Australia’s genre-bending WINDWAKER — vocalist Liam Guinane, guitarist Justin Keurntjes, bassist Indey Salvestro, drummer Chris Lalic, and synths/samples specialist Connor Robins — will unleash their third album, smile, you’re on camera on 23rd October through Fearless Records. Pre-order it here. Now sees (and hears!) the release of the new single “dna.” Listen here. Watch the video here
 “DNA” explores one’s internal struggle with self-perspective and sincerity in an increasingly social media-driven world, which is an existential battle many of us can relate to. It’s all wrapped up in an alt rock package. It’s laced with synths, hip-hop-inspired verses, and never scrimps on the hard-hitting riffage and bloodcurdling screams. The Aussie band remains committed to erasing genre parameters and flipping off sonic boundaries. The result is music distinct as, well, actual deoxyribonucleic acid. “‘DNA‘ explores a deeply internal struggle with identity, self-worth, and the feeling of being trapped by one’s own nature,” the band offers. “The song reflects on emotional instability and the pressure of living up to expectations, while battling impulses, ego, and the fear of never truly changing. There’s a recurring tension between wanting growth and feeling stuck in destructive patterns, as if these flaws are hardwired into their ‘DNA.’ Another key theme here which is explored over the album is authenticity. References to ‘doing it for the likes’ and people ‘switching sides’ highlights disillusionment with superficial validation and fake personas, while the protagonist in this song tries to strip away ego and confront their true self.” As a whole, smile, you’re on camera. ruminates on the weight of time and growth, struggles and sacrifice for the better life and authenticity in spite of a world full of superficial and sinister characters and bad actors. It’s a collection of catchy, energetic and heartfelt songs. The album is highly introspective and does not follow a linear narrative, instead presenting a series of personal reflections and snapshots that capture the emotional highs and lows of this period. It’s a celebration of how far the band has come and a candid look at the pressure of being seen, leaving listeners with a sense of both resolution and ongoing evolution. Ultimately, Windwaker’s music effectively results from a chemical reaction between multiple genres. The band serves as the common denominator on an endlessly rotating carousel of styles, splicing stadium-size hooks, swaggering rhythms, gnashing guitars, and jaw-droppingly dynamic vocals into one unpredictable sound. The band has constantly pushed the envelope, taking flight into rarified air as an outlier. They already made a hyperspace-size jump musically from Love Language [2022] to HYPERVIOLENCE [2024]. The latter spawned “SIRENS,” which gathered 9 million Spotify streams and counting. In response to the highlight “Fractured State of Mind,” OnesToWatch raved, “Simultaneously brutal and beautiful, the ferocious new track explores the aftershocks of lost love and is sure to be an instant hit for those in need of a therapeutic rage session.” In a 10/10 review, Distorted Sound predicted, “HYPERVIOLENCE has the energy of a band about to make it big.” Plus, Melodic Magazine hailed “their genre-warping take on modern metalcore.” Along the way, they notably shared stages with everyone from Motionless In White and I Prevail to Beartooth and Caskets, among others. smile, you’re on camera. TRACK LISTING:
“low”
“closer”
“click.” (With RinRin)
“do or die”
“dna”
“burn”
“victory lap”
“lie to me”
“wait for me”
“loser” (With Mikaila Delgado)
“overlord”
“some days” Windwaker are touring with Beartooth + DON BROCO this Autumn, before heading to the UK in February 2027.
All dates are below. WINDWAKER ON TOUR:
WITH BEARTOOTH + DON BROCO 11th November 2026 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
12th November 2026 — New York, NY — Hammerstein Ballroom
13th November 2026 — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall
15th November 2026 — National Harbor, MD — The Theater at MGM National Harbor
18th November 2026 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE
20th November 2026 — Chicago, IL — Aragon Ballroom
21st November 2026 — St. Paul, MN — Myth
22nd November 2026 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha
28th November 2026 — Nashville, TN — The Truth
29th November 2026 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy
1st December 2026 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore
2nd December 2026 — Charleston, SC — The Refinery
4th December 2026 — St. Augustine, FL — St. Augustine Amphitheatre
5th December 2026 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — War Memorial Auditorium
7th December 2026 — New Orleans, LA — The Fillmore
9th December 2026 — Austin, TX — ACL Live — Moody Theater
10th December 2026 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom
12th December 2026 — Denver, CO — The Fillmore
13th December 2026 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union
15th December 2026 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
16th December 2026 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
18th December 2026 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
19th December 2026 — Wheatland, CA — Hard Rock Live WINDWAKER SUPPORTING BURY TOMORROW
WITH STICK TO YOUR GUNS
& ELWOOD STRAY 18th February 2027 – Glasgow @ SWG3 Galvanisers
19th February 2027 – Nottingham @ Rock City
20th February 2027– London @ O2 Academy Brixton THIRD ALBUM ‘SMILE, YOU’RE ON CAMERA’ ARRIVES 23RD OCTOBER 2026
VIA FEARLESS RECORDS | 
