Many years ago there was a genre that “evolved” from what had been known as Indie rock. It became known as Britpop. In the mists of time gone by I caught a show at Auckland’s Powerstation, headlined by a band that was taking the world by storm at the time: some countrymen and a countrywoman of mine, together named Catatonia. They epitomised the avant-garde attitude and sound variations of the indie scene of the time, with lead vocalist Cerys Matthews displaying her showbiz chops – and absolute bonkersness (that’s a word now) – wonderfully.

Well. Where I am going with this is that I still remember the support band that night. Four highly talented, motivated and compelling rock ladies together named Mary. When I got the new single from Auckland indie rockers The Fuzzies to review, named Cupid (the same as their forthcoming album), I was reminded that lead vocalist Niki Maera was a member of the aforementioned Mary. In light of this revelation, I was expecting quality from The Fuzzies.

We get it. The track begins with some well toned guitar announcing the Britpop influence, defining the general vibe. A twin vocal kicks in and gives me visions of Icelandic indie queen Bjork, and as the instrumental section gets full, with a bottom end and rhythm guitar that smacks us with a hard rock snarl, the song develops into an absolute joyous jam. I hear Stone Roses. I hear James. I hear a really well performed song, given a delicious analogue wash by Darren McShane at Earwig Studios. Really good mix and master, doing justice to the top performance by the band.

As ever, I only raise the names of these other acts for context. There are no tribute act vibes here, and nothing is ripping anyone else off. The ability to bring other well-storied names to mind is a clever one, and is to be applauded. The song is a definite earworm, flies along at a really decent tempo, and gets the head pumping and foot tapping. It’s one that rock and student radio needs to pick up and support, and will definitely be a live favourite.

This is one for the speakers as the summer comes in and the barbecue gets broken out of its winter exile. Definitely a happening track, and I am looking forward to the rest of the album.