Matt Sephton releases ‘Horizon’ - a bass-driven first glimpse into an album born in Samoa

Coromandel based producer and sound explorer Matt Sephton today releases Horizon, the first single from his forthcoming full-length album Vā, set for release in March 2026.

Created during a 2025 artist residency at the Tiapapata Art Centre in Samoa, Horizon offers the first glimpse into the sonic world of Vā - a collection of twelve tracks weaving exploration, field recordings, underwater textures, conversations and collaborations, and lush bass-heavy electronic production.

At its core, Horizon is a meeting of elements: driving low-end and atmospheric space, electronic rhythms and Pacific breath. The track features the evocative, beautiful and haunting tones of the fagufagu (Samoan nose flute), performed by Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava, layered with immersive soundscapes and natural recordings captured across the island.

The title reflects the spirit of the work. The horizon is a threshold - that line where sea and sky touch, where endings dissolve and new beginnings emerge. A threshold, a liminal zone, always present. Horizon introduces the central theme of Vā: the Polynesian concept of relational space - the active connection between people, land, ocean and spirit.

This release also marks a personal shift for Sephton. After years performing under his bass-music alias Matt Rapid, Vā will be released under his own name, signalling a more exploratory, place-based and more deeply personal direction in his music.

Horizon is out on all major streaming platforms from 7 November 2025, with the full album to follow in March 2026.

SOULTI DIVES DEEP WITH BACK TO THE BLUE

Aotearoa’s Soulti returns with her new single Back to the Blue, out November 7th — a pulsing electro-pop track that dives headfirst into the tidal pull of love.

Written with her signature blend of warmth and storm, Back to the Blue captures the dizzying tension of desire and disappointment. Built on crashing rhythms and shimmering synth layers, the track moves like an ocean current,  equal parts hypnotic and relentless

“Back to the Blue is a song about being pulled back into someone’s orbit. The ‘push-pull’ of a trauma-bonding kinda love,  a confusing and powerful attachment where it’s hard to leave a relationship. It’s about cycles — like the sun and the moon, highs and lows.” Says Soulti. “Sometimes love is beautiful, sometimes it breaks you — but it always changes you.”

Produced alongside Scott Seabright, the track is full of cinematic flair and an unshakable beat. Back to the Blue shows Soulti in full stride — fearless, vulnerable, and unafraid to tell her truth. It’s more than a song — it’s a storm you’ll want to get lost in.

"SMOOOTH" single and video out Friday 7th Nov by Sonic Delusion

With his signature mix of infectious grooves and uplifting songwriting, Sonic Delusion returns with “Smoooth” — a playful yet powerful anthem for uncertain times. Written as a positive protest song, “Smoooth” challenges corporate greed, environmental destruction, and prejudice, but flips the narrative toward hope, unity, and the dream of living with ease and compassion. Anchored by driving rhythms and rich melodies, the track is both a rallying cry and an invitation to take a breath, dance, and choose a smoother way forward. Releasing Friday 7th November 2025, “Smoooth” is a reminder that even in a chaotic world, music can carry us toward light, joy, and togetherness.

BORDERLINE UNVEILS NEW SINGLE TERRIFY FOLLOWING SUCCESS OF ‘CHRYSALIS’ EP

Indie-pop band BORDERLINE is back with their latest single ‘Terrify’, following the critical and commercial success of their EP Chrysalis. The new track showcases the band’s signature mix of emotive lyrics, soaring melodies, and tight, dynamic arrangements, reflecting their growth as one of the most exciting acts to emerge onto the global stage.

After performing ‘Terrify’ live on their Chrysalis EP release tour and to sold-out arenas opening for Teddy Swims, the band decided it was time to release the track. Borderline says “Terrify is one of the most polished tracks we’ve put together, and it felt surreal playing it in an arena. This song gets us in our element as musicians and performers and we hope that this energy shines through and connects with people on the record just as much as it did at those shows.”

Recorded at Roundhead Studios with producer Nic Manders and mastered by Vivek Gabriel, Borderline reflects “We had the best time in the studio working on Terrify, it has such a funky vibe which we really leaned into. We spent a lot of time making sure every instrument grooved just right and had the right feel that makes you wanna dance.”

Teddy Swims declared that Borderline “just rip it out there” cementing their reputation for the commanding high energy performances that have been winning fans across the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The Chrysalis EP received widespread acclaim and strong streaming support, with fans and critics praising the band’s ability to blend introspective storytelling with anthemic soundscapes. The EP featured in the College Radio Top 200 in North America and the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums in New Zealand. The single ‘New Romance’ reached #1 on the New Zealand Hot 20 and BBC Introducing applauded it as “Track of the Week.”

‘Terrify’ builds on this momentum, offering a fresh perspective while maintaining the band's signature style. The band explains “Terrify, for us, paints the picture of someone who may come across as frightening or scary but doesn’t care what people think and is not afraid to be themselves. There's admiration and respect for someone who can do that. We hope this song’s simple but refined sound resonates with people as much as it does for us.” 

Turkey The Bird and Liana Hart Team Up for New Single “Already Home”

Taranaki’s folk favourites Turkey The Bird have joined forces with local singer-songwriter Liana Hart to create their brand-new single “Already Home,” due for release on Friday, 31st October 2025.

Known for their infectious folk singalongs and rich vocal harmonies, Turkey The Bird have built a strong following across Aotearoa and beyond with their uplifting live shows and four studio albums. Their music blends storytelling with a playful energy that gets audiences smiling and singing along.

Joining them on this release is Liana Hart, a rising star in the Taranaki music scene whose soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting have been captivating audiences across the region. Liana’s ability to blend warmth and strength in her performance has made her one of the most exciting new voices to watch.

“Already Home” brings these two worlds together—Turkey The Bird’s signature harmonies and folk-driven instrumentation meet Liana’s intimate, emotive delivery. The collaboration reflects the spirit of Taranaki’s creative community, where established acts and emerging artists work side by side to create something new.
“Already Home” will be available on all major streaming platforms from 31st October 2025.

The Response return with single ‘Where Do You Run To?’

Fresh off the back of their latest album, The Response pivot sharply with Where Do You Run To? It’s a bold left turn for the Christchurch duo, embracing a grittier, more propulsive sound without losing their melodic touch.

Fueled by fuzzed-out guitar hooks and a beat that struts more than sprints, it’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you. There’s a swagger in the way Victoria’s bass drives the track, it’s steady, confident, and impossible to sit still to. Lyrically, Andy Knopp drops cryptic lines like breadcrumbs, while the chorus — big, bold, and custom-built for a room full of voices — drives it home.

Rather than rush headlong, Where Do You Run To? holds its nerve, letting its momentum build and simmer. It’s controlled, but kinetic. A track that keeps moving forward and takes you with it.

Where Do You Run To? is available on all major streaming platforms on October 31st. Catch The Response performing on November 29th at A Rolling Stone in Christchurch alongside Volts and Slim. Fans can follow The Response on social media for updates on upcoming releases.

BENJAMIN DROPS NEW HIP HOP SINGLE “DRIVING ME CRAZY” AFTER INSPIRING LONDON WRITING STINT

““I wrote this one as a love letter to a special someone... Produced by my long-time collaborator and best friend SR Mpofu, he absolutely understood the assignment. Probably my favourite song I’ve ever made. At the moment I’m really trying to push myself to sing more in my art and I feel like this track is a great example of that. I hope this one shows a different, more sensitive side to me and not just the hard stuff people are used to. I feel like this track is a way of me explaining how much this special someone means to me. It also shows the fears and worries and magic of stepping into something new with someone you love.””

— – BENJAMIN

Following a series of releases, “Driving Me Crazy” showcases a more sensual side of BENJAMIN’s artistry. A jazz/R&B-inspired beat layered with soaring strings creates the perfect backdrop for BENJAMIN’s intimate storytelling; a sensual reflection on loving someone through captivating lyrics.

Hailing from Central Auckland, rapper BENJAMIN is an artist that has had his foot on the gas in the local underground music scene over the last couple of years. Growing up, BENJAMIN was blessed enough to have had music embedded in his surroundings from the start, which has since been fostered to harness a unique passion and love for what he does.

Stylistically, his sound leans into a montage of east coast golden era rap, upon a set of modern cadences to forge a lethal arsenal of familiarity, smooth flowing pockets and head knocking frequencies. BENJAMIN is a narrator, and a  true storyteller at heart, balancing his own life experiences and lessons. There is a strong sense of social responsibility in his verses that clearly point to a purpose not only at a personal level, but at a place of influence he foresees for his own future.

Follow BENJAMIN on Tiktok  | Instagram | Youtube

Born and raised in Central Auckland, BENJAMIN is a lyricist and artist whose words carry both the grit of his upbringing and the grace of his evolution. His music is rooted in raw human emotion, balancing sharp penmanship with deep introspection and spirituality.

Growing up in the heart of Auckland, BENJAMIN was surrounded by a vivid mix of cultures and contrasting realities. “I could be living in a two-bedroom shoebox with my mum surviving off her income, but next door there’d be an ex-All Black in a multimillion-dollar home,” he recalls. “That diversity of circumstance and culture really shaped my art-it made it broader, more textured, and gave it essence.”

Music first entered BENJAMIN’s life before he could even spell it. One of his earliest memories is sitting in his car seat while his mum played Outkast on the way to kindy. It was more than just sound-it was escape. “No matter how rough things got, if I played that song I loved, it would take me out of there, even just for a moment.” That feeling became the foundation of his lifelong obsession with music.

