New Music Friday: 13th Floor New Album Picks: May 9, 2025
New Music Friday is upon us! And we’re thrilled to feature five new Kiwi releases to help celebrate New Zealand Music Month.
The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda picks these five new releases for your consideration:
- Greta O’Leary – River Dark (Self) Aotearoa “spook-folk” singer-songwriter Greta O’Leary unveiled her highly anticipated debut album RIVER DARK. Tender, steadfast and unravelling, the arresting nine-track record is a project created against the odds, that sees Greta invite listeners into the soft, dark and idiosyncratic corners of her inner world. “My first record, a collection of personal, ridiculous and truth telling songs. It took a long time to get here. I was a child shy and unclear, completely confused, absolutely not onboard with future, with goals or activity. I was in the field below the house, I was at the pond with the dog, I played make believe longer than most. I was taught to be quiet.” Click here to read the 13th Floor album review.
2. Bub – Can’t Even (Whaea Kali) Bub is a boundary-pushing band from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand, blending doo-wop harmonies with post-punk intensity. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist and notorious karaoke-ist Priya Sami, 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.
3. Justin Devereux – Nickels&Dimes (Self) Debut album from this Howick native, now based in LA. Recorded at Roundhead by producer De Stevens with Neil Watson on pedal steel, Alex Freer on drums, along with Chip Matthews on bass, Devereux proves to be a songwriter worth watching. An album that embraces the best of blues, rock, country and folk to push beyond songwriting into what he likes to call, song-telling. Click here to read the 13th Floor Album Review.
4. Ajuna Oakes – While I’m Distracted (Albert’s Favourites) While I’m Distracted is an album about fighting for your innocence and right to be a vulnerable and honest human. Arjuna’s songwriting explores themes of identity, depression, existentialism, social media, loss of innocence, and finding hope for the future through artistic expression. Click here to read the 13th Floor Album Review.
5. Chaos In The CBD – A Deeper Life (In Dust We Trust) Chaos In The CBD is the brotherly production duo of NZ-born, London based Louis and Ben Helliker-Hales. The duo’s debut album unites live instrumentation and vocal collaborations for the first time, fusing together key musical influences such as Ambient, Soulful house, R&B, Jazz & Balearic into a melting pot of an epic journey that will surely become a future classic. A Deeper Life is nostalgic for their nature-filled youth, exploring the magical coastline and lush rainforest of New Zealand. “The title refers to our childhood, which was idyllic,” says Ben. “It was just the sun, the sand, the sea, waterfalls, birds and fish…”. Click here to read the 13th Floor Album Review.
And…if you’re looking for new international releases, we recommend:
Little Feat – Strike Up The Band
Brandon – Before You Go
mclusky – the world is still here and so are we
Pink Pantheress – Fancy That
Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke – Tall Tales
