PART PALADIN // Unleashes New Single ‘Koedal’

Sydney-based indigenous instrumentalist and producer Part Paladin has unleashed his latest single, Koedal.

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Dux Newton, the brains behind Part Paladin, spoke about the new single and his sound in a statement: “Being of Indigenous (Torres Strait Islander) background but growing up and living away from that part of my heritage, Koedal speaks to my struggles with identity, and an existence with knowledge and experiences only of my western heritage. It calls on an urge to discover it and explores the concept of becoming whole once I find and am at peace with the missing parts of my bloodline.”

The track’s name, pronounced “kah-dahl”, pays tribute to Dux’s father’s clan, Aith Koedal. The clan hails from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait between Queensland, Australia’s north-eastern-most tip and Papua New Guinea—and is associated with a Crocodile Totem.

Newton kicked off the Part Paladin project in 2020 during lockdown. He released his first single, The Rise and the Fall, in January 2021. As impressive as that track was, we reckon Newton’s raised the bar in a big way here. With captivating instrumentals, tight production, powerhouse vocals and genuine lyrics, Koedal’s got all the makings for an instant classic. 

Koedal was recorded, composed and produced by Newton, who also tore it up on guitar and bass. He was joined by Pete Drummond on drums, Jonathan C on cello, and Marvin at Tide Studios London, who mixed and mastered the track.

You can stream or purchase it now or check out its lyric video, created by Youssef Mostafa right here.