Well now, this is different. Not unwelcome either as it has allowed me to utilise an external reviewer for the first time – namely my 5 year old son, Codez. His actual name is Cody but he insists on Codez because, well, that’s just soooo much cooler! Ngāti Porou musician and entertainer Eden Mulholland is…

Pōneke legend Darren Watson is a man who lets his music talk. And boy does it talk! This is the guy who got his single Planet Key banned in 2014, only to successfully appeal the ban. Sticking it to the man always goes down well in my book. Darren says he’s an albums man, generally.…

South Auckland based multi-talented Siavani brings us what I can only describe as audio beauty. Partnering with his son Lively, the single Love Look Easy is absurdly catchy, beautifully melodic, and one of the most Pacifica sounding R & B songs I have heard in quite some time. Siavani has caught something inherently Polynesian in…

Mmmmmmmmm, this is what chocolate would sound like. Warm, smooth, velvety, puts a naughty smile on your dial, and sends you somewhere sweeeeet… which is great, because I’m writing this while knocked sideways with dose number two of the Rona. Say aww now! Aja Wairere Ropata (Ngāti Raukawa, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti…

Fiffdimension is multi-instrumentalist Dave Black. He’s based in beautiful Wairarapa (like me, yay!), and his repertoire spans over 25 years. There are times when you come across something so utterly avant-garde you’re momentarily left at a loss for words. This isn’t a bad thing. Not a criticism. Music can, and often should, challenge barriers and…

Raglan based singer/songwriter Soulti – otherwise known as Teresa Michels – is stepping out of the acoustic, electronica and DJ sets at places such as the iconic Yot Club, and is launching her debut single Evergreen. This one is a more thoughtful, introspective debut that a lot of your usual high energy, in-you-face debuts we…

The Mons Whaler are back with new single Online, and wow! What a different vibe to the previous track, but equally as good. A band that can release two audially diverse numbers like these guys have just done are a massive positive in my wickle book. This is a beautiful melody built around a staccato/reggae…

What a great song! Auckland band Back To The Hillside, consisting of vocalist/lead guitarist Neo Aiono-Fukushima, Hamish Brown (bass), Rocielli Fernando (keys/backing vocals) and Sam Hatley (drums), have rustled up I’m Alone, a beautiful indie rock/pop single with a dream-pop underside that is at the same time sweet and melancholy. Neo has the perfect timbre for the genre they are…

There are certain things that Kiwi artists seem to be able to deliver that is uniquely stamped with the Māna of these islands. Delivering a cover version of Louis Armstrong‘s globally iconic Wonderful World is surprisingly right up there – especially when it’s orchestrated as a gentle reggae/jazz blend, sung in Te Reo Māori and…

Straight onto my Spotify playlist! Ōtautahi-based but Hawkes Bay and Wellington natives Pool House have hit a home run on the formula that Jacko loves for his indie pop/rock, with new single Another Day. We have some fantastic, well-considered sweet melancholy chords from a rhythm guitar uncluttered with effects, sitting alongside a velvety warm bass…