Release Roundup: UMO, Alien Weaponry, Fly My Pretties, Fèng, Lake South, Feijoa Tree, Retaliator + More

Like an atmospheric river of tunes, our UTR inbox has been absolutely flooded with top quality local releases over the past seven days. Revisit this week's coverage of Marlon Williams, MĀ, Tom Lark, Neive Strang, Elliott Dawson, Phoebe Rings and The Bats, then tuck into more new / recent Aotearoa highlights below from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Alien Weaponry, Fly My Pretties, Fèng, Lake South, Feijoa Tree, Rhian Sheehan & Arli Liberman, Retaliator, Lawrence Goodwin, and the new episode of the In The Pits video podcast starring the aforementioned Marlon Williams.

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

Simultaneously one of the most successful and sonically adventurous musical entities to ever emerge from Aotearoa, Unknown Mortal Orchestra's all-instrumental new collection follows Ruban Nielson and band's improvisational muse to Colombia's high altitude capital. "The resulting sessions have become IC-02 Bogota, a musical document of the time they spent in that exciting city and the possible background music for some strange parties and night drives in your future".

Brothers Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong and Lewis Raharuhi de Jong (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa) and Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds (Ngāti Rārua, Ngāpuhi (Te Mahurehure), Ngātiwai, Ngāti Hine) sound unassailable on Alien Weaponry's third album Te Rā (translating as the main deity of the heavens / sun) — out now in full via Austrian heavyweights Napalm Records. "We've evolved our sound while staying true to our kaupapa".

Aotearoa super-collective Fly My Pretties have reemerged with the soulful and bluesy 'Red Flags', featuring Taylah on lead vocals and contributions from RIIKI REID, TAWAZ, AJA, Laughton Kora, plus members of The Black Seeds and The Nudge. Featuring a scat vocal interlude, it's the first shot fired from an entire new album of tunes entitled ELEMENTAL, out in full this May via Loop.

Fèng aka Lucy Beeler (Slow, formerly of Lttle Phnx) makes a very welcome return with two elegant dreamscape tunes — 'C/SAW (ruins)' plus a "samba mix" by Kolya and 'What I know' — heralding whole new album archive for humble stones out on 25th April. "Each song is its own jewelled delve, inviting listeners explore and unearth sediment and sentiments".

Lake South turns his attention to Tāmaki Makaurau in his first single in four years, the soaring lead track from the Pōneke "electricUTOPIA" songwriter's imminent new record We lived our lives on top of this, out in full on 13th June. "'Auckland (so close to nothing at all)' is a clarion call to link arms and stop traffic. It’s an ode to the kindness of old friends. A forlorn wail for the never-ending pursuit of peace. A document of new love".

From the same Aotearoa-based electronic artist who brought us Secret Sorcery's The Curse of Fenncraag last year, Feijoa Tree's A Day in the Life finds natural balance between conservation-minded comfy synth cosiness (and drama) and dungeon synth atmospheric majesty. "Set during a single day in the life of a heard of deer, this record attempts to capture their emotions and their adventures, from dawn to dusk. The deer must traverse the great unknown, avoiding the plights of deforestation, as well as packs of wild wolves returning to lands they once roamed long ago. But not all is forlorn! They also find time to play in shallow puddles of rain, take much needed afternoon naps, and dance under the evening sun".

Aotearoa composers / producers Rhian Sheehan and Arli Liberman synergise their talents on sublime soundscape 'Immaru', the first work revealed from their forthcoming collaborative album TRACES, launching later this year via Loop — experience Sam Caldwell's organically unfolding accompanying visuals.

From atmospheric ambiance to a studded glove smack in the chops — Pōneke thrashers Retaliator's Demo EP sounds gloriously no-fi as they menace our ears with trifecta of aural insanity 'Deal With It', 'The Grind' and 'Violence' Featuring "ex-members of Total Violation and Gutter Killer", don't miss them playing with Stälker and "The Most Evil Band in Japan" Abigail at Valhalla on 10th May, get tickets via HERE via UTR.

The mind behind Black Snake Whip and Career Girls, as well as key member of The Pleasure Majenta and The Tarts, EU-based Aotearoa sonic force Lawrence Goodwin unleashed the scorched expanses of 'Muck Consumes The Day', the lead single from upcoming solo record Soft Eternity. "Stripped of distortion and excess, this collection of songs reveals a deeply personal side of Goodwin’s artistry. His hushed vocals and delicate guitar work unravel themes of memory, longing, and self-exploration, capturing the quiet intensity of late-night reflections".

In the fab second episode of the In The Pits video podcast series produced by Sports Team, host Rachel Ashby sat down with Ōhinehou Lyttelton icon Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) and KOMMI (Kāi Tahu, Te- Āti-Awa), who chatted about working together on Williams' first all te reo Māori long player Te Whare Tīwekaweka.