The 80 Best New Zealand Albums of the 2020s So Far

Māori metal titans Alien Weaponry are an unstoppable force on their second studio album.

Featuring tracks sung in both English and te reo like their debut album, Tangaroa led heavy music bible Kerrang! to hail the Aotearoa trio as being “unlike any other band… it’s this uniqueness that makes them truly great.” —Conor Lochrie

When you begin your album with a song called “Ennui”, the tone is really set. On her fourth record, Warm Chris, Harding somehow improves on 2019’s acclaimed Designer, producing a set of stunning folk tracks.

Like her peers Jessica Pratt and Julia Jacklin, the singer-songwriter possesses the rare ability to imbue even the most innocuous of lines with profundity. Mostly pitched at mid-tempo, the tracks on Warm Chris allow Harding’s idiosyncratic lyricism to shine. —Conor Lochrie

Aotearoa has a country superstar on its hands.

The Canterbury-born singer-songwriter rightly featured in our Future of Music series last year, our pick of Australian and New Zealand artists we think are primed for a global breakout moment, although Bell’s already broke into the US in a major way.

“With a CMA Global Award and US Billboard Country Charts success under her belt, her latest album, Nights Like This, was the cherry on top of her most triumphant career period yet,” we wrote at the time.

“After winning the Toyota Star Maker award in Australia in 2013 (making her the first New Zealand-born artist to win since the one and only Keith Urban in 1990), Bell has taken her time to get to the top. Now she’s here, don’t expect her to leave anytime soon.” —Conor Lochrie

Formerly of local pop band Nomad, Christchurch musician Will McGillivray has found his true musical calling as Goodwill, a lo-fi project born out of him hunkering down in his hometown, sharpening his production skills and sourcing the music he really wants to make.

His debut album as Goodwill, Kind Hands, is a quiet wonder of a record, a lo-fi gem that’s also pristinely polished in the most exhilarating of ways.

Listening to Kind Hands, it’s easy to see why McGillivray is making a name for himself as a producer, and why his debut album took so long to come to fruition. There’s a serious production talent controlling this album, from the mournful “Kalm Hands” to “I Will Never Let You Down”, the warm closing track.

The joy of a supportive, self-supporting music community like Christchurch is that it produces artists like Goodwill and albums like Kind Hands. —Conor Lochrie

Marlon Williams’ 2022 album took his career to another level. My Boy is a heartening record, composed of glossy pop numbers and curious lyrical assessments of masculinity.

Williams consistently channels good vibes on My Boy — warm production and forensic songwriting are always a winning combination. —Conor Lochrie

It felt fitting that Georgia Lines was asked to support Brooke Fraser at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, a passing of the torch between Fraser and New Zealand’s next premier pop balladeer. (It’s no coincidence that Fraser is one of Lines’ musical heroes.)

And The Rose of Jericho contains many tracks Fraser herself would be proud to call her own. We praised Lines’ debut album for sounding “so raw and delicate that you immediately feel the heartache which had to be overcome to make it.”

“With songs about the dichotomy of a life well lived (‘Grand Illusion’), mourning what could have been (‘Not by Your Side’ ft. TEEKS), and all the wished-for-words left unsaid (‘The Letter’), it’s any wonder she is one of the most exciting songwriters to come out of Aotearoa in recent memory,” our review read.

“Make no mistake, the record leans into piano-driven R&B and indie-pop, but with so much imagery and truth in each song, it sits in a room of its own. The Rose of Jericho captures the internal struggle we all feel at some point – that’s the magic of Georgia Lines.” —Conor Lochrie

The New Zealand indie music songbook has a new entry.

James Sullivan marked himself out as a slacker rock artist of note on In the Marigolds (2022), his first release as Jim Nothing, but his talent comes together cohesively on his latest album. Whether he’s mellowing out in the blissful “Easter at the RSC”, or speeding through the rockier “Raleigh Arena”, there’s a clear vision here.

Make no mistake, Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn is a very New Zealand record.

As the title betrays, Sullivan lovingly describes the suburban scenes of his Grey Lynn neighbourhood, and the sense of place he conjures is striking. After listening to these tracks, you’ll want to take a sun-lit stroll through Grey Lynn Park, or people watch outside a bar on Richmond Road, or even, as “Easter at the RSC” brings to colourful life, while away weekend hours in the RSC, watching “old timers try their luck at the TAB.”

As Jim Nothing, Sullivan possesses a Lenderman-esque relatability, writing about Kiwi characters with care and precision. The history of New Zealand indie rock is upheld by normal people with extraordinary musical talent, and Sullivan is just the most recent example. Sullivan and his album were worthy winners at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. —Conor Lochrie

The headline of Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s 2022 interview with the Auckland rapper and artist really said it all: “Melodownz has always been a local legend. The rest of the world is finding out why.”

The Avondale favourite got huge US names like Denzel Curry and Maxo Kream to spit on his long-awaited debut album, but it’s MELODOWNZ who steals the show on LONE WOLF. Through introspective freestyles, soulful slow jams, and even trap cuts, he raps about things big and small, including God and wealth.

There’s a reason MELODOWNZ is beloved by real New Zealand hip-hop fans, and LONE WOLF feels like his grandest statement to date. —Conor Lochrie

Following up the breakout success of Future Me Hates Me — hailed as “one of the most impressive indie-rock debuts of the year” by Pitchfork — was always going to be tough for The Beths, but they handled the notorious ‘second album syndrome’ on their own terms.

Jump Rope Gazers is less energetic than their debut, less immediately impactful, but that doesn’t mean its qualities are diminished too much. The power-pop quartet’s second album ponders anxiety and self-doubt with typical honesty, Liz Stokes’ songwriting reaching its then-peak (more on that later in our list). —Conor Lochrie

On Blue Dreams, her third album, Holly Arrowsmith sounds just as close and soothing as she would at a live show. The Christchurch-based singer-songwriter started recording Blue Dreams when she was seven months pregnant, so it’s no surprise that it’s suffused with weighty themes: life and death, faith and doubt, as well as conflicting emotions like despair and hopefulness.

Going through a pregnancy, both a deeply personal and innately universal experience, Arrowsmith courageously offers all of herself in these ten tracks, darkly capturing her transition into motherhood.

Despite the upheaval of that time in her life, Arrowsmith often sings with a confronting serenity on Blue Dreams, as if these tracks were recorded in retrospect, only yesterday, in the soothing glow of hindsight.

Blue Dreams deservedly earned Arrowsmith the Best Folk Artist trophy at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. —Conor Lochrie

The Whakatāne reggae-rock outfit’s fourth album was memorable for a number of reasons, not the least of which was it becoming their first to hit No. 1 on the New Zealand Albums Chart.

L.A.B IV features some of their best work, including “My Brother” and the 6x platinum single, “Why Oh Why”. The album even made a dent on the Australian Albums Chart, proving the band’s atmospheric sound could travel well overseas. —Neil Griffiths

Teeks’ voice could lift just about anything, and his long-awaited debut delivered on that.

The Māori artist leans into heartfelt, vintage-style soul on Something to Feel, with elegant arrangements that put his vocals front and centre. It might not have the instant hooks of 2017 EP The Grapefruit Skies, but his full-length debut sticks with you – and points to even bigger things ahead. Teeks might not have been all that new by 2022, but he was still a worthy winner in the Best New Artist category at that year’s inaugural Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards. —Sarah Downs

JessB’s debut album opens with “Power”, a collaboration with Sampa the Great and dancehall reggae legend Sister Nancy. A lesser artist would perhaps have crumbled under the pressure of beginning their first record like that, but JessB more than holds her own.

The message behind “Power” is clear: JessB knows she belongs in such esteemed company, and she wants us to know it too.

The Auckland-based rapper and artist did everything but release a debut album over the past several years. She worked with international stars like Doja Cat, Sweetie, and G Flip, and shared stages with Genesis Owusu, Kehlani, and so many more big names. She co-founded a vital queer-friendly club space in Auckland, earned praise for her distinct fashion style and blistering singles, and appeared at notable festivals like Laneway and SXSW.

