New Music 13/11
It’s been another busy week for new music across Aotearoa, with the warm and unpredictable weather keeping things interesting around the country. This week’s releases include new albums from PARK RD (check out the interview that went up yesterday!), The Datsuns and Imani-J, alongside fresh singles from Holding Daisies, The Black Seeds, Lydia Cole and plenty more.
Are you a Kiwi artist with a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature!
PARK RD — BOYHOOD (ALBUM)
Auckland-formed alt-pop band PARK RD, now based in Sydney, are made up of Tom, Leo, TK and Carlos. Following a series of EPs and their debut album THE NOVEL in 2024, the band have continued building their reputation across the New Zealand and Australian live scenes, supporting acts including Spacey Jane, San Cisco and Milky Chance. Their second studio album BOYHOOD is an 11-track collection exploring the highs and lows of growing up, drawing on new relationships, personal experiences and the changes that come with navigating your twenties. Featuring singles English Boy and Fatal with Molly Millington, the album sees the band embrace a lighter indie-pop sound while taking greater control of their songwriting and production. To celebrate the release, PARK RD are heading back to New Zealand for a four-date tour across Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland.
You can read my interview with PARK RD here.
Holding Daisies — Count Me Out
Pōneke duo Holding Daisies, made up of Trent Wallace and Kale Hamilton, are continuing to build their place in Wellington's alternative music scene with their latest single Count Me Out. The pair first began working together through their involvement in Molipane, before deciding to explore a different sound drawing on their shared love of pop punk, post-hardcore and emo. Drawing influence from bands including Title Fight, Basement, Citizen, Fall Out Boy and Blink-182, Holding Daisies bring together their different musical backgrounds through a collaborative songwriting process, building tracks from initial guitar and instrumental ideas. With plans to take the project to the stage around Wellington, Count Me Out offers another taste of what is to come from the emerging duo ahead of their 5-track EP release.
You can read my interview with Holding Daisies here.
Henri Woodley, Mizzy — To Fly
Auckland-based vocalist and songwriter Henri Woodley has teamed up with Mizzy and producer Chequered Patterns for his latest single To Fly, a soulful pop-rock track that sees him explore a fresh musical direction. Written and recorded in just one day at a BigFan writing camp, the collaboration began with Henri and Mizzy developing a chord progression on keys and guitar before building the track through improvisation and contrasting vocal styles. Blending Henri's soulful foundations with Mizzy's indie-rock influences, the production brings together electric guitar, bass, drums and strings. Lyrically, To Fly explores the disconnect between the person we imagine someone to be and who they really are, capturing the shift in feelings when reality fails to meet expectation.
Jessica Leigh — White Hot
Auckland-based indie pop/rock artist Jessica Leigh returns with White Hot, the third single from her upcoming EP At The Same Time. A self-producing artist recognised by Rolling Stone AU/NZ as an Artist to Watch in 2024, Leigh takes a darker, more expansive approach on the track, blending live alternative-pop instrumentation with folk-leaning songwriting. Written and produced at Joel Little’s BIG FAN Studios, with contributions from Jacob Brown and Adrian Breakspear, White Hot is a cinematic alternative ballad exploring the intensity of unrequited love.
Half/Angel — 654
Te Whanganui-a-Tara four-piece Half/Angel are continuing to make their mark on Wellington's music scene with 654, the latest single from their self-titled debut album. Blending post-punk, noise rock and ambient psychedelia, the band bring together intricate melodies and textured soundscapes to create an unpredictable alternative rock sound. Following earlier singles Bunny, Death in Venice and Debt Collector, 654 offers another glimpse into the band's debut album project.
maddeypuppets — SCUM (ALBUM)
Wellington-based DIY alternative artist maddeypuppets is preparing to release their debut album SCUM, drawing on punk, emo and grunge influences while developing a sound of their own. Working independently as a band, the project has been steadily building momentum, with the album preceded by a run of singles including TALKING and the latest release pornstar, which arrives alongside a new music video. Inspired by artists such as Elliott Smith, Prince, Teen Suicide and Alex G, SCUM brings together the raw, alternative influences behind maddeypuppets’ songwriting and marks an exciting milestone for the Wellington project.
Ciorstaidh — The Gun
Wellington-based singer-songwriter Ciorstiadh writes honest and heartfelt songs exploring themes of grief, betrayal and disappointment. Her latest single The Gun is the second release from the upcoming debut EP I Know You, and the final preview ahead of its arrival later this month. Centred on feelings of betrayal and distrust towards someone who has repeatedly let her down, the track explores the difficult decision to walk away from relationships that have reached their breaking point. Ciorstiadh will celebrate the EP with a release show at Moon Bar in Wellington before its release.
