alayna makes triumphant return on powerful new song ‘Blue’ ft Mokita
After wowing critics and fans alike in 2023 with her debut album, New Zealand’s alayna steps back into the spotlight with an exquisite new song, ‘Blue’ featuring Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer Mokita.
“It isn’t always the heroes who get your attention, it can be a new name which just pulls you in. And those artists can come from anywhere… that bring us to alayna” - Graham Reid, Elsewhere
“Weaving between folk and singer-songwriter to R&B and pop influenced songs, this exploration of the self illuminates alayna’s spell-bounding voice and truly assures you that after creating her own lane as an artist, she has arrived” - Hype Medium
After wowing critics and fans alike in 2023 with her debut album, New Zealand’s alayna steps back into the spotlight with an exquisite new song, ‘Blue’ featuring Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer Mokita.
Listen to ‘Blue’ HERE
‘Blue’ is the first new music from Auckland-based alayna since the release of her critically acclaimed 14-track album SELF PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN UNRAVELLING. And it finds the talented singer-songwriter in an introspective and hopeful mood.
“I was fresh off releasing my debut album and I was in Nashville on a songwriting trip. The world felt really heavy and I didn’t feel like writing about myself that day. I felt like writing for hope,” she says of ‘Blue’, which she co-wrote with Mokita, who also produced the track.
‘Blue’ is a significant milestone for alayna: “This song represents me looking out beyond my own world. In this new era, I'm stepping into a profound sense of scratching at something far greater than myself.”
The song is accompanied by a lyric visualiser HERE - shot at Muriwai Beach.
“It’s a one take video, of walking out towards the ocean, a grand body of water that, to me, embodies the vastness of love."
The artwork for ‘Blue’ also helps to convey the song’s message. “It’s a polaroid of a water rapid near my home in Rotorua. To me, there’s something in that, that emulates the power of love and the strength that can be caused in numbers of equal intention and the momentum it can cause.”
Fans of alayna will be pleased to hear that ‘Blue’ is not the only new music on the cards. “It's a small taste of everything that is to come. It's a celebration of collaboration, of softness, of strength, of determination, and mostly, hope. Of new things on the horizon.”
Listen to ‘Blue’ HERE and watch the visualiser HERE
alayna bio:
Alayna is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter from Rotorua, New Zealand, whose captivating music combines soulful melodies with raw, honest lyrics. Her distinctive sound has quickly established her as a rising star, resonating deeply with listeners around the world.
Over nearly a decade, alayna has collaborated with renowned producers and artists, including Finneas O’Connell, Alex Lustig, Sango, and Ta-ku. Her discography began with her debut EP, SWEET SOUL (2018), which featured standout tracks like ‘Falling Autumn’, ‘Bliss’, and ‘High Off You’. This was followed by the TENDER EP in 2020, solidifying her growing reputation with hits such as ‘Glowing’, ‘Sugar’, and ‘Tender’. In 2023, she unveiled her first full-length album, SELF PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN UNRAVELLING, a deeply personal project three years in the making. Recorded at Auckland’s Big Fan, the album explored themes of vulnerability and empowerment, earning widespread critical acclaim and celebrated with a sold-out release concert.
Known for her authenticity and emotional depth, alayna’s music has struck a chord with fans globally. Her growing presence on streaming platforms and social media reflects her expanding fanbase, as she continues to captivate audiences with her undeniable talent. Whether performing live or connecting with fans online, alayna remains deeply committed to her craft. With her unique blend of emotional resonance and vocal mastery, she stands out as one of New Zealand’s most promising and impactful artists.
Mokita bio:
Mokita is a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer known for his emotive blend of pop, folk, and indie music.
Follow alayna:
Whangarei band Otium have released a new single ‘Five Clicks’
Five Clicks’ paints a picture, detailing an individual approaching a stronghold, ordering the listener a simple task - Hold the line.
Austyn Mills (songwriter) explains: “Five Clicks brings to light a sense of comradery and protection for the world around us, and ourselves. It was written to give power to those fighting for their cause, and to build mana within ourselves and our listeners”
“Five Clicks” was born in the bandroom, and developed on stage, eventually being recorded with producer Scott Seabright, and was released 25th January 2025.
Otium has continued to release music that showcases their talent with no compromises regarding quality or fun along the way!
“Lyrically, ‘Five Clicks’ paints a picture, detailing an individual approaching a stronghold, ordering the listener a simple task - Hold the line. Symbolically, it speaks to those of us with a sense of responsibility for the world around us, and what we would do to protect it.” Jesse Samu (vocalist), says. ‘Five Clicks’ resonates with me in the same way I see an old action movie - It calls upon those around us to defend the greater-good.”
