New Music 07/08
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44kyn — Live It Up (Feat. RENÉE)
Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, 44kyn is an alternative R&B and hip hop artist and producer whose music blends ambient and lo-fi textures into an ethereal, dream-like sound. After beginning to release music in 2023 with singles including thru and Hit The Road, he followed up with his debut EP indigo in 2024 before taking a more introspective direction on 2025 single Spirit. His latest release, Live It Up, sees him team up with fellow Kiwi artist RENÉE for their first official collaboration, pairing her contemporary R&B vocals with 44kyn's signature spacey production to explore themes of escapism, anxiety and overthinking. Produced, mixed and mastered entirely by 44kyn himself, the single continues to showcase his meticulous approach to creating music. With another single and music video on the way, plus a debut album set to be announced later this year, 44kyn is building towards his biggest project yet.
Louis Baker — Trouble
Wellington multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Louis Baker returns with Trouble, the latest preview of his forthcoming album. Following All We Need, which received support from Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists and reached No. 5 on the Aotearoa Hot Chart, Baker's new single leans into a grittier blues and soul sound while showcasing his powerful vocals and expressive songwriting. Written and produced by Baker during a period of personal reflection, Trouble explores themes of stress and hope, and arrives alongside a music video filmed across some of Wellington's iconic live music venues. With another compelling glimpse of his next record, Louis Baker continues to build anticipation for one of Aotearoa's most anticipated upcoming albums.
The Advocators — Another Me
Northland alt-country outfit The Advocators continue the lead-up to their sophomore album with Another Me, the final preview before the release of Beyond the Palisade. The band has earned praise from Rolling Stone Australia, Under the Radar and NZ Musician, while also receiving extensive student radio airplay across New Zealand and Australia. Recorded at CreativeLab Studio with co-producer Dan Stenhouse and a lineup of New Zealand session musicians, Another Me pairs a dark carnival atmosphere with lush Western swing, exploring the tension between despair and the determination to keep moving forward. With Beyond the Palisade and a New Zealand tour just around the corner, The Advocators are building momentum towards their next chapter.
Tiger Lotiss — The Tiger in the Garden
Tiger Lotiss blends alternative R&B, jazz and soul into deeply reflective songs centred on vulnerability, identity and personal growth. Following the release of Chameleon, he continues building towards his debut album with Tiger in the Garden, a soulful, jazz-infused single produced by Tiger Lotiss and engineered by Sebastian Judd. Inspired by the pressures of adulthood, rising living costs and the expectations placed on young New Zealanders, the track balances thoughtful social commentary with infectious rhythms and emotional honesty. Supported by NZ On Air and accompanied by a music video filmed on the streets of Auckland, Tiger in the Garden marks the second release from his forthcoming album and further establishes Tiger Lotiss as one of Aotearoa's most distinctive emerging voices.
Phoebe Vic — Slipped Your Mind
Ōtautahi alternative pop artist Phoebe Vic returns with Slipped Your Mind, the latest release from a songwriter who has spent the past five years steadily building her catalogue since returning to music from acting. Following previous singles including It's My Pleasure and Mad Woman, the new track continues to showcase her emotive songwriting and distinctive vocal style. With another thoughtful addition to her growing catalogue, Phoebe Vic continues to carve out her place in Aotearoa's alternative pop scene.
emerson — From the Jump
Tāmaki Makaurau pop artist emerson continues her strong run of releases with From the Jump, the latest single from her forthcoming album Leap!. Following recent tracks including Want Him Bad!, Tell Me What I Want To Hear and Breathe, the Rockquest winner has cemented herself as one of Aotearoa's most exciting pop artists, with multiple singles charting on the Aotearoa Hot 20 Singles Chart and earning international editorial playlist support.
Park Flyers — dumb
Park Flyers are a Te Whanganui-a-Tara emo duo continuing to build momentum through raw songwriting and energetic live performances. Following recent releases including running out / i could be there, the pair return with dumb, another taste of their forthcoming project you're a real brick.
Lewis Parke — Clockwork
Lewis Parke is an indie alt-pop artist whose music blends new wave influences with a modern indie sound. After releasing singles including Rain Check, Maybe and SHIVER, which picked up airplay on Most FM, Plains FM and Radio Hauraki, Parke was also named Best Songwriter at the New Zealand National Battle of the Bands following a strong run of live performances across the country. His latest single, Clockwork, leans into a commercial yet quirky indie pop sound and is accompanied by a new set of music videos, marking the first taste of his upcoming album Analogue. With momentum building both on stage and in the studio, Lewis Parke is continuing to establish himself as one to watch in Aotearoa's indie scene.
Stillwater Lines — Riverlights (EP)
Hamilton singer-songwriter Stillwater Lines makes heartfelt indie rock for the quiet moments, drawing influence from artists including We Are Messengers, Brooke Fraser, Jon Toogood, Georgia Lines and Bruce Springsteen. His debut solo release, Riverlights EP, features six tracks that document different seasons of his life, with session singers taking on vocal duties while he focused on the music itself. The release serves as the first preview of his forthcoming debut album Yellow, with the songs also set to feature as part of The Yellow Sessions Tour across New Zealand later this year. With Yellow due to arrive in early 2027, Stillwater Lines is laying the foundations for his biggest project to date.
Adam Hattaway & The Haunters — War On Zevon (ALBUM)
Adam Hattaway & The Haunters return with War On Zevon, a tribute album celebrating the songs of legendary songwriter Warren Zevon. The project follows the band's 2021 interpretation of Mutineer on Woolston, Texas, expanding that appreciation into a full collection of reimagined Zevon songs produced by Brett Stanton. Featuring guest appearances from Georgia Knight, Adam McGrath, D.Feeney and Milan Borich, War On Zevon embraces the wit, romance and dark humour of Zevon's songwriting while filtering it through the unmistakable sound of Adam Hattaway & The Haunters. Rather than simply recreating familiar classics, the album offers a fresh take on one of rock's most revered songwriters through the band's own distinctive lens.
