Stirring, intimate and fearlessly open-hearted, award-winning singer-songwriter Maxon today unveils her long-awaited debut album Talking With Strangers, out now (April 8). A deeply personal and sonically rich collection, the album marks a defining moment for the Mornington Peninsula-based artist, capturing stories of heartbreak, healing, longing and self-discovery with raw honesty and luminous warmth.
To celebrate the release of her ‘Talking With Strangers’ album, Maxon was kind enough to
contemplate Six Quix for us.
MORE ABOUT ‘TALKING WITH STRANGERS’
Described by Maxon as her “loudest love letter so far”, Talking With Strangers traverses a wide emotional landscape while also serving as a powerful personal statement, what she calls a “coming out story”. Across its tracks, Maxon embraces vulnerability and truth, unlearning years of self-restraint and stepping fully into her identity.
“Talking With Strangers, my debut album, is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt too much, too late, or too far behind,” shares Maxon. “I’m offering up stories of heartbreak, longing, healing, and rage – all with a whole lot of heart and musicians who play like they mean it. I grew up believing I had to hide my softness, my queerness, my age. This album is me unlearning all of that. Music is where I tell the truth – even when it hurts, even when it’s loud.”
Opening with the warm Americana tones of Strangers, the album moves seamlessly through playful, infectious moments (18), dreamy and expansive textures (Tangerine Dream), and bold, self-assured anthems (Some Days, Best Shot). Elsewhere, tracks like Rebel and Yabadaba balance defiance with joy, while No Good For Me explores themes of grief and renewal. The album ultimately resolves with Circles, a stripped-back and poignant finale that highlights Maxon’s voice and emotional depth.
Among the album’s standout moments is the current single Little Blue, a tender and intimate offering that encapsulates the record’s emotional core. Written one winter morning on the edge of her bed, the track unfolds as a soft, pop-folk ode to family, distance and quiet connection.
“Little Blue is a soft place to land,” Maxon explains. “Written for my younger brother, it lives in a world of care… the kind that doesn’t try to fix, only to sit beside. It’s full of those quiet, in-between moments – a look across a room, a shared silence, the feeling of wanting to protect someone you love from a world you know can be heavy.”
Produced by Jono Steer, the track features a rich yet understated arrangement, with Pamela Zaharias’ gentle percussion, Ezekiel Fenn’s warm bass and keys, Matt Dixon’s evocative pedal steel, and harmonies from Nay Pattuwage all combining to elevate its emotional resonance.
Talking With Strangers arrives following a string of acclaimed singles, including Everybody, Tangerine Dream, and 18, each offering glimpses into the album’s depth and diversity. The project has been supported by Mornington Peninsula Arts & Culture, Creative Victoria Music Works and the City of Melbourne.
A two-time recipient of the Mornington Peninsula Development Arts Grant, winner of the Green Wedge Songwriting Competition and City of Melbourne grant recipient, Maxon has steadily built a reputation for her ability to connect deeply with audiences. Blending Americana, 70s folk-rock and contemporary pop sensibilities, her music is both timeless and strikingly personal. She has shared stages with artists including Tones and I, Ella Hooper and Alex Lahey, and performed at major events such as St Kilda Festival and Melbourne Fringe.
To celebrate the album’s release, Maxon will perform a special headline show at The Toff in Melbourne on May 7, joined by special guests.
Little Blue is out now.
Talking With Strangers is out today April 8
MAXON – UPCOMING SHOWS:
THURS MAY 7 | THE TOFF, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from Moshtix