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…

I’ve been on tenterhooks for the chance to review a Just One Fix track since I started this site and I knew Riccardo and the guys were recording some new work. They have not disappointed with this track, Gods & Devils, which I am unashamedly going to crow about getting to hear now while you…

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Wellington punks Underwire. These highly experienced musicians know exactly what they want to make music sound like, and they succeed every time. This new single, Heatstroke, is for me the best one yet from a stable of quality tracks. Usual frontman Johnny Mills takes…

I love Ska. This is a genre that spans so many ethnicities, so many nationalities, so many social demographics. I was introduced to Ska in the late 70s by one of my five older brothers. Bad Manners, The Beat, The Selecter. Quality music from quality musicians. And something to say about society and its ills.…

Minimaiz is quite the enigma. Following on from his dark debut we have another song from the depths of the snarling night with the simply titled Why? We get a hip-hop kind of back beat, and Ivy Marie again puts in a quality vocal performance of the saccharine-bitter melody that at the same time repels…

And here’s a belter out of left field! Taranaki native (already got me onside!) Paul Martin has delivered an unbelievably catchy single called The Duke & The Duchess and you must hear it! It’s on Spotty Fly already, so give it some air. I’ve not got too much detail on Paul‘s history other than he’s…

And here we have it. Unique. Enchanting. Vital. Commercially viable. Ōtautahi lads Dillastrate have got me. Right in the musical feels – and more, which I will go into momentarily. Taku Ngākau is their new single and video release, and it is powerful soul-pop. With a simply beautiful melody, delivered by jaw-droppingly talented vocalist Henare Kaa…