Ricky Neil Jr. has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most engaging live performers, and his latest single suggests that momentum is only continuing to grow. Ahead of a national tour and a showcase at BIGSOUND, the Minang Noongar artist returns with ‘HEARTBREAKER’, a disco-infused pop anthem that pairs infectious grooves with emotional honesty.
Stream it HERE.
Following recent singles ‘SUPANOVA’ and ‘TROCADERO’, ‘HEARTBREAKER’ continues to showcase an artist increasingly comfortable balancing vulnerability with exuberance. Drawing influence from Parcels, Jamiroquai and L’Impératrice, the track blends polished disco-pop production with an exploration of the emotional tension between holding on and letting go.
“HEARTBREAKER, like TROCADERO before it, was written during my time in the Mushroom First Nations Pathway Program,” Ricky explains.
Produced and co-written with Ross James, the song embraces bright rhythms, layered harmonies and an unapologetically pop sensibility.
“Ross and I really locked into a polished, hot pink sound here,” Ricky says. “We were chasing a chorus that feels like you want to yell it in your car or get buck wild on the dancefloor. Also, let it be known, I was singing my ass off in the studio. Listen out for those high notes.”
The release follows an impressive period for the Western Australian artist. Ricky Neil Jr. was selected for the Mushroom Creative First Nations Pathway Program, performed alongside Dan Sultan at the 2026 AFL Dreamtime Match at the MCG, secured national airplay on Nova, received strong editorial support across Spotify playlists including New Music Friday AU & NZ, Pop N Fresh, Big Ancestor Energy, Deadly Beats and Original Storytellers, and earned a nomination for WAM Pop Act of the Year.
On stage, Ricky Neil Jr. has steadily become one of Australia’s standout emerging performers, sharing bills with San Cisco, South Summit, Ruby Fields, Great Gable and Playlunch, while appearing at St Kilda Festival, Hyperfest, Nannup Music Festival, SOTA Festival and BLOOM Festival. His upcoming run of dates, including performances alongside Baker Boy and Miss Kaninna, as well as a stop at BIGSOUND, signals another significant step in his growing national profile.
With ‘HEARTBREAKER’, Ricky Neil Jr. continues refining a sound that is equal parts dancefloor-ready and emotionally direct, demonstrating why he is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most exciting new voices in contemporary pop.
TOUR DATES:
August 22nd – Albany Town Hall w/ Baker Boy, Miss Kaninna and Kayps
August 28th – Low 302 Sydney
August 29th – Bar Open Melbourne (co-headline with Kayps)
September 1-4th – BIGSOUND Brisbane
September 12th – Indian Ocean Hotel
Tickets HERE.
