20 Mar 2024
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Articles By Gwarden

DeLaye - EP Review: Blankspace.
17 Nov 2021 // review by Gwarden
20 year old producer DeLaye creates music that defies easy description. Inhabiting the experimental electronic space pioneered by the likes of Aphex Twin and championed by modern masters such as Flying Lotus and Four Tet, his music features fat glitch-hop bass kicks and chopped beats anchoring sonic explorations that ebb and flow with intent.
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Mac Summer - Single Review: Web of Life
16 Nov 2021 // review by Gwarden
Mac Summer  may be a brand new name to drum & bass fans, but this new alter ego comes from Malcolm Welsford, who has been involved in the NZ music scene for over 30 years, most famously as the man behind the legendary York Street Recording Studios. Having produced a range of guitar-based Kiwi bands from Shihad to Supergroove, he has perhaps surprisingly turned to electronic music production with this foray into the saturated drum & bass market.
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EM/FM - Album Review - Quixote
03 Nov 2021 // review by Gwarden
Fitting snugly into the still-relatively underground retrowave sound (an umbrella term loosely used to describe the synthwave/vaporwave microgenres), EM/FM’s debut LP Quixote taps directly into the 80’s nostalgia vein and mines it for woozy pathos and dreamy yearning. Utilising many of the hallmarks of 80’s synth-heavy composers and movie soundtracks, from Phil Collins-esque reverbed drums, plucked bass twang, and all the analog synth tones you could dream of, it’s a fascinating re-composition of elements elevated to pastiche by focusing on real emotion and modern songwriting.
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Hotel Death Star - Single Review: The Daylight
10 Sep 2021 // review by Gwarden
Hotel Death Star are a relatively new duo, finding life in 2020 when singer-songwriter Phil Stoodley collaborated with composer-producer Andreas Arianto to craft their interpretation of melodic deep-house blended with more traditional songwriting elements. Fans of electronic genres will find plenty to like here, but crossover appeal might be limited.
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Shapeshifter - Album Review: Rituals
17 Aug 2021 // review by Gwarden
Shapeshifter (affectionately known as ‘Shapies’ by fans) are a New Zealand music institution. With over 2 decades of live shows, 4 EPs, 5 full-length studio albums, a handful of music awards and a reputation as the best live Drum & Bass act in the world, they’re both revered locally and ambassadors of the sound worldwide.
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Shapeshifter - Gig Review: Shapeshifter @ Christchurch Town Hall - 30/07/2021
02 Aug 2021 // review by Gwarden
Back on the road after a few months of downtime, Shapeshifter return for a national tour in support of their seventh studio album Rituals. Kicking things off in their hometown Otautahi, the Christchurch Town Hall was host to another explosive, uplifting performance by one of NZs most treasured and traveled live acts.
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Truth - Album Review: Acceptance
23 Jul 2021 // review by Gwarden
Low-tempo maestros Truth return to their Deep, Dark and Dangerous imprint with a long-player of sublime electronica. Billed as their most personal album to date, Acceptance captures the duo at their most introspective, a response to a world in crisis evoked as nostalgia-inducing reveries and cavernous meditations.
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Anna Wild - EP Review: WOOL
22 Dec 2020 // review by Gwarden
WOOL is the first project from Wellington-based artist Anna Wild, and it comprises 3 ambient/electronic instrumental tracks in conjunction with a 10 minute short film providing visual accompaniment. This visual EP was created to go hand-in-hand; while the music can certainly be absorbed on its own, it’s through the film (directed and animated by Taizan Yamada) that the depth of meaning shines through.
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Decktrik - Interview with Decktrik
08 Dec 2020 // interview by Gwarden
Hailing from Palmerston North and with a varied career including radio hosting, music production, and a focus on community building within the NZ music scene, Decktrik AKA Samir Loumachi sat down with Gareth from Muzic.net.
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Oakley Grenell - EP Review: Style Dem Ripe
18 Nov 2020 // review by Gwarden
Oakley Grenell caps off 2020 with a wicked dancefloor-oriented EP showcasing a range of vocalists over bouncy, bass-fuelled tunes with a trademark reggae flair. A few years in the making, it’s another solid addition to an already impressive discography.
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J Plates - Album Review: Seven Days Of Fire
29 Oct 2020 // review by Gwarden
2020 has been a big year for J Plates, releasing a string of heavyweight DnB alongside a side project offering ambient and lower-BPM electronic stylings. Dropping just in time for Halloween, Seven Days Of Fire marks his debut, self-released LP, and it’s a fitting collection for the spooky season - massive stabbing bass, crunching breakbeats and haunting atmospheres abound.
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Shapeshifter - Gig Review: Shapeshifter @ Christchurch Town Hall - 18/10/2020
19 Oct 2020 // review by Gwarden
Two decades deep and showing no signs of slowing down, veteran live act Shapeshifter jetted into Christchurch on the back of a sold out Auckland show and a global pandemic causing havoc for the events industry. Showcasing their incredible musical prowess with a powerhouse performance, they created a special vibe for those in attendance in a celebration of music, dance, and togetherness.
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Biobird - Album Review: Riders
13 Aug 2020 // review by Gwarden
Crisp production, organic drums, layered percussion and gritty, overdriven bass are hallmarks of Biobird's work: presented here for the first time in LP format, it’s a chance to draw together the specific vibe and tone (developed to great success on 2019’s Count to Ten EP) into a cohesive whole. Title track Riders opens with ominous swells before plunging into a dark, techy workout reminiscent of early-2000’s Drum & Bass staples such as Universal Project and Keaton; the second drop change-up bounces along on a half-time beat.
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Biobird - EP Review: Count to Ten
10 Aug 2020 // review by Gwarden
Biobird has been quietly amassing a solid body of work and growing recognition amongst the New Zealand bass music community, sliding between low and high BPM subgenres with ease. The 2019 EP release Count to Ten leans toward 170+ but retains enough Trap/Dubstep elements to distinguish itself from your usual release.
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Fear Not Want - Album Review: Return To The Source
14 Jul 2020 // review by Gwarden
Fear Not Want (stylised as FnW) is off to a strong start, with this LP dropping hot on the heels of debut release The Waiting last month. While that was an entirely ambient affair, Return To The Source finds Jeremy Graham (aka J Plates) exploring new terrain in the form of classic House music, mixed in with some downtempo and ambient bits.
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Lee Mvtthews - Single Review: Turning Back
13 Jul 2020 // review by Gwarden
Lee Mvtthews are one of the biggest names among a new breed of NZ Drum & Bass producers making a mark on the global stage. