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First Reserve — Time Song
Off the back of two singles and coveted support slots for Keli Holiday and PARK RD, Aotearoa indie artist First Reserve returns with his new single “Time Song” and the announcement of his debut EP “There’s A God”, due November 14. The solo project of Wellington-based songwriter Ryan Connaghan, First Reserve has quickly become a familiar name in the local indie scene since emerging in late 2023. With “Time Song”, Connaghan channels his trademark bittersweet vulnerability through a more refined and mature sound.
Produced alongside frequent collaborator Tarn PK, the track beautifully fuses First Reserve’s folk-tinged emotional core with Tarn PK’s shimmering pop production. Lyrically, “Time Song” reflects on the passage of years and the people who’ve come and gone — a nostalgic meditation on friendship, loss, and change. “Every verse is about a different person in my life,” Connaghan shares. “It’s one of the most personal songs I’ve released, even if it’s not the most direct.”
Marking the final release before his debut EP drops, “Time Song” captures First Reserve at a poignant turning point — grounding intimate storytelling in polished, heartfelt production that solidifies his place among Aotearoa’s rising indie voices.
Double Parked — Necklace
West Auckland post-surf five-piece Double Parked return with Necklace, their first new release since February’s Dopamine. The introspective anthem dives deep into the non-linear struggle of maintaining mental stability, confronting imposter syndrome, and wrestling with inner demons. Built on shimmering basslines that swell into a storm of stomping drums and sombre guitars, frontman Tom Purdie’s cathartic lyricism captures the raw feeling of hitting mental rock bottom and clawing your way back up.
“Having previously experienced the depths of unstable mental health and the dark places it can take you, writing lyrics and stories from my heart has been comforting and almost therapeutic,” says drummer and songwriter Chad. “Life is beautiful, but we can’t always be on top. If our music can make somebody feel something on a profound level, then I’ll be over the moon.”
Known for their rowdy live shows and genre-bending sound, Double Parked have built a loyal following through festival sets and tours with The Butlers, Lazy Ghost, and most recently The Terrys. Their self-coined “post-surf” sound pushes surf rock into bold new territory — blending psychedelic, punk, reggae, dub, and indie-pop influences into something unmistakably Kiwi and undeniably their own.
BEX — In The Way
Auckland singer-songwriter BEX is back with her latest single In The Way. Following the success of “Clearly” and “A New Title” — both charting across the Radioscope Alt Airplay and SRN Top 5 — BEX returns with a love song for the sceptics and overthinkers. Blending poetic lyricism reminiscent of Clairo and Adrianne Lenker with warm, nostalgic production in the vein of Mac DeMarco, “In The Way” unpacks the tension between vulnerability and self-doubt with subtle grace.
Mastered by Simon Lancelot (Mk.gee, Dijon), the track layers acoustic and electric guitars, vintage keys, and clarinets into a lush, analog-soaked soundscape. BEX’s signature introspection shines through, her songwriting turning the quiet chaos of being young and self-aware into something deeply relatable. “This song describes a constant feeling,” she says. “It’s easy to write about a moment, but this one stays with me — it feels timeless.”
After a period of creative recalibration in 2024, BEX has returned stronger than ever, with new music and live shows set to carry her momentum through the end of the year.
may-c — Talking Stage
Ōtautahi-born artist may-c (May Clark) might be a fresh face in Aotearoa’s pop scene, but she’s already making waves. With over 25,000 streams and 15,000 listeners since April, her mix of cheeky yet heartfelt lyricism, raw vocals, and effortlessly relatable energy has quickly earned her a growing fanbase. Known for her interactive stage presence and no-filter honesty, may-c is proving she’s one to watch.
Her new single “talking stage” captures that all-too-familiar limbo of liking someone but not knowing where it’s going. Originally written as a rough voice memo when she was 16, may-c revisited the track years later while living through the same feelings all over again. “It almost felt like removing a page from my diary,” she says. “I just wrote exactly what I was feeling. I guess even now, I still haven’t escaped that damn talking stage.” Honest, funny, and painfully relatable, “talking stage” is the kind of bedroom-pop confessional that reminds us some emotions never really age out.
Luca George — Say hi to Paula (EP)
Alt-pop artist Luca George has released his sophmore EP, Say hi to Paula, via Island Records. The five-track project is his most vulnerable yet — diving into love, loss, and self-discovery with haunting melodies and raw honesty. Anchored by the singles brOKen, Crying in the Bathroom, and Better Apart, the EP captures George’s trademark blend of sad-pop intensity and emotional storytelling.
“Every song on this EP is a story from my real life, nothing is made up,” George says. “It’s all about making the world cry in the most beautiful way.” The striking cover art — featuring George in a YSL blazer holding a bouquet symbolising each track — ties together the EP’s themes of heartbreak and healing, coloured by his signature shade of blue.
Shehatesjacob — talkofthetown
Genre-defying powerhouse Shehatesjacob returns with talkofthetown, a two-minute blast of punk-rap chaos and hyperpop distortion. Fueled by white-noise synths, blown-out guitar riffs, and autotuned hooks, the track hits like a digital riot — emotionally raw, relentlessly catchy, and impossible to ignore. Drawing inspiration from the worlds of glaive, ericdoa, and underground internet punk, talkofthetown captures the sound of frustration in overdrive, balancing emotion with mayhem.
Known for his unfiltered live energy, Shehatesjacob now brings his sonic intensity to the stage with a full-band setup (guitar, bass, drums, and backing tracks!) pushing his sound into full mosh-pit mode. The result: a hybrid of punk-rock grit and hyperpop precision that feels as explosive as the music itself. After tearing up stages from packed club gigs to major festivals like CubaDupa and Rhythm and Vines, he’s cementing himself as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting and unpredictable new acts.
Alex Beattie — See It (Beautiful)
Auckland alt-pop artist Alex Beattie returns with “See It (Beautiful)”, a dreamy, jazz-tinged indie folk track that glides between groove and introspection. Known for his lush, guitar-driven sound and soulful live performances, Alex continues to push the boundaries of Aotearoa’s alt-pop landscape.
The single layers afrobeat-inspired drums, textural guitars, and warm harmonies with a colourful sonic palette featuring piano, bass, and strings performed by Joshua Duting. The result is an effortlessly organic track that captures the bittersweet balance between vulnerability and optimism, a theme that runs through much of Alex’s work.
Having played dozens of shows across the North Island with his live band, Alex Beattie is quickly establishing himself as one to watch in New Zealand’s alternative scene.
PARK RD — The Way I Feel
Auckland indie-rockers PARK RD are back with their latest single “The Way I Feel”, their first release since spending the winter recording a new album and hosting a month-long live residency in their hometown. The uptempo track pairs wistful guitars and driving drums with a massive singalong chorus that’s already made its mark across Auckland’s live scene.
Lyrically, “The Way I Feel” finds frontman Tom Chamberlain leaning into his inner “bad boy”, chasing an unrequited love with a blend of self-awareness and charm.
With a sophomore album on the horizon, PARK RD are rapidly building momentum across Aotearoa and Australia. Following a sold-out residency and upcoming support slot for Grentperez’s only NZ show this November, the band shows no sign of slowing down — with more new music set to arrive over summer.
