Iris Zhang announces single 'Haunted & Free'

Chinese-New Zealand artist Iris Zhang announces a new era of artistry with Haunted & Free, an explorative yet fiercely catchy alt pop/R&B track about navigating personal ghosts.

Iris first gained momentum on YouTube for her emotive cover songs (including one that reached over 798k views), capturing the attention of global audiences and established artists including the likes of Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara and Troye Sivan. She continued to showcase her smooth, expressive vocals and poetic lyricism through a series of original singles, the latest of which (Lemon Tree) made its mark on Season 2 of the award-winning TV series Creamerie. 

Now, Iris emerges with a refined voice and vision to usher in the next phase of her creative journey.

“At my core, I am a conflicted person. An emotional realist, carefully chaotic, a meticulous dreamer and romantic perfectionist. With music, as with everything else, I have always struggled between the urge to control - the precise shape of the melody, the texture of every word - and the desire to let go, to allow myself to create something bold and messy and spiritual. Haunted & Free attempts to capture the paradox, find clarity in madness, grieve, heal, learn new lessons from old ghosts … as much as any one song can.” 

Made with the support of New Zealand On Air’s Pan-Asian New Music Single, Haunted & Free embraces experimentation, combining trap-influenced beats, 808-inspired basslines, and Iris’s own classically trained flute playing to create a track that feels both grounded in modern R&B and touched by the glimmer of K-pop aesthetics.

Co-written with Jefferson Chen (Goodspace) at BIG FAN’s Pan-Asian Fan Camp, produced by Tei and mixed by Christian Tjandrawinata - the result is a deeply personal yet collaborative sonic experience that showcases each artist’s distinctive style.

Haunted & Free marks the first release from Iris Zhang’s upcoming debut album, set for release in mid-2026.

MARLEY SOLA RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE ‘OK’

R&B singer Marley Sola returns with an endearing new single, OK - his first release since 2020. 

Sola has spent the last five years in quiet transformation. Following the release of his single “Lift Your Head High”, he started a business and got married. Having experienced life’s ups and downs and gained new perspectives, he has many stories to share; OK serves as a reminder for his newly born daughter that tough times don’t last forever. 

The single was produced by Dan Martin and Sam Nakamura. 

A Christchurch/Ōtautahi native, Marley Sola’s life has been filled with music. Coming from a family of Samoan, Māori, and European descent, his first memories of music were watching his uncle play the saxophone in Salmonella Dub, hearing Samoan hymns in his nana's lounge or kapahaka in his kura kaupapa. It was from these early experiences that Marley would begin to chase his passion for music.

As a teenager, Marley became a regular performer at his local church and was also often found jamming with his mates at weddings. At 17, Marley was a member of Moorhouse, a group that became fan favourites on the first season of The X-Factor NZ. Following the group’s split, Marley began working on his solo material with multi-talented singer, producer and performer, Vince Harder. It was through Vince’s label, HMG, that Marley would release his first EP, ‘Believe’(2016), and the singles ‘Call My Name’ (2017) and ‘I Feel It’ (2018). 

Over the past ten years, Marley has performed throughout Australasia, highlights of which include: headlining Sparks In The Park, The Voice Australia Season 12, Festival One, Christmas In The Park, and singing backing vocals for Rob Ruha on live TV for various shows (2023).

Outside of his own music, Marley and his wife, Honor, opened Mellow Studios in 2021,

where he is a vocal coach, teaching production and songwriting to tamariki, rangatahi and adults alike. He has been using his skills to invest in the community by passing on his knowledge and experiences, focusing on building confidence in children, young artists and adults alike.

Marley Sola’s new single OK, is out NOW (July 4) on all streaming platforms.

Theia delivers scathing haka on ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’

Award-winning singer and songwriter Theia delivers a scathing haka on her hard-hitting new bi-lingual waiata, ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ - the new single from her upcoming debut album.

Listen to ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ HERE / Watch the video HERE

On ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’, Theia sets traditional Māori composition and instrumentation against an alternative/indie soundscape. This is heard loud and clear in the impassioned haka and a resounding pūtaratara (conch) atop marching drums, masterfully conveying the song’s stark sentiment: “Despite two centuries of oppression, we the tangata whenua (people of the land), are still here!”

The powerful message in ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ is amplified by a haunting video, in which Theia is flanked by fellow wāhine Māori.

“So often the feminine narrative becomes overlooked when we discuss the plight of indigenous cultures in the face of colonisation. We fail to recognise the deeply harmful impact on women and children and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ speaks directly of these traumas - obviously through the lens of the Māori experience,” Theia says. 

The video was filmed in the Waitakere Ranges by Aotearoa-born, UK-based director Ruby Harris and features Te Aniwaniwa Paterson, Kaea Heke, Bobbie Bailey and Eva Mairangi. “We are all in colonial-style dress, appearing as cult-like apparitions held within the forest, portraying uniformity, loss, rage and feminine strength,” says Theia. 

‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’, which Theia co-produced with Abraham Kunin (TE KAAHU, Dalai Lama, Home Brew, Jujulipps) follows on from the release of BALDH3AD! a protest anthem, which earned Theia a nod at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards for ‘Single of the Year’. 

Currently based in Los Angeles, Theia will open for pan-continental four-piece Los Bitchos at Zebulon on July 22, where she’ll reveal more new songs. Get tickets here. 

‘BALDH3AD!’ and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land)’ will feature on Theia’s upcoming debut album. Stay tuned for the date announcement!

AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN MOHI SHARES RAW NEW SINGLE I NEED U, OUT TODAY

Following the success of his breakout EP The Flowers That Grow, award-winning genre-bending artist MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) returns with his most vulnerable work yet - I NEED U, a soulful and haunting reflection on addiction, grief, and healing. The track and music video are out today on all major streaming platforms.

Marking a shift in tone and subject matter, I NEED U explores MOHI’s personal relationship with alcohol and drugs during one of the most difficult times in his life. Drawn from the depths of pain, the song captures the emotional weight of unresolved trauma and the search for escape when the world becomes too hard to face.

Through his signature blend of R&B, soul, and lyrical honesty, MOHI creates a space where pain is met with compassion. I NEED U is a sonic confession - both a reckoning and a release - delivered with rawness, groove, and melodic grace.

The track continues MOHI’s year-long musical journey, The Flowers That Grow From Concrete Pavements, which began with the heartfelt Flowers in Hendo and nostalgic Just Kids. While those tracks celebrated whānau, community, and childhood, I NEED U delves inward, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the artist’s darker moments - and the growth that follows.

I NEED U is part of the forthcoming Side B of MOHI’s ongoing project, due later in 2025.

LISTEN HERE.

Beizou releases debut single ‘Too Comfortable’ a bittersweet track about choosing safety over love

Stream 'Too Comfortable’

Beizou introduces herself with her debut single ‘Too Comfortable’, a soft, reflective track about holding onto a relationship for the comfort it brings, not for love. It explores the quiet guilt of staying in something that feels safe.

“Too Comfortable is about  receiving unconditional love and stability and being too comfortable and afraid to go out and find what truly makes you happy.,” says Beizou.

Written by Beizou and produced by Gurvishal Sandhu (neoSage), the track opens with a cosy, vintage feel. It’s warm, almost dreamy. But as the story unfolds, that comfort starts to feel like a weight. It’s a slow burn, emotional, melodic, and full of quiet tension.

With influences ranging from Chinese folk to jazz, pop, and R&B, Beizou’s sound feels nostalgic and modern at once. Her songwriting leans into vulnerability, capturing the kind of emotions most people don’t know how to name.

Too Comfortable is available now on all major streaming platforms.

ROBERT THE PLANT: WE ALL NEED SOMETHING TO GROW UP TOWARDS

LISTEN | WATCH

Mr Roberelli’s latest music release for kids and families ‘Robert the Plant’ is a collaboration with fellow kiwi songwriter Kath Bee (Nelson) and produced by Levity Beet (Nelson), with a video animated by Dooverberry Dave (Auckland). This heartfelt and wholesome slice of sunshine for growing minds is made with support from NZ On Air Tamariki

Exploring a metaphor around how kids and plants both need light and love to grow, this song teaches some of the science about how photosynthesis helps plants develop, as well as a heart-filled message about kindness and care for the young people in our lives. 