The song was recorded, produced, mixed by Scott Seabright and mastered by Chris from Kog Studios.
HUIA 'KAWAKAWA'
With an electro RnB ambient rhythm, Kawakawa is created for soft mornings, road trips and sunset dreaming. Kawakawa is an anthem of positivity, strength, empowerment and affirmation.
With an electro RnB ambient rhythm, Kawakawa is created for soft mornings, road trips and sunset dreaming. Kawakawa is an anthem of positivity, strength, empowerment and affirmation. The leaves of the Kawakawa plant, native to Aotearoa NZ have long been used in te ao Māori (the world of Māori) as a medicine for the tinana (body).
“Just as our Kawakawa medicine soothes and restores the body,
I hope this waiata (song) is a balm for your manawa (soul).”
Kawakawa is track 4 from her album project called ‘Kawakawa’, where a new single is released every 6-8 weeks wrapped with delicate imagery and meanings for each release.
The symbol of Kawakawa is the cornerstone of Huia’s musical expression, with the full Kawakawa album release in Matariki 2025. This waiata follows on from Tiaho Aho, Waka Huia and Waka Huia V2 ft Meta_ from Portugal. Her Māori music is praised on Ethnocloud and World Music platforms with over 60,000 plays. Huia has been on a global indigenous connection tour, speaking on future music panels in the UK and Australia and setting up collaborations with artists from around the world. Mexican, Chilean, Cymraeg (Wales), Italian and Anishanabee are on the cards for 2025 releases.
Whether performing to a major crowd such as Splore Festival or for our Indigenous/First Nation families in so-called Canada and Australia, Huia’s stage presence is filled with Māori culture from her tipuna (ancestors) fused with big subs and bigger beats. With all the lushness of Aotearoa, you can connect with more of Huia’s music and art at www.iamhuia.com
Emerson Releases Pop Banger “You Really Must Hate Me!”
Kicking off 2025 with pop banger “You Really Must Hate Me!”, Emerson turns heartbreak into an anthem of defiance; blending infectious beats with sharp, self-aware lyrics. The track channels the frustration of love gone wrong into something irresistibly danceable.
Kicking off 2025 with pop banger “You Really Must Hate Me!”, Emerson turns heartbreak into an anthem of defiance; blending infectious beats with sharp, self-aware lyrics. With its bold energy and upbeat production - thanks to producer Harry Charles, who also co-wrote the song - the track channels the frustration of love gone wrong into something irresistibly danceable. Emerson’s confident delivery and catchy hooks make this a standout for fans of Billie Eilish or Chappell Roan. “You Really Must Hate Me!” is heartbreak reimagined as a celebration of moving on and owning your worth.
“This is a song for the overthinkers, but instead of a sad song, I wanted Joni’s Mitchell’s “BigYellow Taxi” vibes with a sprinkle of Sabrina Carpenter’s edge.” - Emerson
Emerson fans will note the sharp lift in tempo and energy compared with prior releases. “It’s a track that is practically begging to be a global hit, yet to be discovered by the masses. Here’s hoping that the world eventually catches up.” - Paul Marshall (Red Raven News)
Emerson is a 17-year-old indie-pop artist from Auckland, New Zealand, who is quickly becoming a rising star in the local music scene. Winner of the 2024 Smokefree Rockquest Solo-Duo Award, Emerson is known for her raw, emotive performances and her ability to connect deeply with her audience. Through her music, she captures the complexities of teenage life with a unique blend of catchy melodies and relatable lyrics, making her an authentic voice for her generation.
Indie-rock faves Daily J reminisce about the innocence of youth on their new single ‘Cheap Tequila Sunrise’
Aotearoa indie-rockers Daily J have today announced that their new album SCATTERBRAINS will be out on February 21. And offering fans one final taste of what’s to come, the band of brothers have just dropped a new single ‘Cheap Tequila Sunrise’.
+ ANNOUNCEMENT: New album SCATTERBRAINS out February 21
+ Get your tickets to the SCATTERBRAINS NZ Tour (Wellington / Auckland)
Aotearoa indie-rockers Daily J have today announced that their new album SCATTERBRAINS will be out on February 21. And offering fans one final taste of what’s to come, the band of brothers have just dropped a new single ‘Cheap Tequila Sunrise’.
Upbeat with a classic rock vibe, the stomping drums and bass drive the energy of ‘Cheap Tequila Sunrise’; with the song’s catchy and uplifting chorus bringing it all together. Lyrically the track comes laden with meaning. “It’s a reflection on what it was like to be a kid, before life got too complicated. So escaping the daily grind and dreaming of a better place,” says the band.
