New Music Roundup: Kiwi Artists Showcase Talent and Tradition
In a vibrant display of musical diversity, New Zealand artists are releasing tracks that blend innovation with tradition, from synth-pop anthems to disciplined metal riffs. This week's roundup highlights seven songs that reflect the country's rich cultural fabric, with each artist bringing a unique perspective to their craft.
Anthonie Tonnon's Cinematographer: A Synth-Pop Masterpiece
Anthonie Tonnon, a Taite award winner, has unveiled a new track from his ambitious album and audiovisual project Cinematographer. The song blends 1980s synth-pop with dancefloor energy, drawing from Tonnon's youth in the early 2000s. Co-written with producer Jonathan Pearce of The Beths, the track features sharp social observations and a cool delivery. Tonnon describes the project as 'a world that we've built for this new music, exploring some newfound passions - the French avant-garde, cinema, urban politics of the 1960s, turn-of-the-millennium dance culture and documentary films.' The video references office culture from the 1980s, a theme that remains relevant today.
Gareth Thomas Returns with Healing Melodies
Gareth Thomas, formerly of goodshirt, has released a new single after a decade since his debut album Fizzy Milk. The track, inspired by a true story about seeing the band Mermaidens, explores the healing power of music. With a slinky, bass-popping groove, it offers a dancefloor-ready escape from life's lowest moments. The colorful clip adds to the experience.
Lance Savali and Rita Ora: A House Music Collaboration
Lance Savali, a dancer and DJ, teams up with pop star Rita Ora for a house music track that is both catchy and energetic. With a snappy stutter to the keyboards and Ora's echoed vocals, the song is a two-and-a-half-minute burst of energy. Given their massive social media followings, this collaboration is likely to resonate with a wide audience.
Oni Kidman: Standing on Her Own Merit
Oni Kidman, daughter of acclaimed musician Rikki Morris, proves her talent by placing third in the International Songwriting Competition's Unpublished category. Her song tackles image, self-doubt, and the pressures of social media, delivering an important message about self-confidence for young women. 'You pass judgement like you're getting paid,' she sings, challenging the critics. The track is assertive and catchy, showing why international judges took notice.
Superturtle: Quirky Alt-Pop with a Message
Superturtle, an Auckland-based band with five albums, offers a quirky, jerky New Wave alt-pop track about excessive greed and consumerism. The song, a taster for their upcoming double album, is annoyingly and enjoyably catchy. The cover art by Chris Knox adds to the anticipation.
DarkWater: Disciplined Metal with Pop Sensibility
DarkWater, a trio from New Plymouth, delivers disciplined, riff-driven metal with a strong pop component. Their track works a subtle melody with big chord changes, making it approachable yet powerful. Following their grunty The Climb from last year, this single signals another step toward their third studio album.
Katseye: K-Pop's Global Phenomenon
Katseye, a multi-cultural K-pop band based in Los Angeles, releases an unusual single that blends familiar pop moves with audio-verité chatter. The song, co-written by Ed Sheeran, features a beat reminiscent of Britney Spears' Toxic. The edited version delivers the proper singing bits in just two and a half minutes. The music video, a fashion shoot cum performance, includes a cameo by Demi Moore.
Richard Thompson: A Gritty Look at London Streets
Richard Thompson, one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, releases a gritty first single from his forthcoming album Hippies, Thugs and Heroes. The song features interesting characters on the streets of London, from a soldier quoting Shakespeare to a thug from Glasgow. With jagged guitar and a spiraling psychedelic solo, Thompson remains a force to be reckoned with.
Julien Van Mellaerts: A Kiwi Baritone's Homage to the Aurora
Baritone Julien Van Mellaerts, a Kiwi based in Paris, releases The Lake, a song cycle commissioned from Errollyn Wallen, the current Master of the King's Music. The third song, Timeless, is inspired by the aurora borealis. 'I find whenever I sing things that remind me of home and give me this connection, I can sing better,' says Van Mellaerts. A full interview is forthcoming.