New Music 24/07
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Middle Island — Cheap Perfume / Angeline
Middle Island are a five-piece folk rock band made up of Thomas Clark, David Hurnen, Jackson Mackwood, Jack Bromwich and Braithan Bailey. Originally beginning as Clark's solo project before evolving into a full band earlier this year, the group now introduce their new sound with a debut double single featuring Cheap Perfume and Angeline. While Cheap Perfume leans into country-inspired grooves with its driving acoustic guitar and rolling bass line, Angeline slows things down to showcase the band's rich harmonies and thoughtful songwriting, offering an impressive first release as a complete five-piece.
emerson — Breathe
Tāmaki Makaurau-based pop artist emerson returns with Breathe, following on from her recent singles Want Him Bad! and Tell Me What I Want To Hear. Since launching her solo project, the Rockquest winner has quickly become one of Aotearoa's most exciting emerging pop voices, with multiple releases charting on the Aotearoa Hot 20 Singles Chart and earning international editorial playlist support. With her knack for infectious hooks, honest songwriting and polished pop production, Breathe continues Emerson's impressive run of releases.
STARHEAD — Stars in our Scars
Based in Hāwea Flat, STARHEAD is the musical project of German-born artist Julia Sternkopf, who returned to songwriting after years spent exploring creativity through landscape painting. Her debut single, Stars in Our Scars, reflects on the grief of losing someone who has profoundly shaped your life while celebrating the lasting impact they leave behind. The release is accompanied by a music video created by a group of local Wānaka creatives, showcasing the community spirit behind STARHEAD's heartfelt introduction as an emerging independent artist.
MESSIE, Juni — B2B (feat. sbk)
MESSIE joins forces with Auckland bass music artist Juni for B2B, their debut release on HARD Recs featuring English rapper and producer sbk. MESSIE has built a reputation for club-ready tracks shaped by breaks, jungle, jersey club, ghetto tech and baile funk, while Juni brings a background in UK garage and bassline to the collaboration. Powered by gritty grime verses from sbk and an explosive blend of jersey club, UKG and bass-heavy production, B2B delivers an uncompromising burst of energy from two exciting names in Aotearoa's electronic music scene.
Triggar Happy — I Rock'n'Roll
Originally from Ōtorohanga in the Waikato, Triggar Happy is the musical project of Regan Tucker, blending country storytelling with rock attitude and blues-inspired swagger. Following chart-topping albums Talk Is Cheap and Love Loyalty Respect, along with standout singles including Zombies, Cowboy Power Rock and Sundown, he returns with I Rock 'N' Roll. Inspired by a real-life bar fight in Tasmania, the track transforms the experience into a hard-hitting anthem about resilience, perseverance and refusing to back down when life gets tough, marking a powerful return to the heavier rock sound that first put Triggar Happy on the map.
BEX — I luv my boy
Tāmaki Makaurau artist BEX continues her evolution into electronic pop with I luv my boy, following a run of standout releases that established her as one of Aotearoa's rising alt-pop talents. After topping the SRN Network charts and earning support across student radio, BEX has traded guitar-driven songwriting for infectious synths, club-ready beats and self-produced electronic soundscapes. I luv my boy pairs swirling synths with a UK garage-inspired groove to deliver a playful, romantic anthem that highlights the bold new direction of her debut project MAKE IT LOUDER.
