Release Roundup & Playlist: Tom Scott, DISPLEASURE, Pickle Darling, Club Ruby, Wet Bandits

Scope out our coverage of Kora's new album Fifth Season and Half Hexagon's debut long player EP1 + EP2, then scroll downwards for more new / recent highlights from Tom Scott, DISPLEASURE, Pickle Darling, Club Ruby and Wet Bandits.

Author of Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist (One Signal Publishers), music journalist Liz Pelly will unpack the politics of contemporary streaming in conversation with Martyn Pepperell at Tāmaki Makaurau's Whammy Bar on 26th August, get tickets HERE.

Are you an Aotearoa artist / imprint releasing something new soon? Let us know — send your info including links to editor@undertheradar.co.nz.

Avondale icon Tom Scott (Home Brew, Avantdale Bowling Club, @Peace) announced the dawn of a new era and maybe marked the end of an old one with 'till then' the soulful and stripped back lead cut from the first ever album under his own name ANITYA — out in full 10th October. "This was the first honest song I wrote after the break up. wasn't trynna protect my ego or defend my image. Wasn't being bitter or resentful. This was the first time I felt like I just wanted her to be happy. With whoever it was. I'd just found out she was seeing someone. And I was still cut but I wasn't mad. I'd heard some of my homies say they get along coparenting. I just wanted that. But we weren't there yet. And I don't know if we're there yet now. But the most important thing is to just try pretend to get along. For the kids. And that's basically what this song is about. Just wanting the best for someone you loved."

Expressing the urgency, outrage and incredulousness that many / most of us feel navigating the year 2025AD, Aotearoa agit-synth-punks DISPLEASURE's new single 'COWARDS' is a ripping "rebuke of the "leaders" of Western governments who have not just turned their eyes away from the Gaza genocide over the last two years, but have been actively complicit through financial and military support for Israel and squashing dissent at home. They are cowards, too scared to challenge Israel and the US. Their inaction will never be forgiven."

Pickle Darling continues the march towards their freshly redubbed new record Bots with the maverick Ōtautahi songwriter / producer's tender latest ditty 'Congratulations Champion'.

Club Ruby follow February's undeniably mega-catchy punk-bop 'Heartbreak Overtime' with new anthem 'Komorebi (クラブ・ルビー)', stretching legs into grungey pop balladry, while looking to nature for inspo and balance. The group's President Ruby declared, "The maple trees protect the rest of the plants and animals from too much sunlight, wind and rai. The trees represent my family like my mother and godfather, and my realisation that I can feel safe to pursue something as unstable and confusing as the music industry—because I know their love and support is always there."

Here at the start of the year taking in summer rays and touring all around the motu, Wet Bandits is the indie-rock / dream-pop project of Australia-based Aotearoa songwriter / producer Finn Roberts with friends. Bad Tattoos and Weathermen is their luminous first new long player since 2021, "written on the road and recorded in bedrooms, living rooms, and everywhere in between."