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New Zealand

Theo Sawyer put perspective behind our hedonistic thrills with his intimate pop hit, Download a Ghost

Posted on 16 December 2022

With quiescently bitter-sweet piano melodies that resound with the same ethereal grace as Philip Glass, Theo Sawyer’s latest contemporary pop ballad, Download a Ghost, puts weight behind the belief that searching for love in the modern era is akin to a paranormal investigation.

Now that treating each other as a temporary dopamine hit before slipping off the radar is a common phenomenon; it was about time pop artists stepped up to the mark and helped the diehard romantics out there to navigate through the landmine-strewn landscape of dating where objects of desire can slip from perception at a moment’s notice when they’ve had their hedonistic fill.

Fans of Tom Odell, Daughter, and Bill Ryder-Jones, will want to playlist staple this subtly profound serenade that unravels as a flood of compassion, introspection and darkly intimate expression.

The New Zealand-hailing artist may have only entered the scene in 2022, but he is already stealing the show. Stay tuned for more expositions on dysfunctional dynamics and intellectual amorous psychology.

Download a Ghost officially released on December 9th; hear it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ben Edgar shows us that reassuring fighting spirit with his latest release, ‘We’re Still Young’

Posted on 5 July 2022

Knowing that everything will be okay again if we keep our heads high no matter what is around the corner, Ben Edgar returns with an inspiring story that shall help heal your spirit up to be stronger than yesterday with, ‘We’re Still Young‘.

Ben Edgar is a New Zealand-born, Sydney, Australia-based indie singer-songwriter who makes that cinematic-like music which takes your mind away from any stresses you’re currently feeling.

”His origins in percussive music and his love of folk led him to fuse the two styles, forging his own unique sound as a singer and percussive-guitarist.” ~ Ben Edgar

Showing us that anything is actually achievable, even if the easier option is to give up in the face of adversity, Ben Edgar displays that enlightening message which we all need to enter the deepest part of our soul.

With a tender tone, self-aware lyrics, and a splendid ambience to close our eyes with, there is so much to enjoy here from an artist who urges us to lift that mind above the noisy clouds.

“I wrote We’re Still Young in late 2019, having spent some time thinking about resilience and maintaining hope in the face of adversity. To me, it speaks of never giving up and hopefully inspires listeners to use well what time we each have. We’re Still is the first of two singles coming out in the lead-up to my debut EP release in early September.” ~ Ben Edgar

‘We’re Still Young‘ from Sydney, Australia-based indie singer-songwriter Ben Edgar is a tremendously calming single that will set you free from any self-doubts that have been slowly creeping in like a ghost in the right. His aura is so uplifting and serene beyond what we felt before, in this world that can break you in half if you aren’t careful.

Never giving up, no matter the odds, is the only way to truly live after all.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more via his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Xela sends us into raptures with her 3rd single that is perfect for summer love on ‘Vibin’

Posted on 6 February 2022

As she connects wholeheartedly with someone new and can’t help but dance and smile the day away, Xela has our fingers clicking and our blushes obvious to those who know us best with the steaming new single that will have you ‘Vibin‘.

Alex Ware aka Xela is a soulfully creative Sydney and Auckland-based, New Zealand-born indie electro-pop solo singer-songwriter and artist.

Produced by Sydney artist Beso Palma, Xela is at her classy and sultry best with a kiss-filled single that will have you beaming happily as you hold hands tightly and dance joyously with your new lover. There is something so pure about the luscious vocals and funky beat, that sends you a well-loved shockwave which is such a stunning listen from a wonderfully talented artist.

‘Vibin‘ from Sydney, Australia-based indie electro-pop solo musician Xela, is one of those happy singles you can’t help but love and tell your friends and family about. The lyrics are fresh and filled with life, her sensual style seems to hug the speakers, as we are thrilled to the rafters with a superb release that brightens up your day and brushes away any previous darkness.

That feeling of being with someone new who truly gets you is one of those special feelings you will never forget.

Hear this fresh track on Soundcloud and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I Need Help: Mtt wonders where he would be without this special soul on debut single ‘Myself’

Posted on 19 January 2022

As he thinks deeply about the past that haunted him before meeting someone who somehow changed his whole mindset, Mtt feels like he can’t live properly without this angel who has saved him from disaster on ‘Myself‘.

Mtt is a Brazil-born, New Zealand-based indie-pop solo singer-songwriter and music producer who uses his fitness regime to sharpen his mind.

