New Music 23/01

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BEX — It's Always Me

Auckland-based singer-songwriter BEX returns with her dreamy new single It’s Always Me, released via SONO Music. A cinematic evolution of her sound, the track moves beyond a traditional piano ballad, weaving cascading keys, flurries of woodwinds and a driving drum break into something rich and emotionally expansive. Mastered by Simon Lancelot (Mk.gee, Dijon), It’s Always Me signals a clear step forward from her earlier charting singles A New Title and In The Way, which earned her spots on the Radioscope Alt Airplay Charts and across the SRN Network.

Rooted in vulnerability and self-awareness, It’s Always Me explores the quiet anxieties that surface at the beginning of a new relationship — the unspoken thoughts, internal spirals, and fear of becoming a burden to someone you care about. With a background in music performance and production, BEX brings a considered craft to these emotions, articulating overthinking with clarity and relatability. The result is an intimate yet assured release that further cements her as one of Aotearoa’s most thoughtful emerging pop voices.

Borderline — Tainted

Following a breakthrough year on the international stage, BORDERLINE kick off 2026 with their new single Tainted. Sitting at the pop-leaning edge of indie, the track pairs shimmering synths and guitars with hypnotic melodies, capturing a sound that feels both playful and forward-looking. Written during a session in Sydney with producer James Guido and later brought to life at Auckland’s Roundhead Studios with Nic Manders, Tainted embraces experimentation, leaning into quirky textures and an infectious groove that marks a clear sonic step forward for the band.

For BORDERLINE, Tainted reflects a newfound creative freedom that’s already translated powerfully on stage. Having teased the track across New Zealand over summer, the band are now gearing up to take it overseas, fresh off announcing a North American tour this April. With their EP and dynamic live shows earning international attention throughout 2025, Tainted signals the start of another big chapter — one that sees BORDERLINE confidently pushing their sound further while keeping the fun front and centre.

Zoë Vera — Twelve Feet Under

Zoë Vera is a New Zealand pop singer-songwriter celebrated for her honesty, vulnerability, and emotive vocals. Born in the Netherlands and raised in South Auckland, she draws deeply on her lived experiences to explore themes of resilience, identity, and growth. Her music leans into musicality and emotional sophistication, favouring creative substance over predictable pop conventions. In 2026, Zoë returns with her five-track EP Live Harder, a deeply personal body of work shaped by trauma and the long process of rebuilding her life.

Twelve Feet Under is the second single from Live Harder. Written in the aftermath of a prolonged legal battle, the track captures the crushing weight of overwhelm, moving between despair and defiance as it reflects the pressure to “move on” once a difficult chapter closes. Raw yet resolute, Twelve Feet Under stands as a survival anthem — refusing to let trauma dictate the final outcome. The EP follows the acclaimed first single Good Enough, which earned strong industry praise and radio support, and was created alongside producer Danny McCrum, with the EP’s closing track featuring keys from LA-based musician Alex Burke. Together, these releases mark a powerful new chapter for Zoë Vera, reaffirming her ability to translate vulnerability into connection.

emerson — Again

emerson kicks off 2026 with Again, a restless, hook-driven alt-pop track that captures the spiral of wanting someone you just can’t shake, built around looping thoughts, sleepless nights, and emotional repetition. Fresh off her collaboration Don’t Deserve You with Shehatesjacob, alongside performances at Music in Parks (Milford’s Electro set w/ CHAII) and Rhythm and Vines, Emerson enters the new year with serious momentum. With rapid month-on-month growth across her digital platforms, rising audience engagement, and a growing catalogue backed by proven chart traction, Again marks the start of another strong chapter for an artist clearly on the rise.