Magnets Shares Her Debut Album, “Diplacusis”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
In today’s music industry, it is very rare that I come across an artist that stands the test of time. Although I can blame it oversaturation, I feel as if artists aren’t connecting to the listeners like they used to. Growing up, hearing a new song from your favorite artist was euphoric and it served as a timestamp to one of the best moments of your life. When it came to the music, the songs and albums were pure and there were no shortcuts taken. From the sonics to the vocals, music was alive and well. Though I sometimes get lost in the blandness and plastic sound of today’s industry, there are a few artists that are still releasing groundbreaking music. This week, I came across a talented artist named Magnets.
Hailing from Melbourne/Naarm, Magnets (aka Siobhan McGinnity) is a disabled artist & advocate that has taken the music industry by storm with her unique brand of indie-pop. She is raw, daring, and her music is everything that we have all been missing. Her songs are dynamic, and her songwriting is exceptional. Magnets is unlike any other artist that I have listened to. She has Meniere's Disease which leads to a dissonant doubling of sound in one ear. Through her music, she touches on her disability, and I find that so pure. Now, she enters our pages with her debut album, “Diplacusis”.
As a debut album, “Diplacusis” proves that Magnets was meant to be an artist and musician. The 10-track masterpiece is a vibrant body of work that discusses self-acceptance while also leaning into topics of love, identity, & life experiences as a queer disabled artist. Personally, I loved that she was able to discuss these topics over pop sounding sonics. She speaks her truth, and I find that so admirable. In today’s music industry, I feel like we are forced upon songs that discuss surface level wants and needs. For me, I was refreshed to listen to an album with substance. That is the reason I find it so memorable. This is what she had to say about the album:
“Drawing inspiration from my classical background, the album opens with an overture of sounds pulled from each of the 10 tracks. Between each flows interstitial music so you’re never cast in silence as you journey from beginning to end. I’m endlessly grateful to everyone that helped me make it, and everyone that takes the time to hear it.
To add to that, she even gave us a track-by-track breakdown of each record.
Track 1: ADHme
ADHme captures the restless energy of ADHD, blending rapid verses, layered harmonies, and an endless stream of words. Without a traditional chorus, it celebrates self-acceptance through synths, chorus guitars, and environmental sounds, creating a soundscape that’s as lively, personal, and relatable as an unfiltered conversation with a close friend.
Track 2: Speak
Speak was written with a summer vibe and an urgent message. During a period of illness, MAGNETS began sewing, sparking her journey into sustainable fashion and environmental awareness. Speak invites listeners to advocate in their own way, with art that inspires quiet reflection and mindful action."
Track 3: Down
Down captures the need for a helping hand when the world feels heavy. With lyrics like “Wrap me up, I’m feeling down,” MAGNETS conveys the universal weight of turbulent times and the power of compassion to lift us through.
Track 4: Sway
Sway is a gentle, slow-burn love song inspired by the beauty of queer connection. Reflecting on love for women, it captures the feeling of dancing under the stars. Written after years of embracing her true self, MAGNETS offers Sway as a hopeful anthem for anyone seeking authenticity.
Track 5: All About You
All About You is the heart of DIPLACUSIS, an anthem of resilience for women standing their ground. Featuring a choir of friends and striking visuals by Nick McKk, MAGNETS confronts self-centred perpetrators, setting boundaries through raw vocals, bold costumes, and empowering imagery.
Track 6: Payphone
"Focus track Payphone captures the vibrant energy of MAGNETS' debut album, DIPLACUSIS. Inspired by a late-night walk home, Siobhan McGinnity calls her partner from payphone to payphone, blending nostalgia and spontaneity. This indie-pop gem celebrates connection and unexpected adventures, echoing the album’s spirit of self-acceptance.
Track 7: Bold
Bold embraces the rawness of leaving a fractured relationship. Track 7, often overlooked, reflects on the courage it takes to walk away when only one person is ready to go. In admitting shared faults, it finds compassion—and a quiet strength in the choice to move forward.
Track 8: Desire
Desire began as a raw improvisation in a Sicilian apartment, weaving a rhythmic melody and piano ostinato reminiscent of Donna Lewis. An ode to dreams and healing, it reclaims the piano as a source of joy and closure, celebrating self-connection and nurturing hope until it feels truly real.
Track 9: Sleep
Sleep carries a quiet, heartfelt compassion, inspired by the tenderness of Don McLean’s Vincent. Written in memory of loved ones lost, it offers a raw, gentle tribute. Unlike other tracks, Sleep was recorded almost in one take, preserving its honesty and vulnerability.
Track 10: Anxiety
Anxiety traces the arc of anxious energy—from an intense build-up to an exhausted calm. Written on a family piano in Wombat State Forest, surrounded by trees, the song explores jarring rhythms, moving from a radical 15/4 to a resolving 4/4, embodying the quiet peace that follows a storm.
Overall, this is a project that needs to be heard so stream it below!
