New Music 14/08
It’s been another big week for new music across Aotearoa, with a pretty diverse mix of releases spanning indie rock, hip-hop, electronic, folk and everything in between. Zafado officially release their debut EP Extended Paranoia, a particularly meaningful release following the passing of frontman Adam McPhail earlier this year, while Park Flyers drop their debut album you’re a real brick after building a name for themselves across the alternative scene. There’s also plenty of new music from artists including BEX, B Tello, CLOVA, Wet Denim, IVY, JQIME, NOPILOT, Jessica Leigh, Candice Milner and Niki Kennedy, alongside releases from emerging artists like 13-year-old Rohan Evans and debuting songwriter Jordan Hunter Hyland. From dancefloor-ready electronic production to gritty guitar music and deeply personal songwriting, there’s plenty to dig into this week.
Do you have a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature!
Zafado — Extended Paranoia (EP)
Pōneke alternative hip-hop outfit Zafado release their debut EP Extended Paranoia, bringing together six tracks that blend funk, reggae, jazz and hip-hop while exploring different sides of paranoia, politics and personal struggle. Recorded over several months and shaped through a largely DIY process, the EP captures the chemistry between the five-piece and the distinctive voice of frontman Adam McPhail, who passed away in March 2026. From the funk-driven President to the more personal Ascendin, Extended Paranoia stands as both a snapshot of Zafado’s time together and a way of keeping Adam’s voice and songwriting alive.
You can read my interview with Zafado here.
BEX — Make It Louder
Tāmaki Makaurau artist BEX continues her move into electronic pop with Make It Louder, the title track from her upcoming debut project. Following I luv my boy, the new single adds another piece to BEX’s shift towards infectious synths, bass-heavy production and club-ready energy, with three tracks now out and three more still to come. Produced and co-written alongside Wongii, Make It Louder is a bold statement of intent for a project that BEX wants listeners to turn all the way up.
B Tello — Planted
Wellington DJ and musician B Tello debuts his new project with Planted, the first single from Ben Bonetti's electronic alias. Also known as the bassist and vocalist of reggae-rock band Pineja, Bonetti's DJ sound draws from breaks, garage, hardgroove and techno, shaped by his time in Wellington's electronic scene. Following DJ sets and radio sessions around the country, including a surprise main-stage appearance alongside Tiki Taane at SoundSplash, Planted marks the beginning of a new chapter for B Tello.
You can read my interview with Ben here.
Park Flyers — you're a real brick (ALBUM)
Park Flyers return with their debut LP you’re a real brick, following singles running out / i could be there and dumb. Blending fast, gritty hits with lush DIY midwest emo-inspired cuts and softer, more sincere moments, the album takes listeners through an emotional arc the duo describe as “fulfilling and nostalgic”. Following performances alongside DARTZ, Coast Arcade, Back To The Hillside and First Reserve, as well as appearances at CubaDupa and a North Island tour with Slow Rage, you’re a real brick marks the next step in Park Flyers’ growing presence across Aotearoa’s alternative scene.
Becca Caffyn — Julia Roberts
London-based, Aotearoa-born indie-folk singer-songwriter Becca Caffyn returns with Julia Roberts, her first release since relocating to the UK. Built around glittering violin, moody instrumentation and darkly playful storytelling, the track explores the gap between real life and the glamorous fairytale endings of films, drawing inspiration from Julia Roberts’ role in Pretty Woman. Originally released as a cassette demo on Caffyn’s 2022 debut EP The Replacement Blonde, the song has remained a fan favourite and live staple, now returning in a fuller form as she begins a busy run of releases through the rest of 2026.
CLOVA — PRINCESS BAY DUB
Pōneke-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist CLOVA blends electronic and classical influences on her atmospheric new single PRINCESS BAY DUB. Inspired by 90s rave culture, UK garage and jungle, the six-minute track combines deep house and speed garage textures with pulsing drums, icy chords, woozy synths and deep bass. Following her double-sided debut album SPIRAL B SIDE, PRINCESS BAY DUB offers another look at CLOVA’s distinctive approach to dance music, with live violin, vocals and electronic production all forming part of her sound.
BB & The Bullets — Wild Honey
BB and the Bullets are right in the pocket, releasing their new single Wild Honey via Memphis label Overton Music. Blending the groove of James Brown with the guitar sting of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Wild Honey is a blues-infused R&B cut, taken from the band’s forthcoming second album Wrong Side of the River. It’s packed with soulful swagger, gritty guitar work, and an irresistible rhythm.
Rohan Evans — Echoes of Tomorrow
Tauranga 13-year-old Rohan Evans continues to make his mark as a young songwriter with his second single, Echoes of Tomorrow. Following his debut release Synthetic Horizons, Evans has worked with local musicians including Hani Totorewa, Stan Bicknell and recording engineer Damian Lunson to turn his original composition into a fully produced track. A regular performer at public events and local venues around the Bay of Plenty, Echoes of Tomorrow offers another glimpse of the songwriting ability and musical ambition that Rohan Evans is developing at a remarkably young age.
