Summer Release Roundup - UMO, Adam McGrath, Arjuna Oakes, Georgia Lines, Raiden Freeman + More

Holy smokes there was a lot of amazing Aotearoa music released during our cyclone-soaked summer break period. We've gathered together right here a selection of highlights from late last year and beyond — tuck into new releases from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Adam McGrath (The Eastern), Arjuna Oakes & John Psathas, Georgia Lines, Samara Alofa, Raiden Freeman, Zoe Moon, SKRAM, HUMMUCIDE, Feng, Blair Parkes, Finn Johansson, Holly Arrowsmith plus even more...

Always a late year deep listening highlight, Unknown Mortal Orchestra's SB festive release series reaches double digits on 'SB-10' — featuring Kody Nielson on drums, Jake Portrait on "some bass" and UMO helmsman Ruban Nielson handling "all the other stuff".

 
Launched just before Christmas, Dear Companions is the first solo album from The Eastern's Adam McGrath — all proceeds go to Rough Peel founder Paul Huggins' ongoing treatment for cancer. Aucklanders can catch The Eastern at Wild On Waiheke on Waiheke Island on 28th January [tickets HERE].

Released in support of Women's Refuge, morris st network's 38 track fundraiser compilation felt cute, might delete includes "demo / bootleg / wayward" contributions from Ripship, Half/Time, How Get, Martin Sagadin, Skymning, Soda Boyz, Sports Dreams, Strange Stains, The Forbin Project, Welcomer and many more.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara rising star Arjuna Oakes and internationally acclaimed composer John Psathas unveiled their immaculately lush four track collaborative EP Future Lullaby.

Tūī award winner Georgia Lines shared her (almost) all-acoustic six track Falling EP.

Trash Recital star Samara Alofa rang in the new year with a swoon-inducing demo version of 'Harp In My Heart'.

 
Hawaii born / Aotearoa bred songwriter Zoe Moon (Mahal) shared her soulful and moving second solo single 'In Person'.

 
Wellington groovers SKRAM released a four track collection of remixes of their anthem 'Love Don't Keep Me Waiting', featured on their debut album Walk Into The Sun.

Windy city live faves HUMMUCIDE dropped the mind-bending jazz-fusion lead track to their forthcoming debut album.

Pōneke electronic artist Feng pairs an immersive 17 minute composition with a succinct one and a half minute bedroom dream-pop number on southern​/​northern.

Christchurch shed-fuzz guru Blair Parkes dropped infectious new three song EP rowdie.

Launched back in early December amidst the pre-Christmas rush, Field of Dreams 23 compilation and festival primer bundles together fab tunes by Surf Friends, Arthur Ahbez, Te Huhu, Wellness and more.

Creator of one of our team's favourite local long players from '22 Within The Speed Limit Of Love, Raiden Freeman unveiled earlier this week a self-directed video for album highlight 'Goner' via Bankrupt Records.

Finn Johansson hits the road in the video for student radio hit 'There Were Things That I Forgot', made as part of his ongoing 9-5 project.

Recipient of the 2019 APRA Best Country Music Song Award, Holly Arrowsmith makes an auspicious return with new single / video 'Desert Dove’.