New Music 12/06
It has been another massive week for new music, both here in Aotearoa and overseas. Internationally, listeners have been treated to major new releases from Olivia Rodrigo, Ruel and Spacey Jane, while closer to home there has been no shortage of fresh music from emerging and established Kiwi artists alike. It has also been a busy week on Roots, with yesterday’s interview featuring Thomas Waddington of Pōneke indie outfit Twiay, who alongside his work as a musician also co-runs Wellington independent record label Glasshead. From debut EPs and albums through to alt-rock, indie-pop, hip hop and neo-soul releases, here are some of the standout tracks and projects that landed on our radar this week.
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature!
Dillon Jo — Good Person
Dillon Jo continue their rapid rise through Wellington’s indie scene with the release of their fourth single Good Person. Fronted by Betty Smith and Georgie Levien, and joined by producer and bassist Kahu Sanson Burnett and drummer Ruadh Munroe, the band have built momentum through performances alongside acts such as The Rions, Foley, Wet Denim, Hemi Hemingway and Coast Arcade, while also earning student radio success with previous singles Shiver and Jo. Inspired by artists including Spacey Jane, Mercury and Paramore, Good Person is an alternative rock ballad that explores self-doubt, guilt and the lingering questions that can follow growing apart from someone you once cared about, blending melodic guitars with distorted shoegaze textures and emotional intensity. The single further showcases the band's evolving songwriting and growing reputation as one of Wellington’s most promising emerging acts.
Imani-J — me > you
Haitian-New Zealand artist Imani-J steps into a bold new era with her latest single me > you, an unapologetic anthem centred around confidence, self-worth and refusing to shrink yourself for the comfort of others. Following the success of her collaboration with Bam Marley on talk is cheap, which continues to chart across Aotearoa, the new release captures a more fiery and self-assured side of the rising artist. Co-written during a songwriting trip to Los Angeles alongside Antoine Harris, me > you blends fearless honesty with sharp contemporary pop and R&B influences, reflecting on boundaries, ambition and prioritising yourself without guilt. Fresh off the release of her debut EP EXPECTATIONS and with growing international momentum through writing sessions, editorial support and overseas airplay, Imani-J continues establishing herself as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting emerging voices.
emerson — Want Him Bad!
emerson is quickly establishing herself as one of Aotearoa’s standout emerging alt-pop artists, blending deeply personal songwriting with infectious hooks and high-energy pop production. Since launching her solo project in 2024, the Rockquest winner has seen eight releases land on the Aotearoa Hot 20 Singles Chart while also earning international editorial playlist support. Her latest single Want Him Bad dives headfirst into the chaos of modern situationships, pairing references to therapy sessions, internet “signs” and emotional spiral moments with a polished pure-pop sound that recalls artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish. Written by Emma Wagner, Matilda Pearl and Lucy Blomkamp, and produced by Blomkamp with support from NZ On Air Music, the track builds towards a final twist designed to send listeners straight back for another listen.
Greta O'Leary — Year of the Dog
Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Greta O'Leary has continued carving out a distinctive place in Aotearoa’s indie landscape with her eclectic songwriting and poetic arrangements. Following the success of her acclaimed debut album River Dark, which landed in the Top 10 of the Aotearoa Album Chart and topped several SRN and alternative radio charts, O’Leary has now returned with the lively and unpredictable new single Year of the Dog. Created alongside longtime collaborator Jol Mulholland at Lab Studios, the track takes a sharp turn from the reflective nature of River Dark, charging forward with hypnotic guitar riffs, driving rhythm and a playful absurdist energy. The release also arrives with a new video filmed in Victoria, Australia with collaborator Adam Rohe, while O’Leary continues a busy run of live shows across Aotearoa alongside fellow indie artist Neive Strang.
Meddles — Taste of the Past
Tāmaki Makaurau alternative rock band Meddles continue building momentum ahead of their debut EP with the release of their new single Taste of the Past. Made up of Oliver Whiley, Alex Crook, Sammy Woolfall and Simon Roberts, the group have spent the past year establishing themselves across Auckland’s live scene through headline shows at Ponsonby Social Club and support slots at Whammy Bar, while drawing influence from artists including Oasis, Wunderhorse and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Following their explosive debut single Down Every Road, Taste of the Past reveals a softer and more acoustic side to the band, exploring themes of nostalgia and fleeting youth while continuing to showcase the uplifting, guitar-driven sound that defines Meddles.
Lily Stiven — Heal
Whangaparāoa artist Lily Stiven is continuing to develop her blend of pop, indie and R&B influences with the release of her latest single Heal. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter has steadily built her catalogue over recent years with tracks including Hopelessly in Love With You, Lonely Days, High and Dry and 2025 releases NOT MY OWN, What’s the worst I could do and Williams Tragedy. Produced by Phodiso Moeng Dintwe, Heal leans into tender guitar, soft synths and mellow drums while exploring heartbreak, loss and the difficult process of moving on from a relationship.
Juna — skin on skin
Juna have released their latest single skin on skin, a track that captures the excitement and uncertainty of falling in love at a young age. A favourite of the band’s live sets for many months, the song has now made its way into recorded form, bringing its energy and emotion to a wider audience. Produced by guitarist Max Horn, skin on skin pairs a full, pop-driven sound with heartfelt songwriting, offering a vibrant snapshot of youth, romance and self-discovery.
Shenae — New Jersey Summer
Whakatū Nelson artist Shenae has spent the past two years crafting story-driven songs, drawing inspiration from experiences and emotions that connect with listeners on a personal level. Their latest release New Jersey Summer was inspired by their time working as a Summer Camp counsellor in the United States in 2025, weaving references to the different states they travelled through into a story about heartbreak and separation. While the song itself is not based on their own experience, Shenae wrote the track to capture the anguish of parting ways with someone you love and to create something that listeners going through similar emotions could relate to.
