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Release Roundup: Alien Weaponry, Bunchy’s Big Score, Ash Sales, SODA BOYZ, JHL

Release Roundup: Alien Weaponry, Bunchy’s Big Score, Ash Sales, SODA BOYZ, JHL

Chris Cudby / Alien Weaponry photo credit: Frances Carter / Friday 17th January, 2025 5:04PM

US film / music / multimedia visionary David Lynch's departure from our earthly plane has left us reeling in the UTR office today, we salute his fearlessly humane spirit in art and in life. The local releases have started to gather steam as everybody returns from their summer adventures — scroll downwards for new Aotearoa highlights from Alien Weaponry, Bunchy’s Big Score, Ash Sales, SODA BOYZ and JHL.


World conquering Aotearoa metal heavyweights Alien Weaponry's 'Mau Moko' is a furious opening salvo from their just-announced third studio album Te Rā, out on 28th March via Austria's Napalm Records (also home to Pōneke's Stälker). Launched yesterday with a video directed by Jermaine Leef, lyricist / bassist Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds unpacked the urgency of their new all-te reo Māori anthem: "Māori have a rich history of marking traditions that were nearly lost during colonisation. These traditions are currently in the process of a much needed cultural revival, and I was inspired by that. I wanted the lyrics to remind people that moko is, and always will be, a part of who we are. With the song's video, we wanted to show the darker side of the history of moko and how the head trade played a part in the near extinction of the tradition. We fought through it and continue to fight for its revival still today!"


Supporting Ripship at Ōtepoti's The Crown in late February (tickets HERE), Bunchy’s Big Score unfurled their refreshingly scruffy, string-tangling new single 'Leather Dog' — where mega-heavy wild psych-freakouts meet Californian harmonies and Thinking Fellers-like tomfoolery, aka a pretty sweet spot to dwell. Experience the eye-zapping video featuring animations by director Spencer Hall (WARNING: CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS) and keep on the lookout for their forthcoming debut album Happy Birthday, Daniel Johnston!!! Don't Be Afraid...


Playing a five date release tour all around Aotearoa from late January to early March (tickets HERE), post-rock / electronic / ambient / soundscape voyager Ash Sales today immerses listeners with his debut album Reflections. "I’m beyond thrilled to finally share my debut album Reflections, now available on all platforms! This collection features 9 instrumental tracks, all tuned to 432Hz, each telling its own story through melody. It’s a sonic journey through the full spectrum of the human experience, joy, sorrow, love, growth, and healing, all woven together into a cohesive narrative".



Soon bounding across the ditch for an extensive Australia tour, Te Papaioea's SODA BOYZ reemerged this week with new single 'Post Spa 2' — a sonically playful and enchanting lead track from their forthcoming new album Not Boyz Anymore, out in full on 5th February.


Live highlight at Outlier Festival 2024, with a dazzling sound and light spectacular worthy of Hollywood Avondale's expansive stage, JHL shared an ear-scrambling reinvention of Owl City's 2009 hit 'Fireflies'.

Links
undertheradar.co.nz/utr/gig_guide

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Ash Sales 'Reflections' Album Release
Buy
Sat 25th Jan 8:00pm
Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Ash Sales 'Reflections' Album Release
Buy
Thu 13th Feb 8:00pm
Wunderbar, Lyttelton
Ripship Album Release w/ Dale Kerrigan + Bunchy's Big Score
Buy
Fri 28th Feb 8:00pm
The Crown Hotel, Dunedin
Ash Sales 'Reflections' Album Release
Buy
Fri 28th Feb 8:30pm
MOON, Wellington
Ash Sales 'Reflections' Album Release
Buy
Fri 7th Mar 8:30pm
Nivara Lounge, Hamilton
Ash Sales 'Reflections' Album Release
Buy
Sat 8th Mar 8:00pm
Voodoo Lounge, Tauranga