What does one say about the level of musical ability, not to mention the sheer volume, coming from the western side, halfway up the North Island of Aotearoa? It’s like a goddamn factory line, each one a different genre, each one with its own bag of tricks. There must be something in the air around…

Currently residing in Tāmaki Makaurau, Invercargill-born Sam Cullen is a continually evolving force of nature who seems able to pull another surprise out of the hat for us at every turn. The eponymously titled single Love Again is the promo track for his newly released EP. Roll up and get it all on the Spotty…

YEEEEEHAWWWW! Steffany Beck returns with a huge bang, and a delightful homage to one of the world’s genuine Titans of music, the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton. I’ve given Steffany reviews on her previous two releases, both of which are on the EP PILLARS, just released. This one is very much a Nashville-geared country…

Benny Jennings is Hominid, from the glorious capital of New Zealand, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington. His debut single, from the forthcoming eponymously titled EP, is Introvert/Extrovert. Hominid is a disciple of Deep House, dark electronica, and UK IDM. This debut single comes from his appreciation of and willingness to bring new and innovative layers to…

Tāmaki Makaurau’s Liam Dargaville is Dbldbl. Proudly Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi, they bring forth a neat blend of minimalist beats and thoughtful, smart raps that dig deep into a lot of potentially divisive – but requiring attention – subjects. This latest single, Fakey, features a collaboration with fellow hip-hop and rap artist Randa. Firstly I…

Oooooohh, nicely nasty! Hurricanes rugby territory-spanning Pool House returns for 2024 with their new single Draw The Line, and it’s what I like to describe as a rattlesnake of a number. Sass, sneer, danger and power. It’s a term I learned from Brandon Flowers, of all people. There is a lot I can say about…

Former Atlas vocalist Sean Cunningham returns to these shores with Whatever That Is, the eponymously titled debut single from the forthcoming album. Nashville, Tennessee based Sean has been quite the journeyman throughout his stellar career, and now he’s bringing us his own take on all things earthly. Or otherwise. With a timbre somewhat comparable (to…

A member of New Zealand’s legendary Muttonbirds, now-London based Alan Gregg brings us his newest project, Polite Company. From its upcoming May release album, the first cab off the rank is the outrageously catchy single Circulation. A crystal clear tenor mildly akin to Mike Batt (if you’re old enough to know, you’ll know) gently delivers…

Banana Mundo is back with Intercultural Appreciation Day. This track is literally dripping with sublimely blended culturally iconic instruments and tones, and is an homage to that famed multi-cultural festival in their base, New Plymouth, over there in sunny Taranaki. We have a reggae base, with some fabulous salsa brass. There’s some wood and steel…

Another from the ‘Naki! That region is pumping out the artists in genre after genre, and Lauren Nottingham, AKA Frau Knotz, joins the roll of honour. Her new single Odyssey I, from her forthcoming debut EP Nextraterrestrial (due in August ’24), is out on Wednesday 24th April, and I get to tell you all about…