When Feels Like Home finally arrived, it proved to be the debut album JessB was always capable of making. “Power” is a highlight among many highlights, from the slinky “Hold Me Down” to the supreme Gold Fang collaboration “Ring Ring”.

Rarely has an artist come into their debut album with such an extensive resumé behind them, which is why Feels Like Home often feels and sounds like a third or fourth album. JessB is just that good. —Conor Lochrie

Not only was Castle St the Dunedin-formed band’s first album not to be self-titled, it marked their fourth straight #1 record and scored the band their second Australian charts ranking.

Following its release, lead singer Matiu Walter called the album “their greatest work to date,” which doesn’t feel like hyperbole after a few listens of Castle St. “A real coming together of every member of the band to capture a unique moment in time,” Walter said. “It’s the kind of album you can’t make in your bedroom and need to make with other great musicians.” —Neil Griffiths

If you happen across Dispeller, you’ll definitely be making return visits.

Ben Woods is an artists’ artist, which is something that’s becoming more and more of a rarity these days. On his beautifully crafted second album, he sounds wholly within himself, in a positive sense, eschewing mass appeal in favour of experimenting and exploring.

To listen to Dispeller is to enter Woods’ rustic Lyttelton world, searching through the shrouded abstraction for little delights, moments of light, curious details to discover.

Dispeller really is a wondrous little record. It makes so much sense that Woods was asked to support Jessica Pratt on her New Zealand tour. —Conor Lochrie

Already chosen by us as one of the best New Zealand albums of 2023, it’s no surprise to see the Auckland band’s fourth album here.

“A naturalistic songwriter with few current equals, the return of Hollie Fullbrook’s band was one of the best things to happen to New Zealand music in 2023,” we wrote at the time.

“Fullbrook has been creating some of the most moving introspective folk music as Tiny Ruins for over a decade now, each album growing in stature since the last, and Ceremony is her most fully realised project yet.”

Tiny Ruins landed their highest-ever local chart debut with Ceremony (No. 9), which also received a well-deserved four-star rating from us.

“Grief isn’t just sadness,” Hollie Fullbrook told us following the album’s release. “Funny things happen during the worst times of your life. Lightheartedness is always there. Beauty is always there.” —Neil Griffiths

Since the turn of the 2010s, Ruban Nielson has shown remarkable consistency leading Unknown Mortal Orchestra to become a global music presence, and V is the sound of an artist still discovering more about his music and himself.

V drifts through disco-funk, soft psych, and hazy Hawaiian textures with ease.

It’s a sprawling, sunlit double album from Nielson, less immediate than past UMO records, but richer in mood and memory. A vibe-heavy slow burn that rewards deep, unhurried listening. —Sarah Downs

Perhaps recency bias is a factor, but Marlon Williams’ most personal release to date already feels like an Aotearoa classic.

Some albums are about coming home — to language, to roots, to the sounds that shaped us. Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first album fully in te reo Māori, is one of them.

On the thoughtful collection of waiata, his velvety voice glides over light bluegrass, bright pop, and gentle choir harmonies. What gives it real weight is the sense of reconnection – to whakapapa, to whenua, to the spirit of te reo.

The lyrics feel honest and open, which is no small feat for a first-time te reo songwriter. He’s supported here by artists like KOMMI, who help bring his vision to life. —Sarah Downs

What’s in a name? As Purple Pilgrims, Clementine and Valentine Nixon formed a dream pop duo that drew comparisons with such genre luminaries as Beach House and Cocteau Twins; they were creating music of a rich quality, in other words.

In 2023, however, the sisters decided to perform under their birth names as Clementine Valentine, which resulted in The Coin That Broke the Fountain Floor, a collection consisting of majestic and mythical properties.

The Purple Pilgrims sound was refined on their debut as Clementine Valentine, the sisters sounding as graceful and connected as they’ve ever been. They raise their voices to the heavens throughout, reaching higher and higher in search of divine exultation.

Perhaps because they’re now performing under their own names, the album finds the sisters delving deeper into their own history and folklore, fully embracing their place in a lineage of folk troubadours and spiritual singer-songwriters; lesser musicians could be swept away under the weight of such history, but Clementine Valentine know they deserve to continue their family’s musical tradition.

What’s in a name? A hell of a lot it seems. Long may Clementine Valentine continue making music together being truly themselves. —Conor Lochrie

Born in Lower Hutt, Vera Ellen found her way to Los Angeles for a while before returning to Wellington, where she found a stable home for her to properly pursue music.

She’s done so in style: Vera Ellen is a performer of exciting swagger, capable of producing both quiet and loud indie rock anthems at will.

If 2021’s It’s Your Birthday hinted at much to come, Ideal Home Noise was her confirmation. Born out of a troubled period of Vera’s life, her latest full-length record journeys between light and dark, hope and despair, the tracks anchored by lyrics that makes a listener feel less alone in facing their own battles.

Some artists would kill to have just one potential singalong anthem like “Homewrecker” on their album, but Ellen has another few to boot, particularly “Imposter” and “Carpenter”. The latter of these tracks is a towering achievement of songwriting and scope, a grand centrepiece to the album.

Despite facing competition from the likes of Tiny Ruins, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Home Brew, Ellen won the 2024 Taite Music Prize for Ideal Home Noise. —Conor Lochrie

Hey U X was a clear sign that New Zealand had another new pop superstar in its midst.

Hey U X was primarily written by BENEE and frequent collaborator Josh Fountain, who also executive produced the record. It features guest appearances from Grimes, Lily Allen, Flo Milli, Gus Dapperton, Mallrat and Bakar, evidence that the best in class wanted to work with BENEE.

The album, which firmly put BENEE on the global map, includes her platinum hit “Supalonely” with Dapperton – the obvious standout, and a track she even performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

But the whole album’s full of sweet, breezy pop that’s fun and easy to listen to. BENEE’s follow-up album is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases in New Zealand music.  —Sarah Downs

When she’s not performing as alt-pop wrecking ball Theia, Em-Haley Walker is TE KAAHU, a Māori language artist who can leave a listener spellbound with one waiata.

She produced one of the most beautiful debut albums in recent memory with Te Kaahu O Rangi in 2022, some of which was stunningly brought to life in a Rolling Stone AU/NZ In My Room session.

Drawing from a deep well of personal meaning, the singer-songwriter’s beautiful te reo Māori compositions are the work of an artist creating with pure and sincere purpose.

TE KAAHU racked up the accolades for the special record, including a Taite Music Prize nomination and a Best New Artist nod at the 2023 Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards. —Conor Lochrie

David Dallas rejects excess. No fluff, no fronts, just weighty verses, beats with purpose, and a voice allergic to bullshit.

Vita, his first release in seven years, doesn’t reintroduce so much as reckon. The Papatoetoe rapper maps the cost of silence — restless, disconnected, locked in.

What follows is lean and deliberate. “First Love” cuts quick and clean. “All Gas” revs like an F1 car: slick 808s, sharp hooks, no brakes. Nick “41” Maclaren, from the Frontline days, keeps pace with the kind of precision only a duo this seasoned can deliver.

As always with Ddot, there’s wisdom tucked in the lines — if you’re listening. “They think it’s cool not to care, never saw the appeal,” he spits on “Better in Real Life”, advice worn thin by repetition. “Lose No Sleep” brushes off the fakes, while “O.T.T” cracks open a little vulnerability. But the focus never flinches: “Still the man, guess I’ll go and prove it then.”

Dallas never left. He just waited for the moment to matter. —Sarah Downs

The sixth studio album from Stan Walker was the singer’s first sung in te reo Māori — talk about monumental. Combining a selection of greatest hits alongside some new tracks, Te Arohanui was a deeply personal record.

“It was always meant to be. It happened at a time where there’s a shift within the people, within everybody who calls Aotearoa home,” Walker told Newshub. “Music is the most powerful gift and tool that we have. I feel like our reo is like poetry and waiata. It’s something that teaches, educates, heals, uplifts, breaks down and gives people permission to feel in ways that they couldn’t feel.”

