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MAK & SHAR
release debut album
‘NEW PROBLEMS’

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After a run of chart-topping singles and standout festival appearances, rising country-pop duo Mak & Shar unveil their long-awaited debut album New Problems. A heartfelt and irresistibly fun collection, the record captures the duo’s signature blend of groove and down-to-earth storytelling.

Recorded and produced by the boys in their home studio, the debut serves as a chronicling of their journey so far. “For us, New Problems isn’t just our first album, it’s a timestamp. Every lyric, every melody carries a piece of what we’ve been working on since we first picked up a guitar.  The late-night writing sessions, the shows that taught us who we are on stage, and the countless hours of experimenting in the studio.”

Across its eleven tracks, New Problems swings effortlessly between love, loss, and life’s lighter moments. Songs like ‘Best Thing’ and ‘See You Smile’ radiate with joy and intimacy – honest love songs born from real experiences, whether it’s a marriage proposal or a carefree trip through Europe. ‘Amara’s Song’ takes that intimacy further, offering a deeply personal tribute to fatherhood, while ‘Untamed Heart’ reflects on the brothers’ late father in a moving yet celebratory tribute that fuses country roots with unexpected dance-inspired flourishes.

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Elsewhere, Mak & Shar lean into playfulness and perspective. The title track ‘New Problems’ pokes fun at life’s trivialities with a wink and a grin, while recent single, ‘Simple Things’ offers a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate what really matters. ‘Counting Clouds’ takes that theme to its breeziest extreme – a collaboration with Andy Penkow that proves sometimes a song about “nothing” can mean everything.

Yet this diverse debut is not without its brooding side – evidenced on the breakup ballad ‘Better Now’ and the cyclical heartache of ‘Hourglass’. Then, of course, there’s ‘The Drinking Song (A Whole Keg of Beer)’ – a cheeky, full-throttle singalong that ensures the album ends on a rowdy high.

“New Problems has been the product of the last three years of our lives writing, performing, and refining until every note felt true” explains Mak & Shar. “It pulls inspiration from everywhere we’ve been, experiences we’ve shared, heartbreaks that we’ve lived through and memories that we treasure.”

While Mak & Shar hold writing credits on all eleven of the record’s tracks, they enlisted the occasional collaborator to help shape its sound. Long-time friend and rising star Robbie Mortimer co-wrote the reflective single ‘Simple Things’, bringing fresh ideas and a grounded perspective to the session.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Andy Penkow teamed up with the duo on the breezy ‘Counting Clouds’, which went on to top the Australian Country Radio charts. Even family ties come into play, with Mak & Shar’s brother Arlan stepping in to co-write the bittersweet ‘Hourglass’. Each collaboration adds a new shade to the record, while keeping the heart of Mak & Shar’s storytelling front and centre.

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The duo cruise the line between pop and country, drawing from a deep well of influences. “A lot of the songs reflect the harmony-rich music we grew up on, the storytellers who shaped our teenage years like John Mayer and Alan Jackson, and even the artists we’ve got on repeat right now, like Dan + Shay, Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs. It’s a snapshot of who we are today, told through the sounds that built us.”

With standout performances at Gympie Music Muster, CMC Rocks, Tamworth Country Music Festival and a recent appearance at the iconic Deni Ute Muster these boys have built a live show not to be missed. They’ll share the songs and stories of New Problems over a slew of tour dates in 2026.

With New Problems, Mak & Shar cement their place as one of Australia’s most exciting new acts – approachable, authentic storytellers with an undeniable knack for making music that connects.

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SHOW DATES:

6th December – Mortimer Wines – Orange, NSW
31st December – Lowe Wine Co – Mudgee, NSW

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Follow MAK & SHAR
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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AMNPLIFY – DB