Mel Parsons Unveils New Album 'Castle Hill'

Two years have elapsed since Mel Parsons released her 2024 long player Sabotage, during which it feels like the Canterbury songwriter has entered a new imperial era as an artist, supporting Crowded House and lighting up radio airwaves with a career standout run of singles. Escaping briefly from the everyday grind, Parsons' new album Castle Hill was recorded in the southern alpine village from which it gets its name, laid down live with producer Josh Logan and longtime bandmates Aaron Stewart and Jed Parsons, plus Ben King (Goldenhorse, Grand Rapids) on guitars.

There's a consistent theme of emotional resilience and growth threading through such already firm favourites as 'Post High Slide', 'Brick By Brick', 'Grain By Grain' and the gentle strumming yet lyrically brutal 'Don't Leave the Light On', which reflects unwaveringly on Parsons' own experiences of relationship abuse.

Rounded out by a trifecta of new songs — the shimmering 'Clean Slate', the languorous balladry of 'Time Slows Down' and rollicking country-rock closer 'The Rain' — it's nearly time for Parsons and band to saddle up for their Castle Hill album release tour of Aotearoa New Zealand. Out today in good record stores and via new digital platform Lume, listen up to Castle Hill and catch the multi-award-winning artist at following dates...

"I had all the band booked in but no finished songs. My partner took the kids away for a week and I shut myself off from the world, working day and night. I’ve always needed a deadline, but this was a real test of focus. My songs usually simmer away for a while before they arrive, so it was a matter of getting them out of my subconscious and into song form. It was terrifying, but also a very pure way to write.

All of us have kids now, so everyone is juggling to make it work. Making the record at Castle Hill afforded us precious time without the added pressures of home life.

Sad songs still reign supreme for me, but I always hope there’s a crack of light in there somewhere. I think that reflects human nature - we’re all somewhere on the emotional rollercoaster at any given time."

Mel Parsons
CASTLE HILL ALBUM TOUR 2026

Thursday 27th August - Theatre Royal, Nelson
Friday 28th August - Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Saturday 29th August - Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin
Thursday 3rd September - Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton
Friday 4th September - Rangatira Q Theatre, Auckland
Saturday 5th September - Opera House, Wellington
Sunday 6th September - Globe Theatre, Palmerston North

Tickets on sale at Plus1.co.nz

'Castle Hill' is out today on major streaming platforms.