Release Roundup: Dimmer, Fazerdaze, Iti Bubbas, P.H.F., Pipsy, Sarah Mary Chadwick + More

Ripper roundup this week, so let's crack knuckles and get into it. Revisit our coverage of K M T P (plus their smashing Trash Recital guest star appearance), Yurt Party, Ebony Lamb, Danica Bryant, Office Dog, Model Home and Vorsen, and scroll downwards for even more new local release highlights from Dimmer, Fazerdaze, Pipsy, P.H.F., Fantasing, Short-Chain, Iti Bubbas, Robert Scott, Bear Trap, and Sarah Mary Chadwick.

What may be the first official new release from Shayne P. Carter's Dimmer in fourteen years, 'Pendulum - Live at the Hollywood' is a spellbinding teaser for the legend's forthcoming live album Dimmer Live at the Hollywood, documenting last year's sold out events in Tāmaki Makaurau. Carter's stellar live band are reconvening for a nationwide Aotearoa tour in November / early December, details HERE. "I was actually blown away by how good the Hollywood recordings were, and how they included angles and extrapolations on the tunes that aren’t on the original recordings".

Moving on from her cathartic, Taite Music Prize nominated Break! era, Fazerdaze treated fans worldwide this week to synth-soaked single 'Bigger'. Keep on the lookout for a special UTR feature on Fazerdaze's new song in the coming week. "I have often felt that ambition and being in the public eye can be a point of tension in my romantic relationships. I think this song is me trying to explore and overcome that with someone I cared about".

Fronted by Paul Pouwels McMillan, Te Whanganui-a-Tara foursome Pipsy's knack for effervescent earworms literally doesn't quit on new single 'Stuck In My Brain'. You can catch them opening for the legendary Jordan Luck Band from tonight all the way up to 30th September (tickets HERE). "I wanted the track to sound really sparkly and fun, so after I landed on the theme of the song, I decided to re-watch one of my favourite maze-based, mid-80s, fantasy films, starring David Bowie, Labyrinth. I thought it would be a playful nod to that film to use some of its synth sounds for the drones underneath the song".

The Pōneke-based collective of MĀ and WYNONA with visual artist TAMA, Iti Bubbas dropped their killer seven track IDIOT CHECK EP this week via Meeting House Records. "Vocalist / lyricist MĀ, and DJ / producer WYNONA started with the creation of songs for a theatre show. Now, almost a year later, we are ready to release them out into the world. This project is accompanied by visuals chopped and shot by third member TAMA, and can be watched on YT over the coming weeks".

Tāmaki Makaurau songwriter, producer and ace apparel designer P.H.F. dropped a typically excellent new banger on Hardcore Will Never Die, and Neither Will You, a mega-stacked compilation from Santa Fe, New Mexico's 909 Worldwide.

Reemerging into reality in the year 2023, Aotearoa's Fantasing aka the collective of Bek Coogan, Claire Harris, Gemma Syme and Sarah Jane Parton are back with a new song just in time for the election — their first official release in a decade! Recorded at Tāmaki Makaurau's Audio Foundation and produced by Luke Buda, 'Lurching To Catastrophe' was first envisioned as "a Dear John break-up wail to departing Prime Minister John Key". Reassign meaning as you wish and / or cherish that historic sentiment by hitting play below.

Adorned with eye-zapping black and white artwork by Seb Heart, Tāmaki Makaurau's Short-Chain serve up eight sonically untamed mutated anthems to match on Meetings Without Conclusions. Mixed by James Goldsmith and mastered by Stephen J Marr, crank it and pray for live shows.

Some artists are just always good eh. Legendary frontman of The Bats Robert Scott treats our ears to Aramoana, an adventuresome five track collaboration with NZ-raised experimental multi-instrumentalist Takumi Motokawa, who has worked in the past with UK dubstep innovator Shackleton.

Ōtautahi's Bear Trap sound fuelled by aggression on NOT A MATTER OF OPINION, busting open a five track can of punk rock whup-ass ahead of this Saturday's EP launch event at Darkroom (get tickets HERE) — also featuring Nervous jerk, Radium and Tentripper.

Based across the ditch in Melbourne / Naarm for many years now, always lyrically shattering Aotearoa songwriter Sarah Mary Chadwick (Batrider) today shares her eighth solo studio album Messages To God via legendary US imprint Kill Rock Stars. "I hope it brings you joy and makes u feel alive!"