After a year of building momentum, Ōtautahi pop-rock band Castaway are back with the final chapter of their EP Nondual, the addictive, mischievous new single Pretty Little Liar.
This marks the band’s sixth release in just 12 months, capping off a breakout year that’s seen Castaway open for Drax Project, land on the NZ Hot 20, receive airplay across major stations ZM, More FM, and The Hits, and sell out a nationwide tour including a headline spot at Selwyn Sounds. With support from NZ On Air, who awarded funding for several recent tracks (including this one) and a spot in the upcoming NZ On Air May Showcase, Castaway are solidifying their place as one of Aotearoa’s fastest-rising acts.
Much of Castaway’s rapid development can be traced back to their time working with Sacha Vee at SOLE Music Academy. Through SOLE’s Artist Development Programmes, the band refined their sound, honed their performance skills, shaped their image, and gained critical industry knowledge and connections.
“These boys came to me while still in uni with a big dream,” says Vee, SOLE’s founder and a respected artist. “They’ve continuously shown up with purpose, passion, talent and great attitudes. Seeing that pay off as they carve out their space in the industry has been so rewarding to watch.”
Produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Melanie C), Pretty Little Liar channels the charm of One Direction, the edge of 5SOS, and the vibe of The 1975, delivering Castaway’s most confident track yet. Dripping with energy, self-awareness, and undeniable hooks, the song dives into the all-too-familiar feeling of falling for someone you know is trouble.
“It’s about being pulled in, spun around, and laughing at yourself after the fact,” the band explains. “We’ve all had our ‘what was I thinking?’ moments — and this song turns that into something fun and cathartic.”
A cheeky younger cousin to their earlier track It’s Not Your Fault, this latest single balances polished pop with the band’s trademark live energy — a hallmark of Haver’s production.
The release also comes with a high-energy music video, filmed at Wunderbar in Lyttelton. Set inside the surreal mind of a heartbroken bartender, the video captures the chaos and colour of youthful regret through a fever-dream lens.
With a growing fanbase, undeniable on-stage chemistry, and what they call their “next-door boy band” energy, Castaway are poised to become one of the most talked-about bands in New Zealand.
Catch Castaway live:
📍 Space Academy, Christchurch – June 19
📍 Go Live Festival – August 23