New Music 26/06
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Borderline — Borderline (ALBUM)
After a breakout 12 months Borderline have released their self-titled debut album, Borderline, alongside the infectious new single Skyline. The young band have quickly become one of New Zealand's most exciting exports, taking home the People's Choice Award at the Aotearoa Music Awards, earning a place on Rolling Stone's Future of Music 2026 list, receiving support from BBC Radio 1 and completing a 14-date North American tour. Skyline showcases the band's willingness to embrace a slick pop sound while maintaining their signature four-piece chemistry, with glossy guitars, funk-inspired rhythms and infectious hooks sitting at the heart of the track. The album arrives ahead of an extensive run of shows across New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Europe as Borderline continue their rapid rise on the international stage.
Niamh Crooks — who do you think you are?
Ōtepoti pop artist Niamh Crooks returns with who do you think you are?, a dark-pop single that pairs sharp lyricism, cinematic production, and a confident sense of empowerment. Written alongside producer EDYONTHEBEAT, the track explores the frustration of being drawn back into a situation that should have been left behind, balancing emotional detachment with a sarcastic edge and an infectious pop hook. Since winning Spark's Open Audition competition in 2023 and releasing her debut EP Blush in 2024, Crooks has continued to build momentum through emotionally honest songwriting, sold-out headline shows, and support slots alongside artists including Will Swinton and Crúde, further establishing herself as one of Aotearoa's emerging pop talents.
The Advocators — Little Creeks
Northland alt-country outfit The Advocators return with Little Creeks, the latest single from their forthcoming second album Beyond the Palisade. Known for their gritty blend of alt-country noir and stomp rock, the band have built a strong reputation through previous releases that have attracted tens of thousands of streams, praise from outlets including Rolling Stone Australia, 13th Floor and NZ Musician, and radio support across New Zealand and Australia. Little Creeks recently earned songwriters Leroy Brown and Mark Bruce a finalist placing in the 2026 New Zealand Country Music Honours Songwriter of the Year award, pairing wistful guitars, banjo and piano with a reflective story about longing to escape city life and return to the peace and freedom of the countryside. Recorded in Whangārei with producer Dan Stenhouse, the track offers another glimpse into the band's upcoming album while showcasing the heartfelt songwriting that continues to define their sound.
EQUILIBRIUM — Rumination
Emerging from Ōtautahi, EQUILIBRIUM are a jazz metal outfit blending progressive metal, jazz harmony and pop-rock influences into a sound that has already turned heads across Aotearoa. The four-piece made history in 2025 when they became the first instrumental act to win the national Smokefreerockquest band title, and have continued building momentum since with a rapidly growing online audience. Their debut single, Rumination, showcases the band's intricate musicianship through complex melodies, crushing rhythm sections and dynamic shifts, all brought to life through a recording produced and mixed by Clint Murphy and mastered by Ryan Smith. Accompanied by a live performance video filmed in Christchurch’s Great Hall and supported by NZ On Air, the release marks the beginning of a new chapter as the group continue developing their sound and expanding their audience.
Castaway — CUCKOO
Ōtautahi pop-rock outfit Castaway continue their rapid rise with the release of Cuckoo, the latest taste of the band's upcoming body of work. Formed by five mates in Christchurch, Castaway have built momentum through recent singles Heart Attack and Her Favourite Song, sharing stages with Six60, Synthony, Mitch James and Drax Project, while earning airplay across ZM, The Hits, More FM, Radio Hauraki and RNZ. Blending driving guitars, soaring synths, saxophone hooks and anthemic choruses, Cuckoo explores themes of obsession, longing and youthful romance, delivering an indie pop-rock anthem built for festival stages and packed venues.
ANTOINE AUDONNET — AMERICAN IDOL
Alternative-pop artist ANTOINE AUDONNET continues to build momentum with his latest single, AMERICAN IDOL. Since making his debut in 2025, Audonnet has amassed more than 100,000 streams and performed his first headline show at Auckland’s Big Fan, while previous releases including CRASHED, MINE TO MISS and THE GREATEST have established his cinematic approach to songwriting. On AMERICAN IDOL, he explores the blurred line between love, admiration and obsession, pairing vulnerable lyricism with expansive production as he examines the sacrifices that can come with placing someone on a pedestal. The track further develops Audonnet’s distinctive artistic voice, one centred on emotional honesty, immersive storytelling and the complexities of human connection.
Tess Liautaud — Jolie Louise
Based in Ōtautahi, Franco-American folk-country artist Tess Liautaud has built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting and Americana-inspired sounds, sharing stages with artists including Tami Neilson, Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson and Glen Hansard while earning acclaim for her 2024 album Blue Mind. Following chart success, international radio support and a multi-country European tour, Liautaud returns with Jolie Louise, a bilingual interpretation of the classic song written by French-Canadian musician Daniel Lanois. Marking the first time she has recorded in both of her mother tongues, the track blends lyrical heartbreak with a rich country arrangement featuring fiddle, pedal steel, banjo, double bass and acoustic guitars. The release arrives ahead of another European touring run, continuing a period of growing international recognition for the Christchurch-based songwriter.
Ardie Won — Always Been A Winner
Emerging artist Ardie Won has released Always Been A Winner, a self-described anthem for the autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent community. Blending humour with vulnerability, the track reflects on feelings of social isolation, childhood judgement and the experience of being seen as different, while ultimately pushing back against those perceptions with a message of self-acceptance and resilience.
