Musician, producer, DJ and more, Te Whanganui-a-Tara based Mia Kelly is the artist behind Japes. This is deeply immersed in the bedsitter world of introspection and thought deviations into worlds coloured by shades of grey only seen from the mind’s eye of those who inhabit the inside of their own heads more often than they endure the world of the outgoing.

A slow burner of a number, we have a plucked riff on a primarily clean electric guitar fed by a low, angsty yet subdued synth. Mia‘s vocal is full but tempered with restraint that feels like a deliberate homage to her audience. Like she’s showing you that she could belt this to the heavens – and I’m 100% convinced she could – but will keep herself in check for you to look into your neural pathways as the wallpaper blurs into a void in front of your open yet un-seeing eyes.

It drops some bass, very deep, and a surprisingly alive drum section, from the chorus onwards. While retaining the subdued introversion and highly intelligent, considered lyrics, it takes us a little way into the world of Icelandic psychedelic indie Queen Bjork, or the deepest ruminations of Portishead. Speaking of the lyrics, Mia explains the message of the song in the EPK, as follows: “Process was a song I wrote for a dear friend of mine who was going through a hard time,” says Kelly. “The lyrics are very literal! The verse identifies the things that the person is feeling and facing, and they’re trying so hard to fight it. The chorus is a little prayer or wish for them. You’ll never undo your progress’ is really the point of it. It’s shit sometimes, it’s gonna keep being shit, but you’ll never undo the work you’ve done and the experiences you’ve gained, even when it feels hopeless.”

I feel I must mention the maturity of the lyrics for this number. Give them a listen. They drive right in, and resonate. Outstanding example of someone able to articulate to an exceptional level.

Mia co-produced with Bevan Smith. She’s joined by Riley Dick on the drums. The track is on Spotify now, so if this review intrigues you as it should, have a listen. The Japes EP Omen is out on 1st August, the cover for which is posted here. You’re going to be hearing from Mia Kelly aka Japes, so give it a listen now. Compelling stuff.