New Music 07/11

Got a new song coming out? Send me a message at ryanfromroots@gmail.com to get a feature!

Jono D — Wired Differently

Wired Differently is Jono D’s honest reflection on what it means to accept yourself — flaws, quirks, and all. Written quietly at the piano, the song captures those unspoken questions of belonging and self-understanding: Should I fit in? Am I different? The answer, Jono finds, is yes, and that’s something worth celebrating.

Rather than a story of rejection, it’s one of acceptance. Wired Differently embraces the freedom that comes from stepping outside the mould, and the connection found in realising others feel the same. It’s a gentle, human reminder that being on the outskirts doesn’t mean being alone.

BAD BLONDE — Sweet Into Sour

Whakatū-based pop-rock artist BAD BLONDE continues her evolution with the release of her punchy new single Sweet Into Sour. Originally written as an acoustic pop song, the track has since taken on a grungier, rock-infused edge — a reflection of her shifting sound and creative growth. “I wanted Sweet Into Sour to be a continuation of my growth and be something in the style I currently love,” she says. “It fits in nicely with what I’ve released and what’s still to come.” Working with producer Jack Rollinson, BAD BLONDE reimagined the song into a bold, energetic pop-rock anthem that highlights Rollinson’s guitar work and her own knack for ear-catching hooks.

At its heart, Sweet Into Sour captures the bittersweet chaos of love and confusion — when someone you like seems to be sending all the right signals, but they’re already with someone else. “It’s that feeling of being stuck in a love triangle and not really knowing where you stand,” BAD BLONDE explains. “It’s catchy, relatable, and something that people can dance and sing along to with their mates, which is what makes it so fun to play live.”

Em — Move. (ALBUM)

Pōneke-based artist and audio engineer Em (Emily Wheatcroft-Snape) has released her stunning sophomore album MOVE, out today on all major streaming platforms. Known for her production work and acclaimed solo projects like DEAD ROSES, UNDERGROWTH, and PHASES, Em continues to cement her place as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting indie-pop voices.

MOVE is a radiant collection that blends what Em calls her “triangle of genres” — indie-pop, spaghetti-western-folk, and dance. Collaborating with a talented cast of local artists including Arahi, Amy Boroevich (HINA), Alex Corbett, David Feauai-Afaese, and Jeremy Loh, the record explores snapshots of her life through a warm, sunlit lens. “All songs on this record should feel good while sitting in the sun,” she says. Among the highlights is new single The Orchard, a dreamy ballad co-written with Feauai-Afaese that reflects on heartbreak, healing, and finding home again.

Previously released singles Go, Lucky Star, and Crush return alongside The Orchard, completing a tracklist that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant. Released first on vinyl last week and now digitally, MOVE captures Em’s growth as both a songwriter and producer — a vivid snapshot of an artist in motion.

BENEE — Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles (ALBUM)

BENEE opens a new chapter with Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, an album that feels both deeply personal and beautifully universal. Written over the past few years, the project captures a whirlwind of emotion — from heartbreak to healing, chaos to calm. “I’ve cried to these songs, found peace in them, and poured every part of myself into their creation,” BENEE says. “I hope when you listen, you feel something real. I hope you cry, laugh, and find comfort in the chaos, the way I did.”

At its core, Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles is a reminder to stay tender in an uncertain world. It’s BENEE at her most vulnerable and inspired — an artist finding light in the mess and sharing it with quiet honesty. “The world can be terrifying, but it’s also endlessly inspiring, and that’s what this album is about,” she says. “Thank you for being here. Be gentle with yourselves and with each other. There’s still so much beauty ahead.”

Highway Gloom — Everything (ALBUM)

Everything isn’t just an album — it’s a late-night world of memories, mistakes, dreams, and moments you never said out loud. Blending alt-pop, indie, and EDM, Christchurch duo Highway Gloom step into a new era with a sound that hits just as hard on a 3AM drive as it does in the heat of a crowded night out.

Written, produced, mixed, mastered, and performed entirely by Tom Hunter and Ollie Moran, Everything is a self-made vision years in the making. Born from late-night sessions and restless creativity, it captures the highs, lows, and turning points that shaped the band since 2022. Each track feels like a snapshot of who you were, who you loved, and who you became.

At its core, Everything is about wanting everything, feeling everything, losing everything — and realising you never needed it all in the first place. A cinematic, emotionally charged journey, this is Highway Gloom’s most ambitious project yet: a mirror held up to every listener chasing light through the dark.

Frankie Venter — Selfish

18-year-old Aotearoa pop sensation Frankie Venter is back with her infectious new single ‘Selfish’ — a bright, flirty anthem that perfectly captures her signature charm and unstoppable energy. The track dives into the feeling of wanting someone all to yourself, wrapped in an irresistibly catchy chorus already winning over fans at her live shows.

“‘Selfish’ is about wanting someone all to yourself and being a bit cheeky about it,” says Venter. “It’s fun, flirty, and feels good to sing. Fans have already started singing along at shows, which has been so cool to see.”

Following a breakout year that saw her perform alongside Coldplay at Eden Park — with Chris Martin calling her “incredible” and “a big superstar” — Venter has since headlined her own national tour and played across Australia and the US. With ‘Selfish’, she cements her place as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting young pop artists, blending confidence and vulnerability in a track that’s pure joy.

Jack Robertson — Risk of Rain (ALBUM)

Singer-songwriter Jack Robertson steps into the spotlight with his debut EP Risk of Rain — a five-track journey through the trials and triumphs of love and loss. Balancing soaring melodies with intimate storytelling, Robertson turns vulnerability into anthems that feel both personal and timeless.

“This EP is about the willingness to love, as well as the trials and tribulations that come with it,” Robertson explains. “Each song captures a different space, the feelings that come before, during, and after. I like the idea that love is the act of handing your heart away, fully aware it might not come back in the same condition.”

The title track, Risk of Rain, was written during the Auckland floods of 2023. “I found the idea of love feeling like a flash flood very compelling, and how there can be so many parallels between a storm and two people falling in love,” Robertson reflects. The EP pairs his chart-topping singles with future fan favourites, showcasing his signature blend of emotional honesty and indie-pop craftsmanship, and closes with a self-produced track that nods to his folk roots while highlighting his creative versatility.

Sam Cullen — Sam Cullen (ALBUM)

Invercargill-raised troubadour Sam Cullen caps off a massive year with the release of his long-awaited debut album, Sam Cullen — ten tracks that channel his signature mix of rock ‘n’ roll energy, 80s nostalgia, and heartfelt pop storytelling. Written over six years in flats and studios around Aotearoa, the record traces the transition from youth to adulthood, capturing the hope, chaos, and reflection that come with growing up. “There’s a sense of hope and longing that runs through this record,” Sam says. “It reflects all the ups and downs, insecurities, fun, and nostalgia that come with growing up.”

The album features fan favourites like Home To You (with Brody Leigh), Don’t Leave Me Alone, and That Somebody’s You (which spent five weeks on the Hot NZ Singles Chart!) alongside the new single Better Than Anything, an unapologetic love song written during Sam’s first year at university. Another highlight, The Clubrooms, recalls his early years playing gigs in Invercargill rugby halls, a nod to his roots and the nights that shaped his sound.

Co-produced with Chris Scott and mastered by Chris Chetland, Sam Cullen is a confident, heartfelt debut that cements Sam as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting young artists.