TEEKS — My Boy
Tāmaki Makaurau Māori soul artist TEEKS has unveiled My Boy, one of the most personal releases of his career. Widely regarded as one of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed musical exports, TEEKS has amassed more than 200 million streams globally since the release of his platinum-certified EP The Grapefruit Skies and chart-topping debut album Something To Feel, earning multiple Aotearoa Music Awards, an MTV Europe Music Award and international recognition for his powerful songwriting and unmistakable baritone voice. On My Boy, he embraces a new level of artistic honesty, drawing on his own lived experience to explore queerness, desire and identity through intimate songwriting and soulful production. Accompanied by a striking self-directed music video, the single challenges traditional ideas of masculinity and sexual fluidity while marking a bold and deeply vulnerable new chapter for one of New Zealand’s most celebrated artists.
Niki Kennedy — I Don't Think About You
Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and now based in Toronto, award-winning Pasifika singer-songwriter Niki Kennedy blends roots and soul influences with heartfelt storytelling. Kennedy is currently preparing to release her forthcoming album The Space In Between, a project exploring themes of home, identity and belonging while weaving Polynesian influences into contemporary roots music. Her latest single, I Don’t Think About You, sits in the emotional aftermath of a toxic relationship, pairing intimate vocals, lap steel and soft piano with reflections on grief, healing and rediscovering self-worth. Written and co-produced by Kennedy, the track offers a vulnerable and deeply personal glimpse into the themes that will shape her upcoming album, while further showcasing the songwriting that has earned praise from publications including No Depression, BroadwayWorld and Permanent Rain Press.
Dick Johnson — Heartbeat Away Ft. Jeremy Redmore & Ethan Jupe
Auckland-based DJ and producer Dick Johnson continues his two-decade run at the forefront of Aotearoa’s electronic music scene with the release of Heartbeat Away, a collaboration with former Midnight Youth frontman Jeremy Redmore and rising artist Ethan Jupe. Alongside his extensive remix catalogue and busy touring schedule, Johnson has played a key role in the success of Synthony as its music director since 2021, while recently unveiling a series of singles from an upcoming album celebrating his long-standing contribution to New Zealand dance music. Following previous releases In My Arms and Always, Heartbeat Away delivers a euphoric blend of disco and dance-pop, built around Redmore’s unmistakable vocals and a groove-driven production inspired by classic French house. The track arrives as another showcase of Johnson’s collaborative approach and enduring influence within the local electronic music community.
missrosevalentina — I Think Ur Gay
missrosevalentina leans fully into camp, humour and queer club culture on her latest single, I Think Ur Gay. Drawing inspiration from the underground "bitch track" tradition pioneered by trans and gay artists, the track channels the energy of 90s dance music through a modern electropop lens, with influences ranging from Franklin Fuentes and Moi Renee to Club 69. Inspired by real-life observations of intensely homoerotic friendships between straight-identifying men, I Think Ur Gay delivers a playful and unapologetically cheeky take on sexuality and identity. Already featured by Rolling Stone AU/NZ and gaining traction on queer radio in Chicago, the release further cements missrosevalentina's reputation for bold, entertaining pop that refuses to take itself too seriously.
Pieces of Molly — Alligator
Ōtautahi rock outfit Pieces Of Molly crank up the volume on their latest single, Alligator. Known for their high-octane blend of garage rock and classic hard rock attitude, the four-piece have been building momentum with recent releases Don’t Take Me To The Disco (You Can Call Rock N Roll) and Can’t Muzzle Me. On Alligator, the band channels themes of tension, aggression and manipulation into a fierce three-and-a-half-minute rock anthem, brought to life through loud guitars, snarling vocals and relentless energy. Recorded at The LAB in Auckland with producer Olly Harmer and accompanied by a music video filmed in Christchurch, the track captures the raw intensity that has become a hallmark of the band's live sound.
Verity — Casual
Tāmaki Makaurau pop and R&B artist Verity joins forces with rapper Jujulipps on her latest single, Casual. Following a breakout run that has included winning the Up & Coming Artist Competition at Jim Beam Homegrown, selection for SongHubs 2025, performances across New Zealand and Los Angeles, and collaborations with Grammy Award-winning songwriters, Verity continues to establish herself as one of the country's rising pop voices. Casual explores the emotional contradictions of modern situationships, pairing Verity's soulful vocals with Jujulipps' confident verse to create a hook-filled anthem about blurred boundaries, emotional attachment and knowing your worth. The collaboration arrives as Verity continues work on her debut album and prepares for a national tour later this year.
Letoa — MEDUSA
Tāmaki Makaurau artist Letoa continues the rollout for his forthcoming album GLOCSTARR 2 with the release of MEDUSA, a collaboration with longtime friend, producer and artist Dozy Doe. The pair draw on their shared appreciation for underground music culture, blending Memphis phonk influences, distorted production and relentless energy into one of the project's darkest and most aggressive tracks. Accompanied by a striking black-and-white music video directed by Tung Minh Bui, MEDUSA offers another glimpse into Letoa's ambitious creative vision, with GLOCSTARR 2 set to showcase a deliberately diverse collection of songs united by a distinctive visual identity rather than a single sonic direction.
ZENTARGE — Straight Away
Hamilton brother duo ZENTARGE return with Straight Away, a soulful blend of country and R&B that celebrates whānau, whakapapa and the importance of expressing love while there's still time. Made up of brothers Zenith and Targe Tawhara-Crown, the Māori artists first began performing together more than a decade ago through street busking and playing covers at events across Aotearoa, before building momentum with recent singles Tall Poppy and Life of a Mischief. Rooted in their connections to Mōkai Kāinga Marae in Kāwhia and their Rereahu and Maniapoto whakapapa, Straight Away pairs warm country instrumentation with smooth harmonies to deliver a heartfelt message about home, family and speaking your aroha out loud. The single arrives ahead of the duo's debut album, which is set to further explore their blend of contemporary production and authentic storytelling.