T. G. Shand — Sizing The Waltz
Ōtautahi dream-pop artist T. G. Shand returns with Sizing The Waltz, her first single of 2026 and the first glimpse of a new body of work planned for 2027. Featuring a collaboration with Hope Robertson of Dunedin trio Death and the Maiden, the track blends beats-driven production, 90s-inspired shoegaze guitars and shimmering synths, shifting between airy, ethereal verses and a darker, more playful chorus. Following last year’s Levitating The Knife, the hypnotic new single continues T. G. Shand’s exploration of atmospheric dream-pop, with further collaborations and releases on the horizon.
The Datsuns — Moonstruck Man (ALBUM)
Cambridge rock ’n’ roll veterans The Datsuns have returned with their eighth studio album Moonstruck Man, a riff-fuelled collection that draws on ’70s hard rock, heavy metal, garage punk and psychedelia. Recorded across several studios in Sweden, the 11-track album brings together the heavy guitars, driving rhythms and raw energy that have defined the band throughout their career. Featuring previously released singles Run From The Sun and the title track, the album also includes Glide Like A Ghost, which arrives alongside a new music video directed by Marc Swadel. With decades of experience behind them, The Datsuns continue to deliver unapologetic rock ’n’ roll on their own terms.
Hester Ullyart — The All Clear (ALBUM)
UK-born, Lyttelton-based Hester Ullyart is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans poetry, spoken word, theatre, music and screen acting. Her previous work includes award-winning poetry films and theatre productions, alongside founding and hosting Common Ground Spoken Word Kā Tūka Toikupu. Her debut album The All Clear is a ten-track experimental collection of spoken-word and sung narratives, exploring themes of love, change, forgiveness and starting again. Developed over four years and featuring an ensemble of Ōtautahi musicians including Hannah Everingham, Reuben Derrick, Joseph McCallum and Nicole Reddington, the album blends atmospheric soundscapes, choral harmonies and dramatic monologue.
SOJØURN — Losing Sleep
North East Coast five-piece SOJØURN return with Losing Sleep, an infectious new single and the lead track from their upcoming two-track EP Summer Tape II. Recorded live at Mount Maunganui’s 11B Studio with producer Tiki Taane, the song blends bouncing pop-rock grooves, cascading keys and flowing vocals with Taane’s signature ‘Tiki Dub’ production, capturing the band’s organic chemistry and the energy of a classic summer night out. Known for their sun-soaked surf-reggae sound and energetic live shows, SOJØURN will celebrate the release with headline performances in Wellington and Auckland, with further summer tour dates to be announced.
Coppelia — The Horse's Name is Friday (EP)
Auckland five-piece Coppelia are introducing themselves with their debut EP The Horse’s Name Is Friday, bringing together reggae grooves, indie rock, jazz-infused saxophone and surf-rock influences. Since forming in 2024, the band have quickly established a presence in Aotearoa’s independent music scene through regular gigging, headline shows and festival appearances, including support slots alongside Cruze Control. Across its five tracks, the EP explores the uncertainty of early adulthood and the search for freedom, balancing introspective songwriting with the energetic musicianship that has become central to their sound. From the atmospheric opening of Manasoul to the reflective closing track Carousel, Coppelia showcase their chemistry as a band, with saxophone, driving basslines and layered guitars helping to create a distinctive sound. With songs that feel just as suited to the stage as they do to a summer playlist, The Horse’s Name Is Friday marks an exciting first release from the Auckland group.
DeHusslar Music — Watermelon and Dick (ALBUM)
Auckland producer DEHUSSLAR MUSIC is an anonymous, masked electronic artist whose sound was born out of the city's festival scene, following an epiphany at Splore in 2024. Operating independently, DEHUSSLAR has built momentum with a run of singles that have charted on the Aotearoa Hot 20 Singles Chart three times, including two Top 10 entries. His debut 18-track album WATERMELON & DICK – THE FESTIVAL ALBUM is designed to capture the experience of an entire electronic music festival, moving between house, Afrobeat, dubstep, trap and drum and bass, alongside more personal tracks exploring mental health and resilience. Mixed by Tiki Taane, the album also draws inspiration from the realities of life in Māngere, South Auckland, with focus track 'UNBREAKABLE' sitting at its emotional centre.
Kora (CA), Sanoi, Harry Charles, Dylan C — Murmurs (Tiohtià:ke version)
Auckland-based electronic artists Sanoi, Harry Charles and Dylan C have joined Canadian producer Kora (CA) for a collaborative release that began with a recording session at Auckland's Roundhead Studios. The four artists brought together their different musical backgrounds to create Murmurs, with the original recordings later developed into two interpretations across Auckland and Montréal. On Murmurs (Tiohtià:ke version), Kora takes the material in a more organic and progressive direction, bringing the original live instrumentation further to the forefront. The release is the first of two singles through Loop Electronic, with Sanoi's Murmurs (Tāmaki Makaurau version) set to follow.
