Beth Torrance returns with ‘Suzy May’ (single) OUT NOW, via Particle Recordings

Suzy May is indie rock with a smirk: the story of a new bond that demands your full attention, whether you like it or not. 

It's not a love song, exactly. “It’s about the tensions that can come about with new connections; there’s intrigue and desire.” Through the enigmatic protagonist of the track, Suzy May, the artist tells the story of that person you know, but don’t really know: the one you keep crossing paths with and clock across the room. “Suzy May is someone who will never give you what you want,” Beth says. “They’ll elude you, yet they’re someone you can’t resist.”

Suzy May delivers the indie-rock sound Beth Torrance has been building toward with her band, the Garden Party. Known for her intimate, layered indie folk with delicate guitar, killer melodies, and poetically honest lyrics, Suzy May doesn’t leave that behind. It just turns it up several notches.

She puts the acoustic aside for her Danelectro silver sparkle electric guitar and is joined in the studio by John Heywood (Alex G) on bass and Jordan Lim (Preacher) on drums. Recorded and mixed at Bigpop Studios by Jacob E. Rush and mastered by Howard Rogers, the track feels both crisp and gritty. It’s kinetic and alive.

The Your Favourite EP was written with a band in mind from the outset. It’s a natural evolution, and one that fits like a glove.

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Directed by Calum Dewsnap, with Alfie Saunders (DOP), Chris Jackson (gaffer), and Josh Clarkson (art director), the Suzy May video splits the difference between ’60s psychedelia and ’90s rock irreverence; think Penny Lane crossed with Beck’s Loser music videos. Staged as a garden party in full bloom (a direct homage to her band’s name), Beth appears at first demure, then her beguiling rockstar presence takes over. The confident frontwoman has always been there. Now there’s a full band to elevate the noise.

Beth Torrance and the Garden Party, is completed by Ben Frisby (bass) and Finn McNeill (drums). Her earlier songs land differently in the hands of the taut, transcendent power trio: bigger, wider, and with room to breathe

SONOROUS RELEASE POWERFUL NEW SINGLE “STATE OF A NATION”

Taupō-based blues-rock trio SONOROUS — featuring Lucian McDermott (Ngāi Te Rangi)  (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Khani Te Mete (Bass), and Cooper Paalvast (Drums) — return with their powerful new single “State of a Nation”, — a deeply reflective track that speaks to the pressures many communities and whānau are facing right now, while offering a message of resilience and hope.

What began as reflections on everyday struggles slowly evolved into a song designed to capture the emotional weight many people are carrying — the pressure of rising living costs, uncertainty, and the challenge of simply trying to get by. Rather than focusing solely on hardship, SONOROUS wanted the track to acknowledge the reality of difficult times while still reminding people they are not alone.

Written and produced by Lucian McDermott and Justin McDermott, and recorded at 11B Studios in Mt Maunganui, State of a Nation grew from honest conversations and reflections on the realities many people are facing right now.

“This song comes from looking around and seeing people trying to keep their heads above water,” says Lucian McDermott. “We wanted it to feel honest, but also leave people with a sense of connection and hope.”

For co-writer and producer Justin McDermott, (Ngāi Te Rangi) the song reflects the emotional pressure many people are quietly navigating every day.

“‘State of a Nation’ is really about the pressure a lot of people are carrying day to day,” says Justin McDermott. “We wanted to write something people could connect with and hopefully remind them they’re not alone in feeling that weight.”

Blending thoughtful lyricism with the band’s signature soul-infused psychedelic blues rock sound, State of a Nation delivers emotional depth alongside immersive musicianship — offering listeners a song that reflects the times while creating space for reflection and understanding.

Releasing, State of a Nation marks another important step for SONOROUS as they continue building momentum toward their debut full-length album, pushing their blues-rock foundations into bold new territory through a growing catalogue of original releases.

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ABOUT SONOROUS

SONOROUS are a soul-infused psychedelic blues rock trio from Taupō, New Zealand, featuring Lucian McDermott (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Khani Te Mete (Bass), and Cooper Paalvast (Drums).

Known for their explosive live shows and raw, soul-charged sound, the band has built a growing reputation for emotionally driven performances and powerful musicianship since forming in 2021.

Frontman Lucian McDermott was recently recognised by Blues Festival Guide USA as one of the top eight emerging blues guitarists in the world, alongside artists such as Taj Farrant.

