Stay up to date with all the New Zealand music releases from last week with Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s weekly roundup.
Check out the best new music from Aotearoa acts released between September 15th-21st below!
Babe Martin – “Only Good”
“Only Good” is the second single to come from Babe Martin’s forthcoming album Not a Bee, but a Wasp. It’s grounded in her piano performance, before taking flight to a chaotic cacophonous conclusion.
“It’s about enjoying the freedom that comes from ambiguity. It felt important to capture that time and feeling,”Babe Martin, aka Zoë Larsen Cumming, shares.
Mim Jensen – “Sidekick”
A stomping slice of indie rock, “Sidekick” finds Mim Jensen contending with imposter syndrome. Driven by formidable, cathartic vocals that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in the ’90s, “Sidekick” finds her transforming internal emotional conflict into a rousing rock number.
Tom Scott – “gyal like you”
A nocturnal blend of progressive soul, dream-pop, jazzy psychedelic folk, and ambient R&B, “gyal like you” is the latest single off Tom Scott’s upcoming debut solo album, ANITYA, out next month. Where the first single “till then” was raw and honest after experiencing a breakup, “gyal like you” comes from the other side of the tunnel.
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MOHI – “The Flowers That Grow From Concrete”
Emerging from the depths of reflection and resilience, MOHI’s latest single is the emotional centrepiece and title track of his forthcoming album, out next month. It marks the final piece of Side B, setting the stage for the full 12-track album.
Rooted in the streets and soundscape of his hometown, West Auckland’s Henderson, the track masterfully blends soul, gospel, hip-hop, and deep introspective storytelling. It’s a genre-defying sound that refuses to be boxed in, much like the story it tells — one of surviving hardship, understanding pain, and choosing growth against all odds.
La Coco – “Rhythms”
Soul and R&B artist La Coco has released a dreamy new single, “Rhythms”, the second off her upcoming EP. It’s an understated, slow-burning gem of a song, blending smooth and sultry alt-R&B, lo-fi soul, and neo-soul. Think Sade meets FKA Twigs, with a touch of Jhene Aiko’s calm vocal vibe.
Sanoi – “It Might Take Some Time”
Built around a playful synth motif, Sanoi’s “It Might Take Some Time” is textural, melodic, and unhurried. It layers delicate melodies over a gentle percussive groove, before introducing a warm, grounding bassline as momentum builds. It follows “Reverse” as the latest single off his forthcoming album AUGENBLICK, set for release later this year.
Jeremy Redmore – “Just Move”
While the world knows Jeremy Redmore as a rock ‘n’ roller who first emerged as the frontman of Midnight Youth, his latest song sees him step up his mission to spread the joy of singing and music in children. It’s part of his new superpower, Singalongercise, which encourages wellness in children in Aotearoa.
“Just Move” makes way for the October launch of the full Singalongercise project. The track has been written and produced as if it were for an adult pop, dance, and rock audience. But lyrically, it relates to children.
Venice Qin – MOONLANDING
Venice Qin’s highly anticipated debut album has finally landed. MOONLANDING is where Qin finally touches down, and spoiler: it’s not on Earth. It’s a planet built from contradictions — East meets West, Erhu meets hyper-pop, heartbreak meets turbo BPM.
As MOONLANDING arrives, Qin launches into a new age with unshakable clarity. She’s not here to play it safe, to tone herself down, or to deliver anything less than her most authentic, most outrageous, most fully realised self.