After hitting the top 20 on the New Zealand Albums Chart, Te Arohanui was nominated for Best Record at the 2022 Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards. —Neil Griffiths

“New Zealand music’s best kept secret,” we claimed about Erny Belle in 2023; two years later, that somehow still seems true.

Aimee Renata seemed to arrive fully formed as the artist Erny Belle when her independently released debut album, Venus Is Home, so impressed listeners that it was picked up for a repress by Flying Nun. Everything about her appeared to be perfectly aligned for stardom: the poetic storytelling, the idiosyncratic style, the mysterious allure.

Her second album, Not Your Cupid, is equal parts elusive and invasive, melodies evading capture before planting at the forefront of one’s mind for minutes, hours, even days. The arrangements are grander and more pristine here than on her debut album, which is what all good second albums should achieve. Her Pacific-pop palettes sound wholly original, soaking up myriad influences to create something unique.

There’s also something elementally Kiwi about the Erny Belle project. Her music is deeply rooted in rural Aotearoa, specifically her family’s hometown of Maungaturoto, the swaying songs evoking images of rolling North Island hills and quiet regional towns happily lost to the modern world.

New Zealand music’s best kept secret deserves to find wider renown. There’s an alternate musical universe somewhere where Erny Belle has ascended to the level and reach of Aldous Harding, or Marlon Williams, or Tiny Ruins. But time is on her side — as she sings in Not Your Cupid‘s haunting closing track, “I want to see the world someday / That’s where I’m going.” —Conor Lochrie

Time will be kind to Lorde’s most misjudged album.

New Zealand’s biggest music star entered the world of her third album in need of a deep reset. Melodrama (2017), and its subsequent world tour, had left her on the brink of burnout, feeling disillusioned with her increasing fame.

She returned to Auckland, retreating almost entirely from public view. She reconnected with family and friends in Aotearoa, a necessary tonic for the homesickness she experienced on tour. Then came an illuminating trip to Antarctica, where she was made physically privy to the reality of our earth’s climate crisis.

Is it any wonder, then, that the album that followed this period of Lorde’s life celebrates the natural world and revels in the quieter life? “I just had to breathe / And tune in,” as she repeats in hushed whispers in “Oceanic Feeling”, Solar Power‘s sweeping closing statement.

Before that cathartic mantra comes 10 tracks that urge listeners to slow down, slow all the way down, and find meaning and joy in the smaller things in life.

Solar Power is Lorde at her most mellow, scaling everything back — sights and sounds, lyrics and rhythms — to their rawest elements. In this way, it’s the polar opposite of the dramatic grandeur of Melodrama, swapping maximalism for minimalism, intense synth lines for blissed-out acoustic guitars.

Throughout the album, Lorde sounds serene, at peace with herself and nature, basking in the glow of sincere love songs — to the family she missed, to her dearly departed dog, and to her homeland.

Solar Power is also a very New Zealand album, which is perhaps why the reception to the record was so muted overseas.

If you really want to understand the subtle pleasures of Solar Power, maybe you need to know how it feels to always be just a couple of hours away from a beach by car; to be surrounded by immense mountains and fjords and lakes; to have memories of golden summers that will keep you warm for a lifetime.

“I hope that Kiwis can hear a bit of home in it,” Lorde — aka Ella Yelich-O’Connor — told RNZ in 2021. “Although I wasn’t trying to capture everyone’s New Zealand, I hope that there are those moments where you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s what a really early morning on a summer’s day feels like for me too.’ I hope that you have those moments.”

Solar Power may border on the self-indulgent, its holistic messaging sounding dangerously close to the words of a neo-hippie, self-help guru. But we need to remember that Lorde has been battling global fame since she was 16 — that would make any young star desire solitude.

Now though? Four years after the retreat of Solar Power, Lorde is back in the big city, ready to reclaim her identity — in more ways than one. —Conor Lochrie