Troy Kingi Shares New Album 'Year of The Ratbags and Their Musty Theme Songs'

Leading with tape wobble jingle 'Stevie with A Smile' and hyper-catchy first single 'Paparazzo S.J.', Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) unleashes his '80s inspired opus Year Of The Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs, the sixth long player in his epic 10 10 10 series (10 albums in 10 years in 10 genres). Winner of the Best Folk Artist Tūī for his 2021 album Black Sea Golden Ladder, they may need to create a new category for killer new wave hooks as Kingi serves those up in abundance over twelve synth-soaked anthems — feeling at times like a long lost Pagan Records compilation from the era in its FM radio / haunted VHS pileup of upbeat boogie / yacht rock / jazz-funk / pop / dance / fusion and soul ingredients. Conjuring a time-travel effect with Kingi's recognisable vocals cast against retro-futuristic backing, there's lots of hints the record may be one of his more personal offerings ("taking us back to 84, the year of his birth") — most song titles seem to include something of a Rubik's Magic Puzzle to solve for attentive listeners.

Produced by Kingi, TeMatera Smith, and Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers Super Furry Animals, Catatonia, Spice Girl Melanie C) with songwriting contributions from Delaney Davidson, hit play on Year Of The Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs and head along to his Release Show and ’80’s Party at Tāmaki Makaurau's The Powerstation on 14th October (dress code: '80s casual)...

Troy Kingi and the Promises - Release Show and ’80’s Party
with special guest Matt Nanai
Friday 14th October - The Powerstation, Auckland
Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster

'The Year of the Ratbags And Their Musty Theme Songs' is out today - cassette/ LP through Border and available on all digital platforms, eorders HERE.