New Music Review - ‘Strange Rituals’ the EP by Phoebe Vic
Strange Rituals has finally emerged into the universe, being born on the 5th May 2023. Artwork credit: Phoebe’s EPK.
Phoebe Vic is back on her game with her stunning latest offering, the Strange Rituals EP that has ruthlessly dropped into listeners’ minds since release day.
Phoebe delivers this luxe diligence with Strange Rituals, a fantastical delight to bring out into the world this New Zealand music month.
Full of highs and small lows, Phoebe has this atmospherically brilliant approach to her creativity with Strange Rituals that will leave you feeling encompassed by danger if you are not turning it up and getting on board with this brightly curated piece of work.
Phoebe explains that her anxiety was at the core of the creation of Strange Rituals, helping form this power against the throws of mental health, pushing through the barriers to create this wave of explosions, which have helped to make her music what it is.
Strange Rituals is full of veracity, elegantly paired with immensely breathtaking instrumentals that will hold your heart in place and slow down the pace of everything around you.
Beginning the EP is the strength-hitting target track, Starting Again, which pushes out this intense force that is yearning to be heard. Out of all of the songs that Phoebe has written and put forward for Strange Rituals, I feel that Starting Again is the most distinguishable to me personally. It comes along with this killer beat that will have you feeling all funky inside and let's face it, who doesn’t want to feel that way?
Closure sparks a few minutes of Phoebe’s vocals that are in between these incredibly fun, slightly grungy and absolute girl boss moments. Speaking about Closure to a relationship, this tune really drives the end of the situation home.
Interlude is this pretty one minute 30 second track that, as the name suggests, puts an Interlude into the final movement, Strange Ritual. A perfect segway into the zestiest end track that you can taste with your ears. You will be able to delve right into this one and get a sense of how influential Phoebe’s music is.
Overall, Phoebe has done a phenomenal job with Strange Rituals and it is worth taking a listen right now. Go! You’re still here and not listening to the EP yet? Every minute you are not listening to Strange Rituals is a minute wasted.
You can follow Phoebe on her social media links below -
New Music Review - ‘Overthinking’ by Isla
Overthinking by the incredible Auckland based artist, Isla, was released on the 12th April 2023. Album artwork credit: Isla’s EPK.
Isla has just gone and done it again with her flourishing new song, Overthinking released just last Friday.
Overthinking is the cosiest cup of tea to ease your tough days - it will even make you want to burst out of bed in the morning with the brightest smile along with the feeling of a friend being understanding of your own Overthinking, which Isla effortlessly provides.
The song generates a warm embrace that just is so full of soul and beauty. Isla’s lyrical talents always pull through in that aspect, everything that she writes and performs always resonates with me so much that it feels unbelievable to be able to relate to such an empowering woman so much.
Overthinking is this spectacular capture of Isla’s power in terms of not only her words, but how she carries herself and uses her beautiful voice to expand everything around her to carry this dream-like state experience of fairy lights and near raw-acoustic vibes.
Overthinking is the first piece of musical art that Isla has released since October 2019 and it is crystal clear that the work that she has put into allowing this song to be taken from her mind to being put out into the wild universe has been a diligent journey with this exquisite destination.
While trying to find the correct words for this review, I felt myself quite stunned and unable to think about how to phrase Overthinking as it truthfully puts you into this total relaxation mode that will block out anything that isn’t to do with the song. It is pure bliss.
Isla is eloquent, harmonious and brings this burst of vulnerability to Overthinking, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her and her career.
For more Isla, make sure to check out her socials below -
Spotify
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Mini Interview with Isla - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘i dreamt about you’ by Lizzy Kula
i dreamt of you is the first single for Lizzy Kula, released on the 21st April 2023. Design by Piper McConell, photo by Daniel Kulasingham.
If you don’t know the name Lizzy Kula, then get to know her because Sri-Lankan/Chinese Malaysian-Kiwi Lizzy has hit the ground running with her debut single, i dreamt about you which is hitting all of the right notes in more ways than one and you are not ready for this heated drop.
The funked up i dreamt about you will send you into this hazy daze of delight, as Lizzy has clearly intended the track to be heard.
Lizzy has created this fun spirited, almost flirtatious mix of an endearing gravitational pull towards the 2000s with i dreamt about you, something a lot of us 90s kids will be sure to appreciate and thrive off of.
What makes i dreamt about you stand out from the current crowd of releases is that Lizzy has this outstanding, unique voice that pairs perfectly with the way that the song has been produced, mixed and been bought to life.
i dreamt about you will dynamize the way you listen to new music as Lizzy allows her intensity of her vocals to reach through to capture your heart, mind and soul.
