Browsing Tag

New Zealand

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

Alt-Rock Pioneers Roulettes Have Released Their Racorously Cold Proto-Punk Single, Fading Sun

Posted on 24 September 2021

The Roulettes’ fourth single, Fading Sun, from their album, Demosphere, will be music to the ears of proto-punk, post-punk, garage rock and indie fans alike.

Straight off the bat, you’re plunged into a cold atmosphere orchestrated by throbbing basslines, harsh snares and rancorously overdriven guitars. Around the glitchy electronica, psych-rock tendencies start to flourish as the single unravels and warmth seeps into the mix through the vocals that carry the same enamouring appeal of Julian Casablancas (The Strokes).

The New Zealand-based duo’s album may have never seen a recording studio, but discernibly, that didn’t get in the way of the prodigal sons creating one of the most exciting alt-rock albums of 2021. Save room on your radar.

You can check out the official video for Fading Sun via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

 

Take It So Cheap: Gary Mictian is so disappointed that they moved on so fast with ‘Easy To You’

Posted on 26 July 2021

With smooth synth melody, a heart grabbing groove, and packed full of pulsating pop, Gary Mictian is in highly reflective mood with the love-lost new single about how someone you loved could be so cold after a relationship ended with ‘Easy To You‘.

Gary Mictian is a vintage indie-pop singer-songwriter, Bachelor of Music graduate and music producer from New Zealand, who is now based in London, England. He makes that smoothly delivered – and eloquently sung music – than has you feeling supremely thoughtful about love.

”At the end of a relationship I thought I would feel worse than I initially did, I was surprised that what tipped me over the edge was seeing how easy it was for them to move on. It made me wonder what I actually meant to that person, it seemed to be
different to what I thought”. ~ Gary Mictian

‘Easy To You‘ from the Kiwi-raised, London-based indie-pop solo artist, sci-fi fan and music producer Gary Mictian, is a true story that certainly breaks your heart. After loving someone who you still care about and think of constantly – things ended rather abruptly and before you knew it – they have already moved with a new lover, like nothing happened. You feel cheap and rather low, as you try and brush off the disgust quickly, before it drags you down the road of self-doubt.

Life is full of twists and turns, as you quickly realize that its so vital to be careful who you let into your heart.

Stream this sad new single about an ex on his Spotify and see more via the IG channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I Am Free: Ma9Na shows us the way forward on ‘Down For The Count’ (feat. Gerry Murrell)

Posted on 25 May 2021

With an ominous beat that soon leads us thrillingly into a powerfully built song that has you inspired beyond belief, Ma9Na brings us back to the 80’s with a proper rock track for the memory bank to lock in with ‘Down For The Count’ (feat. Gerry Murrell).

Peter Manaena aka Ma9Na is an experienced late-blooming Winton, New Zealand-born, Tasmania, Australia-based drummer, producer, keyboardist, former band member, bass and acoustic guitarist.

“I’m all about stepping into my courage zone”, says Manaena. “For many years I avoided controversy, so played it safe by staying in the background. But, if I want this world to be a better place for future generations, I need to share my message. If I want to make a change, then I need to stop being silent. If I want to encourage others to do the same, then I need to lead by example. I’m not leaving this world without making my mark, which is why I’m taking my music to the world. Given I’m already 62, I’m intending to get out there hard and fast.” – Ma9Na

The terrific soundtrack is one for the books as they sing for their freedom, not letting anything get in the way as they guitar solo our minds over the edge, to find that calm sea again. This is the type of song to put on loud in the morning to kick your into action — ignoring the depressing news and other heartache attached frustrations —  that are threatening to sink you into the lonely waters beyond.

‘Down For The Count‘ (feat. Gerry Murrell) from the multi-talented Tasmanian rock lover, Midnight Oil fan, former runner and veteran music professional Ma9Na, is a real lesson to all those who think they can’t learn new things when they are older. Here is a man who has defied logic, to start his solo career now, and isn’t going to stop until he reaches his goals. That is the power of music.

Stream this classic-style new track from a real legend on Spotify and see more via his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Finding Yourself: New Zealand legend Keith Ballantyne finds the right path on ‘WhereAreYou?’

Posted on 14 April 2021

From the pit orchestra in his youth, to touring South Africa for nine months, performing live with James Brown and studying jazz, Keith Ballantyne has done it all in the music world and is back with a majestic instrumental creation called ‘WhereAreYou?‘.

Keith Ballantyne is a supremely multi-talented Ponsonby in Auckland, New Zealand-based acclaimed music composer for over thirty-five years. He makes that classic music for film, television and theater, his special touch heard throughout as he shows us what timeless creations sound like.

A true music connoisseur who’s had a highly impressive career, who started his journey as a professional trumpet player touring around New Zealand in the early 1970’s. Soon after, Keith’s life changed forever after selling a house and joined Keith Hunter and Bruce Morrison to create Sprocket Films. It was a huge risk at the time as fairly few New Zealand documentaries were selling overseas, but the gamble was certainly worth it.

You feel like you are in a time machine while turning this one up loud, as the varying layers has you so intrigued, as you get lost for a minute and wonder how it feels when he makes music. His mind is so in tune with countless many different facets and genres that he has experienced. This is so far away from the cheese of today, his skillful art flows above all else and makes you appreciate a true student of the game.

‘WhereAreYou?‘ from Auckland’s legendary music composer Keith Ballantyne, is a fascinating journey through the layers of this phenomenally talented composers soul, who uses his wide variety of skills to formulate something so pure.

Finding where you are in life is so important in this overly complicated world after all, so that you may walk down the right road for your soul to be content and happy in.

Stream this fine song on Soundcloud and see his FB for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen