Each week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ highlights our favourite New Zealand music from the past seven days.
Check out last week’s picks featuring Jujulipps, MOKOTRON, Office Dog, and Lucian Rice, and check out this week’s fresh highlights from Molly Payton, Phoebe Rings, MĀ and Chase Woods, Revulva, Wet Denim, Greta O’Leary, and Recitals below.
Molly Payton – YOYOTTA
London-based, Kiwi artist Molly Payton has released her debut album YOYOTTA, named after the title track “You’re On Your Own This Time, Again.” The “deeply personal” album reflects her experiences of leaving her record label, moving back to NZ from the UK, and dealing with her father’s imprisonment. Created with her longtime collaborator Oscar Lang, the album highlights her haunting vocals and sharp lyrics. Payton will tour the UK and Europe in the second half of 2024.
Phoebe Rings – “Daisy”
Spring feels like it’s already here after this sunny weekend and Tāmaki Makaurau’s dream-pop favourites Phoebe Rings are marking the season with their new single “Daisy,” packed with swirling synths and a feel-good line: “When you’re next to me, the world’s full of daisies.”
The upbeat and dreamy track is the first taste of their debut EP, dropping on October 18th. Described as “a hopeful collection of musings,” the six tracks, led by songwriter Crystal Choi, draw inspiration from Studio Ghibli, Zelda and Stardew soundtracks, Bossa Nova, Stereolab, and ’90s Korean ballads.
MĀ and Chase Woods – “Kōrero Mai”
Wellington’s MĀ and Hamilton’s Chase Woods team up for their new single “Kōrero Mai,” written at the Reo Māori SongHubs. With smooth rap flows, it’s the perfect intro to a duo that complements each other effortlessly.
Revulva – “Heroin Chic”
Let out your frustrations with Wellington band Revulva’s latest single “Heroin Chic.” Songwriter Phoebe Johnson (Dateline) says it’s about “working too hard, then liking it, but feeling angry that you want it – because most likely, you’ve been manipulated into that”. The track’s old-school soul/funk sound comes to life in a chaotic ‘gig gone wrong’ visual, co-directed by Johnson and Daniel Kingston.
Wet Denim – “The Why”
Wet Denim have been rolling out catchy indie rock tracks (like “Again and Again” from our July roundup), and now they’ve announced what it’s all been building up towards: their second EP, On the Line, coming in September, with a national tour to follow.
To keep fans happy, they’ve dropped a new single, “The Why,” written at lead singer Nick Goodwin’s family bach in Wairarapa. Inspired by the cosy bach and rugged coastline, it blends driving rhythms with lyrics about staying calm in tough times.
Greta O’Leary – “Baby I’m a Singer”
Tāmaki Makaurau alt-folk artist Greta O’Leary delivers a tender single about acceptance, with stark vocals, bright guitars, and haunting strings. The track is accompanied by a wintery, self-directed music video shot at Auckland Domain.
“’Baby I’m a Singe’r is about accepting all that I am,” says O’Leary. “Impractical, soft, slow, disorganised, highly creative, deeply affected by my environment, and that is just as right and good as the qualities of any other person. It’s finding strength and clarity in my role in this life as an artist. A sort of deep acceptance of my fate.”
Recitals – “Champion Runner”
Finally, Flying Nun Records collective Recitals will drop their new EP I GOT GOLD! on September 27h. They’re keeping things under wraps by sharing just one single, “Champion Runner,” which is out now with a DIY karaoke video.