Wet Denim — Silence
Pōneke four-piece Wet Denim continue to build momentum as one of Wellington’s rising alt-rock acts with the release of their latest single Silence. Known for blending captivating vocals, lush guitars, syrupy basslines and driving rhythms, the band recently signalled a fresh creative direction with their 2026 single Living Room, while also selling out a headline show at Moon in Wellington. Produced by Ben O’Leary of Drax Project, Silence steps away from the band's usual high-energy approach in favour of a slower-burning and more emotionally charged sound, exploring the feelings of loneliness and loss that can follow a first love.
HINA — The Fountain
Tāmaki Makaurau songwriter HINA has shared her latest single The Fountain, offering another glimpse into the world of her forthcoming debut album Descending Dreams. The project is the work of Amy Boroevich (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa), whose genre-fluid sound blends indie rock, alt-country and pop influences, earning praise as one of Aotearoa’s most compelling emerging voices. Recorded live at Roundhead Studios with producer Navakatoa Tekela-Pule and refined alongside James Milne, The Fountain explores themes of self-doubt, meaning and emotional uncertainty through a loose, gospel-country groove, while continuing the emotional honesty that runs throughout Descending Dreams. With the album set to arrive later this winter, HINA will also celebrate the release with a special live performance at Kāhui St David’s in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Welcomer — Calendars (ALBUM)
Pōneke group Welcomer have unveiled their debut album Calendars, a richly layered and introspective record shaped across the past three years between Wellington, Paris, Kawerau and London. Built around the songwriting of Miles Sutton, whose earlier musical journey included heart-on-sleeve punk projects and several years performing with Lontalius, Welcomer first gained attention with their 2022 self-titled EP which topped student radio charts. Produced alongside Jesse Austin-Stewart, Calendars expands the band’s sound into something lush, ornate and emotionally detailed, with recent singles Magazine Clippings, Impossible and Nothing of You Remaining showcasing vivid storytelling and an everything-is-sad-but-everything-is-funny perspective. The album arrives alongside Welcomer’s first national headline tour, with shows lined up across Aotearoa featuring support from artists including Pickle Darling, Fazed on a Pony and Belladonna.
Beth Elsden — The Waiting Room (EP)
Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter Beth Elsden has unveiled her debut EP The Waiting Room, a five-track collection exploring the uncertainty, heartbreak, healing and self-discovery that often define early adulthood. Working alongside longtime collaborator Abby Wolfe and engineer Emily Wheatcroft-Snape, Elsden has quickly emerged as one of Aotearoa’s promising new songwriting voices, drawing inspiration from artists such as Lizzy McAlpine and Maisie Peters while developing a distinctly personal style of her own. Across The Waiting Room, she reflects on the feeling of being caught between where you are and where you hope to be, with tracks including Waiting Room, Losing You Slow, Catch Feelings, Peace Comes With It and Haunts You forming a coming-of-age journey through life's in-between moments. The result is a confident debut release that showcases Elsden’s sharp lyricism, emotional honesty and growing artistic identity.
Lisa Crawley — Hurry up and Wait
LA-based, Kiwi-born singer-songwriter Lisa Crawley continues her transpacific journey with the release of her latest single Hurry Up And Wait. A four-time APRA Silver Scroll Award nominee, Crawley has built an international career that has seen her open for artists including John Mayer, Suzanne Vega and Paul Weller, while also earning placements in television series such as This Is Us and Good Trouble. Produced by Grammy-nominated producer Rob Kleiner, Hurry Up And Wait blends nostalgic 2000s-inspired guitars with shimmering indie-pop hooks as it explores themes of missed connections, bad timing and emotional limbo. The single follows a productive run of releases including her 2024 EP New Girl Syndrome and recent covers collection Songs I Like But Did Not Write - Vol. 2, further showcasing one of Aotearoa’s most internationally recognised songwriting talents.
Fine Wine Social Club — Porcelain
Pōneke neo-soul collective Fine Wine Social Club have returned with their latest single Porcelain, adding another chapter to the catalogue of one of Wellington’s most beloved live acts.
JessB — Not Today
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, JessB has spent the past seven years establishing herself as one of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed hip-hop artists, blending influences from hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, ragga and afrobeats while performing across New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and the UK. Along the way she has shared stages with artists including Kehlani and Coldplay, collaborated with names such as Sampa The Great and Kranium, and was a top-five finalist for the Silver Scroll Award in 2025. Her latest release Not Today reveals a more vulnerable side of her artistry, exploring heartbreak, sadness and dislocation through an experimental, high-energy sound co-produced with Andrew Meyer. Serving as the first taste of an upcoming project, the track pairs emotional honesty with a sense of hope, signalling an exciting new chapter for the award-winning rapper.
Star Time — RASTA NEEDS WATER
Pōneke collective Star Time return with their new single RASTA NEEDS WATER, the fourth and final release ahead of their debut album WE ARE HERE, arriving later this month. A collaboration between drummer Ateo Buhne and vocalist Francois Judah, the track tells a story of movement, resilience and survival, inspired by Judah’s journey from Rwanda to Aotearoa. Driven by infectious rhythms, uplifting grooves and the band's signature blend of brass, percussion and dancefloor energy, RASTA NEEDS WATER captures the vibrant live spirit that has made Star Time one of Wellington’s most exciting emerging acts.
Baby Lane — Cable
Te Whanganui-a-Tara hip hop artist Baby Lane returns with her new single Cable, continuing to carve out her place within Aotearoa’s underground rap scene.