”I’m currently working on an EP that I want to release in a few months that is going to take my music to a bit of a heavier side.” ~ Mtt

Taking us on a ride that mirrors the emotions of so many who feel like they can only achieve their goals with one particular person who is their guide in life, Mtt leads us into his mind which he hopes can be unlocked by himself soon as he feels so lost when alone.

‘Myself‘ from Brazil-born, New Zealand-based indie-pop solo artist and music producer Mtt, is a vividly described story about feeling like you are under a spell from someone who helps you become the best version of yourself each time you are around them. Sung with vigorous energy from an artist in a deeply personal story that has him shivering at times, with a nostalgic beat that has you swaying your whole body to this debut track all about trying to comprehend what is actually going on.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more of the energy via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

A Fool: Ives regrets opening up her heart to a greedy soul on ‘Fallin’ for You’

Posted on 13 November 2021

As she digs deeper into the reason why she fell for someone who didn’t care for her valuable heart properly, Ives is quite superb on her second compelling single ‘Fallin’ for You‘.

Ives is an incredibly talented indie-pop singer-songwriter and poet who is from stunning Auckland, New Zealand. She is a fairly new artist who shows an undeniable quality that is easy to hear, with a sensually classy style that is hard to ignore.

You feel her reflective mind going back to the moment that she realized that things needed to change, as she was tired of someone who gluttonously sucked all the life out of her for too long. There is comfort in her lungs as she moves onto the new chapter, as you feel her brushing the self-doubt away like knotted hair on a brush that needs to be straightened.

‘Fallin’ for You‘ from the Auckland, New Zealand-based indie-pop artist Ives, shows us a sad moment when someone who you loved previously, showed their undesirable cruelness. After letting them go like a lost shoe that is stuck in the mud, everything now focuses on that healing process. Sung with an honest tone and beautifully peaceful vocals from a truly angelic artist, this is a sizzling single that will be stationed strikingly in your curious mind for many hours.

Hear this lovely new single on YouTube and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Meant To Be: Highly promising New Zealand pop artist Kitsuni drops her debut tension-filled sizzler ‘Surreal’

Posted on 4 November 2021

Produced by Zilla, Kitsuni drops her debut track which all about knowing that some things will sadly never change, no matter how much you want it to on ‘Surreal‘.

Kitsuni is a fresh-faced Auckland, New Zealand-based indie pop artist who sings with a glorious ambiance, as she lets her vocals do the talking.

There is much to love about a sensual beat that takes you into this picture of a love, that is trying to be found but is just not possible right now. Your ideal partner isn’t around and you certainly crave their touch – which seems hard to get right now – as the large space in your soul is making you lonelier by the day.

‘Surreal‘ from the incredible Auckland, New Zealand-based indie pop singer-songwriter Kitsuni, is a look-for-the-meaning track that has you gazing outside your dusty window, as you hope that you will be finally happy. This is the story of trying to find that much-needed love that just seems to escape you – like a cat hiding away from a trip to the vet – as the stunning vocals will take you to places of desire. A fantastic debut awaits your ears, as you will feel that she is a potentially world class artist with heaps of potential.

Hear this debut track on Soundcloud and see more via the Twitter music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Kingdom Philosophy: Andre Bugatti looks deeper for the true realness in this flaky world with ‘Tell Me Your Lies’

Posted on 22 September 2021

As he hides his face away to keep it pure from the greedy vampires who are out for blood, Andre Bugatti has our minds awash with total intrigue on his latest track ‘Tell Me Your Lies‘.

Andre Bugatti is a Kerala, India-born, Auckland, New Zealand-raised indie hip-hop artist. He makes a soundscape come to life that is totally his own, as its completely sincere and full of inner meaning, mixed in with deliciously mellow beats to provoke the soul into a different space in time.

”Influenced by his upbringing, both eastern and western culture play a part in his delicate story telling. Struggling to find a place in these two worlds, Andre has decided to fit into neither and make his own.” ~ Andre Bugatti

There is a soul-stirring release that is captured like a nostalgic Polaroid on this worthwhile track – that is packed full of calming flows – and a beat which seems to match the mood of this experience just right.

‘Tell Me Your Lies‘ from the New Zealand-raised indie rapper Andre Bugatti, is a highly thoughtful release which feels like he is looking for more than what meets the eye. In a world full of lies and swirling confusion, he ride away from the gusting winds that can take you away from that much-needed reality. He raps with a calm energy and a thoughtful mindset – that wraps a peaceful blend of love all over our hungry-for-real hearts – that truly needs all the love possible.

