International alternative rock band Yumi Zouma has delivered another indie rock anthem with their newest single, ‘ Blister ,’ released via Nettwerk . Leaning fully into the thrashy break-beats of drummer Olivia Campion and distorted guitars of Charlie Ryder and Josh Burgess, frontwoman Christie Simpson screams, “Why you gotta do me like that?!”, channeling the likes of Courtney Love, Iggy Pop, and Kathleen Hanna, and crystallising ‘Blister’ as a genuine moment of era-defining, rock-star perfection. ‘ Blister ’ follows up on the success of ‘ Bashville on the Sugar ,’ the band’s unruly first single on Nettwerk, which introduced this fearless new chapter ahead. On ‘Blister,’ Yumi Zouma shares, “We found strength in simplicity, discovering that the more stripped-down we went, the more forceful the impact became. ‘Blister’ surged ahead on the back of our most anthemic riffs, conjuring images in our minds of C4 , Channel Z , prepaid flip-phone text plans, and the Big Day Out main stage under the punishing heat of the hole in the ozone layer.”
Christchurch’s very own rising country-pop star Steffany Beck has released her first song and video of 2025, the rocking ‘n’ rowdy anthem, ‘ Country Strong ’. Steffany says that the inspiration for the lyrics for ‘ Country Strong ’ comes from the phenomenal popularity of country music right now. “Country music has always been cool. But there is a worldwide movement right now and this song embodies it - connecting our country roots to the worldwide modern country music fever,” she explains. The palpable energy of ‘ Country Strong ’ is captured in a slick music video made by Neato Productions . It features members of the Christchurch Western Riding Association and saw Steffany brushing up on her horse wrangling and riding skills and embracing her inner cowgirl. “I had four riding sessions and literally practiced daily for a couple of weeks to improve my lasso skills. I was so determined to look like a natural born cowgirl. The horse, Elle, which I was blessed to ride, was perfect for me. She was a patient, experienced showgirl, who knew how to make a rookie look like a pro,” says Steffany .
Aotearoa-born, Australian-based rockers Bakers Eddy have dropped their latest EP, I’M DOING BETTER, which comes with the lastest single and video 'Hopeless Dreams'. The songs on the EP find Bakers Eddy opening up on their personal experiences of growing up together: “At times we're being more vulnerable than we've ever been before. This year in particular we really opened up to each other… I think that growth within ourselves, and our relationship, found its way into the music,” he adds. And in keeping with Bakers Eddy ’s signature sound, I’M DOING BETTER remains as high energy as ever. Their new raucous pop-punk-infused single ‘ Hopeless Dreams ’ is a case and point. “It's that feeling of fear that you might succumb to life when things get difficult and wind up giving up on your dreams when things feel too hard,” says Ciarann.
Award-winning Polynesian composer and multi-instrumentalist Teiva Viaris is spreading his wings across the Pacific with the release of his debut solo single, ‘ Hī Rau E’ - a gentle and hypnotic folk-infused tune, composed and sung entirely in the artist’s native Tahitian tongue. ‘ Hī Rau E ’ effortlessly blends the raw sounds of acoustic guitar and drums, with the guttural power of the Tahitian language. Softened by ethereal synth layers and choral harmonies, the song builds to a swirling crescendo of melodic motifs. An ode to the ‘cradle of Polynesian culture’, ‘ Hī Rau E’ explores the theme of the ocean. “The lyrics draw a parallel between the inner workings of the human body and the marine world that gives birth to volcanic islands, evoking the sacred bond between people and the sea,” says Teiva. The song is delivered alongside a gorgeous animation created by Mexican 2D animator Erick Cuevas AKA Nespy , who has earned international recognition for his work in the avant-garde music scene.
Get ready to take a fresh new trip down to the ‘Love Shack’ ! This is the new release from the upcoming album CLASSIC HITS IN A REGGAE GROOVE , a bold project that pairs original vocalists with Kingston Sound System , a collection of Jamaica’s finest musicians, to reimagine massive hits in true reggae style. The band behind the project, Kingston Sound System , have created this new imagining of The B-52s classic track ‘Love Shack’ using the original vocal takes combined with a live Jamaican reggae band. The unmistakable vocals from Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson sound at home inside of a wall of skanking guitars and pulsating horns, creating a sun-drenched version of a track named by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest of all time.
