Friday Release Roundup - Pickle Darling, WHO SHOT SCOTT, Haz & Miloux + More

It's been a wonderful couple of weeks in the UTR acting editor hot seat, but I'll be handing the reins back over to Chris Cudby on Monday after his well deserved break. Firstly, I would like to thank slowthai, John Otway and Henry Rollins for making me feel very popular and important as their show tickets flew out the door; Vera Ellen for eliciting in me the oxymoronic experience of both pride and bashfulness as I shared their new single 'Carpenter' and the video I made for it; and the many wonderful musicians releasing music that is a total joy to write about - including Pickle Darling, Who Shot Scott, Jonathan Bree, Shannon Matthew Vanya and more who I didn't get the chance to cover before today.

Ōtautahi bedroom-pop trouper Pickle Darling released new single and video 'King Of Joy' ahead of their appearance at this year's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. They also shared the excellent news of signing to US label Father/Daughter Records, placing them in an impressive roster alongside the likes of Vagabon and Sir Babygirl.

Personal fave Shannon Matthew Vanya dropped delightful pop single 'Saw It In Your Eyes', the final piece of the puzzle that is his new four-track EP Vanya II. Inspired by the clip for Michael McDonald hit 'I Keep Forgettin', SMV and visual collaborator Ezra Simons brought 'Saw It In Your Eyes' to life in a charming 35mm vid, featuring bandmates and songwriter IVES. 

As per usual, Jonathan Bree is a spooky yet fashionable ghost in the video for 'Pre-Code Hollywood', the title track from his upcoming album. Labelled as Sad Disco, the song and clip are a continuation of ‘You Are The Man’, Bree's previous release that also features himself and his mannequin band in an imaginary Top Of The Pops-style TV show. As per usual.

Tāmaki dream team Haz & Miloux melded minds with Diggy Dupé on mega lush neo-soul cut 'What U Do'. The new drop follows lead single 'Three' from soon to be released EP Brunette, the duo's second collaborative collection after 2020's Blonde. While you ponder what their next EP will be called (Red head? Silver fox?), enjoy the dreamy beats of 'What U Do' and accompanying cityscapes.

Great weather for ducks... and WHO SHOT SCOTT! The explosive Tāmaki-based rapper / producer unleashed another stunner 'DEMONS' this past week, as well as a very wet video with frequent collaborator Connor Pritchard. WHO SHOT SCOTT aka Zaidoon Nasir will be lifting the lid on his EP MERCY III in the coming weeks - perhaps you'll see him out and about in cyclone Gabrielle shooting the next video...