New Music Friday: 13th Floor New Album Picks: September 15, 2023

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This New Music Friday is top-heavy with Kiwi talent. Check out The 13th Floor’s pick of the top 5 new albums being released today. We’re sure you’ll find something you’ll like.

The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda chooses 5 new albums for your perusal. Along with those picks come the usual exclusive reviews, interviews and live performances. See below:

  1. Office DogOffice Dog – Spiel (Flying Nun) Released on Flying Nun and just signed to US label New West, Office Dog is a trio fronted by Kane Strang. Recorded at Roundhead Studios, Spiel crafts intricate musical collages, fearlessly exploring complex emotions and passionate grit. Guitarist and vocalist Kane Strang’s personal challenges, involving frequent travel between Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and Ōtepoti/Dunedin, transformed Office Dog from a light project into something deeper. Those car journeys inspired lyrical content that captures the interplay of light and darkness, reflecting his emotional journey. Click here to read The 13th Floor album review.

2. MaceyMacey – The Lovers (Warner NZ) You may remember him as Harry Parsons, now he is Macey and the new album arrives today. According to Macey, “The album is a window into my experience of love and loss, in chronological order from my first big break up of 6 years and the death of my father and all the trials, highs and lows that came after. It’s basically an autobiography of growth and trying to figure things out” . Watch for an exclusive interview and live performance from Macey at The 13th Floor. 

3. Model Home – And Nobody Made A Sound (Papaiti) From Christchurch but also recorded at Roundhead in Auckland, this is the debut album by this Kiwi “sad songs” quartet. Keep you eyes and ears out as the band is touring the country beginning tomorrow in Christchurch.

Sarah Mary Chadwick4. Sarah Mary Chadwick – Messages To God (Kill Rock Stars) NZ-born, Melbourne-based SMC has composed an album of broad, brightly coloured spiritual strokes, it consists of dramatic retellings of having your heart broken, existing, movement and growth while always meditating on the past. While her three most recent records were drenched in grief, the new collection signals a change; whether profound or momentary, time will tell. Watch for the 13th Floor MusicTalk interview coming very soon.

 

5. PretendersThe Pretenders – Relentless (Parlophone) Chrissie Hynde is still at it! “I enjoy seeing the various meanings and origins of a word,” says Chrissie of the album’s title. “And I liked the definition: ‘showing no abatement of intensity.’ So when it came to an album title, it seemed fitting. You know…to keep doing it. I think anyone in a band is constantly questioning if they should keep going. It starts as a youthful pursuit and eventually, it makes you wonder, why am I doing this? It’s the life of the artist. You never retire. You become relentless.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty Duda
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