ASHA Unveils New Single "Summer" A Soulful Reflection on Unrequited Love

Afro-Caribbean Neo-soul artist ASHA returns with “Summer”, a tender and evocative single that captures the bittersweet ache of unrequited love. The kind of love that blooms quietly within the bounds of close friendship.

This marks her second release, following her 2023 debut single “Too Bright.” Intimate and vulnerable, ‘Summer’ offers a heartfelt portrayal of queer longing, the fear of crossing boundaries, and the quiet intensity of feelings that can’t be spoken aloud.

Reflecting on the collaboration, ASHA says, "It’s about having this deep, magnetic love for someone—your friend—while holding back out of respect, fear, and care," ASHA explains. "As a queer person, those feelings can feel especially complicated and isolating. I wrote 'Summer' from that space: tender, quiet, but burning underneath."

With her signature warmth, introspection, and a voice that carries both strength and softness, ASHA invites listeners to sit with what’s often left unsaid. Produced by Sam Nakamura, whose textured guitar contribution cradles the song’s emotion, “Summer” is both a sonic embrace and a soft exhale.

More than just a song, “Summer” is a reflection of ASHA’s gift for turning the personal into the universal, and a gentle reminder that love, in all its forms, spoken or silent, carries its own melody.

Frau Knotz returns with action-packed single ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’, announces sophomore EP

Aotearoa New Zealand electronica artist Frau Knotz has released her first single of 2025, the bubbly and eclectic new track ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’.

Following the success of her debut EP ‘Nextraterrestrial’, today’s electronica release puts on full display Frau Knotz’s drive to consistently push boundaries.

The inspiration behind this track was the Jazz Jackrabbit 2 video game soundtrack from 1998, a beloved platform game on Frau Knotz’s childhood computer. A mélange of breakbeat and house rhythms bounce through this characterful piece, with a pitch bending lead synth that thrusts you right into the heart of the action. As Frau Knotz explains, “There’s a real freedom to making imaginary soundtracks; being able to reprise thematic ideas and explore them more fully without needing to follow traditional musical formats.”

‘Victory Dance on ZR3’ is the first taste of a diverse flavour palette that lies ahead for her sophomore EP Digital Plastic Surgery - part one of a double EP project exploring the corners of electronica, wellsprings of inspiration and a dogged approach to producing a body of work in a concentrated timespan.

Freshly mixed and mastered by Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studio, ‘Victory Dance on ZR3’ sparks the imagination whilst championing 90’s nostalgia. Available exclusively on Bandcamp from 11th July at https://frauknotz.bandcamp.com/album/digital-plastic-surgery 

Fresh from her appearance at WOMAD Aotearoa 2025, Frau Knotz has had a busy past year, releasing 3 successful singles and a debut EP, with a sold-out hometown crowd at her Nextraterrestrial Film Premiere, a headline show at The Stomach in Palmerston North and performing as a guest artist in the Len Lye Centre to a crowd of national arts patrons. With more new music to hit the airwaves throughout the year, Frau Knotz is ready to elevate spirits with her unique and infectious brand of electronic beats.

DEVILSKIN - NEW 13-TRACK STUDIO ALBUM RE-EVOLUTION OUT TODAY

2025 AMA People’s Choice Award Winners and masters of immersive music, DEVILSKIN today release their new album RE-EVOLUTION, a collection of thirteen colossal songs displaying just how far they have come in their extraordinary 15-year journey. 

Having just completed an adrenaline-fuelled 11-date nationwide tour, New Zealand's hottest hard-rock metal act, DEVILSKIN, today celebrates the release of their most evocative album to date, exactly eleven years after the release of their chart-topping double platinum-selling debut album WE RISE.

RE-EVOLUTION is bold. The band's sixth release is a profound collection of huge songs, both welcomingly familiar and sonically fresh. This is a dynamic perspective: the continued growth, the re-invention, and the re-evolution of Devilskin as songwriters and as artists.

RE-EVOLUTION reinforces Devilskin's fearsome reputation for honesty, depth and integrity, and for writing beautiful and captivating songs. 

The band dives deeply from introspective personal moments to visceral nightmares, weaved with brazen chaos, and dreamy, melodic mind trips. Subject matter once again highlights the fact that the band aren't afraid to discuss the tough topics: loss; depression; phobia; anguish; addiction; death; and of course, life.

Once again working with producer Dave Rhodes, the Hamilton four-piece have ascended with no limits to their creativity and ability to explore sonics and soundscapes.

Devilskin say: “We really approached this album from a fresh perspective. From the way we share demo's and ideas, to using a studio we had never been in before; the process was streamlined for precision. We knew exactly what we wanted to achieve. We set some lofty goals for ourselves and everyone pushed themselves that little bit harder. We all had the one focus, just to make this our finest work, our most expressive, expansive and evocative album.”

Kicking off with the ambitious grandeur and stark confrontation that is "Red", the band instantly hit stride and display a keen awareness of the listeners wants and needs and they deliver by the bucketful. "Swelter" is fierce and unrelenting; "Desiderium" dreamy and direct; all the time the production is teasing, charming and flaying your senses.