By 14, he had already started writing verses in English class. “My school pages weren’t filled with work-they were filled with bars,” he laughs. School itself, though, wasn’t a fit. “I had a tough time conforming to the rigid structure of the education system. I was a square trying to fit into a circle-sized space.” After being kicked out at 16, he devoted himself to music entirely, a path that felt less like a decision and more like a divine calling.

His influences trace back to the greats of ‘90s rap-Big L, Nas, Biggie-and span to the modern giants of TDE, A$AP Mob, and Beast Coast. But his sonic palette also pulls from soul legends like Sade and Al Green, and from the creative energy of his peers back home-Mokomokai/Eno x Dirty, Nauti, SR, and NWAK. “My music is for everyone,” he says. “I want your grandma to play BENJAMIN, your little cousins, your dad at his 9 to 5. I don’t want to be in any box.”

Writing, for BENJAMIN, isn’t an act of effort - it’s a way of being. “I write every day. I don’t even feel like I have to try-it happens as naturally as breathing. Years of daily writing sharpened my pen to the point where if I hear something that resonates, the words just flow.” Inspiration, he says, comes from everywhere: human connection, other beautiful art, God, and life itself.

In the studio, he feels completely at home. “It feels like I’m exactly where I should be.” Some of his most memorable sessions have been with his best friends and longtime collaborators NWAK and SR Mpofu. “The synergy is unmatched! We know each other’s stories, and we know how to push each other.”

A recent writing trip to London marked a defining moment in his career. “It was validating and eye-opening,” he reflects. “To be in rooms with decorated producers on the other side of the world and have them genuinely impressed with my ability. It reminded me that what I’m doing is actually working. The energy in London matched mine; fast, hungry, and collaborative.”

Performing live, BENJAMIN approaches each show with reverence and ritual. “I like to spend time by the ocean before a performance to ground myself. Then a hot shower, ice-cold right before I leave, a couple of drinks to loosen up, and I just let God take the wheel.” While he’s had his share of onstage mishaps - fallen wires, forgotten lyrics, mid-set power cuts. He sees them all as lessons in presence and authenticity. “The main thing is to have fun and be 100% real. People can feel that.”

From opening for Savage, a surreal full-circle moment, given he grew up listening to him with his mum, to writing overseas, BENJAMIN remains focused on process over accolades. “I don’t really have top highlights. I just absolutely love the process.”

Still, the vision is clear. “In five years, I see myself eating extremely well off my art. Recognized as one of the best rappers in the world. Living beautifully with my family, my friends, my girl. And yeah… a Grammy would be nice,” he laughs.

More than anything, BENJAMIN wants his music to make people feel something real. “I hope it helps people feel less alone. I hope it’s cathartic. Whether it makes you happy, sad, angry, chill, or hype, I just want it to make you feel in a world that’s become so fake and surreal.”

Through his storytelling, BENJAMIN turns pain into poetry, survival into soul, and the everyday into something divine. He’s not just writing songs. He’s building bridges between struggle and spirit, between who he was and who he’s becoming.

MUKUKĀ RELEASES ANGEL'A SLOW-BURN ALT-ROCK CONFESSION

Quietly crafting in the background, artist Mukukā returns with a sound that marks the next evolution of her artistry. Her latest single ANGEL is the first release from an upcoming body of work: emotionally precise and experimental, a sonic series defined by hypnotic guitars, honest lyricism, and full creative authorship.

Stream ANGEL Here

Produced by Auckland-based sonic architect Shamplooh (Tyler O’Neill Trench), ANGEL is a catchy, guitar-led confessional. Sensual yet firm. Floaty yet grounded. The result is a track that blends alternative rock with touches of R&B, a sound that feels like both a departure and a return for the Zambian born artist.

“ANGEL is so ready to be out! I wrote the song on my producer’s couch, with his sweet dog Lula right next to me,” she shares. “We built it slowly layer by layer, draft after draft, and many cups of tea later, ANGEL was born. It’s my favourite song-child so far.”

Throughout the process, Mukukā was deeply involved in shaping everything from guitar tones to visual direction. With photography by Crystal Cheng, styling by Julia Ford (LEDORE), and creative input from longtime friends and collaborators, the visuals are as carefully considered as the sound.

“Everything I make comes from a sentimental place. Whether it’s the artwork, the lyrics, or the energy in the room... it all really really matters to me and my art.”

Behind the scenes, Mukukā has nurtured a small, dedicated community through her mailing list,  affectionately known as “the guest list”  who have quietly followed her journey as she reclaims space, reconnects with her artistry, and builds what comes next.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Join Mukukā’s guestlist here

Follow Mukukā Here