Rob Wigley of ‘Mr Roberelli’ (Dunedin) is known for his smart humour and clever songwriting across a wide catalogue of albums and singles for kids and families. Rob is a teacher by day, and loves to use his music to encourage students to get out and connect with nature, use their imaginations, and find the fun in life through music.

With a brand-new album due out soon, featuring a treasure trove of collaborations and feature artists, Mr Roberelli is gathering a garden full of wholesome and quirky folk filled grooves for young kiwi audiences. 

PICKLE DARLING shares new single ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’

LISTEN | WATCH

There are songs that sound like they were built in the light, and then there are songs like ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’, the kind that feel like they’ve been carefully gathered from the corners of a dim bedroom, reconstructed out of old voicemails, broken keys, and a vague but pressing sense of dread.

Pickle Darling, the project of Christchurch’s Lukas Mayo, has always operated at a remove from convention. On ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’ - which follows recent single ‘Massive Everything’ - they return with a song that’s more like a signal flare from a life stage no one prepared us for. “I just turned 30 and there’s no damn manual for this,” Mayo says. “Transitioning out of being a young adult in 2025 is like suddenly landing on a hostile planet our bodies haven’t adapted to.” The result is a track that’s equal parts anxious transmission and quiet communion—a fuzzy, deeply human dispatch from the edge of adulthood.

This is not a song about finding answers, but about relishing in the ambiguity. As Mayo puts it: “Everything we thought was important doesn’t mean shit. Everything is out to attack us, so all we can do is form our alliances and hang on tight.”

In a musical landscape dominated by gloss and churn, ‘Human Bean Instruction Manual’ reminds us of the power of staying weird and staying soft. It’s a song that doesn’t resolve so much as persists tenderly.

"This was one that I built from early fragments I had recorded years ago, which I then stripped for parts and assembled into a new song," Lukas says of the track. "I always write with a kind of dream logic and never towards any sort of end goal, but I was on the cusp of turning 30 when I wrote this song and I remember feeling completely lost and unprepared and wishing there were some kind of manual. Lots of stressed out dreams, fears of never being able to afford a house or never being able to retire, realising there’s no steady path to a comfortable future, you just need to form your alliances and see how far through this life you can get! I realise a near 7 minute song about being stressed about money isn’t really fun cool sexy playlist material, but that’s Pickle Darling."

BB & THE BULLETS THIRD SINGLE - “I WANT YOU/SHE’S SO HEAVY”

Things are building up for Whanganui band BB & The Bullets. After an excellent reception and some radio attention from their first two singles, “Something In The Water” and “High Tide”, plus a brief side trip to Chicago, the blues/rock three piece are releasing another track from their debut album. This one is a version of the Beatles classic from the Abbey Rd album - “I Want You/She’s So Heavy”. It’s a head turning show stopper from their live set and this one sees the band really showing off their groove. The song highlights some excellent guitar work from Brian Baker strains of Buddy Guy with a definite Jeff Beck influence. Brian says, “We’ve tried to be respectful of the original John Lennon song but also put the Bullets stamp on it - I have no idea why this song hasn’t been covered by more contemporary blues artists. It’s such a perfect storm.” Guitars, drums and bass are all featured - Stu Duncan on bass in particular shines on the BB & The Bullets version. “Who the hell are these guys?” You may find yourself asking when you hear this recording. Well the world is about to find out when their debut album “High Tide” drops in September.

The band is signed to iconic French Record label Dixie Frog Records and will be released in Europe, The UK, The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on vinyl, CD and digital.

The album was recorded in Whanganui at producer and band leader Brian Baker’s Nixon Street recording studio after the band had established itself by gigging around the local circuit. They’ve also been busy creating very nice videos to support their releases - check out their You Tube channel. The film clip for “I Want You/She’s So Heavy” was filmed at the Whanganui Opera House. Band members Brad McMillan (drums), Stu Duncan (bass) and Brian Baker (guitar and vocals) couldn’t be happier “Working with Dixie Frog, seeing our record released in Europe, UK, The States and New Zealand is a dream come true for our little Whanganui band” We hope everybody comes along for the ride!”