Here’s Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s weekly roundup of the freshest sounds in New Zealand music.
Missed last week’s picks? Catch up on Lorde, Bakers Eddy, then check out what else is new below.
Brandn Shiraz – “Youngin from Kuki II”
Brandn Shiraz returns with “Youngin from Kuki II”, following his 2023 self-titled debut. This track is a fire blend of high energy and raw reflections on identity and heritage. Pātē drums, trap beats, and live instrumentation collide, capturing that pull between city life and island roots. Jungle Don’s shout-out to the Cook Islands ties the song back to South Auckland’s heartbeat. Directed by Esther Mauga, the video takes us on a dream-like ride through Shiraz’s past, uncovering the hidden stories in everyday places.
Shiraz puts it best: “To me, this video honours a certain time for Pacific people in Auckland. There’s houses you might drive past every day without ever realising the rich stories, memories, and traditions that live inside them.”
Leisure – “Welcome to the Mood” , “Sundown”
Leisure’s back, and with two new tracks, they’re proving they’re still operating on their own wavelength. Following 2023’s Leisurevision, the band is ready to take us on a fresh ride with “Welcome to the Mood” and “Sundown.”
“Welcome to the Mood” is “an open invitation to listen, explore, and fly with us,” while “Sundown” serves up a smooth, sax-laden love song, set against the sun-baked Arizona desert.
Gracie Moller – “Cute Agression”
Gracie Moller from Tāmaki Makaurau brings some energy with “Cute Aggression”, a throwback to 2000s pop with a modern twist. “I wrote this song when I was feeling down and made it super upbeat, silly, and happy to cheer myself up,” Moller says.
Lisa Crawley – New Girl Syndrome
NZ-born, LA-based singer-songwriter Lisa Crawley drops a new EP that blends nostalgia with fresh sounds. Produced by Grammy-winning John Spiker (Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Tenacious D), Crawley mixes nostalgic chord progressions with catchy melodies, incorporating everything from clarinets to pedal steel alongside piano, drums, and guitars.
Instant Fantasy – The Wet EP
Ōtautahi artist Gemma Syme’s solo project Instant Fantasy celebrates 10 years since her debut The Wet EP with a reissue via Sunreturn, out now. The re-release comes with visualisers for each track, originally created for her live shows.
“I’m really proud of the songs on The Wet EP. It took me a long time and a lot of work to feel comfortable with it all but writing something so honest and by myself gave me a sense of self worth. I got to reconnect with myself as an artist. I treasure it.”
VÏKAE – “Swipe Right”
Ukrainian-born, NZ-based VÏKAE drops “Swipe Right”, the first single from her upcoming Doomsday Collective, landing in November. A national NZ tour is set for 2025, followed by a European tour in 2026 – marking the start of VÏKAE’s biggest year yet. “This isn’t just a comeback,” VÏKAE says. “It’s a resurrection. A fight for survival … in love, in war, and in myself.”