That sense of reminiscing for your youth is depicted in a dreamy video, shot on 16mm film. “We wanted to create a dreamy ‘day-in-a-life’ paradise, which captures finding joy in life’s simple moments, while hinting at a deeper longing for something more pure and untouched, like the innocence of youth.”
‘Cheap Tequila Sunrise’ is the fourth single from the upcoming album SCATTERBRAINS produced by Joe Faris. It follows ‘Tastes Like Forever’, ‘Sunday Stitches’ and ‘Happy Slides’, all of which have clocked up close to one million streams on Spotify alone, with radio play on BBC Radio 1.
The songs give Daily J fans a good feel for what they can expect on SCATTERBRAINS (out February 7) - catchy as heck indie-rock songs, with pop sensibilities, and masterful songwriting, touching on the ups and downs of life. “We love writing about what we’re feeling and tackling relatable topics and we hope that connects with our listeners,” says the band.
This combined with Daily J’s now renowned killer show has made the band one of New Zealand’s most successful indie exports of the last few years. And Kiwi fans can witness the magic of Daily J live on their SCATTERBRAINS NZ Tour, which sees the band at San Fran in Wellington on Friday, March 21 and the Powerstation in Auckland on Friday, March 28.
Daily J is made up of three brothers Jayden, Johnny and Jesse Paul and their good mate Rick Everard). The band has tens of millions of streams across platforms and has sold out tours across countries.
Corrella, L.A.B team up for Te Matatini on the powerful anthem, ‘We Belong’
‘We Belong’ is the brand new waiata created especially for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025. Commissioned by Te Matatini, the official song has been created by Corrella and L.A.B, a song which emphasises the collective strength and spiritual unity represented by the event and the host iwi.
The official song for the world’s largest Kapa Haka Festival
‘We Belong’ is the brand new waiata created especially for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025. Commissioned by Te Matatini, the official song has been created by Corrella and L.A.B, a song which emphasises the collective strength and spiritual unity represented by the event and the host iwi.
The biennial Te Matatini national kapa haka festival is the largest celebration of Māori performing arts excellence in the world. ‘We Belong’ will serve as the soundtrack to this installment of Te Matatini.
Written and recorded in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, the waiata is a collaboration between two of New Zealand’s most popular acts, Corrella and L.A.B.
Featuring vocals led by Joel Shadbolt (L.A.B) and Pipiwharauroa and Ngawaiwera Campbell (Corrella), the waiata embraces the feeling of unity and togetherness which Te Matatini brings, with the track being started in Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington, before being completed in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
Speaking about the project, Corrella’s Pipiwharauroa Campbell says - “This song was written as a dedication that Te Matatini belongs to everyone here in Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad, and that all are welcome.It touches on the stories we tell using kapa haka and the feeling you get from watching and being at Te Matatini, and we ask that all come and share in this.
“This song is a little bit different to other Te Matatini songs with it being predominantly in English, even though we have the utmost respect for the Māori language. This was to convey that even if you don’t speak Te Reo Māori, you still belong. We also pay homage to where Te Matatini is being held this year - under Taranaki maunga. Te kahui maunga, kahue tupua kahue wairau.''
Speaking about working on the project, L.A.B frontman Joel Shadbolt says - “We went into the studio in September to work on the waiata, and working with the Corrella team was an awesome experience. We really wanted to capture the vibe and unity that Te Matatini brings to Aotearoa, and ‘We Belong’ is the result. Te Matatini is something that we as New Zealanders are incredibly proud of, and hopefully this waiata can help bring a taste of Te Matatini to people across Aotearoa and the world.”
Tā Herewini Parata, Chair of Te Matatini says - “It’s exciting to have Corrella and L.A.B collaborate on the official waiata for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, He Kāhui Tupua, He Kāhui Wairua 2025. The waiata ‘We Belong’ is about Kotahitanga (unity) and champions a place for us all in Aotearoa including a place for te reo Māori and traditional Māori performing arts. Te Matatini is where we belong.”
Capturing the summery and reggae-inspired feel expected from both Corrella and L.A.B, the waiata is set to be the soundtrack to Te Matatini, an event which will be attended by over 70,000, and broadcast worldwide to an audience of over 2.5 million. The festival is being held in 2025 from February 25 – March 1. (More information HERE).
The track not only embraces and celebrates Te Matatini, but serves as a taste of New Zealand culture to the rest of the world.
Currently on tour across New Zealand and Australia, this special release comes after a busy 2024 which saw both Corrella and L.A.B perform shows across the world, and release new albums, both of which featured in Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums of 2024 (L.A.B #12, Corrella #46).
