Last month, NZ On Air announced the New Music Pan-Asian Fund, a one-off targeted fund designed to support the Pan-Asian music community in Aotearoa. For whichever rising artist the fund goes towards helping, the good news for them is the country already has lots of Asian-New Zealand artists making excellent music.
Like Taebz. The Korean-Kiwi musician has been releasing some seriously smooth alt-R&B since 2021, churning out cool and atmospheric cuts on a regular basis.
His new single, “Fuzz”, is a misnomer, because there’s no fuzz or reverb to be heard; instead, the track is gorgeous and glossy, Taebz performing in a focused but languorous manner.
It’s the rare track that can be played pleasantly in the background of life, the soundtrack to doing something else, but when that task is finished, you’ll find yourself drawn to replaying “Fuzz”. Its charms, in other words, are nicely subtle.
“”Fuzz” is for that feeling of knowing deep inside that you need to let go to grow, but having the constant urge to stick with what’s familiar,” Taebz says about his latest single.
The accompanying music video – directed by Taebz and Luke Park – mirrors the trippy journey of the track, and features cameos from previous collaborator Hans. and viral pop sensation (and Rolling Stone AU/NZ favourite) hanbee.
It’s been a year of positive growth for Taebz. After recently supporting Genesis Owusu at an incredible Auckland show, he’s set to release his new EP, Serum, very soon.
Inspired by a recent trip to Seoul, the sounds of thriving artists in his motherland hugely impacted Taebz’s vision for his record. A “shapeshifting musical odyssey that will leave you craving for more,” as the EP is being described.
“Fuzz” will feature on Serum, as will previous 2023 single “50 Days”, with the full EP set to feature a purposefully genre-hopping sound.
Taebz’ “Fuzz” is out now.
