Brian Baker is back, and he’s based in Whanganui these days. Recording, producing, writing and playing, he’s a busy boy indeed – but unlike the new single title, let’s not keep in on the Down Low. Brian delivers a rich baritone vocal for this track, itself one of those with a melody I like to…

Van Staden & Böhm are Madison Van Staden and Amelia Berry. Currently based across the ditch in the West Island (sorry Aussie readers, a naughty little Kea told me to type that or it would peck my windscreen wipers off), the duo brings us a new Happy Hardcore anthem to fill the dancefloors here this…

Annnnd Jack is back! Sorry folks, issues outside of anyone’s control. Back now – and OHHHHH what a way to step back into reviews. Pōneke based soul-pop band Shivers are giving us their new single Tahuti and it is a statement in so many different ways. Firstly the song is delivered in Te Reo, which…

South African/Kiwi indie rock/punk rock afficionados The Transits are back with their Halloween ’24 offering Living Dead For A Paycheck. Boom. Mic drop of a single. Listen to this once and I defy you to tell me you ain’t got the chorus ringing round in your head for ages afterwards! I have been hooked on…

You know something? There is a really underrated musical instrument that provides the lead instrumentation for Rapper PNC‘s newest single from his Unbothered Rapper project, titled We On. I refer to the Xylophone. This track, produced by PNC‘s long time colleague and buddy 41, gives us a quality lesson in how this instrument can be…

Johnny and the gang are back, and they are not taking the foot off the accelerator. Nope. No way Jose. Underwire‘s new single Greener is yet another example of why I am a huge fan of these Wellington Punk rocker/psychobillies. Released onto Spotify and all other platforms on 20th September, Greener is a track that’s…

Auckland Country singer Kayla Rose (grand-daughter of the late, great Rusty Greaves, and niece to the late, great Kevin Greaves) brings us the follow up single to her recent release Drinks, the eponymously named for the parallel released EP, Dear Little Me. We have here a classic Country track. We’ve got the mild, slightly below…

One of my favourite Kiwi guitarists from one of my favourite Aotearoa regions is Courtnay Low, leader and vocalist for Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie. The band is dropping its EP Mercy on Friday 11th October (or October 11th if you’re American), and holy mother of pearl, the focus single and EP are absolutely breath-taking.…

From the newly announced re-release of THE UNDERWATERMELON MAN AND OTHER UNREASONABLE RHYMES on 1st November, we’re given the late, great Kiwi comedian John Clarke‘s performance of The Hide And Seeky Bird. Naturally, as a quirky project we’re going to feel the vibe of the comedian’s delivery and tone. It pops us along jovially as…