New Music 16/01

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OceaSand — Is It All a Dream

Waikato-based artist OceaSand steps into a new chapter with the release of Is It All a Dream, a reflective track that marks the first time he has placed his own vocals at the centre of his music. Originally from Hāwera, Taranaki and now residing in Morrinsville, OceaSand has previously collaborated with featured vocalists, but this release represents a more personal leap forward — one driven by trust in his own voice and a desire to fully inhabit the stories he’s been writing.

Is It All a Dream explores the release of bottled-up emotion, hovering between reality and escapism as it questions whether moments of peace are grounded or imagined. The song captures a sense of drifting introspection, shaped by lived experience and creative persistence. With this release, OceaSand not only introduces listeners to a more intimate side of his artistry, but also signals a growing confidence in carving out his own sound within Aotearoa’s independent music landscape.

Foley — Cinematic

Aotearoa pop duo Foley kick off 2026 with the release of Cinematic, an effortlessly cool new single that sets the tone for their upcoming EP LIKE AN ACTRESS, out on February 25. Packed with glossy pop hooks, driving bass, live drums, and euphoric synths, Cinematic builds in tension before bursting into an anthemic release. The track captures the rush of a new romance — that surreal moment where everything feels almost too perfect to be real — and leans fully into the thrill of romanticising love as it happens.

Written by Foley (Ash Wallace and Gabe Everett) and produced by Josh Naley, Cinematic is rich with cinematic flair, weaving playful nods to iconic films throughout its lyrics. The song arrives alongside news of LIKE AN ACTRESS, which also features previous singles Suckerpunch and Honey. With emotion, groove, and polish at its core, Cinematic signals a confident new chapter for the duo, offering a vivid glimpse into an EP built for big feelings and even bigger moments.

king hit — sap

Formed in Pōneke Wellington, King Hit are a four-piece made up of principal songwriter, guitarist and frontman Stefan Jenkins, alongside guitarist and vocalist Caitlin Gabb, bassist Felix Bird, and drummer Sebastian Bell. Originally conceived as a three-piece, the band spent the first half of 2025 cutting their teeth in Wellington’s underground before solidifying their lineup and sound, quickly building momentum as a formidable new presence in the local scene.

Sonically, King Hit blend the abrasiveness of shoegaze with the punch of hardcore and the melancholy of Midwest emo, creating dense, emotionally charged walls of sound. Their new single sap leans fully into that atmosphere, shrouding themes of longing for a real, honest kind of love in layers of fuzz and reverb. It’s a track that balances weight and vulnerability, cementing the band’s ability to turn raw emotion into something both immersive and powerful as they continue to carve out their place in Pōneke’s underground.

vaint halo — air

Wellington artist vaint halo turns the energy all the way up on air, a high-octane new track built for packed rooms, loud speakers, and hands in the air. Centred around money, motion, and living in the moment, air leans into simplicity by design — a punchy beat, a chant-ready hook, and zero overthinking. It’s carefree, fast-moving, and made for live shows, capturing that feeling when the night feels weightless and the only plan is to jump, shout, and keep it moving.