Moana Leota is Mozie, Wairarapa-raised but now resident of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Her new single is called Sonshine (I have spelled it correctly, before anyone brays their faux annoyance!) and once again I have been provided with something special.

I’ve said before that there are certain sounds that seem to be synonymous with these islands and those of our cousins, brothers and sisters from the South Pacific paradises of Polynesia and Melanesia. From this gorgeous, summer hit I get vibes of Annie Crummer, or Ardijah. That lilting soprano that is rich, warm and comes from the depths of the soul is unmistakeably South Pacific. It sends me. It really sends me.

And this track is a clear hit. The composition is sweet and mellow, instantly putting you into relaxation mode. Mozie co-wrote the track with pianist Leonardo Coghini. Let her explain her muse in her own words from the EPK: “Essentially, it’s about knowing that when you lose something or someone, the sun will rise again. For me, when we were writing it, the song’s meaning took a slight detour – I was in the early stages of pregnancy. Each time Leo and I would come back to it, I would be slightly further along and, as I was singing/writing the lyrics, I found that the ‘sun rising again’ was my soon-to-be son – my ‘Sonshine’!”

The verses are nice and easy to follow, then it cracks into a commercially golden, instant ear-worm of a catchy chorus and some post chorus BVs that collectively send this track into Summertime Compilation shoo-in for everyone’s playlists; and equally send me into swaying along on my seat mode. Absolutely great song for a dance. Coupled with Mozie‘s directorial debut for the video – pop onto the You Tubes for a lookie – I found myself enjoying a familial glow of warmth and familiarity. As I said, it’s catchy; it’s R & B bordering on reggae (but not actually being reggae) and it’s got that intangible Polynesian something that makes it so unique to the talents of this little corner of the world. The video goes perfectly with it.

Filmed under Mozie’s directorship by editor/cinematographer Havea Latu (Vain Creative), it’s a fabulous little story set on the sands in Breaker Bay in the glorious capital, and starring Mozie‘s real-life partner Brett Taefu, and a brilliant, cheeky fella named Roman, aged 7. The interactive shots between the two put me in mind of the playful relationship I have with my own two younger sons aged 8 and 5 as I type this. My older two aged 27 and 25, would probably be weirded out if I poked my tongue out at them to get a laugh these days… (oops, spoiler!)

Anyway, the video is heartwarming and fun. I cracked a smile to send away the unseasonal rain and high winds blowing at the house right now, as the sun and the sound of the waves crashing against the reefs that protect those beautiful islands of Upolu and Savai’i came rushing back to me. I want to go back a fourth time!

It’s just under three minutes of pure lush warmth. Mozie has created what has to be picked up and played on Mai, George, More FM, ZM, all the commercial channels. It’ll go well at a family gathering, a party, commute on the train or a drive, a celebration like a 21st or a Wedding, and certainly played live.

It’s on full release so check out her Spotty Fly (and ours: it’s on ours too), and the You Tubes for the vid. Give Mozie your Aroha, Aotearoa, because this track is giving Aroha to us. Beautiful. No other words.