WILL MCCLEAN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM HIGH GROUND, OUT JULY 11th.

Independent hip-hop artist Will McClean is set to release his most compelling and cohesive project to date, HIGH GROUND. A full-length collaborative album with local producer T BOOGIE, arriving July 11th on all streaming platforms.

Across ten tracks of soul-soaked jazz-rap and grounded lyricism, McClean unpacks the high stakes of vulnerability, moments of anxiety, and the clarity that comes from stepping back. Written in the aftermath of time spent overseas, High Ground is a reflection on what happens when perspective widens — and how love, distance, and purpose can collide in unexpected ways. 

“I left home chasing memories and found myself in the process” says McClean. “I met someone who changed my life, and saw other things that changed me too. And then I had to sit with what that all meant. This album is about learning how to hold the good and the hard things at the same time — and trying to stay grounded through all of it.”

From the passionate opener “IGNITE” to the reflective love story “ON THIS HILL” (featuring JClean), HIGH GROUND charts McClean’s emotional and artistic growth. The album reunites him with longtime collaborator T BOOGIE  - the two first met while working side-by-side at a pizza shop in Porirua. What started as busy shifts, rapping and talking music, turned into a creative partnership built on trust, craft, and a shared love of soulful beats.

HIGH GROUND follows recent singles “WE GON’ MAKE IT” and “HEAL ME”, both of which set the tone for the album’s central themes of resilience, vulnerability, and love in motion.

With a growing loyal fanbase in New Zealand and overseas, McClean’s commitment to soul, craft, and realness continues to set him apart — and HIGH GROUND is the clearest expression yet of his artistic mission.

HIGH GROUND is available on all platforms July 11, 2025.

TRACKLIST + THEMES:

1. IGNITE — Opening fire, determination, ambition

2. WE GON' MAKE IT — Hope in struggle (single released)

3. HEAL ME — Inner healing, therapy (single released)

4. ON THIS HILL ft. JClean — Fallin’ in love

5. RICKY BAKER ft. RORO — Nostalgia, identity

6. WINDOW SEAT — Tranquility, perspective

7. COME HOME — Love, loyalty, fear of loss

8. SUN STAYS — Love and light despite anxiety (single)

9. WHAT WOULD I DO? — Bars 

10. I'M GONE — Letting go, rebirth

Turkey The Bird – Two Intimate House Shows in the Wellington Region!

Get ready for a weekend of charming harmonies and cheeky folk tunes with NZ’s favourite folk trio, "Turkey The Bird".

Catch them live in two cosy, intimate settings:

Saturday 12th July, 7pm – Hilltop House Concerts, Wellington
Reserve your seat: [hilltophouseconcerts.co.nz](https://hilltophouseconcerts.co.nz/)

Sunday 13th July, 3pm – Cobblestones Museum & Early Settlers Village, Greytown
Tickets available on Eventfinda.

Don’t miss this chance to experience the warmth and humour of Turkey The Bird up close!

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.