CD reviews

Having springboarded from the Dunedin student parties to national tours and summer festivals, the now Auckland-based Summer Thieves build on the roots-rock-funk template of Six60, Kora and others,...

Wellington trio Mermaidens take their intriguing mix of brooding grunge, post-punk angularity and cinematic blues to new heights on their second album.

Debussy: Sonatas and Piano Trto. Te Koki Trio. Rattle CD

Like fine wine, Tyler, The Creator’s maturation ensures his fourth LP becomes a bold vintage.

Born in Arrowtown, raised in Dunedin and now living in Auckland, Ciaran McMeeken might have arrived at his shiny-bright debut album, yet there’s an echo of his busking days here, too.

The Montreal band’s follow-up to sprawling 2013 album Reflektor was always going to be difficult.

Better known as an electronic dance music producer these days, Steve Aoki’s career has traversed punk and hardcore and places in between.

The debut LP from 21-year-old producer Alex Crossan sparkles with the vibrancy of adopted city of  London, bringing the city’s glorious multicultural mix to bear through his expertly crafted...

The debut album from The Kite String Tangle, aka producer/songwriter/singer Danny Harley, is an intriguing mix of seemingly off-the-cuff (actually, cleverly edited) electronica.

In the wash-up following their self-titled 2015 debut, original Algiers members Franklin James Fisher, Ryan Mahan and Lee Tesche invited former Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong to join the fold,...

Having been around for the past seven or so years, Christchurch rockers Decades has arrived at its major-label debut album, The Truth And Other People, on which Emma Cameron (guitar, vocals), Liam...

The fact all three sisters in Haim once played the drums is apparent in the Los Angeles trio’s follow-up to 2013 debut album Days Are Gone.

Buckinghamshire 21-year-old Amber Bain apparently named her musical project The Japanese House after a Kate Winslet-owned country cottage she oncevisited.

Auckland-based The Bads, comprising songwriters Dianne Swann and Brett Adams, have chosen to go a bit wild on their latest album.

In what shapes as a vintage year for rap, Vince Staples strides into the fray with his sophomore effort, taking leave from the agitated G-Funk wooze of 2015’s Summertime 06, instead encompassing...

Despite its title, the third album from Las Vegas outfit Imagine Dragons comes across more like chart placeholder, largely because of the presence of Swedish pop producers Mattman and Robin, who...

The follow-up to Kane Strang’s lo-fi debut Blue Cheese builds on that promise of twisted pop songs, albeit in a more focused manner as the Dunedin singer-songwriter lets fly over 11 tracks.

He may have lived in New York for a decade, yet Texan troubadour Steve Earle goes back to his roots on So You Wannabe An Outlaw, which he has dedicated to the late Waylon Jennings, whom he channels...

Set over the course of one night, at a suburban party, the second album from Lorde should silence those who questioned the four-year gap between albums and, hopefully, Swedish producer Max Martin,...

Led by singer Milly Tabak and guitarist Liam Pratt, West Auckland outfit The Miltones have channelled 1970s country/blues/rock on their debut album, which is at its best when it allows for...