New Music 13/03

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Sophie Aston — Stardust

Sophie Aston returns with her new single Stardust, a reflective and emotionally rich track that explores the quiet space that follows loss. Moving through imagery of fire, renewal, and the natural cycle of change, the song captures the slow process of rebuilding after grief. Rather than dwelling on endings, Stardust leans into transformation — a reminder that even in the aftermath of pain, there is space to begin again.

Originally from the UK and now based on Waiheke Island, Sophie Aston is continuing to carve out her voice as a songwriter after years performing in a covers band. Drawing influence from classic rock and poetry, her music balances vulnerability with strength. Following the early attention received by her debut single Better, Stardust further introduces an artist embracing storytelling that is honest, introspective, and grounded in lived experience.

CAITLIN — Guardrails

Te Waipounamu-born, Ōtautahi-based indie-pop artist CAITLIN returns with Guardrails, the title track from her forthcoming EP of the same name. Blending organic instrumentation with subtle electronic textures, the single captures the emotional push and pull of new beginnings after a relationship ends. Built around intimate vocals and layered arrangements — from acoustic and slide guitars to violin and warm synth tones — Guardrails unfolds into an ethereal closing passage that reflects the quiet grief and freedom that can coexist after moving on.

Self-produced by CAITLIN with additional production and mixing from Goodwill’s Will McGillivray, and mastered by Greg Obis, the track is the fourth single from the upcoming EP following You’re Only Good To Calm Me Down, Wash, and Outline. The release arrives after CAITLIN’s appearance on the main stage at Electric Avenue, with the artist set to take the Guardrails EP on a four-date national tour across Aotearoa this May.

I recently interviewed CAITLIN - read more here!

Dani Josie — Colour the Stars

Wellington pop artist Dani Josie returns with her heartfelt new single Colour the Stars, a song written in memory of her late grandfather. Rather than dwelling in sadness, the track reflects on the warmth of shared memories and the comfort of believing those we lose continue to watch over us. The result is an intimate and uplifting tribute, capturing a sense of peace while honouring someone who clearly left a lasting mark on the singer’s life.

Dani Josie has been steadily building momentum with her nostalgic pop-punk edge and emotionally direct songwriting. Following earlier releases like Go Go Go and FOREVER, Colour the Stars shows a more reflective side of the Wellington artist, adding another personal chapter to the story of one of Aotearoa’s emerging young pop voices.

Tali — EMPRESS ERA (ALBUM)

Drum and bass pioneer Tali returns with Empress Era, a powerful new album that blends jungle breaks, neo-soul textures, orchestral flourishes and UK garage influences. The record pairs Tali’s rapid-fire lyricism with soaring vocal moments, while collaborations with artists including Nathan Haines, Jordyn with a Why, Stamina MC, and Polaris add further dimension. Written and recorded in Tāmaki Makaurau and mixed by Tiki Taane, the album reflects a period of self-reflection and personal evolution, balancing vulnerability with the uplifting energy that has long defined Tali’s work.

Alongside the album comes the new single Amongst Kings and Queens, a collaboration with Stamina MC that speaks to perseverance and the grind required to earn a place in the music industry. The track echoes the broader themes of Empress Era — resilience, reinvention and claiming space — while celebrating the legacy of artists who have helped shape the drum and bass scene. The release also marks Tali’s first vinyl pressing since 2003, with a special baby pink edition set to accompany the digital album.

RECOVERY — Take Me Home

Nelson four-piece RECOVERY continue to shape their sound with the release of their latest single, Take Me Home. Formed in early 2025, the alternative-indie rock outfit have steadily developed from garage rehearsals to local stages and into the studio, crafting songs built on textured guitar tones, melodic hooks and driving rhythms. Their sound nods to the influence of bands like Kings of Leon, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Pixies, blending raw energy with a reflective edge.

Recorded at Studio 7010, Take Me Home explores the pull of nostalgia — the feeling of longing for something that’s no longer there while romanticising the past and holding onto its best moments. The track reflects the band’s organic approach to songwriting, allowing ideas to evolve through experimentation and performance, resulting in a sound that balances gritty alt-rock immediacy with thoughtful storytelling.

Wet Denim — Living Room

Wellington rock quartet Wet Denim return with their new single Living Room, a track that signals a confident step into the band’s next chapter. Leaning further into their rock influences while retaining their indie sheen, the single pairs catchy melodies and emotive lyricism with propulsive rhythms and big guitar moments. Produced alongside Ben O’Leary of Drax Project, the song highlights a maturing sound while keeping the energy that has helped define the band since their formation in 2022.

Following earlier releases including their self-titled EP and 2024 project On The Line, Wet Denim have steadily built momentum with growing radio support and a dedicated fanbase across Aotearoa. Along the way they’ve shared stages with acts such as Highly Suspect, Blindspott, The Rubens, and The Vanns, helping cement their reputation as one of the country’s rising rock acts. Living Room captures that momentum, pushing their sound forward while staying rooted in the punchy indie-rock style that first put them on listeners’ radars.

Liberty — Don’t Worry Bout It

Emerging pop artist Liberty has released the official music video for her cover of Don’t Worry Bout It after winning the fan-voted People’s Choice award in the online music series Beyond The Beat. The project saw five artists reinterpret songs by established Kiwi musicians, with Liberty taking on the track originally recorded by Kings. After the performances were revealed live on radio and opened to a public vote, Liberty’s version resonated most with listeners, earning her the chance to produce a full music video.

