Dive into Rolling Stone AU/NZ‘s weekly roundup of our favourite New Zealand music from the past week. Explore the freshest tracks from local artists in Aotearoa between February 12th-18th below.
Sam Bambery – “Parasite”
Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s Sam Bambery channels self-reflection and dissociation on “Parasite”, a psychedelic pop ballad about his own relationship with past selves. The music layers glassy percussion with squealing organ noise, then eases toward atmospheric guitars and staccato drum hits. It’s the first single from a new album, Rubricator, due out in May via Under Underground Records – a micro-label started by fellow Ōtautahi songwriter Hannah Everingham.
Brandn Shiraz – “gunfinger”
“I’m saucin’ it, saucin’ it up,” the Cook Islands/Tāmaki Makaurau rapper Brandn Shiraz spits on his first solo single of the year, following guest contributions on Home Brew’s chart-topping latest album, Run It Back. In his conversational flow over a breezy beat, Shiraz boasts about his hustler mentality and rise to the top: “There ain’t no limit to where the boy gon’ take it,” he raps.
Grecco Romank – “2 Hot 2 Hunt”
Grecco Romank – the Tāmaki Makaurau trio set to heat up the Splore Festival stage this weekend – return with the blistering first single from an upcoming new album, letting rip some serious chaotic energy. “Oh, this heat’s got me in a prone hold,” snarls lead vocalist Mikey Sperring atop dizzying beats and sharp, stabbing synth sounds, his vocals intensifying as they tear through the track. “It’s too hot. It’s too hot to hunt.”
Crystal Chen – “Love Letter”
Crystal Chen holds onto memories of a past relationship on this bittersweet love song, inspired by a love letter she found while cleaning her room. Made in collaboration with Kenny Sterling (Mānuka Recordings), the sumptuous soul arrangement brings to life Chen’s crooning harmonies with bright notes of trumpet and conga. “I promise, I will treasure it forever,” she sings, promising to hold onto the lost love indefinitely.
Wet Denim – “Stuck With You”
Super catchy pop-rock from a young four-piece from Wellington. The guys bring the band name to life with an entertaining music video, hanging on a clothesline in matching double denim.
Nauti – “Dom P”/”Valentines Bih”
Nauti suprise dropped two tracks last week, showcasing the Auckland rapper’s versatility. “Dom P” features standout soulful harmonies with Wellington musician Romi Wrights, while “Valentines Bih” reveals Nauti’s smooth R&B side. The former is slated as the next single from his forthcoming album, SL500.
Tami Neilson – “Sister’s Coming Home”
Tami Neilson, who won the 2023 APRA Best Country Music Song Award for her duet with Willie Nelson on “Beyond The Stars”, shared a bluesy cover of Nelson’s 1974 track “Sister’s Coming Home”. Recorded in collaboration with Texas native Nicky Diamonds (The Black Opry), the rendition is a straight-shooting country stomper. Neilson will perform at the Luck Reunion festival on Nelson’s ranch next month.
Geneva AM – “T(M)²I”
Finally, love really filled the air in Aotearoa last week. Geneva AM, aka Geneva Alexander-Marsters from SoccerPractise, delivered a stunning bilingual single, “T(M)²I”, on Valentine’s Day. With its intimate production and Geneva’s soothing vocals, the song captures the warmth and security of newfound love. Make sure to watch the accompanying video, which features a compilation of sweet travel snapshots from Japan and Aotearoa.