Sunset Tsunami — Lemon Drops
Based on Sydney's Northern Beaches, British and Kiwi electronic duo Sunset Tsunami blend live instrumentation with beat-driven production that draws from electronic dub, neo-soul, downtempo and hip hop. Following their debut album DUB TILL DAWN and recent single Chillaxin' With Cherry, the pair return with Lemon Drops, the second preview of their forthcoming album. Built around laid-back grooves, funky instrumentation and classic lounge-inspired textures, the track showcases a brighter, more playful side of the duo's evolving sound as they continue towards their second full-length release.
Same Name Confusion — This Family Counts Calories
Originally formed in Ōtautahi and now split between Auckland and Melbourne, Same Name Confusion return from a multi-year hiatus with This Family Counts Calories, the centrepiece of SNC (Side A), the first four-track instalment of their forthcoming second album SNC. Written as a self-deprecating reflection on frontman Luke Courtney's experiences as a first-time gym-goer, the track contrasts his attempts to gain weight with his partner's powerlifting competition diet. Driven by a booming bassline, groove-focused rhythms and dreamy guitar textures, This Family Counts Calories showcases the band's playful approach to everyday storytelling while offering a taste of the groove-led sound that will continue across the full album.
JessB — See You There
Tāmaki Makaurau hip-hop artist JessB returns with See You There, the second single from her forthcoming album. Following Not Today, which reached the top 10 on Aotearoa's alternative radio chart and became a staple across SRN playlists, the new track offers a more introspective side of JessB, exploring hope, love and the possibility of a future together. Co-produced by Andrew Meyer and MOW Music, See You There pairs cinematic production with choir and cello to amplify its emotional depth, while continuing the artist's evolution as she builds towards her next full-length release. With more international performances on the horizon, JessB continues to take her music to audiences both at home and abroad.
Mel Parsons — CASTLE HILL (ALBUM)
Award-winning Aotearoa singer-songwriter Mel Parsons returns with her seventh studio album, CASTLE HILL, an intimate collection of indie folk songs exploring resilience, grief, nostalgia and transformation. Following her acclaimed 2024 album SABOTAGE, touring with Crowded House and another Best Folk Artist finalist nod at the Aotearoa Music Awards, Parsons continues her remarkable run with a record written during an intense creative burst and recorded live in a remote mountain lodge in the Southern Alps. Featuring recent singles including Clean Slate, Post High Slide, Brick by Brick and Be Here Now, CASTLE HILL captures both melancholy and hope through Parsons' thoughtful songwriting. She will celebrate the release with a nationwide theatre tour, bringing the new album to audiences across Aotearoa.
SUB-TRIBE — For The Land
Seven-piece SUB-TRIBE return with For The Land, the follow-up to Te Waka and the latest preview of their forthcoming MANA EP. Known for blending reggae, dub, bass music, jazz and electronic production, the band takes a fresh direction on the new single, weaving Afro-future R&B influences into their signature bass-heavy sound. Grounded in themes of kaitiakitanga, ancestral wisdom and the relationship between people and the environment, For The Land delivers an uplifting message through te reo Māori, groove-driven production and powerful songwriting. As they continue building towards MANA, SUB-TRIBE are expanding their sound while staying true to the values at the heart of their music.
may-c — night shift
Ōtautahi pop artist may-c (May Clark) returns with night shift, a witty new single that turns the frustration of late-night situationships into an infectious pop anthem. Packed with punchy production and tongue-in-cheek lyricism, the track captures the moment of realising you're being treated as a convenience rather than a priority, delivering a relatable message with plenty of attitude. With night shift, may-c transforms a familiar modern dating experience into a song made for singing at full volume with your friends.
Daily J — Wabi Sabi (EP)
Originally from Marlborough and now based in Sydney, Daily J return with their new EP Wabi Sabi, led by the focus single Stairways. Since forming in 2017, the indie pop rock outfit have built an international following through releases including Venus Ate Mars, Slush Honey and Scatterbrains, alongside sold-out tours, more than 48 million streams and growing success across New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Blending dreamy melodies, warm basslines and hazy pop production, Wabi Sabi continues the band's evolving sound ahead of their Wabi Sabi – Beautiful Imperfections Tour, which will take them across Australia, Canada, the UK and Europe.
Castaway — Reasons To Stay
Ōtautahi pop-rock band Castaway continue their rise with Reasons To Stay, the latest preview of their upcoming body of work. Following recent singles Heart Attack and Cuckoo, along with performances supporting Six60 and Synthony at One New Zealand Stadium, the five-piece return with an anthemic indie rock ballad that explores mental health, hope and the moments that keep us moving forward. Built around soaring melodies, emotional songwriting and the band's signature high-energy sound, Reasons To Stay continues to showcase why Castaway are quickly becoming one of Aotearoa's most exciting emerging live acts.
Flynn Adamson — Sucks
Flynn Adamson returns with Sucks, an infectious new single that pairs upbeat production with the uncertainty of long-distance relationships. Written, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered entirely by the 20-year-old, the track transforms a deeply personal story into a hook-filled pop anthem. After performing more than 400 shows, sharing stages with artists including Foley, Will Swinton and The Butlers, and producing music for a growing list of emerging artists, Sucks is another confident step forward for Flynn Adamson as he continues to establish himself as one of Christchurch's most exciting young talents.
