New Music 29/08
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Amelia Power — Nostalgic
Nelson-born singer-songwriter Amelia Power releases her new pop single Nostalgic on August 29th. The track reflects on the highs and lows of life, indecision, and time spent in her hometown – a mix of introspection and fun energy. Produced at Big Fan Studios in Auckland by Andrew Isdale, it follows her pop-rock release Goodbye For Now as she continues a steady flow of new music this year.
BENEE — Cinnamon
BENEE has dropped her latest single Cinnamon and announced her upcoming album Ur An Angel I’m Just Particles. She describes the track as one that means a lot to her, written during a time of feeling lost after moving to LA. "Even if everything around me has turned to shit, I’m going to stay sweet, still be kind."
Raffla — War Within
Raffla describe their sound as swamp funk — and their debut single War Within shows exactly what that means. With a groove that recalls Fat Freddy’s Drop, it’s murky, funky, and full of swagger. Raffla are coming out the gate strong with this one.
Felix Bird — Haircut (ALBUM)
Wellington alt-rocker Felix Bird steps forward with his debut album Haircut, a 9-track collection that balances clever honesty with rich, carefully crafted soundscapes. Blending elements of folk, indie and alternative rock, the record charts a journey from lighter indie pop moments to heavier guitar-driven essentials.
Standout single Cigarette Slander has already made waves, topping Radio Active’s Top 11 for three weeks running, and cementing Felix as a name to watch in the local scene. Self-produced, mixed and mastered in his bedroom with a few mix notes from flatmate and bandmate Kahu Sanson-Burnett, the album captures Felix at his most upfront and honest yet.
With a new live band in the works and headline shows planned before the year is out, Haircut not only marks his arrival as a recording artist, but also hints at more music already on the horizon.
Lipstick — You & Me
Wellington indie rockers Lipstick deliver shimmering guitars, punchy hooks, and a late-night groove on You & Me. Produced by Joe Ledword and mastered by Chris Chetland, the track blends alt-rock energy with dreamy pop polish — made for fans of feel-good indie rock and indie pop. As they teased on Instagram, “Yall ain’t ready for what’s next.”
RIIKI REID — What If
Alt-pop artist RIIKI REID returns with What If, the shimmering first single from her upcoming EP Drench (out October 10). Written with Josh Fountain (BENEE, Ladyhawke) and Shungudzo Kuyimba (Kylie Minogue, Little Mix), the track fuses dreamy pop with nostalgic pre-2000s textures, sitting somewhere between Dua Lipa and The Cure. Romantic and bittersweet, What If lingers on the fragility of summer love and the unanswered question of “what could be.”
