New this week / Singles in review

Posted 4:32pm Sunday 18th May 2014

Quirke - Break a Mirrored Leg “Break a Mirrored Leg” is the lead single from the British producer’s debut EP Acid Beth. A swirling mish-mash of sounds, like machine parts. The track blends driving rhythm with well-executed dynamics. The result is a cold, dark soundscape which is Read more...

Download of the Week: Opposite Sex - Opposite Sex (NZ)

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 11th May 2014

Based in Dunedin, Opposite Sex combine noise-pop and no-wave elements by blending percussive bass playing, furious drumming and menacing guitar work. This self-titled debut was recorded when the band first moved down from Gisbourne, and features the noodly guitar playing of “Fergus.” 13 tracks Read more...

New this week / Singles in review

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 11th May 2014

Ought - Habit “Habit” is the lead single by Montreal-based band Ought, from their debut album More Than Any Other Day. A mixture of art-punk, ‘90s looseness and classic emo tendencies. Singer Tim Beeler sounds like Ian Curtis singing a Pavement song. In a good way. Alex G - Read more...

Artist Profile: Sherpa

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 11th May 2014

Auckland powerpop group Sherpa hit ReFuel on 30 May. With their new album Blues and Oranges set to be released soon, Adrian Ng caught up with frontman Earl Ho. You released your previous album, Lesser Flamingo, in 2012. What have you guys been up to in between then and preparing for this new Read more...

Where art thou, muse?

Posted 3:11pm Sunday 11th May 2014

Dunedin musician and Critic music editor Adrian Ng explores the phenomenon of the artist’s muse, from greek and roman mythology to the early musical influences of his childhood. Having released two records around the start of the year, I was unfortunate enough to be the only individual Read more...

The Horrors - Luminous

Posted 4:20pm Sunday 4th May 2014

Rating: B+ In 2007 The Horrors stormed to fame with Strange House, a gothic garage punk album. They were by all means a personification of their sound, dressed in black, dolled with eye-liner, and with haircuts resembling the Addams Family. In 2009 a surprising thing happened. The Horrors Read more...

Thee Oh Sees - Drop

Posted 4:20pm Sunday 4th May 2014

Rating: A- Around five to six months ago frontman Nick Dwyer announced that Thee Oh Sees would be going on a small hiatus. Having released an eye opening eight studio albums between 2008 and 2013, not to mention a boat load of EPs and singles, how could anyone really blame the group? Well, Read more...

T54 - In Brush Park

Posted 4:20pm Sunday 4th May 2014

T54 are an alternative, garage band hailing from Christchurch. Released late last year, In Brush Park features intricate yet menacing, textural guitar playing with washed out vocals and a propulsive rhythm section. The result is a solid ten songs, which range from atmospheric and melodic pop to Read more...

New this week / Singles in review

Posted 4:20pm Sunday 4th May 2014

Movement - Ivory Melbourne trio Movement release yet another single following the hypnotic “Like Lust.” Starting of with a haunting sample, almost resembling a sighing ghost, “Ivory” is built around soulful vocals, a blaring yet subtle bass groove and minimalist drum beats. The track Read more...

Beck - Morning Phase

Posted 4:20pm Sunday 4th May 2014

Rating: B+ In 1993 Beck Hansen released his first album Golden Feelings; 21 years later he remains a quiet force in alternative music. Renowned for his ability to splice different genres into one cohesive vehicle of expression, and his knack for branching out in different directions with each Read more...