Hyena Smyle Announce Debut Single ‘The Payoff’ + Launch Show at The Presynct

Hyena Smyle Announce Debut Single ‘The Payoff’

A Fierce New Voice in Australian Alt-Rock Emerges

Sunshine Coast indie pop/rock trio Hyena Smyle are set to unleash their debut single ‘The Payoff’ on Saturday 13 December 2025 across all streaming platforms, marking the arrival of a fresh and formidable new name in Australian alternative music.

Formed in 2024, the female-fronted three-piece channels the golden era of 80s and 90s alt-rock — drawing inspiration from Garbage, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins and Divinyls — blending nostalgic grit with sharp, modern pop sensibilities. The result is high-energy, hook-driven rock with a raw edge and a smyle that bites.

Frontwoman Annie leads with soaring alt-pop vocals and driving basslines, anchoring the band’s bold sound. Joshdelivers razor-sharp melodic guitar riffs packed with punch, while Dale powers each track with tight, hard-hitting rhythms that ignite the room.

A Sonic Release of Pressure: The Story Behind ‘The Payoff’

Produced, recorded and mixed by James See at Airlock Studios (Brisbane) and mastered by Matthew Grey, the debut single is a blistering punk-rock outburst forged from Annie’s confrontation with the pressures of modern life.

Annie shares:

“After having my youngest son, I was feeling burnt out, exhausted and full of frustration — ready to pour all of that angst into a rock song. In ‘The Payoff’ I got it all out on paper: the endless giving to everyone but myself, the exhaustion of being a working mum, the pressure to please others — and reignite that spark inside that frankly no longer gives a f**k. As the lyrics say, I’ve got one life baby, and all the world’s a stage.”

Packed with unfiltered lyrics, femme-fuelled fire, relentless drums and driving guitars, ‘The Payoff’ is a hook-laden sonic grenade built to detonate long after the final chorus.

🔗 Pre-save The Payoff

Music Video Out 14 December

Hyena Smyle will complement the single release with a brand-new music video dropping Sunday 14 December 2025via their YouTube channel.
The clip was filmed and produced by Danny at 1050 Collective, known for his visually explosive work with heavy-scene bands Buried in the Sun and Vessel Born.

A Breakout Year Ahead

With a follow-up single and a South East Queensland tour slated for March 2026, Hyena Smyle are gearing up for their biggest year yet.

The trio has already carved out a strong presence across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, performing alongside rising acts such as Jollee, Viper Snatch and Ruination. Their momentum peaked when they won first place on the main stage at The Station for FrightFest’s Battle of the Bands.

Hyena Smyle are just getting started — and they’re coming in loud.

Fans of Veruca Salt, Hole, The Clouds and Transvision Vamp will find plenty to love in the band’s fearless debut.