“While we all feel the natural pressure to out-perform each previous record, this one felt remarkably relaxed, and probably more about having fun recording and seeing our visions come to life in real time. Having the control, the resources, and the right people around is key”, said the band.

RE-EVOLUTION is also Devilskin's first time adding guest features on the album as well. With Twelve Foot Ninja's Nik Barker and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm both lending their talents to the music, explaining: “We had been talking to these guys for a while, and we've floated the idea of guest spots on albums in the past. This time around, all of our stars aligned and we were able to include some of our favourite people.”

RE-EVOLUTION is out globally today with CD & Vinyl available from Devilskin's website, JB Hi-Fi, and select local record stores across New Zealand. 

FIN RAH ZEL DROP SWEET AMBIENT VIBE WITH NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘OVERTHINKING’

Taranaki indie soul stars FIN RAH ZEL deliver another upbeat, feel-good tune with ‘OVERTHINKING’, a laid-back groove combining the unique blend of alt-soul and contemporary R&B their fans love them for.

A harmonious, light and airy song with a chilled ambience, ‘Overthinking’ is comprised of a smooth, steady groove, strong back-beat, and good-vibe conscious lyricism – in essence, archetypal Fin Rah Zel.

A collaborative effort, ‘Overthinking’ was written, composed, and produced by Brian with talented cohort Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studio, with additional production and mixing completed by renowned producer and musician Devin Abrams (Pacific Heights, Drax Project, Shapeshifter) and finally mastered by Chris Gehringer (Lorde, Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Dua Lipa) at Sterling Sound.

A relaxed, relatable jam about suffering from a lack in confidence, further compounded by seeking validation in all the wrong places and ways, singer Brian Norton called on old memories of feeling ‘less than’, and how drink became the mask to hide the fear and negative thoughts that impacted him.

Says Brian: “I am a classic overthinker, probably tilted to the more chronic side. When we were writing this at Sam’s studio, I was thinking back to these times in the clubs, drinking to muster up the courage to say hi to the ladies and putting way too much pressure on myself. I remember feeling so anxious and terrified when it came to approaching a girl that I was interested in, I would always think of all the potential negative outcomes and let the fear of them saying no, stop me in my tracks. Alcohol was definitely my temporary confidence booster which turned into a weekly habit. In essence, the song is really just about not having the nuts to approach the girl that you like, and masking that lack of confidence with alcohol lol.”

Now an older, wiser Brian can see it for what it was, and his advice is to seek a more internalised journey, based on building yourself up from the inside - without the vizard of alcohol – in order to be authentically yourself and feel good about it!

“Looking back it was just a lack of confidence and self-belief and I think underneath all of that I was just looking for validation that I was worthy of them. If I could speak to my 18 year old self, I would tell him that he’s looking for validation in the wrong environments and should just look within.” explains Brian.

Fin Rah Zel are prolific creators of beautiful music matched with genuine lyrics to create a 

distinct blend of dreamy zen, infectious optimism, and catchy summer vibes, as evoked in their radio smash hit ‘Unity’ and their growing back catalogue of impressive tunes.

No stranger to delivering numbers that tug at the heart-strings, Fin Rah Zel are a band that consistently reach deep within to compose songs that hit all the feels, full of gentle, heartfelt grooves and warm-hearted uplifting messages of connection, love and hope. Listen out for more new music to come from Fin Rah Zel, their music is medicine for the soul!

EMILY C. BROWNING RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM ‘PRIMARY’

Ōtautahi-based alt-pop artist, producer and 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Nominee Emily C. Browning releases her long-awaited and hotly-anticipated debut album, PRIMARY.

The 11-track record is the product of five years of independent production and songwriting, making a confident arrival after months of steady momentum and a string of compelling single releases.

Drawing its title from multiple definitions, PRIMARY plays on several meanings - Browning’s emotional directness, her first album release, and a strong visual identity shaped by primary colours. Known for her red hair and unfiltered lyrics, Browning builds a world that’s part confessional, part drag performance. 

“After dying my hair red, I let go of the softie image and finally embodied the Aries I was meant to be. Now I guess I’m yelling ‘STILL MAD AND I’M NOT DONE TALKING YET’ into the mic,” she says, lifting a line from her single “Not Done.”

Over the past year, Browning has released one track per month; a process that helped sharpen the album’s pacing and purpose. Recent singles ‘Not Done’, ‘Analog’and Silver Scroll nominated ‘Goldfish’, showcase her persistent tenacity and instincts as a producer, while earlier releases ‘I Wasn’t Into You Anyway’ and ‘Andy’, define the start of Browning’s desire to take the reins with her sound and songwriting. 

The songs explore love, annoyance, crushes, rejection and the highs and lows of obsession - all delivered with theatrical clarity and sharp pop instincts.

From then to now, PRIMARY captures the growth of an artist learning in real time. “I used the pandemic to learn how to produce for myself, and PRIMARY is a very honest record of that process.”

