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The Sampler headlines with summaries.
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Throwing Muses’ Luminous Journey Through Sound
23 Mar 2025Maggie Tweedie reviews Throwing Muses new album Moonlight Concessions. The nine new songs from Moonlight are an effervescent addition to the band's varied and eclectic catalogue, showcasing a more…
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The Sampler: What to listen to this week
9 Mar 2025Local producer Sola Rosa draws the curtain on his live band, and Japan's Ichiko Aoba softly soothes.
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One is Always Heading Somewhere by Womb
15 Mar 2025The sibling trio deliver their most dynamic collection of tunes, mournful and anthemic while retaining their trademark mystique.
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EP2 by Half Hexagon
1 Mar 2025The local indie supergroup continue to hone a very specific vision on their second EP of sparse, krautrock-infused jams.
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The Sampler: What to listen to this week
16 Feb 2025Irish singer Julie Dawson goes synth-pop and local slowcore band Soda Boyz take the scenic route.
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Expat Kiwi filmmaker Elric Kane on his successful podcasting career, and debut American movie The Dead Thing
23 Feb 2025The Shudder production deals with the horrific side of internet dating.
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Lower by Benjamin Booker
22 Feb 2025The American garage rock musician teams with underground hip-hop producer Kenny Segal for an album that goes deeper and darker than he has before, as per its title.
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The Sampler's favourite singles of 2024
21 Dec 2024Tony Stamp looks back at some of his favourite singles of 2024, including te reo Māori hip-hop, Aussie punk rock, and quite a lot of Americana.
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The Sampler's favourite reissues and compilations of 2024
24 Dec 2024Tony Stamp looks back at some of his favourite reissued albums and compilations of 2024, including Japanese techno, Māori hip-hop, and Zambian pop. Video
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Indie icon Kim Deal's singing voice is as cool and comforting as ever on her solo debut
1 Dec 2024Tony Stamp reviews Breeders singer Kim Deal's solo debut, and a piano-based album from Wellington musician Tess de Lyon.
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Corrella: 'We got into this for fun, love of music and performing'
1 Dec 2024Corrella have come a long way since trying to fit "an eight-person band into the Portland Public House." Audio
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The Sampler: What to listen to this week
17 Nov 2024Tony Stamp looks at an exhaustive new collection from UK rave legends Underworld, folk musician Laura Marling motherhood-infused latest and Soft Power by Fazerdaze.
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Patterns in Repeat by Laura Marling
17 Nov 2024Patterns in Repeat alludes to cycles of motherhood, the British folk musician's songs influenced by the birth of her daughter in multiple ways.
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The Cure finally return after 16 years
10 Nov 2024Review - Few bands, if any, can make sadness sound this majestic. Audio
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Songs of a Lost World by The Cure
9 Nov 2024The British gloom icons return after sixteen years with a collection unfurls slowly and generously, luxuriating in Robert Smith's chord choices and surprisingly spry voice.
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Three of 1994's weirder indie rock albums are still classics
6 Oct 2024On their 30th anniversary, Tony Stamp looks back at three important entries in the alternative canon. Video
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Good things take time: Mu from Fat Freddy's Drop talks Slo Mo
27 Oct 2024The founding member of one of Aotearoa's best-loved groups speaks with Tony Stamp about longevity, influences, and their long-awaited sixth studio album.
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Viva Hinds! by Hinds
19 Oct 2024The Spanish band are now a duo, continuing their celebratory spirit with help from some notable guests on a typically fun fourth album.
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Review: My Method Actor by Nilüfer Yanya
12 Oct 2024Tony Stamp reviews the new album from the British singer, songwriter and musician
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1994 part six: Pavement, Sebadoh, Ween
5 Oct 2024Tony Stamp looks back at three of 1994's weirder indie rock records, in the final instalment of this six part series.
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How 1994 birthed a brand new genre of music
Tony Stamp looks back at two landmark trip hop albums released 30 years ago. Video
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Laurie Anderson pays tribute to an aviation pioneer on Amelia
24 Sep 2024The legendary avant-garde artist's latest release is a musical retelling of Amelia Earhart's final flight.
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Review: Passage du Desir by Johnny Blue Skies
22 Sep 2024Elliott Childs finds Sturgill Simpson's first release under a pseudonym to be more of a progression than a reinvention.
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1994 part five: Portishead, Massive Attack
29 Sep 2024Tony Stamp looks back at two landmark trip hop albums released 30 years ago.
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