Ecca Vandal rejects digital noise with raw new album
Following a surprise Newtown set and global validation from icons like Flea and Fred Durst, Vandal’s second record arrives on 22 May as a deliberate pivot away from short-form trends.
Australian punk-rap artist Ecca Vandal has released her second studio album, Looking For People to Unfollow, on 22 May. The project marks the conclusion of a four-year creative period defined by a deliberate disconnection from the internet. Vandal recorded the album in a garage at her partner Richie Buxton’s parents’ house, a move designed to avoid noise complaints and maintain privacy while she developed the work.
The album serves as a rejection of online ‘faux-sincerity’ and the industry pressure to reduce music to short-form social media trends. Vandal has described the work as a focus on long-form musical expression, aiming to celebrate full-length compositions over the 15-second snippets that currently dominate digital culture. The title reflects a desire to escape the algorithmic demands of modern music consumption.
Prior to the official release, Vandal performed a surprise live set at a dive bar in Sydney’s Newtown. The event, originally billed as a listening party, evolved into an intense performance featuring Buxton and drummer Dan Maio. This intimate show was followed less than 24 hours later by arena dates opening for Deftones and Interpol, highlighting the artist’s growing presence on the global stage.
Vandal’s recent trajectory has been bolstered by high-profile support from international artists. After an invitation from Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, she toured with the band in early 2025, a decision that prompted her to leave Australia for the first time for a major tour. She has also received public backing from Flea, Shirley Manson, SZA, and Travis Barker, leading to her Coachella debut in April 2026.
Born in South Africa to Sri Lankan parents who fled the civil war, Vandal’s identity informs her visual and musical aesthetic. She studied jazz at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, where she began blending hip-hop hooks with punk energy. Her Sri Lankan heritage is subtly incorporated into her work, such as her appearance in a saree in the music video for Bleed But Never Die. The album is now available, representing what Vandal describes as her most raw lyrical output to date.