When a band surprises you, it’s always a relief when it’s a nice surprise! I had no idea what to expect from Tāmaki Makaurau 5 piece Psycho Gab, but new single Gabben – available on the Spotify now – was the kind that gets me sitting back in my chair, arms behind me noggin, eyes closed as I sail away on a wave of cool.

Made up of vocalist Rosetta Stone (please let that not just be a stage name!), bass player and band producer Orlando Cooper, co-producer and keyboardist Caleb Wong, guitar player Max Henley and drummer Finn McNeill. A band that’s been together barely a year, and they are tight, neat and rather good. We have a sound they describe as neo-soul: combining soul, pop, R & B and jazz. I certainly felt the latter in this new single.

A mid-tempo number, we have a head-turning performance from Rosetta on the vocals. I got some Macy Gray, I got some Etta James even. A very good, very authentic timbre; a purring almost palpable beneath the crystal clear soprano. The band is unquestionably professional, with a great mix and polish in production. It oozes smoky clubs with a rancid spotlight on a red dress-wearing lady, wayyyyyy into the night, singing to the bad boys and girls who frequented such establishments, and no doubt still do. Chicago? Detroit? Noo Yawk? Yeah. Those are the towns. You get where I’m coming from?

We’ve got some nice piano work, and all sits nicely in the genre family they have called it as. This is something to listen to in private, even when in public. It’s a personal sounding song, introspective yet playful. It’s not melancholy – it’s jazzy. My missus will like it, most def.

The band says the content came about while they were sitting in their flat, riding out Cyclone Gabrielle. From the EPK: “We wanted to paint this picture of weathering out the storm,” explains Rosetta. “It’s about persevering when things get hard, and appreciating all that you learn during those trying moments, rather than just waiting for the sunshine on the other side.” The cyclone also inspired their band name, as it happens.

I’d love to see them put a video to this one. Maybe something alike the visual I portrayed above? It’d get some air, most definitely.

Caleb mixed and mastered at Auckland’s Big Fan studio, with additional work done at his and Orlando‘s studio, the novelly named Bilbo’s Clubhouse. Kudos chaps. Very smooth.

If you’re into nicely performed jazz/pop, this track will please you, as it did me. It’s not too “classic” jazz to qualify as a good commercial pop venture though, so I hope it gets a lot of interest. It certainly warrants it.