Music Review

Courtney Barnett makes lackadaisical-sounding music about being uptight.

Van Morrison is feeling frisky.

Tami Neilson's last two records, Dynamite and Don't Be Afraid, have largely reflected a soul-infused country sound. In Sassafrass the soul aspect is much more to the fore, and it works a treat.

Five years ago, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite collaborated on 2013 Grammy-winning album Get Up, but I reckon that was just a warm-up for No Mercy In This Land.

Wellington's Darren Watson has unplugged for his sixth solo album after a barnstorming career with Chicago Smokeshop.

This members of this line-up have been serious contributors to the New Zealand rock scene for decades.

Supergroove's former horn section, Tim Stewart and Nick Atkinson, delivered an awesome Hopetoun Brown set at Womad this year, coinciding with the release of their new album.

The much-anticipated fourth LP for Ruban Nielson's psych-rock outfit is a genuinely international affair, recorded in Seoul, Hanoi, Reykjavik, Mexico City, Auckland and home base Portland, yet it's cohesive enough that you'd barely notice.

Back before he was everywhere, The Weeknd was mysterious, spooky and weird.

Sublime. One of Aotearoa's very best live bands gift us their first compilation, told in reverse order, and of course it's brilliant.

Garage rawk's Renaissance man is at it again on his third solo LP

On her 15th album, Ball's sound reflects her devotion to the piano men of New Orleans

Sly and the Family Stone's 1971 album of the same name was a full-on record, reacting to extraordinary times. Yo La Tengo's 15th-odd offering is also a reaction to tense times, but a much calmer one.

The title of Brandi Carlile's new album is a line that recurs throughout the opening track, Every Time I Hear That Song.

Snoop Lion, the Rastafarian reincarnation of Bob Marley we knew so briefly, is dead. Save your prayers.