Rising pop-soul artist Verity steps into a fearless new era with her latest single “Like It’s London”, out today. Bold, reckless, and unapologetic, the track captures a moment in time where confidence ran high, consequences felt distant, and everything moved fast and loud.
They’ve won a few competitions from here and Australia, opened for a few sweet international rock acts and have even moved to a different storage unit near a different sewage plant.
But after releasing their prize winning debut EP ‘Clean Living’, 2026 brings`` this dogs’ first tour of main centre Aotearoa alongside a new single ‘Likewise’, out now.
CAITLIN, born in Te Tihi-o-Maru and now based in Ōtautahi, returns with her new single, ‘You’re Only Good To Calm Me Down’. Self-produced with the help of Will McGillivray (Goodwill), CAITLIN explains, “It’s a song about self-discovery, playful denial, and finally calling things out.” These themes run through her forthcoming EP, Guardrails, due April 10, which traces the small reckonings and shifts that come after life moves you off course.
The 15th of February marks the 75th anniversary of the Waterfront Dispute of 1951, the largest industrial dispute New Zealand had seen up to that point and since. The fractious struggle for fair conditions, pay and security became a flashpoint between those who saw working people as simple chattels of company interests and those who dreamed of accessing the promise of a better life in the post-war era. Marking this date, one of New Zealand’s foremost modern folk singers and writers, Adam McGrath, releases the first single from his upcoming album of songs inspired by the stories, struggles and solidarity imbued in the history of the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
Sola Rosa returns with What You Need (feat. Blush’ko), a hypnotic, slow-burning track built on a mid-tempo, four-on-the-floor groove, marking a shift into dance music and DJ set territory.
Trailblazing Aotearoa artist Theia (Waikato, Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru) has collaborated with Sweetshop Entertainment, the producers of the newly released feature film MĀRAMA, alongside songwriter Karl Steven, to create a new audio recording and music video titled Holy War II.
Wellington-based artist, producer, and cultural storyteller Israel Starr releases his new instrumental single “Seasons” on Friday 13 February — a slow-burn reggae meditation designed to create space, stillness, and reflection.
Following the impact of That’s Camp, queer Māori artist ARDON ENGLAND (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Āti Awa, Kahuranaki Marae) levels up with “I’M THAT B*TCH,” the flagship single from the forthcoming EP of the same name (Feb 2026). This is unapologetic club theatre: chant-it-with-your-chest hooks, thumping percussion, rubbery bass, and performance-art swagger built for peak hour.
Tāmaki Makaurau-based soul-food singer-songwriter artist dān dān returns with a new single songs about u, a tender and deeply personal reflection on mental health, recovery, and learning how to love oneself.
Timeless Duets is not just performance. It uses music to model what real relationships look like — not only romance in its perfect form, but love in its fullness: joyful, complicated, tender, broken, healing, and resilient.
PRINS makes a big and bold statement with her first single of the year, ‘DESIGNER’, a high-energy banger from her highly anticipated EP, HEAVEN OR HELL on the cards for release on March 20.
New Zealand–born, Nashville–New Zealand–based singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow announces the first single from her highly anticipated sixth studio album, GOLDMINE.
Celebrated Aotearoa singer and songwriter Theia (Waikato, Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru) will perform a special ‘homecoming’ concert exclusively for her haukaainga in Port Waikato on Saturday, February 28. Presented by Tainui Live and hosted at Tauranganui Marae on the banks of the Waikato River, this show is the centrepiece of Theia’s upcoming nationwide Debut Album Release Tour. Gates will open at 5pm and entry to the whaanau friendly, all-ages event will be by koha.
Midwave Breaks are bringing the noise for 2026 with their explosive new single. Self-produced on a farm in the hills overlooking the Bay of Plenty, the track marks the first radio release from the band’s forthcoming full-length album, kicking off an exciting new chapter for the Tauranga-based Rockers.
