Another week of NZ Music Month/Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, and once again, Aotearoa artists are putting on a strong showing across the board.
Missed last week’s picks? Catch up on Fazerdaze, Paige, Georgia Lines, and then check out what else is new below.
Fly My Pretties – Elemental
Fly My Pretties are back with Elemental, their seventh album, this time leaning into blues and soul. They wrote and recorded it in just a week at Massey University in Wellington. The groove’s tight, led by Barnaby Weir and Laughton Kora, with vocals from AJA, RIIKI REID, Taylah, TAWAZ, and Louis TM. The songs explore themes about people, spirit, and nature.
Deva Mahal – “South Coast”
“South Coast” is Deva Mahal’s first new single in two years. She teamed up with Wellington artist Estère (who’s now in London) to finish the slow, soulful R&B track. Mahal says, “It’s about saying what you mean and not getting stuck in your feelings. It’s also about seeing things clearly and breaking illusions when something isn’t what you thought.”
Michael Llewellyn – I’m Gorgeous
Michael Llewellyn, known for his honest storytelling and poetry, is back with his second album, I’m Gorgeous. He calls it “a story about facing the many masks we hide behind when we look at ourselves.” He’s touring across Aotearoa this June with French for Rabbits.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
Imani-J – “Caramel”
17-year-old Haitian-Kiwi artist Imani-J just dropped “Caramel”, the latest single from her debut EP EXPECTATIONS, out later this year. It’s smooth, sweet R&B and follows her earlier single, “See You in Jupiter”.
Imani-J says, “This track is about being head over heels in love. The lyrics are the heart of the song — I wanted to capture that warm, intoxicating feeling of being totally swept away by someone.”
MOHI – “Hometown Blues”
Neo-soul artist MOHI makes music with a nod to the past. His new single “Hometown Blues” finishes Side A of his upcoming project, The Flowers That Grow, in style.
Swallow the Rat – Face Unpopular
Tāmaki Makaurau post-punks Swallow the Rat unleashed their new EP Face Unpopular. It’s the perfect gritty soundtrack to their tour happening through June.
LEIGH – “March of the Cucks”
“March of the Cucks” is the second single from LEIGH’s upcoming album Empathy for My Future Self. Leaning into industrial sounds, LEIGH says the track came from “a dream about trans women unionising to cuck transphobes.”