Lizzy’s tunes are about taking relationships from the past and ripping them open with the aspect of adding the most gritty-funk era to bring to this new chapter of her career.
i dreamt about you has made this grand entrance into the world with its immense, upbeat significance that can be held high above the threshold of expectation for New Zealand music. It encompasses this night-out aspect that could leave you moving for hours without the need to stop.
Lizzy has written the song with a lot of relatability which is always a pulling factor when you’re looking for new songs to add to the playlist. i dreamt about you has hooks that go deeper than the relationship that was lost and while she mentions she was worn out from the stranded ship she decided to jump off of, the creation of the song from the situation has made such a deep water impact that it stands on its own in a remarkable way.
I’m fishing for the next tune that Lizzy drops because her style is purely indulgent.
You can find out more and follow along with Lizzy at the links below -
New Music Review - ‘Cards’ the EP by Jennifer K. Austin
Jennifer K. Austin released her latest offering in the form of her EP, Cards, on 8th April 2023. PC: Jennifer’s EPK.
A fusion of multiple genres mixed together in a melting pot fresh off the stovetop, Jennifer K. Austin has recently unveiled her newest offering, a two-year-creation of her EP, Cards with the wait being well worth holding onto your patience for.
Jennifer, who was born in the United States is proud to now call herself a Kiwi and she brings along her American-style musical talents that we don’t have much on offer of here in New Zealand, where she is continuously flourishing with her career.
Cards holds many levels of distinctiveness for every song that is gracefully placed in front of us, meaning that you get many different sides of Jennifer to listen to, which I think turns the aspect of listening even shinier when hearing an EP. Jennifer has absolutely nailed it.
Dream Weaver is the opener to Cards and with it comes this old school, 90s rock-pop feel that could also be comparable in a way to what Paramore have released previously. However, Jennifer adds her own magical twist into the sound to tick all the boxes of making it indefinitely her own. Dream Weaver could easily be put onto a soundtrack for one of those teen rom-com movies because it also has this extremely edgy side to it that would perfectly suit that type of story.
Jennifer has these beautiful, infectious vocals that will easily capture your attention, making you want to follow her along this wonderous journey that she is on.
Cards would be my pick of favourites on the EP as the mellowness, emotion and just general good feeling of the song that is poised with country vibes really takes you to another space. There seems to be this electricity that jumps out from Cards, making it something that is hard to put into words. It just feels like a warm hug. Inviting, comforting, just generally a lovely song.
A collaboration with James Grant on the track In the Deep End creates this ambient, low-lit moving few minutes on the EP. Jennifer and James pairing together for this song adds this delight that you wouldn’t have known you previously needed. You should really take the time to soak this one in with minimal distractions if possible.
All in all, Cards has been intentionally put together to create this brilliant EP in which the tracks that come after one another just make sense. I think that this is something that listeners may not think about, however is important for musicians to order them in a way in which they feel that the EP is intended to be listened to, which I believe Jennifer has done here.
Cards is an EP that you should not skip on past.
You can follow along with Jennifer below -
New Music Review - ‘Show Me The Way’ the album by Sun Veins
Show Me The Way was released on the 17th March 2023 and is the final offering from Sun Veins. PC: Sun Veins EPK, provided by Dane Oates.
Right out of the Dunedin sunshine emerges Sun Veins, who have recently dropped their highly awaited album, Show Me The Way before they decided to actually part ways and work on different aspects of their careers separately.
While it is a shame to see the work that the legends from Sun Veins have worked on for five years come to an end, Show Me The Way is a final piece of art that will last forever.
The ten-track album is an integral part of the Dunedin music scene to come out in the past couple of years, proving that the sole focus of what happens down South isn’t just all partying and setting couches alight.
Sun Veins have put their complete souls into flexing their talents for their farewell and it really comes across structurally sound through the entirety of Show Me The Way.
Starting the record strong, Sun Veins decided to do a re-release of their much-loved song, I Wanna Know, which turns up the vibe a whole other notch, creating this ultra special movement of the song, allowing listeners to take it in from a differing perspective to what we were entitled to from the first release. It’s quite the catchy tune that your ears will lap up immediately. It utilises more acoustic elements to enlighten the tune to another level.
A personal favourite of mine from the album is the indie-jam, Escape, which allows you to jump into the waves of the ocean that Sun Veins create. The track features Ed and the Shadow Boys, which turns it into this super-epic collaboration that puts this bright spark into Show Me The Way. It has this rhythm that holds its own with this depth that goes deeper than that metaphorical ocean floor mentioned above. Escape has this entertainment of being so crucial to the album that it gives your skin these insane goosebumps. When a song takes over and does that, you know it is without a doubt, a piece that will stick with you.
Tracks such as Needy will have you feeling like you are listening to a cross between 48May x The Butlers. A bit of a mix from mid-2000s tones and indie music now. Needy is reminiscent of a sweetly lit summer evening underneath the beauty of the sunset. A feeling of a first date through to the end of a situation-ship. This is the type of track that Needy reminds me of and it has a lot of oomph in it.
As mentioned above, Sun Veins have done a couple of re-releases on Show Me The Way, which allows the journey of how they have paved the path they have made, adapting their musical skills over the years from the first release of the tunes until now. I enjoy when artists take the time to indulge audiences with a second take on their own music later down the line.
Sun Veins stripping down the re-releases, making them even more delectable than they previously were, adds this twinge of an unexpected gift to Show Me The Way.
Other pieces that were delicately placed onto Show Me The Way include the seductive hit Little While (With The Lights Out) which you can read a review of right here, The Cover, among some other tracks that will make you think, woah, I wish Sun Veins weren’t ending their career as a band. However, this is a good reminder that while Sun Veins have seized, that music lives for eternity. It never dies.
Here are the links to Sun Veins’ socials, if you would like to check them out in the hopes of them reforming later down the line -
New Music Review - ‘Let’s Call It A Night’ by Just Another June
Let’s Call it a Night was released on the 17th March 2023. Artwork by Ana Cubillana.
Fancy that, you’ve just rocked up to read the latest write-up on Welcome to the Gig just in time as legendary locals, Just Another June, have not long bought out another highly anticipated piece of art in the form on a new track, Let’s Call It A Night, which was released mid-March, dividing all of the goodness between day and night to bring this overly special masterpiece that will be impossible for you to stop singing along to for the coming weeks.
Just Another June bring this wholesome, indie-grunge-infused energy with them that carries through into each project they release, with Let’s Call It A Night being no exception to that ruling. The track is quite lightly sprinkled with these flecks of indulgent delight that will certainly get your ear taste buds going and for good reason. The track is gracious and hits all the right spots.
Let’s Call It A Night gives off this wildly calm, charming feeling of telling stories from the past and present in which the band gift us in the form of strong vocalism and well-thought-out guitar hooks that close it all together to create their fresh release.
Just Another June are known for allowing their creativity to come through in a positive, straight banger type of way, which we have heard previously from their older singles such as Driving and their EP, Mo(u)rning, released in 2022. All tracks come in very different forms, with a couple of band members having their turn to showcase their insane vocals to the world, something that is rare within music, but makes such a unique movement with releases that I feel should be incorporated more.
Let’s Call It A Night is an almost six-minute-long song that allows the listener to be constantly engaged the entire run through, with it’s easy-to-follow, well-lit pathway. When you hear it for the first time, you will understand what I mean by this.
If you’re looking for some new indie hits to rock out to, listening to Just Another June would be a great place to start.
If you want to check out more Just Another June, make sure you click their socials below -
New Music Review - ‘Diamond in the Blue’ by The Raddlers
The Raddlers released their fresh wave in the form of Diamond in the Blue a month ago on March 10th 2023 and it has been pulling some straight numbers on streaming services. PC: Fran Scrimgeour.
It has been quite a while since we've had the honour of hearing anything new from The Raddlers, as the five lads take on different directions, changes and challenges in their own lives, however, they are back after releasing their previous smash, Follow Me and my goodness, are you in for a treat if you’ve not yet had the gracefulness of this tune tickle your taste buds.
The Raddlers are known for their pop-indie vibes usually, so their newest offering, Diamond in the Blue is quite a bit edgier than the previous tunes that you’re used to and I love it.
The Raddlers have had many trials and tribulations since starting their journey as a band, which you may recall if you read the very first interview published on the blog back in June 2021 (which you can read here), however, they’ve come back in crashing through what we all thought we knew about them to bring us this super song that will leave you wondering where they’ve been hiding these fantastic new, fresh hooks they’ve challenged themselves to put out.
The pouring splash of what Diamond in the Blue is all about is seemingly the direction that future songs from The Raddlers will be all about. Their openness of not only their music, but life is a breath of deliciously warranted excitement.
Diamond in the Blue brings about thoughts that we are all thinking, such as “is there anything positive in the news?” to which I feel that we can answer an astounding “no” to unfortunately, which is a sad reality of what the world is currently looking like.
I admire the honesty that The Raddlers provide, whether that be in terms of the songs they write or when having a chat with them. They offer you what’s on their minds and because there are five of them, you get all unique sides to differing topics.
Diamond in the Blue, while not meaning to, does sit quite heavy on the heart if you take the time to engage the lyrics into your mind. It’s a tell-all, enhancement on what the universe needs to hear currently and I am all for those moments.
If you’re in the mood for feeling some slight moodiness, pop on Diamond in the Blue, soak it in and let yourself be enthralled with the nature of this direction The Raddlers have taken. Diamond in the Blue is beautifully constructed with perfect measurements of every instrument entwined into the song.
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New Music Review - ‘The Illawarra’ by MADELINE.
MADELINE. is back with her sophomore single, The Illawarra, released on the 24th February 2023. Photo credit: MADELINE.’s Facebook.
MADELINE. has come in, thriving with her latest track, The Illawarra which has heads turning here in New Zealand and across the ditch, where the tunes’ inspiration comes from.
The Illawarra is a hotel in Wollongong, New South Wales, where MADELINE. spent some of her downtime with friends and having the most fun you could only ever imagine.
The Illawarra is written from a different perspective - it has been taken on in a form of an outsider looking in on someone that MADELINE. met in that hotel, a girl that was ditched by her boyfriend along with a mass amount of humiliation that came with it in front of a room full of people.
MADELINE. always brings in her songs with these magical moments that will ensure they hook you in with the way that the mix of music has been formulated, these sweet, floating vibes that will get your entire senses moving.
When girls get humiliated by their partners (or, rather, exes), do we sit around and cry for a while? Well, statistically, yes, but at the same time, there is revenge to be had in terms of doing things that bring enjoyment and surrounding yourself with friends that while wholeheartedly look out for you. Though I personally cannot relate to the aspects of the mention of alcohol and substance in the song, I can attest to having good friends around during the rougher times.
The Illawarra has this major oomph of confident compensation to overshadow anything that has been the bain of existence throughout the story (the bain being the ex), the way that MADELINE. can grasp an experience, even if not directly affecting her relationship status, is unmatched.
The Illawarra is a song that we need to hear more of, take perspective from and draw inspiration out of. It holds this power that is assertive, dominant and downright sassy, but classy at the same time and for that, I respect MADELINE.’s perspective and perfect energy with the track.
The Illawarra will be guaranteed to get you feeling some type of way and should be the top of your playlist. If you have yet to hear the song, I would make time to sit still, with no distraction, taking every singular module of the tune in.
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New Music Review - ‘LA Talk’ by ASHY
ASHY is back on the scene with her latest hit, LA Talk, released on 17th February 2023. Photo credit: ASHY’s Facebook.
ASHY is back and has moved the clouds to allow the sunshine to beam down upon us with her catchy new single, LA Talk, that dropped last week.
LA Talk is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek hit at someone who has been to LA and has inevitably taken on a whole new personality altogether, being someone that ASHY no longer recognizes. With lines such as “it’s been three months and no reply” and “I’m havin’ trouble with your LA Talk”, it’s easy to understand that this has had an impact on the relationship between ASHY and the person she is singing about.
LA Talk comes in with this strong RnB-pop-Ariana Grande vibe that ASHY puts a whole other spin on, ensuring that the essence of the song is completely hers and the story is captured correctly with the honesty that needs to be said. I applaud her for saying it how it is, sometimes you just need to have someone say it straight up, no beating around the bush.
Creative, ASHY, has been pushing the boundaries on her work since day one, fruitfully paying off delightfully each time that she sends out a tune into the world. What I enjoy about her music is that it is infectious, you can’t help but feel like you need to dance, sing and shout along to the lyrics each time you hear one of her songs.
LA Talk is something that we can all mostly relate to – many of us listening to the track will have had an experience with a person we thought we knew turned Hollywood-LA-esque, doing a total 180 on who we thought we knew originally, but that person proves us wrong on all different levels.
With some exciting things ahead, LA Talk is just the beginning of this epic journey that ASHY is on and I am absolutely thrilled to see what the next big thing on her list of projects is.
You can catch ASHY at Electric Avenue festival this weekend at Hagley Park, so if you’re heading along, I would not miss her performance because it is like winning the lotto watching her do her thing with such passion and fire.
Follow along with ASHY below -
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Facebook
YouTube / Vevo
ASHY on the WTTG podcast
New Music Review - ‘Wasting my Time’ by Aron Dee
Wasting my Time is the latest from independent local musician, Aron Dee. The track was released on the 30th January 2023. Artwork credit: Aron’s Facebook page.
It’s no secret that Christchurch local, Aron Dee, knows who he is and isn’t afraid to express the emotional side of his life through the music that he works ruthlessly hard to release.
Aron tells many stories that he has been through and the latest release of his, Wasting my Time is no exception to that rule.
Aron allows a lot of vulnerability to be shared throughout the lyrics that he writes, letting the waves of situations to ebb and flow throughout, letting others in to hear experiences from a male perspective, which at times, is a rare occurrence.
During Wasting my Time, the array of heights from the instrumentals and how it has been produced, tends to make you quiver, gauging an extraordinary amount of the situation that Aron has been put into. The hard hitting truths of the track are just one of the many elements that make it this unforgettable tune that will not be easy to let go of.
Wasting my Time has been delivered in a way that is easy to follow, yet doesn’t lack on the seriousness of the song and how Aron endeavours to express anything that needs to be told.
The video encompasses many moments throughout Aron’s days that he feels like he is wasting his time with waiting for this particular person to get in contact, getting let down every single time.
In a way, I guess that Wasting my Time essentially tells the listeners to be weary of not putting up with waiting for others, specifically in terms of dating or even friendships that lean more to one side. It can be hard to let go and accept that something is over, however, for your own peace of mind, it’s best to work on the process of being able to move on, letting the healing begin.
Wasting my Time is produced with a unique vibe that is not easily found in the music industry in the current times and it feels as though Aron has found his passion to go forward with his music in this way. Impressive.
You can follow along with Aron’s journey below -
New Music Review - ‘Highest Heights’ by Coast Arcade
Highest Heights is the second track from Auckland locals, Coast Arcade. Released on the 3rd February 2023. Photo credit: Imaginary Friends.
After a tantalizing of the tastebuds release of their first tune, Tattoo, Coast Arcade have pulled up on the scene for the second time to drop another single, which is just off the press, Highest Heights.
Since the release of their debut single in mid-2022, everyone has been asking for more Coast Arcade music to be unleashed and finally, today is that day! This means we can all go out tonight to celebrate the opening up of this magnetic force of coolness that has been gifted direct from these four Auckland-based talents.
An edgy, indie-pop-rock combination, Coast Arcade are known for the power they bring to the table with not only their instrumental work, but also their slickly produced tracks that are symbolic to their unique creativity.
Highest Heights allows the listener to connect directly to the electric vibes that they are allowing to be endlessly enhanced, something that perks up your ears from the very first drop of the guitar work.
Taking inspiration from many musical icons worldwide, Coast Arcade have enveloped their own vibe into Highest Heights, which tends to shine thoughtfully throughout the track.
Highest Heights encompasses the maturity of the band, showcasing the growth they have had, even in a few short months.
It will be hard to bypass Highest Heights once you get past the first listen of this more-ish tune. It will be spinning in your brain for the next two years, without a doubt.
Coast Arcade are steadily, readily and happily making big steps into getting themselves known within the New Zealand music scene, which is very much paying off on a daily basis, with exciting projects and gigs constantly being announced by the band.
With over 14k plays on Spotify alone with Tattoo, Highest Heights is bound to be an absolute kicker with its banging rhythm, dominant vocals and reassurance that the song is the right direction that Coast Arcade should be taking.
It’s the perfect way to see out the last month of summer, but be assured, Highest Heights will not stop before it gets to the top, even when the season is over.
For more Coast Arcade, you can find them below -
Spotify
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Coast Arcade interview - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘Bathroom Stall’ by Leah Kelsey
Bathroom Stall is the first of 12 releases that Leah Kelsey is releasing this year. Released on 27th January 2023, the song strikes quite a few heartstrings. Photo credit: Leah’s music Facebook page.
Christchurch musician, Leah Kelsey, has set herself a hard, yet attainable, mammoth year of tasks in the form of releasing 12 songs for each month of 2023. This seems like it would be a hard experiment to achieve, however, if Leah’s next releases are anything like the first of 2023, Bathroom Stall, they will be sure to reach a whole new audience, touching many souls along the way with next to no issues.
When first hearing Bathroom Stall upon the release yesterday morning, there were waterfalls threatening to be unleashed, air punches to be carried out and a loss of words for the emotion that Leah has put into the song. It cut some heartstrings of those who can understand the sentiment of the lyrics, which will be a fair few, I’d imagine.
The momentous importance of Bathroom Stall should essentially shake everyone to their core and think before acting, because actions obviously can cause someone a world of hurt.
It is evident that the hidden pain within the walls of Leah’s new release is something that may have been unexpected, however, Leah clearly knows how to deal with the type of situation she is implying through the song and in turn, that makes me realise how powerful us females actually are and how incredible the human voice can be when it is pushed out into the world for others to hear the stories of the past.
Lyrics such as “you call girls pretty, you don’t know. Why’s it so hard to just leave them alone? I shouldn’t feel bad, I didn’t ask for this at all…” that break open the song into what it becomes, showcases what it can be like when females in particular get unwanted attention. “How dare you wait till she’s alone?” strikes a very hard chord and even gave me a little bit of anxiety hearing that line, knowing this is a reality for some that shouldn’t be real under any circumstance. Heart-breaking.
Leah has these sultry, sun-soaked, sweet vocals that engage you in Bathroom Stall, along with the gorgeously, well thought-out strums of an acoustic guitar that fill out the song, creating another aspect of how it all comes together. Emotionally raw, yet sensitive at the same time.
Leah has really stunned me with this new serenade and with another 11 tunes on the horizon, I cannot wait to see what February holds.
Thank you, Leah, for being so personable and sharing the truths behind attention from others that is not wanted. I think you are doing the world of good, speaking up and getting yourself heard!
You can keep up to date with Leah at all of the below links -
New Music Review - ‘Out Like a Light’ by Hot Sauce Club
Out Like a Light hits many different moments in the process. Recently released on the 11th January 2023, Hot Sauce Club showcase every ounce of their incredible abilities through the track. Artwork by Riley Smith.
Get your dunks on and get ready to run into the arms of the newest release from Hot Sauce Club, aptly titled Out Like a Light which brings attention to not only the amount of growth the band are consistently pouring into their careers as musicians, it also dives into the heaviness of someone you love doing you wrong by fading out the relationship with their actions, like a burnt out light that decides they no longer want to glow with the particular person and they proceed to do something potentially hurtful to the other party, whether out of malice or not.
In turn, Out Like a Light could also be determined to be about the mental health of someone that you care about. It takes on a couple of sides to separate situations.
(Disclaimer: this is my own take on what I feel the song is possibly about, this review is an opinion piece, I could have misinterpreted it. My apologies to Hot Sauce Club if this is the case.)
Out Like a Light bursts with this positive, heated up energy that Hot Sauce Club are well known for, even given some of life’s tough situations. With lyrical moments placed in pivotal spots in the song with pure intensity such as “suspect a thing or two of the things she may be going through. Why didn’t I say a thing? Why didn’t I say a bloody thing?”
With a small electric pang at the entrance to the song, Out Like a Light is the ultimate Kiwi surprise that takes us through different chartered waters in order to adapt to the tune itself, making it one that will make you hit the repeat: one button on the streaming service of your choice.
What personally inspires me about Hot Sauce Club as while they could produce reckless, party anthems, they don’t. They consume everything around them that they see, hear and can think of, then churn out some thrilling music that will go down well for years to come.
Slamming down a slightly gritty-indie sound with the mixing, Out Like a Light brings out a unique set of tones that Hot Sauce Club have not previously done, showing their directional change for amassing listeners from across the board, which they are successfully starting to achieve.
Hot Sauce Club are coming in with everything they’ve got and they’re aren’t pausing for anybody.
Out Like a Light is available to stream now. So, get on your board and hit the play button immediately.
More Hot Sauce Club -
New Music Review - ‘Last Call’ by Rachel Leo
Last Call was released on 9th December 2022 and has been an absolute hit with audiences so far. Cover credit: Rachel’s EPK.
Easy versatility of differential ways to tell a story rolls out a lot of moments that lay the ground work for Rachel Leo’s latest intoxicating release, Last Call, released in early December 2022.
With the helping hand of Kiwi musical icons, Drax Project, Rachel pulls all the stops out to make this the greatest song that she has released thus far.
Last Call is about a turning point within the healing process from a former relationship that had infidelity hidden within the walls of what may have looked once perfect from the outside.
Rachel explores new avenues of how she has been able to overcome the obstacles of the issues that arose, forcing the end to her previous relationship. Rachel expresses her powerful and newfound strength after letting this problematic situation be driven into the flames of the past.
Last Call rips through the walls of former torture, excelling through with flourishing vocalism and an immense baseline that notably makes the song more enticing, the trueness of the words being sung by Rachel at every turn of the crossroads.
What I like about Last Call is that while it has a not-so-kind backstory to it, Rachel has taken the pain that was inflicted and created this fiery tune that a lot of listeners will be able to put their finger on and say, “I completely understand where she is coming from”. There is nothing better in life than being able to listen to and relate to a song that you are just hearing, having the musician that is performing understand the hurt that you may have also been through in the past.
Rachel is certainly a singer-songwriter to keep a close eye on - having her independence of creation, alongside her magical talent, it would be unfathomable to not watch what she is up to next, her steps ever outstanding to the former step she has taken.
You can find more of Rachel at all of her social media links below -
New Music Review - ‘Holiday’ by Bayleaf
Holiday was released on the 25th November 2022 and will melt you into a puddle of goodness. Artwork credit: Bayleaf’s Instagram.
Bayleaf have turned a new leaf, coming in again with their Summery new tune released late November, Holiday, to get you in the mood for some thoughtful words with this outstanding song to listen to while traveling to your Holiday destination.
Fascinating instrumentals that drive you somewhere far away accompany the moodiness of the track that will capture your heart and keep the desire of Bayleaf’s music right in the forefront of your mind.
Holiday shares a new lease on life, a delicate way to pull you in, keeping you closer than close with every step you take.
With the freshest vocalism that takes on a whole different meaning of leaning back into the times of relaxation, Bayleaf tend to take on this whole other accomplishment with each release that makes it quite distinctive to other trends in music, allowing their mark in the universe to figuratively make more noise than most.
Holiday keeps on track with the romantic sounds, swiftly coming in to capture the nature of what is meant to be expressed. Bayleaf do not have any trouble being able to simply express this through the projects that they put out, completely exemplary.