Aotearoa’s progressive bluegrass ensemble, You, Me, Everybody, have released their new album Midnight — a project that offers a fresh, local take on what bluegrass sounds like when filtered through New Zealand perspectives.
Off the back of a huge set at Rhythm & Vines festival and recent singles ‘Necklace’ and ‘Buttercup’, West Auckland post-surf rockers Double Parked have kicked off the year with another new single, ‘Lighthouse’.
Award-winning children’s music artist Chanelle Davis is back with her second Chanelle & Friends album, 'Creature Groove and Other Songs for Kids'! — a joyful, unmistakably Kiwi collection celebrating creatures, friendship, and the everyday magic of growing up in Aotearoa.
Following a breakthrough year on the international stage, Indie-pop band BORDERLINE has released their first single of 2026, ‘Tainted’. The hypnotic song blends shimmering synths and guitars with captivating melodies, shaping a sound that sits at the pop end of indie.
The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa (MMF Aotearoa) is pleased to announce its new Executive Committee, alongside the appointment of Joost Langeveld as interim Chair.
Aotearoa artist Hamo Dell returns with her warm, soulful new single “Tā Aroha (Love Letters)”, a contemporary R&B track shaped by Māori influences and deep emotional storytelling.
One year on from the release of Blake’s poignant ballad The Gift You Gave Me—and one year on from the passing of her aunty. Blake returns with its heartfelt sequel, You’re Still Here.
NZ bluegrass explorers, You, Me, Everybody unveil “Busy Without Me” — a bright, upbeat nod to those of us who spend our lives running the itinerary, only to realise we sometimes need to step off the schedule. Released to announce the band’s forthcoming album Midnight, due out 30 January 2026, “Busy Without Me” adds a playful, free-wheeling spirit to the new record.
Building on the momentum of his first single Horizon (released in November), Te Tara o Te Ika/Coromandel artist Matt Sephton releases “The Sky,” a storm-charged electronic piece carrying a sense of lift, movement, and elemental force.
Auckland pop-soul artist Verity returns with her boldest statement yet in her new single, “Out of My Head,” a raw and unapologetic story of finally stepping away from chaos and choosing peace. Known for her powerful vocals and honest songwriting, Verity once again brings her heart to the forefront — this time capturing the moment when clarity arrives after a long, toxic relationship has taken too much.
Renowned Grey Lynn, Central Auckland-raised rapper Diggy Dupé has returned with Brown Velvet EP, a new project made in collaboration with producer choicevaughan and arriving just in time for the Aotearoa summer season, out today via DRM.
Caru and Brandn Shiraz return with 'Two for Two', closing out the year with their finest work yet. Recently praised by Rolling Stone as “one of the best EPs of the year”. This new sharp dual-sided release pairs Caru’s slick production alongside Brandn Shiraz’s unmistakable and raw MC energy.
20-year-old pop artist Liberty peels back the layers of heartbreak in her new single “Call Me Back, Babe” a stripped-back acoustic-pop track that spirals through the emotional chaos of wanting someone who’s already let go.
After shooting to the top of the charts last month with her recent single, ‘COOL’, PRINS is back with another absolute banger, ‘HEAVEN OR HELL’. The driving, pop track infused with liquid drum and bass is also the title for her hotly anticipated EP, due out in 2026. Watch this space!
Off the back of last month's cathartic single release ‘Necklace’, West Auckland post-surf rockers Double Parked have shared another new single, ‘Buttercup’. Drenched in distorting reverb, gritty guitar riffs, and heavy drums, ‘Buttercup’ jolts with anxious and urgent energy, meshing half-spoken, half-sung verses with a raucous, high-charged hook.
Amy marks Emerson’s fifth collaboration with producer Harry Charles and her sixth release of 2025. Their partnership has already delivered four singles that charted on the NZ Hot 20, including her breakout track You Really Must Hate Me, which passed 100,000 Spotify streams, was spotlighted by Beats Per Minute (US), and secured four Spotify Editorial placements.
