Intelligent, intuitive, and searingly honest. Those are the words that come to mind when talking about Aotearoa New Zealand alt-pop artist Isla Noon. Returning with her latest single ‘Body’, Noon opens a new chapter as she gently offers it to the world “in all its messy self-contradiction and intensity, in all its cautious intimacy, in all its strength and light.”
1. Bic Runga – Beautiful Collision
Bic Runga is an icon of the New Zealand music industry, and someone I’ve looked up to since I was young. I’ve chosen her album “Beautiful Collision”. I remember watching the music video for the single Get Some Sleep on TV as a kid, hoping to one day make videos like that. Bic’s music has a very special place in my heart and in NZ music history.
2. Chelsea Jade – Personal Best
Chelsea Jade just doesn’t miss. Her album Personal Best is full of quirky, intelligent pop that feels really fresh. An underrated album for sure, and the standout single Laugh It Off is one of my absolute faaaaaves. Killer music video too.
3. The Beths – Future Me Hates Me
The Beths almost need no introduction! Future Me Hates Me is full of the catchiest melodies – frontwoman Liz Stokes is a melodic magician. The Beths also have an instantly recognisable sound, and I don’t think any bad mood can hang around for too long if you’ve got this album on.
4. Lorde – Melodrama
I’ve been a fan of Lorde from the first moment I heard Bravado from her debut EP playing out of my friend’s phone speaker when I was in high school. But it was her second album Melodrama, that almost took on a mythological quality. Highlights hit you from the outset with this one – Green Light and Sober are my favourites.
5. Fazerdaze – Fazerdaze EP
I have such strong memories of listening to this EP in my final year of Uni, walking through the University of Auckland quad and hearing it blasting on campus radio 95bFM. Fazerdaze is truly dreamy shoegaze-y goodness. Feeling lucky that we are once again being blessed with new Fazerdaze music this year!
