Release Roundup: SANGUINE, Sophie Burbery, Arthur Ahbez, Celine, Bleeding Star, Snivelling Swineheards

Revisit our new release coverage of Dateline, O & The Mo, Pining Radiata, Rob Thorne & Delaney Davidson, Tess Liautaud, Office Dog and FERBY, then explore more new / recent Aotearoa highlights below from SANGUINE, Sophie Burbery, Arthur Ahbez, Celine, Bleeding Star, and Snivelling Swineheards.

A debut offering from a group most likely familiar to those with their ears to Aotearoa's underground, 'Tumutumu Mauga​ /​ Lady with the Smoke' is the first release from Noa Records "in-house band" SANGUINE, aka David Feauai-Afaese, Navākatoa Tekela-Pule and Rāhara Tito-Taylor. Imagine PPU level stone cold funk elevated by Pacific soul dreaminess and adept production skills. Or don't imagine at all, as you can simply hit play right now — "recorded live in Rāhana Tito-Taylor's cottage studio in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Aotearoa."

The synthetic lushness of Sophie Burbery's new album Kōwhai feels like an aural detox for the end of a hectic week. Burbery considers the anatomy, physiology and symbology of Aotearoa's kōwhai tree, crafting a compelling, regionally distinct sound world somewhere between Mort Garson, Cool Maritime, new age ambience, and the biome-probing boundaries of dungeon synth. "The kōwhai symbolises new beginnings, the flowers represent the energy of change and transformation, spiritual growth and healing. Hope, joy, and optimism. Moving through the aka (roots), tātā (stem), rau (leaves), puāwai (flower) and taiao (environment), ‘Kōwhai’ enables us to think about the world, their sounds, their connection to the entirety of the plant, the environment, and the world."

Tirau-based psych-folk journeyman Arthur Ahbez shared 'A Simple Medication', the second single from his forthcoming new album Arthur Ahbez & The Flaming Ahbez, out on 8th November via SHAM Records. When Ahbez is on-point, as he is here, the results are radiant — elevating listeners and viewers alike with a gorgeous coastal accompanying video directed by Sam Kristofski. "A Simple Medication” tumbled from my soul in the shadowy alleys of Prague. Winter's grip had me tight, but there I was, nestled in the bosom of that ancient city, feeling its old-world charms creep into my bones. Love was in the air, a rebirth of sorts, shedding the weight of a decade’s grind working back in New Zealand. Autumn left me full of inspiration, pure euphoria, the golden leaves slowly falling and the trees beginning to slumber. It was a magical place to be."

Part of the knockout lineup for Chrisfest, a fundraiser supporting Chris Kemp who has been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (grab tickets HERE), veteran Tāmaki Makaurau noiseniks Celine reemerge with chrome plated shoegaze scorcher 'Silver Girl' — featuring guest guitarist David Mitchell of The 3Ds! Enjoyers of Dale Kerrigan's recent output should definitely have a listen. Singer / guitarist Rob Lundon stated: "It’s an opposites attract song about my fiancé 'the runaway'. She is perfectly presented, has a place for everything, and always dated corporate guys – but she now lives with a loose unit, by most people’s measuring stick."

Pōneke's Bleeding Star unleashed their fuzz-drenched Sympathy EP late last week, reportedly the group's final release. A rhythmically muscular spin on textural shoegaze / noise-rock with a knack for Hüsker Dü / Sugar power-pop catchiness, the seven track collection finds the group bowing out in ruckus style — fans will be paying attention to what members get up to next.

Swiftly establishing themselves as Aotearoa's preeminent force in porcine punk, Tāmaki Makaurau's Snivelling Swineheards now deliver an impassioned sermon in the cathedral of heavy riffage. Grab your stashed bottle of JDs, chuck on a tasseled suede jacket and throw yr goats to their second single 'Hard Rock'. "You know what they say, only fools and try-hards need a fourth chord and this stone cold, cement-pilled hard-boy banger doesn't even need a second progression. It’s business in the front and party in the back, as is it’s god given right! This ode to excellence in freedoms even name-checks the greatest republican presidents of the greatest freedom center in the free world!" [Hey wait a minute! - Ed.]