NZ Music Month/Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa is now deep into week three, with loud and proud new releases from Aotearoa artists.
Missed last week’s picks? Catch up on Jude Kelly, Luca George, Tami Neilson, Borderline, Voom, and Bridges, and then check out what else is new below.
Jenny Mitchell – “Where the Water’s Cold”
Fuelled by secrets, small towns, and a splash of moonshine, this rousing, country-heavy track channels the raw spirit of the South, ready to take on Nashville.
Ratbag – kissing under an (almost) full moon
New Zealand alt-pop artist ratbag (aka Sophie Brown) explores the complexities of womanhood on her new two-part EP. Packed with rich synths, sharp strings, and a gritty electronic edge, the sound is bold and imaginative.
“I’m finding that being a woman is simultaneously beautiful, sexy and dangerous so i wanted to make 4 tracks that don’t just dance around these concepts, but instead, cut straight through them. the divide of the EP is a slap in the face between the softness and peace of being a woman and the unfortunate reality that i’ve been slowly growing into.”
Cindy – “Big Summer Blowout”
Raw, rowdy, and fuzzed-out, Cindy’s latest single marks their debut on Aotearoa label Sunreturn, with upcoming live shows in Ōtepoti and Ōtautahi to match the energy (get tickets here).
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
Jazmine Mary – “My Brilliance”
Now signed to Flying Nun — a fitting home for their stunning noir folk sound — Jazmine Mary returns with “My Brilliance”, a gorgeous, piano-led single that warms up and picks up pace. It follows the bluesy “Memphis”, both setting the tone for I Want to Rock and Roll, Mary’s third album, out June 13th.
Mel Parsons – “Brick By Brick”
Up for three awards at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards, Mel Parsons returns with a new single and a fresh mood. “Brick By Brick” trades her usual somber edge for something lighter and more open. Parsons calls it “a reminder to myself to just start the thing,” capturing creative inertia with a hopeful twist.
Lou’ana – “Disco Coven”
A glittering nu-disco anthem about joy, freedom, and connection, “Disco Coven” blends lush grooves with the darker, shadowy elements of her forthcoming album, Disco Witch.
The Phoenix Foundation – Pegasus (20th Anniversary Vinyl)
Twenty years since its release, the beloved sophomore album Pegasus finally gets a first-time vinyl pressing—on lush transparent blue vinyl—cementing its place in NZ music history (get it here).
Grecco Romank – “Chainlinks”
Tāmaki Makaurau trio Grecco Romank’s ambitious new cut features a treasure trove of local indie talents like Jazmine Mary, James Milne, Anthonie Tonnon, Yolanda Fagan, Lucy Suttor, and more.
They describe it (in their usual coded slang) as a “‘We Are the World’ made up of surly Bob Dylans singing “We might be the END of the world.” Or maybe a Band Aid that asks not “Do they know it’s Christmas?” but “Christmas?! In this economy?!”
Arjuna Oakes – While I’m Distracted
London-based Kiwi Arjuna Oakes drops a debut that blends soul, jazz, folk, and electronica into a rich, dynamic sound. The record explores identity, vulnerability, and hope, taking listeners on an emotional ride without neat answers.