Catch L.A.B and Corrella live in Whangārei this Saturday January 25 at Semenoff Stadium, alongside Stan Walker, Aaradhna and AJA. Limited tickets still available HERE
Sanoi and Bonzich kick off the year with a collaborative bang on house track, ‘Chill Bill’
Sanoi begins the year with a collaborative bang, teaming up with fellow DJ/producer Boznich for ‘Chill Bill’, the third single from his forthcoming LOOSE CHANGE EP.
Sanoi begins the year with a collaborative bang, teaming up with fellow DJ/producer Boznich for ‘Chill Bill’, the third single from his forthcoming LOOSE CHANGE EP. Released on Loop Electronic, this track continues Sanoi’s run of club-focused music, building on his reputation as a rising force in the alternative house and indie dance scenes.
“‘Chill Bill’ was created over a couple of days with Boznich," says Sanoi. "Our idea was to write something that doesn’t lean into the big dramatic buildups and drops dominating dancefloors today. Instead, we aimed for something that carries a certain ‘cool’ while still driving hard and full of energy."
Following the recent singles ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ and ‘Ratatat’, alongside acclaimed remixes for Kon Faber and Boy Oh Boy, Sanoi has further solidified his place as a key figure in contemporary electronic music. Drawing inspiration from his extensive touring across New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, ‘Chill Bill’ channels sleek, rhythm-driven energy into a track perfect for late-night sets and festival dancefloors.
The coming summer will see him take the stage at Rhythm & Alps, Shipwrecked Festival, Golden Valley and over a dozen other shows across Australasia, promising a vibrant season for fans of his genre-blurring sound. Sanoi will also play two special shows in NZ summer hotspots alongside renowned German-club DJs Simon Tober & Fabian Krooss.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Friday January 24 - Yard Bar, Raglan w/ Simon Tober
January 31 - Leigh Sawmill, Leigh w/ Fabian Krooss
February 7 - Shipwrecked Festival, Te Arai
February 15 - Naked In The Trees, Taumaranui
February 21 - Golden Valley Festival, Waihi Valley
ABOUT SANOI:
Originally hailing from Germany, Sanoi aka Jonas Fischer is a producer, DJ and a key member in the electronic music scene in Aotearoa. He has graced the stages of many New Zealand, Australian and European festivals & clubs where his deeply danceable DJ sets see him move seamlessly across warm, melodic, groove-driven techno and beyond.
Sanoi has released a multitude of his own productions on a variety of respected local and European-based electronic-focused labels, including Tube & Berger’s Zehn Records, Stil Vor Talent and New Zealand’s Beat & Path, with his album ECHOES OF HOME coming from Loop worldwide. These releases have seen Sanoi be featured on an array of digital platforms and reach Number One on various Beatport single charts.
Constantly developing as an artist and finding expression through music are some of the key factors that drive him, whether it be in the studio or behind the decks, Sanoi has proven he’s dedicated to the craft of providing meticulous, melodic and mischievous sets and sounds.
Follow Sanoi:
Club Ruby release 'Heartbreak Overtime', out February 14th
With its tongue-in-cheek, anti-Valentine’s Day theme, the song captures the frustrations of a toxic relationship where one partner is left working “overtime” to save what’s already broken in a doomed relationship.
“The anti-love anthem you didn’t know you needed this Valentine’s Day.”
Looking to break up on Valentine's Day? Club Ruby’s latest single is the perfect soundtrack.
The Auckland pop-punk band is set to release their highly anticipated "Heartbreak Overtime" on February 14th, 2025.
With its tongue-in-cheek, anti-Valentine’s Day theme, the song captures the frustrations of a toxic relationship where one partner is left working “overtime” to save what’s already broken in a doomed relationship.
The single delivers Club Ruby’s signature mix of biting lyrics and high-energy riffs, recorded with Christian Tjandrawinata at his home studio and finalised at the iconic Roundhead Studios.
"You said you’d change your sheets but it’s been three months and it’s getting filthy. You said you want six kids and a house in the suburbs but you don’t have a job," the chorus snarls.
Pre-save "Heartbreak Overtime" now, and don’t miss Club Ruby breaking hearts live in Auckland this February!
“We wanted to create a breakup anthem that’s sad, sarcastic, and danceable all at once,” says President Ruby. 'Heartbreak Overtime' captures the chaos of giving your all to someone who gives nothing back—but with a beat you can mosh to.”
“This song is dedicated to my ex who I stayed with way too long that it really felt like clocking in overtime, referring to the line “I guess it’s time and a half for me!”
Vice President Hon adds with a grin, “Anytime love has felt like working back-to-back double shifts at a thankless full-time job, this one is for you!”