Stay up to date with New Zealand music releases with Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s weekly roundup.
Check out the best new music from Aotearoa acts released between November 17th-23rd below!
Earth Tongue – “Dungeon Vision”
“Dungeon Vision” is the new title track off Earth Tongue’s upcoming album (due out February 13th). The accompanying music video is a handcrafted visual beauty, created by their fellow Berlin-based animator, illustrator, and close friend Neirin Best.
Jonathan Bree (ft. Princess Chelsea) – “Live to Dance”
On the surface, Jonathan Bree’s dark new single featuring longtime co-conspirator Princess Chelsea is a song about dancing. But like dance itself, beneath the surface is a primal, sexual pulse, driven by a pulsing arp‐synth bass and a reverb‐drenched Bass VI that feels like it’s stalking the edge of the mix. Their voices wind around each other in hushed tones — part invitation, part command.
Rei – Moisturise & Decolonise
Rei’s new 15-track album acts as a reminder to look after yourself, meditate, regenerate, and exfoliate during the tough but important language and culture reclamation journey. The album’s duality is important, speaking to those figuring out how to decolonise in a way that doesn’t completely drain them. “After traveling all around the world with my music, I see how much other cultures love our haka and Māori culture,” he shares. This was an eye-opening moment for me. I figured out I’ve got to lead with the culture, not just have tucked away in the background.”
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PRINS – “Heaven or Hell”
PRINS’ new single finds her in a contemplative mood and standing steadfast in her determination to keep pushing the boundaries with her distinctive brand of electro-pop that has taken the global music scenes by storm. It’s also the title track off her hotly anticipated EP, due out next year.
The Black Seeds – “Compassion”
A heavy and unapologetic nugget of conscious roots, “Compassion” is the first new music from Te Wanganui-a-Tara legends The Black Seeds in two years, reaffirming that they are still at the forefront of original roots, reggae and dub in Aotearoa.
“With growing division in the world, it feels like a scary time for all of us to be living. I wanted to write something about unity and love, because I believe that’s what we naturally turn toward in times like these. When those in power try to spread division through fear, it’s easy to lose sight of everything we share: our common humanity and compassion for one another,” co-founder Daniel Weetman explains.
Harry Charles – “Zero Zero”
The second taste of his upcoming album, “Zero Zero” again shows Harry Charles’ shift towards a more energetic and uplifting mood. Incorporating an almost chant-like vocal refrain, the song aims for both sunrise and sunset moments, with a house vibe that is perfect for both the beginning and the end of a night.
Bic Runga – “Red Sunset”
Bic Runga has released the title track off her upcoming album Red Sunset (due out February 13th). Described as a powerful torch song of longing and desire, “Red Sunset” evokes the emotions of being the one left behind. The accompanying music video premiered on Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
Greta O’Leary – “So Lucky”
The new music video for her “So Lucky”, a slow burn, blues-injected confession, was directed, shot and edited entirely by Greta herself. It features a ghost-like being, inhabiting the high-alpine desert areas of Te Ika-A-Māui. Summoning truth from beyond the red curtain, this is a confrontation with death and a dark grasping at an unholy rebirth, or something like that.
