Tag: New Music

Album of the Week: Elton John & Brandi Carlile – Who Believes In Angels

The Independent review promises “outsize, old school-fun”, a promise also hinted at by the fabulous colourful album cover which looks like it could have come straight from the set of a 1980s BBC variety show. A really nice collection – we loved Brandi’s quote in her interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe – “I’ve been singing with Elton all my life – he just didn’t know it until about 10 or 20 years ago”. Opening with synths that could be straight from the opening of 70s albums “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” or “Blue Moves” this is a wonderful nostalgic blend of Americana and rock.

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: Mumford and Sons – RUSHMERE

We could have predicted The Guardian‘s reaction – “back to dreary basics”. After the departure of Winston Marshall a few years ago their first album in seven years brings them back with a familiar mix of electronic folk, sometimes stomping, always melodic. The now trio still have it on this album named after the pub in South London where they first met (we thought it must have been a US allusion somehow). A delightful album – its delightful to see this unfashionable effort sitting in the NZ top five as we write!

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: Sharon Van Etten – Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory

We’ve long been fans of Sharon Van Etten’s ethereal indie pop and she delivers again. Enjoying the dynamic of the band she played with on tour, this is her first album recorded collaboratively with “The Attachment Theory”. She has said “For the first time in my life I asked the band if we could just jam” – it sounds like this resulted in quick inspirations and great results.

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: London Grammar – The Greatest Love

London Grammar’s fourth album is another example of the beautifully recorded melodic pop we’re used to. Layers of synths, acoustic guitar, strings and overlaid with Hannah Reid’s hypnotic vocals. The lyrics aren’t just something for her to sing though – have a listen, they’re well thought through. Another winner from London Grammar.

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: M J Lenderman – Manning Fireworks

Mr Lenderman has really broken out on this record – reviewer’s references to Neil Young can’t be taken lightly! On this, his fourth record, he’s really found his voice in a melodic and lyrically sharp album. The Pitchfork 8.7 is spot on – as they said his “outstanding fourth album is loaded with zingers and losers. It’s witty and sincere, the mark of a songwriter finding his voice.”

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: David Kushner – The Dichotomy

David Kushner is a 24-ish year old singer songwriter originally hailing from Chicago. He hit the big time in 2022 with “Miserable Man” which went viral however it was last year’s “Daylight” which really hit the big time, reaching No. 2 in the UK and No. 1 in New Zealand. He has a ‘bombastic singer-songwriter’ style akin to Benson Boone and Hozier, with distorted baritone vocals and rich orchestral backings. This is a really enjoyable melodic album although it hasn’t received any critical attention of note. Who cares – its a nice listen!

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: Foster The People – Paradise State of Mind

This is the fourth album from Los Angeles-based Indie band Foster the People. Its filled by an “upbeat, classic disco and dance-funk vibe”, a retro feel but its not all just a good time – there are some more serious themes of war and peace and global warming, albeit still with some good times. A really good sounding and enjoyable album “full of cathartic grooves” (AllMusic).

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: Beabadoobee – This Is How Tomorrow Moves

Qobuz described beabadoobee as on “part of the ill-defined but successful “approachable indie goes mainstream” glide path”. This is a really pleasing album, accessible solid pop-rock with great performances. “Beaches” in particular is an outstanding single, and this album exudes her maturity as a performer and songwriter while benefitting from Rick Rubin’s production. The Guardian described it as “old-school but still popular” – that’s all good with us!

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 or on the web player.

Album of the Week: Fanning Dempsey National Park – The Deluge

From Aussie duo Paul Dempsey (Something for Kate) and Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger vocalist) this is a superb collection of synth rock. They really leaned into a spare sound with a great 80s aesthetic due to the synthesiser influence. Dempsey has become a real synth geek according to this superb article at audiotechnology.com (wish we could have more detailed production explorations like that article rather than superficial press pieces about how songs related to X artists personal anguish over Y problem!). As The AU Review says “The controlled chaos of the synth solos feels like an 80s arcade machine’s soundtrack gone rogue, and it’s rad”. We really hope we hear more from this superb combo.

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 or on the web player.