Looking at everything from the top of the mountain without getting flustered like a majestic Lion would, is the only way to avoid getting tangled into the fake part of this beautiful world.

Check out this new single on his Spotify and see more news on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Paranoid I Might Die: Wildly creative New Zealand/South African rapper HAZLE feels that heavy head brewing on ‘warped walls’

Posted on 9 September 2021

Inspired greatly by Tyler The Creator and Kanye West, HAZLE brings that money and greens vibes with a little taste of that classic Oros Orange Squash too on ‘warped walls‘.

Jordan aka HAZLE is a New Zealand-born, South Africa-raised indie hip-hop artist. He is a youthful artist with big dreams, and raps with an abundance of enthusiasm that has you listening so closely to his authentic vibe.

”Growing up my ears were open to all genres of music, I just never realized until last year that music was my calling.” ~ HAZLE

His quick on the mic style is so extremely likable, he flows like a man possessed to find the true path that he seeks without fuss. The genuine rap style is rather breathless at times, his lyrics are supremely intricate and made with so much excellent creativity. This is a man on a mission to reach the top as he climbs up the music mountain without any clips attached, his mind is alert and ready for anything presented for him to conquer.

‘warped walls‘ from the highly motivated New Zealand-born rapper HAZLE, is a unique track featuring his distinctive South African accent at times – as he tells us the story of feeling so paranoid at the moment – in this rather weird world that doesn’t feel real. The walls are closing in and he doesn’t know what the future holds, but is going to smoke up and let life guide him through the blade-filled clouds, to find that true self-enlightenment.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more news via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Hope I See You: Jiggydontspeak feels lots of lipstick on his sheets with ‘Dreams’

Posted on 1 September 2021

After eloquently showing us her expensive tastes whilst roaming around town on ‘American Express‘, Jiggydontspeak wonders if the girl that has him grinning like a cheeky cat will be making a much-awaited appearance all in his ‘Dreams‘.

Sako aka Jiggydontspeak, is quick-flowing space music rapper from Hamilton East, Waikato in beautiful New Zealand, who currently lives in busy London, England.

”Dreams is a melancholic rap song on a UK Drill beat that is about trying to escape reality and find inner peace with yourself and your significant other.” ~ Jiggydontspeak

On a loaded single which has much promise, we are thrown inside the love-struck story which keeps him awake for hours on end. He can feel the lipstick everywhere he sleeps and knows that she wants more – but other random dudes are taking her away from you – as you wish that they would find other interests and leave you two alone for that quality time.

”The creative process of this track was just me reflecting on the state of mind I was in at that moment and how I could express my emotions and turn it to art.” ~ Jiggydontspeak

‘Dreams‘ from the New Zealand-born, UK-based indie rap artist Jiggydontspeak, is a fast rapped track from a highly confident ripped artist who knows that his ultimate lover is in high demand. He feels like she needs to brush away all those other dusters, and ride with him rather, as he knows what she needs. Made with a bounce-laded flow which certainly gets you off that lazy chair, this is an imaginative song all about dreaming about that special soul you see yourself with.

Check out this new track on his Spotify and see more stylish adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

My Girl Got Expensive Tastes: Jiggydontspeak knows she is addicted to ‘American Express’

Posted on 27 August 2021

As she spends rather quickly like there is no tomorrow on the way, Jiggydontspeak makes her shine brightly beyond belief on the fresh new card-swiping track to get you into the mood to look extra good on ‘American Express‘.

Sako aka Jiggydontspeak, is a hardcore space music rapper born in Hamilton East, Waikato, New Zealand who currently resides in London, England.

”His tone and lyrics are influenced from London, New Zealand and American culture and is noticed throughout the track, leaving the listener curious where he originates from.” ~ Jiggydontspeak

With a smoothly tipped tone and a freshly squeezed beat that tastes so wholesomely refined, his expressive lyrics bring us into the story about that girl you love so much. You are worried that she can’t get enough of spending that hard-earned money but you wish for her to be truly happy no matter the cost, so you can see that delighted glow in her beautiful eyes forever.

‘American Express‘ from the New Zealand-born indie hip-hop artist Jiggydontspeak, is that live-like-its-the-best-time-ever track and is stacked full of that finer taste. This is the type of track to play as you are headed out to the mall to get some fresh cuts, or on the way to the club as you feel like a million bucks.

Sometimes retail therapy can really make you feel better inside, no matter what the weather.

Hear this new track on Spotify and check out the IG music page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen