Category: New Music

Album of the Week: Taylor Swift – Midnights

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

There is always a perverse desire to avoid choosing an obvious choice for Album of the Week, particularly on a week when Taylor Swift releases a new LP. Once again we ignore that temptation despite a number of other strong new releases this week – Arctic Monkeys, Carly Rae Jepsen, Simple Minds, A-ha, Meghan Trainor and Tegan and Sara are some alternatives that spring to mind. Perhaps in coming weeks. Midnights harkens back to the sound and some of the melodic tricks of Lover however contains sufficient inventiveness (especially in the lyrics) to be evidence of Swift’s continued songwriting prowess (and incredible output!).

Album of the Week: Tove Lo – Dirt Femme

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

Tove Lo produces another solid collection of dance oriented pop with her perspective on relationships and identity. The Telegraph described it as a “riot of feisty, unapologetically forthright, dance-led pop”.

Album of the Week: Marcus Mumford – (untitled)

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

Marcus Mumford felt the need to flex his songwriting muscles during lockdown. Instead of collaborating with his usual “Mumford & Sons” collective he created this solo album, working with producer Blake Mills. He deals with some very personal issues on here (NME describes it as “undoubtedly an emotional and often heart-breaking listen”), but also maintains his distinctive style.

Album of the Week: Maggie Rogers – Surrender

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

We’ve been following Maggie Rogers career for a few years, and she’s produced another great body of work. Collaborating with Kid Harpoon (who played a big part in Harry Styles’ latest megahit) she is refocused but still inspired. A very smart lady (she has also knocked out a Harvard Masters in the last couple of years) she has produced what Pitchfork calls an album of “confident pop anthems” – from a point of burnout after years of touring (and study!) she has actually produced a joyful collection.

Album of the Week: Pacific Heights – The Waters Between

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

Devin Abrams’ fourth album as Pacific Heights, this is an accomplished collection years in the making. A combination of electronic and pop, he worked with some talented collaborators including Stan Walker, Larissa Lambert, Foley and Louis Baker, and we love Bri Clark’s voice on “This Is What It Feels Like”. We look forward to exploring these songs this week – worth also listening to this interview Devin had with the 13th Floor podcast.

Album of the Week: James Bay – Leap

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

British singer-songwriter James Bay is back – and he’s got his hat back on! On track to be his second UK No. 1 album , and deservedly so. We’ve been enjoying some of the singles for a while but this is filled with great accomplished material. NME‘s take is that “it might not be as experimental as his previous album, but ‘Leap’ is full of enough nuance and texture to keep people on their toes”.

Album of the Week: Imagine Dragons – Mercury Acts 1 & 2

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

After Mercury Act 1 last year comes the second disk, and completed double album. The first act focused on loss after frontman Dan Reynolds lost his best friend and sister. Act 2 focusses on moving forward and is a great collection of rock recorded in collaboration with Rick Rubin. As usual the band have delivered on melodic impactful music, and we’re sure that Pitchfork will enjoy the second disk as much as the first!

Album of the Week: George Ezra – Gold Rush Kid

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

George Ezra has hit it out of the park again sticking to his formula of catchy numbers designed to be sung along to at summer festivals. This is a really nice mix of pop numbers sung in his distinctive baritone which are sure to be staples of radio and playlists for years to come.

Album of the Week: Vance Joy – In Our Own Sweet Time

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

Vance Joy has produced album after album of sweet singer-songwriter material (this is his third). The Melbourian says this album was both born from a romantic relationship and life in lockdown. It is a personal album but filled with fascinating tracks, both classic soft pop numbers like “Don’t Fade” but also more experimental tracks like “Wavelength”, a collaboration with Dirty Projectors’ Dave Longstreth.

Album of the Week: Angel Olsen – Big Time

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at http://tun.in/sfAtE

Angel Olsen has produced a run of fantastic albums and this is no exception. With a classic mid-century sound (with strong country hints on the first half) and produced during a period of dealing with the loss of her parents and coming out, this is another superlative effort. AllMusic described how it wrangles “complex, overwhelming emotions with a broad palette that’s commanded by its lyrics and tormented vocal performances”.