Bub – New Amsterdam: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day
Here’s an Easter treat for you: Bub release their single New Amsterdam, the next taster from their forthcoming debut album Can’t Even (due out May 9th).Here’s the blurb with more:
New Amsterdam is a doo-wop new wave gut-punch from Bub, equal parts self-deprecating and serious. A synth-streaked lament about never quite reaching your potential, the song is dressed up in grungy textures, with a cowbell that slaps golden, and a solo that hits harder than your regrets.
The video is set in 1970s Aotearoa, and stars actors Scotty Cotter and Kura Forrester, plus the mythical golden cowbell. Bub play it silly on screen, but don’t let that fool you – underneath the chaos is a slow-burning anthem for all the beautiful failures out there.
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist and notorious karaoke-ist Priya Sami (
Their debut album Can’t Even drops May 9, 2025, digitally and on vinyl. It’s packed with songs about love, heartbreak, and existential dread – but in a fun way. Whether you’re lovesick, over it, or both at the same time, there’s a song for you. If you’re into The Strokes, The Cars, or Mariah Carey (trust us, it works), you’ll want to keep an eye on these guys.
You may have already heard some of the songs on Can’t Even: ‘Phase 2’, ‘Dreams’, ‘Bored’, ‘Jeez Louise’ and ‘King of Wands’. Rest assured, there are more great songs on the album.
“I turned up to Blam Blam Blam tonight with no idea who the support was – and it turned out to be Bub, the ‘Jeez, Louise’ band, and they were GREAT. Priya Sami has a lot going on, including the funniest banter in NZ music. If The Beths are a bit youth club, Bub are the smoking-behind-the-bike-sheds version.” – Russell Brown
About The Video:
The New Amsterdam video stars Kura Forrester as Goldie Belle, Aotearoa’s most in-demand session musician, and Scotty “Space Dust” Cotter as Wayne Frankiestens Stevies – a once-great record producer from the 1970s who’s still coasting on a cosmic high from ’76.
Mr. Stevies doesn’t care much for
Bub. In fact, he thinks the new track is kinda “meh.” But a gig’s a gig, so he calls in Goldie Belle to sprinkle some magic. The band’s frothing over this new addition – except Priya Sami, who’s not having it.
‘New Amsterdam’ is obviously directed by someone who has never seen that “more cowbell” sketch or Womack & Womack’s ‘Teardrops’ video.
So this Sunday, light some incense, crack a swappa crate, and let the drama unfold.
About Bub
Bub are based in Tamaki Makaurau, and are fronted by Priya Sami (The Sami Sisters, Trip Pony, Dateline) on vocals and guitar, alongside Daniel Barrett (Racing and Sherpa) on bass, David Harris (Princess Chelsea, Mammalien, Sulfate) on drums, and Joe Kaptein (Six60, Princess Chelsea, The Circling Sun and more) on synths.
Bub brings big hooks, sharp lyrics, and just the wrong amount of chaos. Their songs are genre defying and best characterised by vulnerable lyrics delivered by soul power vocals, cars-esq synths and a distorted driving rhythm section.
