The J Award for triple j‘s Australian Album of the Year has gone to 23-year-old First Nations singer, songwriter and producer Sycco for her debut full-length, Zorb.
Zorb is a soundtrack of Sycco’s twenties and coming of age journey in 2024, which she wrote and co-produced with Chrome Sparks, Flume, Banoffee and Styalz Fuego.
The album blends psychedelic rock and high-energy dance with Sycco‘s signature pop flavours to create a masterful debut and is being celebrated by the youth broadcaster for its creativity, musicianship, impact on listeners and contribution to Australian Music in 2024.
Nick Findlay, triple j’s music director, said: “On her long-awaited debut album Zorb, Sycco created a blissful, psychedelic, and distinct sonic world of her own, celebrating friendship, lamenting heartbreak, and diving headfirst into the beautiful chaos of your early twenties. It’s a record that perfectly captures Sycco’s incredibly unique take on songwriting and production, which has helped her stand tall as one of Australia’s best young artists.
“Congratulations to Sasha McLeod, aka Sycco, on an incredibly well-deserved win for this year’s J Award for Album of the Year. 2024 has been another exceptional year for local music, highlighted by the incredibly high calibre of nominees across this year’s J Awards. Congratulations to all the winners, and all the artists nominated, who help shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we are so lucky to celebrate coming out of this country.”
Other J Award winners include national treasure Missy Higgins, who won Double J‘s Australian Artist of the Year following a huge year, which included the release of her chart-topping sixth album, The Second Act, a massive national tour, and an upcoming induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Melbourne enigma Lithe was crowned Unearthed Artist of the Yearoff the back of a breakout 2024, which included the release of his track ‘Fall Back’, now one of the most streamed Australian songs of the year.
Emily Wurramurra’s breathtaking music video for ‘Lordy Lordy feat. Tasman Keith’, directed by Melbourne-based filmmaker Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, took the top spot for the triple j and rage Australian Music Video of the Year. After leaving audiences in complete awe while lapping the country this year, Angie McMahon claimed Australian Live Act of the Year.
Now in its 20th year, the J Awards mark triple j‘s annual recognition of the very best in Australian Music.
triple j‘s 2024 J Award Winners
triple j Album of the Year – Sycco – Zorb
Unearthed Artist of the Year – Lithe
Double J Australian Artist of the Year – Missy Higgins
triple j and rage Music Video of the Year – Emily Wurramara – Lordy Lordy [Ft. Tasman Keith] – Dir: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore
Live Act of the Year – Angie McMahon
–
Top image: Sycco