REVIEW: Cooee – Yadingji

It’s a beautiful day on Gadigal Nura, January 30 ’26. This morning, like many others, our loungeroom has been a dilly bag full of new Blak music, with Cooee delivering an especially uplifting sonic offering, 'Yadingji'. Kirli Saunders and Mark Chester Harding formed as Cooee after a Triple J Like a Version performance with Jack River in late 2023. The release of Kirli’s book of poetry and Mark’s demos became the basis of the content in this First Nations duo. Let’s get into the music!

When we pressed play we were immediately met with a sense of calm and warmth like the ease of a wholesome day sitting along the river with family. The introduction greets us with a dance between the acoustic guitar and banjo which delivers a playful and fresh feeling from the onset. The first lyric we hear is “Yadingji” which loosely translates to “my gratitude” in Tharawal. Instantly reminiscent of First Nations pop/folk acts that trailblazed this genre in the 90s, namingly Tiddas and Stiff Gins. Kirli’s vocal performance is joyous, inviting and familiar which reaches out like a branch of eucalypt.

It’s exciting to see so many different mob involved in making this track. with contributions from Mudjingaal Yangamba First Nations women’s choir, a violin performance by Ngiyampaa, Yuin and Gumbayngirr artist Eric Avery, Yidaki by Kairi man Broc Piazza, bass by Campbell Messer of King Stingray, and drums by Harry Day of Middle Kids. This led to a greater sense of community, connection and togetherness.

Occasionally the vocal production feels crowed which makes it hard to understand some lyrics. Even so, the lines that caught our attention are feel good moments:

We still love,
We still dream.

And an intricate line:

Lovers who suck the stains away,
Fathers who taught us love,
And the mothers who carry us.
Yadingji.

All hitting home with this line which stopped us in our tracks:

Bless the fruit juice stained lips shaped in a grandmother's womb.

The online response to this track echoes the title itself, yadingji. With their debut album, Messengers, dropping just a couple weeks away, Cooee are hosting an art exhibition at Goodspace Gallery on Feb 13, based on work made throughout the album process. This will also be the album launch!

Creating a hook with a language word in the chorus has you singing gratitude long after this track ends, and we give yadingji to Cooee for this bright, Blak and heartened release. This one is a must for your driving playlist — just make sure you’re on a journey back home.

By Jack Hickey and Dyagula

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