With a barrage of magnificence sprinkled throughout Holiday, you are bound to find a fair few magical touches that will be kept inside of your soul.
Bayleaf have this thrilling demeanour that they set free, making them quite the unique collective of musicians who create these unbelievable moments to be taken in.
If you’re keen to follow along with Bayleaf, you can find them below -
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See You in the Morning Review - WTTG
New Music Review - ‘Little While (With the Lights Out)’ by Sun Veins
Little While (With the Lights Out) was officially released on all streaming platforms on the 9th December and is a little number that will give you many forms of confidence. Cover artwork provided by Sun Veins.
A sensual new tune from Dunedin-based Sun Veins has recently dropped, just in time for the heat to radiate from not only your body, but the earth with the summery warmth emerging this month.
Little While (With the Lights Out) combines this soft flowing entrance that expands into this magical, bust out of the box flicker of lights, bringing the tune to life to enjoy the catchy moments of delight throughout.
A formulated take on love, Sun Veins nail it on the head with how they tell the story of this specific relationship that allows listeners to view the lives of these two individuals when they come together to be as one.
Little While (With the Lights Out) feels like little, personal accomplishments throughout the song, borrowing times from the past and bringing them forward to the future to allow the wishes that they have to be granted, something desirable in life, to say the least.
The first of drops from Sun Veins since 2019, Little While (With the Lights Out) faultlessly slots right into the wonderous world of releases for 2022 and Sun Veins knew exactly how to make it a seamless transition for their first single in three years.
My favourite part of Little While (With the Lights Out) has to be where there is a slight pause between the verse and the chorus beginning. It holds this sensational second of wonder, gripping you into wondering what universe you are about to be launched into. A piece filled with mystery that I can thoroughly appreciate.
Look out for Sun Veins’ new album, launching into your heart in 2023!
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New Music Review - ‘Home for Christmas’- Simon Hirst
Home for Christmas will bring a lot of tears to your eyes with the beauty that it entails. The track was released exactly 20 days until Christmas on the 5th December 2022. Cover art credit: Simon’s Facebook.
If you don’t have a box of your favourite Kleenex beside you right while you read this review and while you listen to Simon Hirst’s new song, Home for Christmas, may I suggest that you pop out to quickly get some as Simon’s newly released Christmas track is for the soft-hearted, dewy-eyed amongst us.
Released 20 days prior to Christmas (this is an important mention in which you will need to listen to the song to find out why), Home for Christmas is the ultimate New Zealand festive song that will pull on more than a few heartstrings, expanding your love of Simon’s valuable music even further afield.
The acoustically driven riffs that flex through Home for Christmas will ensure that you get to enjoy that Christmassy feeling that most of us crave to feel at this time of the year, something that Simon really shines a light on, ensuring his songs help listeners feel deeply with every tune that he lets loose.
The artwork for Home for Christmas is a dedication to not only Simon’s music, but also a polaroid of his family placed tactfully in a spot where you’d have to look closely for it, however, it in a way, signifies that while Simon’s passion is about creating, he always has time for his beautiful family who support him on the crazy roads of creating and life in general.
Home for Christmas would be the perfect addition to a Hallmark Christmas movie (which I realise I have said in previous reviews that Simon’s music would really suit being in a romantic movie), with the realism of lyricism and the bright spark of Christmas enchantment that evokes different moments.
Home for Christmas is not a tune that you will be able to pass by, trapping you in this quietly loved-up bubble of gracefulness that makes a distinct purpose in the heart of the song. Lovely.
You can find more of Simon at the below links -
New Music Review - ‘ALL FOR YOU’ by Gibson XCVII
ALL FOR YOU is a warm piece of summer handed to you by the legends from Gibson XCVIII. The tune was released on the 2nd December 2022 and really is something else. Cover art: provided by Gibson XCVIII.
Coming in warm with a fresh splash in the ocean to perk your days up are Christchurch locals, Gibson XCVIII with their tranquil-filled, charming track, ALL FOR YOU.
The tune has been on rotation for just over a week now after initially making its debut on the airwaves of local radio stations and boy, is it a great presentation of a fascinating storyline that holds anticipation that you can delve right into.
With strategically placed gripping beats, ALL FOR YOU promises this well thought out energy that encapsulates what Gibson XCVIII are consistently striving for and perfectly achieving.
Dean and Mark have this tendency to introduce their music to the world with intricate feeling, which is mixed with a lot of meaning, leaving you asking for the next step in their musical careers to be unleashed.
Gibson XCVIII are not a band who have just tossed some old beats together and called it a day. In fact, ALL FOR YOU has been with Dean for quite some time - something I was able to discuss with the band on the podcast, which you can find here.
