new zealand

You do not need a gifted ear to differentiate between Julien Dyne and countless hustling contemporaries of his. Most of the latter’s mistakes in life come either from trying to get in front of their music, or basically sounding cheap as hell. New Zealand native’s debut full length Pins & Digits falls in neither trap, and for that remains a winner.

Fat Freddy’s Drop is a 7-piece band from NZ and what’s striking is I felt that before I found about it. The music is similar to Salmonella Dub’s sound and the line “do it for the love of music” popped the timeless Salmonella classic “Version” in my head.