Lunavela Returns With Single 'Six-Out-Of-Ten-Friend' + Announces New Album

Frontman of Aotearoa indie-pop stars Collapsing Cities, Steve Mathieson's solo project Lunavela makes a more than welcome return this morning with catchy gem 'Six-Out-Of-Ten-Friend'. The first taste of an entire new album out later this year from the Tāmaki Makaurau tunesmith (and sometimes UTR contributor), the single proves once again Mathieson is one of our most relatable songwriters, spinning an emotionally affecting tale of trying to safely navigate the perilous social landscape of our everyday lives — sporting the disarmingly real chorus "Avoiding you in the supermarket". Six out of ten is still a pass though right? Recorded with Alistair Deverick (Boycrush), bassist Hannan Carter (Steriogram, NO) and mixed by Ben Lawson, Mathieson opened up about how his latest song isn't as negative as the title might suggest...

"Six-Out-Of-Ten Friend is not a misanthropic song, it's more a celebration of setting better boundaries with people who don't get you and laughing about social awkwardness. Y'know celebrating that awkward conversation of small talk in the pet food aisle of Countdown with an ex-work colleague, music punisher or an ex-girlfriends husband. This is my idea of a pop song.

My M.O with songwriting on this project is to make you feel something in some form whether that's make you smile, laugh, cry, sing along, resent me, whatever. It's taken me so long to do this album as it's all self-funded, I'm so proud of it, grateful for the people who helped and it's the best thing I've ever done".

'Six-Out-Of-Ten-Friend' is out now via major streaming services.