Every week, Rolling Stone AU/NZ keeps you locked in to the freshest sounds from New Zealand music.
Catch up on previous coverage of AJA, MOKOTRON, No Cigar, and PARK RD.
Check out what you might have missed last week below:
Diggy Dupé – “Request Line”
Diggy Dupé links up with local producer choicevaughan for the laidback disco-funk jam “Request Line”, paired with a slick new music video. It’s the MC’s first release since 2023’s tribute to Tāmaki Makaurau, “We the City”, flexing his versatility across genres from rap to smooth soul.
Jason Parker – Fairy Bread
Jason Parker finds joy in life’s little, unexpected moments on his new EP Fairy Bread. Following his debut, How to Be Lonely, this new collection steps up his signature bright, optimistic sound.“There are always sprinkles to be added in life if you look for them,” Parker says. “It gets better, and Fairy Bread is about showing up for yourself, making the most of what you have, and believing that hope is always there.
Casual Healing, The Hongi Slicker- “Water the Good Seed”
Wellington’s Casual Healing (aka Nikau Te Huki) returns with “Water the Good Seed”, a soulful reggae track that offers a little escape from the everyday grind. Teaming up with The Hongi Slicker/Troy Kingi, Te Huki describes the track as “a mantra to banish bad habits and serve as an uplifting reminder to practice the simple habits that keep us smiling and untroubled.” It’s the first taste of a fresh EP series dropping in 2025.
MELODOWNZ, PANIA – “Directions”
MELODOWNZ closes out 2024 with “Directions”, a smooth banger featuring Māori, Australian-based R&B artist PANIA, fresh from her Coldplay tour cameo. After a massive year, including a recent guest appearance on MOKOMOKAI’s Boiler Room set and a string of strong tracks, this collab delivers sleek beats, Melodownz’s signature flow, and reflective lyrics like, “we long for connection, but now I’mma go in a different direction.”
Crystal Chen – “Kiss It Better”
Crystal Chen’s “Kiss It Better” is a dreamy soul offering from the Tāmaki Makaurau-based Chinese-New Zealand artist, following her previous 2024 single “Love Letter”. A free-flowing mix of R&B, jazz, bossa nova, and soul, Chen brings her own lush spin to every note.
For the Girl Who Has Everything – “Dead Under the Sun”
Tāmaki Makaurau indie outfit For the Girl Who Has Everything return with “Dead Under the Sun”, an almighty racket of a rock song that’s slated to feature on an upcoming album.
Grecco Romank – “GoldCard”
Chaotic Auckland-based trio Grecco Romank (Billie Fee, Mikey Sperring, Damian Golfinopoulos) take on city frustrations with “GoldCard”. As they explain, “A dead-eyed rave, the song evokes a future vision of a city so vandalised by private interest that its citizens wander the suburban sprawl in demented fugue states.”
PAPERCITY – “Bored”
Nelson-raised, Auckland-based trio PAPERCITY keep the energy rolling with “Bored”, a synth-heavy, reflective track that builds on the momentum of their previous release, “Sofa”.
Rachel Louise – “Our Time”
Auckland indie artist Rachel Louise follows “Wasted” with “Our Time”, a b-side that captures that feeling when dreams start to feel possible. If “Wasted” was about letting go, “Our Time” is about things finally falling into place.