Tāmaki Makaurau-based indie-pop artist Geoff Ong has today shared his hotly anticipated second EP, DIVERGING LINES, alongside an electric new single, which takes its name from the record. Packed with self-produced and utterly wholesome bangers, DIVERGING LINES offers an intimate insight into Geoff's honest and raw songwriting, and his undeniable talent for encapsulating sensitive subject matter in a way that makes listeners feel less alone. Through topics of growing up, grief, friendship, nostalgia, and navigating the 21st century, paired with captivating indie-pop production, Geoff invites grooving, foot-tapping, and introspection. Today’s release from the self-proclaimed “pop star for dorks” features 2024’s catchy and candid coming of age anthem, ‘When It Gets Easy’ (The Listener, Seven Sharp, TAHI FM, Radio One) and the pulsing climate-conscious ‘What Will We Do When The Ocean Comes?’ (Tearaway, 95bFM), which stole hearts at its debut performance with The Exploding Rainbow Orchestra in 2023. Also featured is the new single ‘Diverging Lines’, which oozes an 80s-infused synth-pop style belying its melancholic, raw subject matter. “I lost a friend to suicide in 2024, and this song really became a vehicle for processing my grief around that time,” says Geoff. “It made me reflect a lot on relationships with friends and family… sometimes our lines run parallel to each other and then we diverge. So the question then became, ‘How do I make the most of the time that I have with the lines I'm running parallel with right now?’ and ‘How do I show up the best I can for the people I love?’”
Australian-born, Canadian-based singer and songwriter Mikhail Laxton has released his new single, ‘I Like The Way’ - a soulful, laid back love song, which has already been causing something of a stir on TikTok in Aotearoa. Since making the move from Australia to Ottawa, the Aboriginal artist has been making a name for himself in Canada’s Americana scene. But when he recently posted a snippet of ‘I Like the Way’ on TikTok, teasing its upcoming release, he was pleasantly surprised to find it resonating with a new fanbase - New Zealanders. “It’s been really nice to see all the love from Aotearoa on just a little snippet of the track,” says Mikhail. “I’ve been at music for a while now and I’m really happy I’ve finally been able to create something that seems to have struck such a chord with people and specifically with Kiwis as I have a deep love for you all. “Being an Australian and an Indigenous man myself (Kuku Yalanji - Mossman, QLD) there’s already a connection there and I want to give a special shoutout to all the Māori and Pacific Island community for showing so much love. I’ve been invited fishing, camping and a lot of offers for a boil up and fry bread - so I’m keen as anything to come down for a visit. Honestly, if I had to put a word to what it feels like… it feels like home.”
With their previous single ‘Problem’ debuting at #4 on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles Chart and their 4-date NZ tour selling-out, NO CIGAR return with a brand new single; the gritty, addictive track ‘Best Behaviour’. Laced with groove and anthemic in nature, the track explores the difficult task of confronting reality when it comes to meeting your significant other's parents. Reliable in its anxiety, lead vocalist Willy Ferrier reckons the best time to listen to ‘Best Behaviour’ is “on the way to their house”. “Meeting the parents will always be a tense moment, laced with trepidation,” says Ferrier. “To be on one's best behaviour is the expectation. To be nervous is understandable. To be perfect is unlikely.” ‘Best Behaviour’ is the third single to come from the band's upcoming album; previously releasing their indie-rock anthem ‘ Problem ’. This single debuted at #4 on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles Chart, was featured by Rolling Stone AU / NZ, and received airplay from Radio Hauraki, RNZ, Bayrock and multiple stations on the SRN. Continuing to ride high in 2025, NO CIGAR sold-out their recent 4-date tour which took in Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch. Taking in a string of dates in May through the UK and Europe, the first of these shows in London has already sold out - prompting an upgrade to a bigger venue!
Pointer Recordings is thrilled to release the newest R&B rap single from Jamaica Moana called 'TUGGAWAR'. The Sydney-based artist, rapper, creative director and songwriter of Māori (Ngāpuhi/Tainui) and Samoan descent; is entering a new era and 'TUGGAWAR' is the unapologetic, blistering rap track that shifts it into gear. Produced by Melbourne-based producer, MC, and composer POOKIE, this single is a war cry for self-belief. "I took a bar from here, a flow from there, an adlib from this and a character from that. I wanted this to be so crazy, a flow switch up almost every 4 or 8 bars. I knew I had to show my range somehow so I would rap low to high, to sounding sexy to sounding disgusted. It was all refreshing," said Jamaica on TUGGAWAR . "The hero line “Challenge me and i’ll pull it in - Tuggawar” is all about try me and I’ll win. Believe in yourself and you can do it. This is Missy Elliot, 50 Cent and Khia, having dinner with Jamaica and POOKIE. The meal for the evening is ' TUGGAWAR '." Fresh off a headline spot at Sissy Ball , Jamaica has a series of exciting appearances on the horizon, including a special guest spot in ethereal hip-hop artist DEVAURA's April launch show in Sydney’s Newtown, and inclusion in the next season of Sydney's Phoenix Central Park in May. Jamaica Moana currently works on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and is spiritually entwined with Hokianga and Waikato in the motherland of Aotearoa . She balances her professional career as a multidisciplinary artist whilst being a leader and resident commentator of the Australian ballroom community and founder of The West Ball . She has modelled for multiple Australian Fashion Week shows including Erik Yvon, Jordan Gogos, Nicol + Ford, and has also performed at FBi Radio SMAC Fest, Kooky, Kira Puru’s Club Crush and supported Cakes Da Killa, Junglepussy, and Ngaiire.