Here’s Rolling Stone AU/NZ‘s weekly roundup of the freshest sounds from New Zealand music.
Check out previous coverage on Marlon Williams, WHO SHOT SCOTT, Corrella, and Daily J.
Missed last week’s highlights? Dive in below.
Brandn Shiraz, Caru – “Back 2 Back”
On their collaborative EP Back 2 Back, Caru and Brandn Shiraz reimagine UK Garage with a breezy Kiwi spin. Caru’s crisp production and Brandn Shiraz’s smooth flow revive the swagger of early 2000s dance music while keeping it rooted in Aotearoa. The project also features a lineup of local talent, including Jarna, Rhodes, Kenny Sterling, and UK import GoldTooth, now based in Auckland.
The EP has a live debut on the horizon—catch the duo delivering it in full force at Cross Street Music Festival on Saturday, March 8.
Nadia Reid – “Hold It Up”
“Hold It Up” gives us a taste of Nadia Reid’s upcoming album. With a steady rhythm from her exellent band, the track mixes warmth with a gentle pull. The music video, shot on the windswept Piha Beach, captures the song’s reflective mood perfectly.
Reid recalls writing it during lockdown in her Dunedin home, perched on a lush hillside: “It’s the idea that I can be kind to anyone now—tenderness towards the whole world, of being in love with the world. It’s seeing humans, even people that I think I have nothing in common with, and thinking ‘You are somebody’s precious baby.’”
Emerson – “You Really Must Hate Me!”
At just 17, Auckland indie-pop artist Emerson brings an upbeat, guitar-driven track with “You Really Must Hate Me!”. Love may have soured, but Emerson channels the heartbreak into a catchy rhythm and commanding vocals.
Frank On Tap – “Rush”
Indie rockers Frank On Tap nail the feeling of moving on with “Rush”, a solid track that sets the tone for their upcoming show at Whammy Bar in Auckland.
The Veils – Asphodels
The Veils’ seventh studio album, Asphodels, is a striking exploration of love, life, and death. With intricate songwriting, lush melodies, and Finn Andrews’ soaring vibrato, it’s an impressive addition to their catalogue. “I hope these songs help people process these rather hefty matters in the same way they’ve helped me,” says Andrews.
Kenzie From Welly – Greenstone Door
“This is for us by us,” says hip hop artist Kenzie From Welly of her debut album, Greenstone Door.
Made with her cousin, Troy Samuela, while living in Brisbane, this 10-track collection bursts with energy, tackling self-discovery, cultural identity, and the fight against colonisation with a confident punch.
