Haere mai to Rolling Stone NZ‘s new weekly roundup of the best New Zealand music from the past seven days. Check out our favourite new releases by Aotearoa artists between October 9th-15th below.
The Beths and Pickle Darling – “Brand New Colony” (Postal Service Cover)
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Postal Service’s album Give Up, 2023 Panhead Rolling Stone Aotearoa Global Awards winners The Beths and Ōtautahi producer and multi-instrumentalist Pickle Darling (aka Lucas Mayo) team up for a surprise cover of “Brand New Colony”. The charming rendition combines Liz Stokes’ radiant vocals with Mayo’s signature finger-picking and sunny bedroom pop.
Matthew Young – “Call Ur Name / Go Ahead”
Frequent collaborators Matthew Young and Eddie Johnston (aka Lontalius) bring listeners a lushly produced single on infatuation turned sour. The song kicks off with twinkling guitar strums and an insistent electronic beat, but it’s the gorgeous mid-section breakdown that will have you hitting the repeat button, transitioning into a moodier R&B groove.
Paige – “Carousel”
Paige – the Auckland artist who counts Billie Eilish and Lizzo as fans – leans into a chaotic mindset on the bouncy “Carousel.” “I’ll just go round and round this Carousel,” she sings over a cascade of keys with carnival-esque production by LEISURE’s Josh Fountain. With an accompanying circus-themed video, the song is the centrepiece of Paige’s impressive debut album, King Clown, released on Friday.
Church –“Juan”
Church, one half of buzzy Auckland rap duo Church & AP, takes off with his latest solo offering made with Eno from Eno x Dirty. The enveloping track lays down a hypnotic beat with purring machine rhythms, while Church’s muted vocal delivery sings about a “supernatural love” from a past life. “Juan” follow’s Church’s solo project SPRING ’21 from June, setting the stage for his 2024 Laneway Festival performance.
Robinson – “Regardless”
“Cue the broken heart, But I want you regardless,” yearns Robinson on this tender love ballad from her upcoming EP out next month. She wrote the song during COVID in London with her partner and frequent collaborator Charles Macdonald about their love together. Swoon.
Aidan Fine – “Angel” (ft. Lucretius)
This song sounds like summer with its breezy funk-driven groove, deep bass lines, and melodic drum claps. Zimbabwe-born Lucretius lends a smooth rap verse that complements Fine’s airy vocal harmonies. They share a history, having grown up together in South Africa.
Beastwars – “Dark Child” (Marlon Williams Cover)
Pōneke’s heavy metal quartet Beastwars conclude their Aotearoa covers album with a blazing rendition of a Marlon Williams classic, turning the South Island Americana sound of “Dark Child” into a fiery headbanging experience.