Directed by Gal Hochman and filmed at Peaches Hot Chicken, the video follows a fast-paced diner storyline where Liberty plays a stressed waitress whose mood shifts after a chance encounter, sparking a burst of energy that spreads through the restaurant. Shot largely in a single take and building to a choreographed musical theatre-style finale, the clip adds a playful visual layer to the track and marks the beginning of a new run of releases for the Hawke’s Bay-born, Auckland-based artist.

HINA — Coucou!

Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter HINA returns with Coucou!, her first solo release since 2024. Recorded at Roundhead Studios, the track blends 1960s French pop influences with cinematic strings, creating a light, melodic arrangement that contrasts with the vulnerability at the heart of the lyrics. Written around feelings of insecurity and the fear of being “too much,” the song pairs delicate instrumentation with a candid reflection on self-doubt and emotional openness. The production also carries the musical fingerprints of Lawrence Arabia (James Milne), whose basslines and string arrangements help shape the song’s distinctive tone.

Alongside the single, HINA has released a retro-inspired video directed by the artist herself and shot by Sina Leo, set largely inside a vintage car and exploring the tension between performative identity and private emotion. The release follows a steady run of momentum for the artist, whose previous singles have charted on the SRN Top 10 and NZ Hot 20, while Hinātore earned a nomination at the Aotearoa Alternative Awards. Coucou! marks the first glimpse of a new creative chapter as HINA moves toward her forthcoming debut album.

Lipstick — Better Ways to Spend the Night (ALBUM)

Te Whanganui-a-Tara alternative rock outfit Lipstick return with their sophomore EP Better Ways to Spend the Night, a moody and danceable collection that leans into brooding new wave textures and driving alt-rock energy. Built around wiry guitars, pulsing basslines and anthemic choruses, the record explores themes of desire, restlessness and late-night escapism, capturing the tension between indulgence and consequence across a tight set of songs.

Following recent singles Giving It Up, You & Me and Hardly Know Her, the EP sees the band refining their sound into something darker, sharper and more immediate while keeping the hook-driven urgency that has helped them gain momentum on the Wellington indie circuit. Produced and mixed by Joe Ledword of Wet Denim and mastered by Chris Chetland, Better Ways to Spend the Night captures Lipstick at a confident point in their evolution.

Vera Ellen — when it’s over Ft. Hemi Hemingway

Aotearoa songwriter Vera Ellen has released When It’s Over, the second single from her forthcoming album Heaven Knows What Time. The track features a brooding guest performance from fellow Wellington artist Hemi Hemingway, with the pair delivering a tense and intimate duet that explores the fragile space between love and collapse. Written during a songwriting residency in Greytown, the song captures the slow realisation that a relationship may be falling apart, pairing emotional honesty with a quiet undercurrent of tenderness.

When It’s Over offers another glimpse of Heaven Knows What Time, set for release May 1 via Flying Nun Records. The album follows Vera Ellen’s acclaimed 2023 record Ideal Home Noise, which earned the Taite Music Prize, and sees the artist reflecting on creativity, uncertainty and the realities of sustaining a life in music. Accompanied by a video directed by Daniel Fletcher, When It’s Over continues to showcase the candid songwriting and emotional depth that have defined Vera Ellen’s recent work.

Sunset Tsunami — Fire Got To Blaze

Electronic duo Sunset Tsunami return for 2026 with the new single Fire Got To Blaze, a collaboration featuring Aotearoa reggae artists Israel Starr and The Mighty Asterix. The track continues the momentum following the group’s debut album Dub Till Dawn, drawing on reggae sound system traditions while blending dub, hip hop and bass-driven production with live instrumentation.

Built from the instrumental of the album track Pass The Rizla, the new version introduces vocal performances that bring added warmth and energy to the groove. Israel Starr’s soulful delivery sits alongside the unmistakable toasting style of The Mighty Asterix, bridging generations of Aotearoa reggae and giving Fire Got To Blaze a distinctly local spirit while staying rooted in classic reggae rhythm and message.

Borderline — Watching It Burn

Auckland four-piece Borderline return with their anthemic new single Watching It Burn, a track that sees the genre-blurring group leaning back into their rock foundations. Built around huge distorted guitars, pounding drums and a climactic saxophone solo, the song delivers a towering wall of sound while capturing the emotional fallout of watching something you’ve worked hard to build fall apart.

The band (Ben Glanfield, Jackson Boswell, Matthew McFadden and Max Harries) have quickly built momentum since their 2022 debut single Spinning, gaining international attention for their mix of pop, rock and funk. Recent singles New Romance and Tainted both received ‘Track of the Week’ honours on BBC Radio 1, while New Romance also topped the Hot Aotearoa Singles and spent 14 weeks as the most-played New Zealand song on local radio, signalling the rapid rise of one of Aotearoa’s most talked-about young bands.

Mim Jensen — The Mask

Auckland singer-songwriter Mim Jensen shares her new single The Mask, a reflective track exploring self-identity and the emotional patterns we carry into relationships. Led by her signature haunting vocals and introspective songwriting, the song turns inward, examining the courage it takes to confront personal conditioning and open up to real connection. Accompanied by a serene video capturing moments of quiet solitude in nature, The Mask marks Jensen’s first release of 2026 following a busy summer of festival appearances including Electric Avenue, Le Currents, and AUM Festival.