SONOROUS have shared stages with iconic acts including Simple Minds, Collective Soul, Texas, Pseudo Echo, Grant Haua, and Black Comet, while performing at major events such as Greenstone Entertainment’s Summer Concert Series.

Omega Levine Explores Pacific Roots on New Single “Sweet & Sour”

Auckland singer-songwriter and performer Omega Levine continues his return with "Sweet and Sour," a release signaling a fresh sonic direction rooted in his Pacific heritage. 

Following his recent comeback single "All Things New," his first official single in six years, Levine this time blends funk, R&B, hip-hop, and pop with subtle rock influences. Driven by a catchy hook, groove-heavy production, and layered percussion, the track also draws inspiration from Levine’s Samoan heritage, marking the beginning of a deeper exploration into that influence within his music. 

The release also features strong Pacific collaboration with INF of SWIDT and ANKA, alongside AIRPORTS, with NZ On Air Pasifika support. 

“This record represents real life. The sweet moments, the messy moments, the tension, the love, and everything in between. Growing up Samoan in Aotearoa, music always carried emotion and storytelling, and this song naturally came from that space,” Levine says. 

Known for his versatility as a songwriter and performer, Levine has spent years building a reputation across Aotearoa’s music scene through collaborations spanning electronic, pop, worship, and live performance. With "Sweet & Sour," he steps into a space that feels new and authentic, showcasing his ability to create music that connects commercially while remaining true to his roots.

"Sweet & Sour" (feat. INF, Anka, and Airports) is available now on all streaming platforms and the Music Video will follow this June. 

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2026 Tūī winners revealed at Aotearoa Music Awards

Che Fu inducted into Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa | NZ Music Hall of Fame, Fat Freddy’s Drop celebrated as Aotearoa Charts Icon

Recorded Music NZ tonight revealed the winners of the 2026 Tūī, at the Aotearoa Music Awards.

In a remarkable sweep, Marlon Williams was awarded NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year for Te Whare Tīwekaweka, Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year for ‘Aua Atu Rā’ and Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist. The hattrick is a culmination of recent acknowledgements that has seen Williams win the 2026 Taite Music Prize – for which Recorded Music NZ provides the $12.5k cash prize as Founding Partner – and APRA Best Country Song at the 2026 Country Music Honours. In October 2025 he was awarded the APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka for ‘Aua Atu Rā’, alongside album co-writer KOMMI. Mark Perkins was also awarded Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro | Best Engineer at AMA 2026 for his work on Te Whare Tīwekaweka.

Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group was this year won by 2024, 2020 and 2019 category winners The Beths, off the back of their 2025 release Straight Line Was A Lie. Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist was won by Lorde, whose 2025 album Virgin proved a global phenomenon. The star was also awarded the Tohu Tutuki o te Ao | International Achievement Tūī, an award presented for the first time since 2020, in recognition of the international success of the album. As well as debuting at #1 on the Aotearoa Top 40, Virgin went to #1 in Australia, #2 in the US and, fresh off the back of a secret set at Glastonbury, hit #1 in the UK – the first of Lorde’s albums to do so.

Te Manu Mātārae Tūī, which recognises artists that have made a significant impact on the music landscape in Aotearoa and beyond, was this year awarded to Balu Brigada. The band of multi-instrumentalist brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley from Tāmaki Makarau has seen huge success in the last year internationally. They are building a devoted following with 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and – since releasing their first album Portal in August last year – have been busy touring around the world, including at US festival Lollapalooza. They return to Aotearoa for a sold out show at the Powerstation next month.

Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo was taken home once again by 2025 category winner Stan Walker for ‘Mō Āke Tonu’ (feat. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke). Te Māngai Pāho Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist was awarded to 2024 category winner TAWAZ.

Te Wehi, a new local chart-topping artist from the East Coast, who has had a huge year on the Official Aotearoa Music Charts, was acknowledged as Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year. He also won Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau | Best Roots Artist, and opened the night with a performance with frequent collaborator and 2025 Breakthrough winner and 2026 multi-finalist Hori Shaw. At peak, Te Wehi simultaneously held six of the Top 20 positions on the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Singles Chart, and closed the year with five singles in the Top 20 End-of-Year Aotearoa Singles Chart.

Te Manu Taki Rakapīoi / Rakatū Pāorooro o te Tau | Best Rock / Metal Artist went to Alien Weaponry for Te Rā. The category was expanded from Best Rock to Best Rock / Metal in 2026, to reflect the thriving metal community of Aotearoa. Fittingly, the Tūī was this year won by an established metal act – that have previously won the Rock category in 2022 and 2018. Alien Weaponry also brought their mighty version of waiata reo Māori to The Civic stage with an epic performance.

Tom Scott (Avantdale Bowling Club, Home Brew) was awarded Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist off the back of his first solo album, ANITYA. He also performed a medley of tracks from the record on the night. Album producer and engineer Ben Lawson was awarded Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer for the release.

Tami Neilson collected Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau | Best Country Music Artist for a record-sustaining eighth time, for Neon Cowgirl. She also performed ‘King Of Country Music’ (from 2022 album Kingmaker) with a nod to Topp Twins classic ‘Untouchable Girls’ on the night. Neilson was joined for the performance by a group of special guests that included fellow Country finalist Jenny Mitchell, and The Mitchell Twins. The tribute followed the heartbreaking news earlier this week that Dame Jools Topp – a key mentor for Neilson, alongside Jools’ sister and bandmate Dame Lynda Topp – passed away on Saturday. The Topp Twins were celebrated at the Country Music Honours in Gore on Friday, with the Country Music Honour for Contribution to Country Music in Aotearoa. Tami Neilson won the inaugural Honour in 2025.

The 2026 JD Sports Tā te Iwi | People's Choice Tūī was awarded to indie pop sensation Borderline, who have had a huge year off the back of the release of their debut EP Chrysalis. The band was also a finalist for Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist and Te Iti Rearea o te Tau Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist went to autodidact alt hip hop artist and performer MĀ for her first album Blame It On The Weather. She also took to the stage to present a special performance of ‘TrapsJam’, from the multi-nominated release.

Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau | Best Electronic Artist was awarded to Caru & Brandn Shiraz for their collaborative EP, Back 2 Back. Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau | Best Hip Hop Artist Tūī went to MOKOMOKAI for PONO.

Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau | Best Folk Artist was awarded to ex-Harry Styles backing vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ny Oh (Naomi Ludlow), for her debut album Wildwood.

Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist went to London-based composer Louisa Williamson for her second solo album Groundwork. Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist Tūī was awarded to Michael Norris for his Rerenga collection of chamber and orchestral music spanning 2015–2022.

Te Taumata o te Toi | Best Album Artwork was awarded to Nick Keller for his work for Beastwars album The Ship // The Sea. NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content was won by Stella Reid for ‘Scared Old Men’ by Dick Move. The band also delivered a high energy live performance featuring the song.

Te Taumata o te Hokona | Highest Selling Artist was won by Six60 for the eighth time in a row. NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Horapa | Radio Airplay Record of the Year was won by RIIKI REID for her hit single ‘Over Romantic’. The artist performed a rework of the track with a troupe of dancers.

Che Fu was inducted into Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame by Recorded Music NZ. The hip hop legend was welcomed to Te Whare by his longtime hero Betty-Anne Hall, the voice of Ardijah – who only recently released her first solo album, Slow Burn. Che closed out the night with a medley of some of his most iconic tracks, accompanied by the current iteration of his longtime band The Kratez.

Fat Freddy’s Drop was celebrated as the 2026 recipient of the Aotearoa Charts Icon award, introduced in 2025. The taonga acknowledges the group’s success in the Official Aotearoa Music Charts over the course of their career – an impressive, ongoing run that has seen them release eight acclaimed studio albums, four of which went to #1 on the Top 40.

Marlon Williams, Lorde and 2025 People’s Choice Tūī winners Devilskin were also acknowledged with the first-ever Aotearoa Charts #1 awards, for going to #1 on the Official Top 40 in 2025.

Recorded Music New Zealand CEO Jo Oliver says;

“Congratulations to all winners at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards. These incredible artists are resonating with audiences both locally and overseas.

“Recorded Music NZ is proud to promote and champion New Zealand artists and music through the Aotearoa Music Awards and the Official Aotearoa Music Charts, celebrating success and shining a spotlight on emerging talent.”

AMA 2026 was co-hosted by return host Kara Rickard, and comedian and actor Tom Sainsbury. The event was livestreamed via AMA Official Media Partner RNZ and is available to view on the RNZ Music YouTube channel. The broadcast is brought to our screens with the invaluable support of sponsorship and broadcast partner Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.

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The Middle - NOPILOT

NOPILOT is a four piece alternative rock band hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand. They boast a charismatic, high energy and genuine performance, selling out their debut show at darkroom in February of 2026. NOPILOT’s debut release “The Middle” is a polished, hard hitting rock song out now. 

“The Middle” showcases the rockier side of NOPILOT, drawing inspiration from garage rock & pop punk of the 2000’s. The band creates a vast soundscape with explosive drums, rich guitar tones, chunky bass and silky vocals. 

At 165BPM, the piece bristles with energy, starting with a hard hitting, rhythmic offbeat guitar riff. The band soon enters seemingly out of nowhere, demanding a sense of urgency to the listener, building to a cacophony of consonant tones, driving backbeat and a harmonically rich soundscape. 

The Verse sparks a shift in energy, the band pulling back to relieve space for the lead vocal. The drums shift to a more sparse backbeat and the guitars make use of shorter, articulate sounds. The prechorus shifts the energy again, with bombastic yelling over repetitive bass drum hits and the familiar guitar riff from the intro. This section showcases a building sense of tension and urgency which crescendo’s into a satisfying and heavy climax in the chorus. 

The chorus sports a satisfying half-time feel building the foundations for a wide-spread and consonant guitar soundscape. Long vocal notes are held over this section, contrasting with a satisfying vocal stim “caught in the middle” at the end of the phrase. 

The bridge supports a unique “nosie-driven” idea, playing around with guitar amp feedback and textural layering. 

The Final Chorus pushes the energy further, with full up-tempo drumming driving this section. The intense vocal of the Pre-Chorus is layered on top of the Chorus vocal, and again with the repetitive Chorus hook. The Outro features four hard hitting, pitch-descending hits which the band plays in unison, disrupting the listener and abruptly closing the chaotic final chorus of the piece.

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NOPILOT’s full album is scheduled to be released in November of 2026, featuring the 4 singles and 4 additional unreleased tracks. 

Inspired by the success of their debut sold-out headlining show at “darkroom” in February of 2026, NOPILOT are looking to join the festival circuit around New Zealand. A charismatic, entertaining live performance is a key driver for NOPILOT, with each band member having a decade or more of live experience. To NOPILOT, the stage is like a second home. 

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INDIE SOUL-FOLK SONGSTRESS LEE MARTIN REVEALS POIGNANT NEW SONG ‘I’D CHANGE IT ALL’

Ōtautahi-based artist LEE MARTIN unveils ‘I’D CHANGE IT ALL’, the third single from her upcoming fourth studio album, MARLENE set to drop on Friday 26 June.

The soulful singer-songwriter and guitarist delivers a moving new tune with her latest single ‘I’d Change It All’, a heartfelt contemplation on the emotionally unpredictable rollercoaster ride that stems from a turbulent relationship.

‘I’d Change It All’ captures the emotional exhaustion of a volatile relationship – the constant fighting, the disconnection, and the painful realisation that sometimes you no longer recognise the person standing in front of you. The song reflects on the internal battle between love and logic; the desire to go back and rewrite the damage, while still holding onto something that refuses to let go.

“At its core, the song is about loving someone even when it no longer makes sense”, says Martin. “Sometimes your heart chooses differently to your head, and no matter how much hurt there’s been, you still can’t imagine changing the story.”

In a striking emotional twist, the song closes with the line: “If I could go back to September, I’d change nothing at all.” What begins as a song filled with regret, transforms into an acceptance that love is rarely rational – and that even painful chapters can still hold meaning, growth, and deep connection. Accompanied by a rollercoaster-relationship music video which visually depicts the push and pull nature of a passionate but tumultuous romance, is directed by Tricia Tawiri from Intuitive Flare.

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‘I’d Change It All’ follows on from previous track ‘5 Year Plan’, a raw song of resilience despite life’s disappointments, and gorgeous first single ‘Feel’, an ode offering an empathic and judgement free lens through which to view intense vulnerability and self-destructive behaviours.

South-African born Martin is a masterful story-teller and singer, celebrated for her expert narrative style and her signature smooth vocals. By blending soulful intensity with her folk-inspired lyricism, Martin has established herself as one of New Zealand’s more captivating musical talents. ‘I’d Change It All’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.

PRINS Announces MESSY, YOUNG & ABLE International Tour

Following a breakout run of releases, international touring, and millions of streams across Spotify and social media, PRINS returns for her biggest headline shows to date.

Now based between Los Angeles and New Zealand, the Auckland-born pop artist has spent the past two years building momentum across New Zealand, Australia, Europe, UK and the United States, developing a reputation for emotionally charged dance pop, razor-sharp visuals, and a live show that punches far above its weight. With influences spanning RAYE, Tate McRae, Doja Cat, and Don Toliver, PRINS blends vulnerability, confidence, chaos, and high-energy performance into a sound that feels both intimate and larger than life.

Fresh off performances across Germany, Australia, and the US, PRINS now brings her new era MESSY, YOUNG & ABLE to the stage for the very first time. Built around themes of ambition, imperfection, self-expression, and growing up in the social media era, the show combines full choreography, live performance, and the raw energy that has made PRINS one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging pop artists.

With multiple chart placements, national radio support, and over 8 million Spotify streams to date, this marks the beginning of PRINS’ boldest chapter yet.

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MESSY, YOUNG & ABLE WORLD TOUR Dates:

● Sept 3 - Santa Ana, US
● Sept 4 - Los Angeles, US
● Oct 15 - Frankfurt, DE
● Oct 18 - Hamburg, DE
● Oct 20 - Vienna, AT
● Oct 21 - London, UK
● Nov 7 - Christchurch, NZ
● Nov 20 - Melbourne, AUS
● Nov 26 - Wellington, NZ
● Nov 28 - Auckland, NZ

WORLD TOUR
PRINS Army Pre-sale: Thursday 28 May, 10am local time.
GA on sale: Friday 29 May, 10am local time. 

CHRISTCHURCH ONLY
PRINS Army Pre-sale: Monday 1 June, 10am local time.
GA on sale: Wednesday 3 June, 10am local time.

From Breakdown to Breakout. Queer Energy. Femme Power: Enter the Chaos Era

“Down to Chaos” is a high-energy electronic collaboration between established producer MissB and rising Māori queer artist Ardon England—a track born from contrast, connection, and transformation. 

Created during a time of loss, change, and creative reawakening, the instrumental marked a powerful return to form for MissB. Drawn to its energy, she brought in Ardon to write and deliver vocals—elevating the track into something bold, dynamic, and fully realised. 

Taking inspiration from its origin, Ardon flipped the narrative—writing from the perspective of what comes after the darkness. “Down to Chaos” captures that liberating moment when you emerge from something heavy and step into freedom—where rules dissolve, inhibitions drop, and life becomes spontaneous, messy, and electric. 

It’s about embracing the chaos: booking last-minute flights, losing yourself on the dancefloor, and stepping fully into your most unapologetic self. 

To elevate the track further, the duo introduced a female vocal sample—adding balance, texture, and an extra layer of attitude that amplifies the song’s dynamic energy.

Blending MissB’s decades-deep underground production expertise with Ardon’s bold, theatrical queer pop presence, “Down to Chaos” is a celebration of release, resilience, and reckless joy—designed for late-night dancefloors and moments of pure, chaotic freedom. 

CULTURAL CONTEXT 

“Down to Chaos” celebrates the growing presence and power of female producers and queer artists within Aotearoa’s electronic music scene. The track represents a shift toward greater diversity, visibility, and inclusion in a space that has historically been male-dominated. 

By combining their voices, the collaboration not only creates a high-energy club record, but also highlights the importance of uplifting underrepresented communities—championing creative freedom, identity, and the right to take up space on dancefloors and beyond. 

MISSB X ARDON ENGLAND 

A meeting of generations in Aotearoa’s electronic scene, Ardon England and MissB come together for a powerful new collaboration blending high-energy club pop with deep underground dance roots. 

Ardon England is a rising Māori queer electronic artist known for theatrical live performances and bold club anthems. His EP I’M THAT BITCH debuted at #4 on the Official Aotearoa Charts alongside Lorde and Six60, reached #2 on the Independent Artist Charts, and his Real Talk (Tali Remix) hit #3 on the Hot Aotearoa Singles Chart. 

He also received NZ On Air’s Waiata Takitahi grant to translate his track EGO into Te Reo Māori. 

Joining him is MissB, a respected figure in the electronic scene with over 20 years behind the decks, performing everywhere from Burning Man and Splore to Synthony and Rhythm & Alps, and supporting icons like Carl Cox and Basement Jaxx. 

Her releases span local and international labels including paperecordings and Sqeaky Wheels, including collaborations alongside MC Tali, Max Maxwell and Patsy Skeet. 

Together they fuse festival-ready energy with underground club credibility, creating music built for late-night dancefloors.

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