20 via Community Music AND AVAILABLE FOR VINYL PRE-ORDER NOW VIA IMPRESSED. Alongside the announcement comes a declaration of defiance in new single and video ‘I Won’t Yell’, out now. LISTEN HERE + WATCH HERE + PRE-SAVE THE LP HERE. The record marks a bold evolution in Romanie’s songwriting: embracing contradiction, confronting vulnerability, and finding flickers of light in moments of darkness.
A follow-up to her Australian Music Prize-nominated debut Are We There Yet?, this new body of work pushes her indie-rock foundations into deeper, more dynamic terrain. Romanie balances softness with grit, pairing warm melodic charm with cathartic bursts of energy, capturing the emotional duality at the core of the album.
The title It’s Not That Funny speaks to her wry, self-aware approach to storytelling. “It’s about convincing your therapist you’re funny and that anything that’s ever happened to you ‘wasn’t all that bad’,” Romanie reflects. “Growing up in Belgium, we were taught to keep going, to keep a brave face—and while that builds resilience, sometimes we just want to be soft. With this album I wanted to uncover what sits behind the jokes and the imperfections we try to hide.”
the new record showcases a transformation in Romanie’s worldview and artistry through embracing contradiction: finding light in the moments of darkness, hope in the face of adversity. Her softer, indie rock stylings are now tempered with punches of grit and energy, powerful and cathartic in a way that embodies the lyrical conflict within the album.
Releasing her debut EP Little Big Steps in 2021, and her debut album Are We There Yet? in 2023, Romanie has garnered widespread critical acclaim from the likes of triple j and Unearthed – winning thetriple j Unearthed x NIDA music video competition in 2023 – rage, The Age, Beat Magazine, Junkee, 3RRR, PBS FM and more, Romanie has won the 2023 Upstart Award, become a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, and a finalist in St Kilda Festival’s New Music Competition. Her ability to channel vulnerability into shimmering, melodic songwriting continues to define her as a powerful and distinct voice in contemporary indie music.
Moving to Australia from Belgium in 2019, Romanie has gained prominence as a powerhouse live musician nationally and across the globe, both solo as well as with her band: supporting artists including Trixie Whitley, Telenova, Blanco White, 10cc, Yoke Lore, playing alongside Katy J Pearson and opening for Australian favourites such as Keli Holiday, The Moving Stills, GrentPerez, Mia Wray, Gordi and many more. SHE's RECENTLY PLAYED Queenscliff Music Festival, NANNUP MUSIC FESTIVAL & MORDI FEST.
TRACKLIST
Anything or Anyone
I Tried To Erase You
Falling
My Eyes Don’t Light Up When I Look At You
When Will We Lose Hope?
I Won’t Yell
Only Darkness Grows
Thrift Shop
I Can’t Think About A Future
Uh Oh
Power At Play