Julia Belle — Mondays
Pōneke singer-songwriter Julia Belle is an indie-pop artist known for her honest, personal songwriting, having moved beyond the folk-pop foundations of her debut EP Dreamland into a more atmospheric sound. Since its release, she has continued to build her place in Wellington's music scene, collaborating with local artists and co-writing and featuring on Danica Bryant's single Narcissist. Her latest single Mondays explores the fear of wasting your twenties, capturing the feeling of wanting to start over somewhere new while questioning whether a change of scenery can really change who you are. Following on from September's Aurora, the release continues to showcase Julia's evolving sound while maintaining the introspective songwriting at the heart of her music.
The Black Seeds — Commander Feat. P.Digsss
Wellington collective The Black Seeds have teamed up with Shapeshifter frontman P.Digsss for their latest single Commander, bringing together their signature blend of big-beat funk, vintage roots reggae and dub. The collaboration sees P.Digsss contribute vocals and lyrics alongside Barnaby Weir, delivering an uplifting message about following your own path, self-love and positivity. Mixed by longtime collaborator Lee Prebble, the single also comes with a dub version, Dr Lee Dub, and an instrumental version. Commander offers a taste of the band's upcoming eighth studio album, expected in 2027, as they prepare for a busy summer of touring across New Zealand and Australia, followed by a UK and European tour.
Lydia Cole — I Need Space
Tāmaki Makaurau-based singer-songwriter Lydia Cole has been a part of the New Zealand music scene since the release of her debut EP LOVE WILL FIND A WAY in 2009, followed by two critically acclaimed albums, ME & MOON and THE LAY OF THE LAND. After stepping away from music in 2019 following debilitating burnout, Lydia has returned with I Need Space, her first new single in more than seven years. A deeply personal and contemplative release, the song explores the balance between connection and solitude while navigating recovery, with Lydia describing it as an ode to her partner and the support he has given her. The single marks the beginning of a new chapter, leading into her third studio album, expected in 2027.
Imani-J — Platinum Status (EP)
Haitian-New Zealand artist Imani-J is stepping into a new chapter with the release of her sophomore EP Platinum Status, a confident celebration of culture, identity and personal growth. Following her debut EP Expectations and recent single parasite, the new project sees Imani-J take a more focused approach to her songwriting, with each track contributing to a wider story about learning to trust herself and her creativity. Led by the single Fly, the EP incorporates her Haitian heritage while delivering a response to those who have doubted her success. Written across sessions in London, Los Angeles and Aotearoa, the project also features emily, a personal tribute to her mother, who has supported her throughout her music career. After a milestone year that included the success of talk is cheap, which reached #2 on the NZ charts, Imani-J is set to celebrate the release with a launch party and upcoming performances at Afrosoul and Electric Avenue.
You can read my interview with Imani-J here.
Lou'ana — Strawberry Nights (Christmas in Aotearoa)
Tāmaki Makaurau soul artist LOU’ANA is welcoming the festive season with her latest single Strawberry Nights (Christmas in Aotearoa), a soulful celebration of Christmas memories and summer in New Zealand. Following the release of her award-winning debut album MOONLIGHT MADNESS and sophomore record DISCO WITCH, which reached #12 on the Aotearoa Albums Chart, LOU’ANA has continued to build her reputation through international tours, festival appearances and support slots for artists including Gladys Knight and Teddy Swims. Written alongside Dillon Riesterer and Nathan Judd, who also produced the track, Strawberry Nights (Christmas in Aotearoa) draws on childhood Christmases spent with family, from gatherings filled with Samoan food and singing to the iconic Franklin Road Christmas lights. Led by LOU’ANA’s distinctive vocals and layered with uplifting strings, horns and backing vocals, the single captures the warmth and nostalgia of a summer Christmas.
Flax — High High
Auckland five-piece alternative rock band Flax (formerly Flaxxies) are entering a new chapter with their forthcoming EP Teething, following several years of touring across Aotearoa and building a reputation for their soulful, high-energy live shows. After taking the past year away from the stage to focus on writing and recording, the band have returned with a more refined sound and a new name. Their latest single High High is the third taste of the EP, pushing the boundaries of their sound while exploring the impact of substance abuse on personal wellbeing and relationships. Beginning as an instrumental guitar track, the song developed into a raw and introspective reflection on the difficult emotions that can come with recognising your own agency and confronting the parts of yourself you might otherwise keep hidden.
