Release Roundup: Ringlets, Mim Jensen, Sarah Mary Chadwick, LOU'ANA, JessB, Jack Panther, The Fairlight Choir + More

Not even the Dreaded Lurgi can stop our dedicated UTR editorial team (currently sipping on some rejuvenating herbal peach tea) from bringing you this week's Friday Roundup. Delve downwards for new local release highlights from Ringlets, Mim Jensen, Sarah Mary Chadwick, LOU'ANA, JessB, Jack Panther, Sam V x Brandn Shiraz, The Fairlight Choir, frog power, plus the new episode of Sports Team Productions' now ongoing In The Pits video podcast series spotlighting Fazerdaze.

Are you an Aotearoa artist / imprint releasing something new soon? Let us know! Send your info including links to editor@undertheradar.co.nz.

Tāmaki Makaurau's post-punks Ringlets' debut single for Flying Nun Records 'New Life' — their first release since 2023's self-titled album — was the talk of the town when it launched last year, and now they've announced their sophomore album The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time For Walkies), out via the aforementioned legendary imprint and Leather Jacket Records on 27th June. Produced with Michael Logie, the feedback-drenched math-y dynamics, bone-crunching low end and Sisyphean black and white visuals (directed by Joe Curtis) of 'Heavenly Wheel' maintain the group's winning streak. "The song is about in-escapism—being trapped in the bed you've made for yourself. The video captures this concept through vignettes of endless and pointless tasks, ultimately suggesting that it's not so bad when you're in said bed together".

Special guest support for The Beths' sold out Tāmaki Makaurau show on Monday, Ōtautahi songwriter Mim Jensen today shared her second EP. Utilising the astute ears of producer Will McGillivray (Goodwill), Shadow Of The Gift includes three earlier singles — 'Past Life', Same Blood' and 'Safe In Body' — and three brand new numbers, bound together by a self-healing thematic thread. "A huge part of healing involves being brave enough to go to those dark places, but the irony is that the darkness isn’t good or bad, it is simply parts yet to be welcomed with love. If you flip Shadow Of The Gift, it reads Gift of the Shadow – a non-dualistic portrayal being the essence of this body of work. It means so much to me, and I can’t wait for her to be yours!”

Delivering a standout solo performance at Port Noise festival in Ōhinehou Lyttelton earlier this month, Sarah Mary Chadwick's 'Take Me Out To a Bar' strips her emotionally frank songcraft back to bare bones voice and tinkling piano. The second single from the Naarm-based Aotearoa artist's forthcoming album Take Me To a Bar / What Am I, Gatsby? (Kill Rock Stars) launched with playful Various Asses remix B-side.

Co-produced with Nathan Judd, LOU'ANA's disco-tinted new neo-soul anthem 'My World' celebrates the transformative power of dreaming of a better life. "'My World' invites you to fantasise about what you want for yourself, or step into my world to explore how it feels; perhaps inspiring you to take steps toward your true self. Whether it’s a new beginning, a continuation of your journey, or simply a relatable vibe, it’s perfect for any moment when you want to connect with your body. Whether it’s in the morning to get your energy flowing or under the moonlight for a cathartic solo dance, it’s there to help you move, feel, and release".

JessB dropped new banger 'life is lifing', the Aotearoa rap star's first single since 2024's colossal long player Feels Like Home.

Playing a launch party at Tāmaki Makaurau's Big Fan on 10th May (get tickets HERE), Jack Panther's when i’m feeling better we could dream together EP was crafted with care over three and a half years, mixed by mixed by Andrew Maury (Kacey Musgraves, Shawn Mendes) and mastered by Emily Lazar (Lady Gaga, Coldplay). New single 'Breathe' completes Panther's release journey with a guitar-plucking rustic spin on big-hearted alt-pop / R'n'B, switching up to arms-in-the-air mode during the EP's final moments. "I feel as though my artist voice is the strongest it’s been. Every track has an outburst — a journey. Even when a song explores heart-wrenching themes, it still clings to hope. Hope for the future, hope for change".

Tāmaki Makaurau-based rap maverick Brandn Shiraz's flow is formidable on his new collaboration with Aotearoa / Cook Island R&B artist Sam V, check out the accompanying clip of the pair zooming around Rarotonga lush roadways together on scooters.

Emerging from Manawatū and Horowhenua, The Fairlight Choir are the trio of Jeremy Nolan (Force Fields, The Postures, The Dukes of Leisure), Bryan Gibson (Fader, Empirical Methods) and Jono Galuszka (First Move, Man In Rug), revlealing two sides to their project on their two track debut release — snarling pared-back post-punk on 'source / code' and squalling soundscape musings on 'the cord'. They're playing their debut show in Tāmaki Makaurau next Friday at Whammy Bar with Demons of Noon and Dos-Ovni, then heading to Pōneke's Underworld Tavern the next night for a gig with Breaches, get tickets for both shows HERE.

It's been a whole two weeks since we featured Ōtepoti's DIY prince frog power in the roundup, an epic run shattered by gnarly new keys-driven hit from another dimension 'human satan' — click through to the frog power YouTube page for even more new future kiwi classics.

Following last year's pilot episode starring Rohan Evans (The Wine Cellar), Sports Team Productions' In The Pits is back with the first instalment of an entire new season of the Aotearoa music culture podcast project. Hosted by Rachel Ashby, produced by Zoë Larsen Cumming, and filmed by Annabel Kean and Callum Devlin (who also edited episode one), they spotlighted Ōtautahi-based dream-pop / indie rock hero, 2025 Taite Music Prize finalist Amelia Murray aka Fazerdaze. You've got to get into it to get out of it, check out In The Pits Episode 01 and look forward to more from this über-talented a/v gang.