A ONE NIGHT ONLY album release show will take place at Space Academy, Christchurch, on July 24. Expect theatrical sets, dramatic outfits, and possibly a PowerPoint.

MINI MILLER RELEASES NEW E.P. LOVE ME LIKE ME

Following the release of single and title-track Love Me Like Me, Mini Miller has just released her sophomore EP in full. The 5-tracks look back at her time in high school, reflecting on “who I was at 17—what I believed in, what I was feeling, and what I was navigating emotionally, politically, and creatively. It’s deeply personal and honest, capturing the energy and mindset of a younger me just trying to make sense of it all.”

The focus track alongside the EP release is Cyber Freak, a purposefully natural and haunting song that delves into a decidedly unnatural topic - the mix of chaos and connection caused by being perpetually online as a 17 year old, and the unnerving feeling of being on the receiving end of weird messages from grown men: “It was creepy, overwhelming, and way too common for people our age. So when I say 'Cyber Freak,' I really mean it — that title reflects the strange, sometimes scary reality of growing up online.”

Love Me Like Me was recorded three years ago, and spans across Indie-Folk, Pop and R&B, drawing on a number of references like Jorja Smith, Joy Crookes, Kodaline, Sufjan Stevens and Phoebe Bridgers. Funded in part from NZ On Air’s ‘New Music Development’ funding, Mini Miller paired up with Ōtautahi producer duo The Response (Andy & Vic Knopp), who helped shape the sound and produce the tracks, as well as contributing to some of the writing. “The process was an incredible learning experience. They were collaborative and supportive, meeting me where I was at as a learner. They really saw the vision before I did and helped shape the final sound into something beautiful.”

Title track Love Me Like Me is a pop anthem about self-acceptance and being surrounded by people who truly see you. It’s the moment you realise you don’t have to change to be loved—you’re enough just as you are: “I was in high school and had become close with a group of Māori girls. For the first time, I felt connected to people who looked like me and shared similar experiences. That connection gave me new confidence in my identity, and the song came out of that moment. I remember sending a rough demo video to those friends—their reaction meant everything. It was the first time I felt I had created something that truly mattered, not just to me, but to them too.

The EP was produced, engineered and mixed by Ōtautahi producer duo The Response (Andy and Vic Knopp) courtesy of NZ on Air Development funding. Working together over a number of sessions, Drew would bring songs in and they all worked together collaboratively on the sound and vision for each track. “We absolutely loved collaborating with Drew on this EP. We had so much fun exploring different sounds and textures with her, finding new ways to really let her voice shine.”

The Love Me Like Me EP is out now via Winegum Records, available on all streaming platforms and digital download on Bandcamp.

Katie Thompson Heads to Nashville for Songwriting Retreat + National Tour Dates

West Coast singer-songwriter Katie Thompson is heading to Nashville this August for a songwriting retreat and a series of co-writing sessions - her first trip to the musical heart of the US.

“I’ve been dreaming about visiting Nashville for years,” says Thompson, “and now I finally get to go and focus on creating new music in a place that’s inspired so many of my favourite artists. It’s a big creative leap for me - and I’m inviting people to come along for the ride.”

The alt-country artist is opening up the journey to fans and supporters through daily behind-the-scenes vlogs, early access to demos, and a few surprises along the way. Supporters can help fund the trip directly through her website, where they’ll also get exclusive access to the experience as it unfolds.

In the lead-up to Nashville, Thompson will be hitting the road across Aotearoa as part of Jenny Mitchell’s national tour, opening shows in Dunedin (Aug 16), Wellington (Aug 17), Christchurch (Aug 21), and Auckland (Aug 22). She’s also on the bill for The Midwinter Sessions Festival at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena on August 2.

The Nashville trip will see Thompson attending a songwriting retreat and taking part in collaborative writing sessions, while soaking up the sights and musical atmosphere of the city for the first time.

Support Katie’s journey or follow along at:
www.katiethompson.co.nz/nashville

Jack Robertson Releases Introspective New Single, the third from His Debut EP

Following the New Zealand chart-topping success of ‘Lovesick’ and the high-energy pop anthem ‘Easy’, rising Indie Pop Artist, Jack Robertson returns with his most tender work yet.

The new single is a haunting indie-folk ballad that traces the unspoken thoughts, longing, and regret that linger in everyday life. “I wanted to write a song about the fleeting moments and unsaid words we carry with us each day,” says Jack. “Working on this song, it quickly became less about my own personal love and longing and became more about community - about the silent confessions we all hold but never share”.

For fans of Hozier and Noah Kahan, the track weaves heartbreak into poetry—“Every little choice you chose worth every little stick and poke”—turning tattoos into a haunting melody and a call to look closer at the marks we leave behind.

Hailing from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, Jack Robertson has quickly made a name for himself as one of the country’s most compelling new indie voices. With a growing audience both at home and abroad, Jack is carving out a space where a reputation for heartfelt songwriting meets undeniable energy on stage, leaving audiences captivated.