Haere mai to Rolling Stone NZ‘s new weekly roundup of the best New Zealand music from the past seven days. Dive into our favourite new releases by Aotearoa artists between December 4th to December 10th below.
Home Brew – Run It Back
After more than a decade, Aotearoa hip hop legends Tom Scott and Home Brew are back together for their long-awaited album, Run It Back. Scott shared: “I used to think I had to keep making the same mistakes to make another Home Brew album. Thought I had to stay the person I was then forever. But, nah, that was something I made up. I dug my own pigeonhole. Truth is that nobody wanted me to stay the same forever. They wanted me to grow. And I’m not the only one who has grown up – the people who grew up with that album grew up too.”
Church & AP – “MATHEMATICS”
Album season is on the horizon for beloved rap duo Church & AP – and they mean business. Immerse yourself in the heat of their scorching first single, “MATHEMATICS,” and slick black-and-white music video.
PARK RD – “Save The Planet”
Tāmaki Makaurau indie rockers PARK RD serve up the guitar-heavy anthem “Save The Planet” from their debut album, out early next year. Complete with a new live video, the track amps up the excitement before a busy summer of gigs for the band.
And$um – Late Night Down Brougham
Christchurch hip hop artist And$um has dropped his second album, Late Night Down Brougham. It’s named after one of Lyttelton’s main streets and celebrates his hometown and experiences growing up. “Living in Lyttelton, Brougham Street was what connected me to the world,” he says. “I’d driven that street so many times and for so many different reasons that it feels like a part of me. Late Night Down Brougham is an ode to Christchurch, specifically my view of it. It reflects the highs and lows that I’ve had since leaving high school, and everything I’ve had to deal with.”
Repairs – “Map, Territory”
Tāmaki Makaurau’s popular noise trio Repairs just released their first new single in three years, the disquieting “Map, Territory”, which is “an ode to relentless anxiety and unease with the world; we hope you love it as much as we do.”
Rhys Rich ft. PANIA – “For You I’ll Stay”
Wellington artist Rhys Rich has teamed up with Melbourne-based R&B rising star PANIA for the soulful new collaborative, “For You I’ll Stay'”, which features production from Balu Brigada’s Pierre Beasley. “‘For You I’ll Stay’ evolved from a simple melody into a musical masterpiece that captures the complexities of love and dedication,” Rich says.
Katie Thompson – “Time, She Is a Thief”
Wrapping up the year on an emotional note, West Coast singer-songwriter Katie Thompson shares her latest song, “Time, She Is A Thief.” “I wrote this song a few weeks after my Grandfather’s passing. The writing process was cathartic, allowing me to reflect on memories with my family. It was a challenge, but I hope others can also find solace in this song this time of year,” Thompson explains.