NOPILOT — The Line
Ōtautahi alternative rock band NOPILOT return with The Line, the third single from their forthcoming debut album. Following previous releases The Middle and What Am I Doing Here?, which earned playlist support from Radio Hauraki, The Rock, Radio BurgerFuel, NZ On Air and Spark NZ, the new track takes a softer, more emotional approach, drawing on anthemic pop-rock influences while exploring themes of change, maturity and pushing through difficult moments. With two sold-out headline shows already behind them and a further single, Pull You In, on the way, NOPILOT are building towards the release of their nine-track debut album later this year.
JQIME — intertwine
Pōneke teenage duo JQIME return with intertwine, a self-produced new single created in the depths of winter and carrying a cosy, rainy and dark atmosphere. Blending elements of '70s soul, R&B and funk with indie pop and rock, the pair have been developing their sound since starting the project in 2021 and forming the band in 2024. Following a string of bedroom-produced releases and recognition at Battle of the Bands in 2024 and 2025, Intertwine offers another glimpse of the adventurous sound that has seen JQIME establish themselves in Wellington's youth music scene.
Candice Milner — 27
Ōtautahi indie-folk-rock songwriter Candice Milner returns with 27, the latest glimpse into her forthcoming third album Rebirth. Written amid the sleepless nights and shifting priorities of early motherhood, the album sees Milner reflecting on adulthood, identity, creativity and the contradictions of trying to balance life’s responsibilities with the desire to simply have some fun. 27 marks a step further into the indie-rock sound of Rebirth, with Milner retaining the sharp storytelling and emotional honesty that have defined her songwriting.
Wet Denim — Mirrors
Aotearoa rock quartet Wet Denim return with Mirrors, the third and final single from their forthcoming EP Water For Dogs. Written during a period of creative frustration, the track turns writer’s block into an upbeat and optimistic rock song about looking outward for inspiration before finding the motivation within yourself. Following Living Room and Silence, Mirrors offers one final glimpse into Wet Denim’s refreshed sound ahead of the release of Water For Dogs.
Niki Kennedy — Gardenias
Aotearoa-born, Canada-based singer-songwriter Niki Kennedy returns with Gardenias, a soulful new single and heartfelt tribute to her grandmother. Blending roots and soul with warm grooves and emotional melodies, the track explores grief, memory and the beauty of whānau, with Kennedy choosing to celebrate her grandmother’s life rather than focus solely on loss. Gardenias is the latest glimpse into her debut album THE SPACE IN BETWEEN, due in October, which explores themes of home, identity and belonging while incorporating Polynesian elements into contemporary roots music.
IVY — Gutter
Ōtepoti alt-rock five-piece IVY return with Gutter, a powerful new single that channels generational frustration through dark, brooding textures, soaring choruses and commanding vocals. Following their 2025 debut album HUSH, the track uses the perspective of a soldier fighting for a lie as a metaphor for the narratives and systems imposed on society, while exploring the frustration many young people feel with the current state of the world. With a growing reputation built through national touring and major live appearances, Gutter continues IVY’s run of ambitious alt-rock releases.
Ny Oh — Aperture (Unplugged)
Aotearoa-raised, LA-based singer-songwriter Ny Oh gives fans a glimpse behind her award-winning debut album WILDWOOD with Aperture Unplugged, a stripped-back demo of the album’s opening track. Written during an APRA Songhubs session in Tāmaki Makaurau alongside Brooke Fraser, Paige and Joel Jones, the raw version brings a more haunting and ethereal quality to the song, offering a look at how it sounded in its earliest form. WILDWOOD saw Ny Oh step into the spotlight after years touring with Harry Styles, with the album earning her the 2026 Aotearoa Music Award for Best Folk Artist.
Jordan Hunter Hyland — Waste
Tāmaki Makaurau songwriter and doctor Jordan Hunter Hyland introduces his debut EP Waste with the intimate title track, a lo-fi indie song exploring disconnection, grief and finding a way forward. Produced by Chris Perry, Waste places Hyland’s understated instrumentation and vulnerable songwriting front and centre, drawing from a transformative period where he navigated his relationship with medicine alongside a renewed focus on music. The four-track EP is due in September, with Waste offering a first glimpse into a deeply personal debut.
Jessica Leigh — I'm On Fire
Indie pop and rock artist Jessica Leigh returns with I’m On Fire, following the release of her EP I Wanna Be A Star. Known for her sharp lyricism, glossy production and guitar-driven songwriting, Leigh continues to develop her sound with this latest single, building on a run of releases that has seen her recognised as a Rolling Stone AU/NZ Artist to Watch while also working across writing, production and collaborations with other artists.