It’s evident that the creative passions that Gibson XCVIII have poured into ALL FOR YOU (and their other tracks) are something they take seriously, allowing both members of the band to bounce ideas off each other, which, in turn, lets both Dean and Mark have their own spin on the songs they choose to release. A perfect amount of team effort.
ALL FOR YOU is a more mellowed-out indie vibe and while it may not be a full-on dance-type tune, you will still find your body moving and grooving in all of the right ways, even involuntarily.
Gibson XCVIII have proven that this song is a great expression of their music currently with their tracks ever-changing to make way for new sounds, ideas and words. ALL FOR YOU is as humble and kind as the two members of the band - super delightful.
ALL FOR YOU is a tune that you will want to get wrapped up in, so pop it on repeat for the weekend and enjoy the cosy, light-listening moments that if offers.
You can find more Gibson XCVIII at the below -
New Music Review - ‘Simple Things’ the album by The RVMES
Simple Things was released on the 24th November 2022 and will take you to all those awesome places you didn’t know you needed to visit. Artwork provided from The RVMES EPK.
Majestic, soul-filling funk is bouncing off the walls of the new album, Simple Things from Auckland-based The RVMES (pronounced The Rooms).
An eclectic movement of bright revelations, each song is relatively different to the next, the multiple genres (think thoughtful R&B, rock, funk…) along with an array of instruments working their way through the 8 tunes on Simple Things make the album a phenomenal hit to roll in the festival season.
The RVMES provide this epic feast of scrumptiously-infused hooks, feeding that hunger that you so desire, however, they certainly know how to leave you craving more of their highly desirable creations.
The definitive diversity makes Simple Things a one-of-a-kind creation for the New Zealand music market currently. I state this opinion as I’ve not heard many other artists pull off the gift of how The RVMES tunes sound like other musicians are singing each track, which you could be forgiven if you thought that it is other artists performing on the album. That’s a skill that would be tricky to master, yet, The RVMES have got it down to the purest of art forms.
A melting pot of goodness, Simple Things takes you on a journey of different feelings that hit all of the right notes - the relaxation that you are able to take away from the album is on a different rung of the ladder. When I say there is literally a song for everyone, there genuinely is a song that each person in the world could pick out as their favourite. You will find a lot of hidden gems throughout the entirety of Simple Things, something that The RVMES have proved themselves exceptionally good at providing over and over again.
Some notable tunes to run up on your playlists would certainly be Who Shot the Moon, What’s Troublin’ You and Simple Things. In fact, the album is just a masterpiece in its own right, so listen to it carefully, not on shuffle, to get an idea of the storybook they have been able to put together.
The RVMES are no strangers to creating tunes that will grab you, making it meticulously hard to not have you enticed from the moment they work their way through your ears.
The tasty band are heading on a tour across the North Island this summer, with a lot more from the lads to come. It would absolutely be beneficial if you went ahead to a show, stream their music and follow them on their socials. I can’t get enough of The RVMES and neither will you.
Come back soon for more of The RVMES content - there will be an interview with Edwin up before Christmas.
Check out more of The RVMES below -
New Music Review - ‘Under My Skin’ by Shivers
Under My Skin could be the break-through track that Shivers have made to get themselves even more heard in the industry. Released on the 8th of November 2022, this is a tune that will be delicately played for a long time. Cover art by Camkilla.
Crafty Wellington independent artists, Shivers, are back coming in hot with their latest tune that is going to make you say “wow, that really got Under My Skin and in my head” for the rest of this year.
Coming through with a subtle Stan Walker-like vibe, Shivers are taking their meaningful music to the next level with this soulful, sentimental feeling release.
The easy-listening, dynamic release that is Under My Skin is a song that breaks through the ice, allowing the emergence of Shivers to take over in terms of being heard in the way they’re striving to be heard.
Under My Skin brings spotlight filled moments that allow each of the elements to have their shining time, which is something I personally listen out for in new releases. I enjoy being able to tune into different pieces of a track, whether that be the vocals, lyrics or the instruments themselves, Under My Skin genuinely puts everything out there in an elegant way that doesn’t take away from any other aspect of the song.
Shivers describe their music as soulful and genre fluid, aiming for a good time in real time, which comes forth with the release of Under My Skin. The track has this touching way of handing you the toastiest feelings as it is quite the influential, positive indulgence.
One thing that makes a big difference in the releases of Shivers’ songs is that no two tracks are the same, which, as mentioned above, is due to their genre fluid nature, immensely captivating. For artists that stick to the one genre, it can get stagnant after a while, however, with Shivers, their music is always enticing and fulfils the evermore compelling aspect of who they are. An inspiring, remarkable position to be in.
If you’ve not yet given Under My Skin an embrace, I would suggest doing so. It will lighten your mood by 100% and that is a guaranteed promise.
You can check out more Shivers at the below links -