Here’s Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s weekly roundup of the freshest sounds in New Zealand music.
Missed last week’s picks? Catch up on Voom, Casual Healing, and Alien Weaponry, then check out what’s new this week:
MĀ – Blame It on The Weather
Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s MĀ returns with Blame It on The Weather, an album that tackles climate emergency and Te Taiao across twelve bilingual tracks. MĀ blends hip-hop, neo-soul, jazz, and turntables, with features from Mato Wayuhi, Jordyn With A Why, MAJIC, and more.
Velveteen – Heavy Machinery
Ōtautahi’s Velveteen drop their debut album Heavy Machinery (Winegum Records), a gritty blend of fuzzy guitars, heavy drums, and raw vocals. It’s an angsty ride through heartbreak and intensity, with a heavy ’90s alt-rock influence and a twist of post-punk. Think The Smashing Pumpkins meets Jimmy Eat World.
“I was going through a lot mentally when I was writing and recording,” says frontman Jai. “It’s got some really angry moments and some very heartfelt ones. It’s very emo and angsty, a bit gothic at times. It’s pretty loud and fuzzy and I love all of it.”
Chaos in the CBD – “Marlboro Sounds”
London-based Kiwi duo Chaos in the CBD unveil the third single from their debut album, A Deeper Life. Following February’s breezy, Bossa-infused “I Wanna Tell Somebody”, “Marlboro Sounds” brings an uplifting, Balearic-inspired feel with an aquatic touch. “A nod to the Balearic life and Beans’ love for cigs,” the duo explain.
With guest appearances from Lee Pearson Jr., Stephanie Cooke, and grime MC Novelist, A Deeper Life drops May 9th.
Wet Bandits – “Not Blue”
Gold Coast-based Wet Bandits drop their seven-minute indie-pop track, “Not Blue”, following a sold-out NZ tour. It’s a reflective, reverb-heavy anthem that begs for contemplation. Wet Bandits will hit the Australian roads next this April and May.
Rosie Teese – “Accidentally Miss You”
Up-and-coming artist Rosie Teese is making her mark on the country-pop genre. With Georgia Lines as a fan (who handpicked Teese to open her headline show), Teese’s new single, “Accidentally Miss You”, is a playful tune for anyone “one drink away from texting an ex when they know better.”
Greta O’Leary – “The Greatest Peace I’ve Known”
Tāmaki Makaurau’s Greta O’Leary announces her debut album River Dark with the swaying piano-led ballad “The Greatest Peace I’ve Known”. The track follows 2024 singles “Baby I’m A Singer” and “Baptised At The Desktop Computer”, which were featured in previous roundups.
Michael llewellyn – “The Fish Song”
Wellington’s Michael Llewellyn shakes things up with grungy guitar tones in his new single “The Fish Song”. Moving away from his previous laid-back style, Llewellyn channels frustration, inspired by a quote from Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either – but right through every human heart.”
“The Fish Song” is a taste of his upcoming second album, I’m Gorgeous, out May 20th.
OFFBEAT COWBOY – “Play with Fire”
Alternative artist and producer OFFBEAT COWBOY returns with his first release since his debut LP, IN THE RAIN, dropped in November 2024. The new track, “Play with Fire”, blends R&B with alternative synth-pop for something fresh.
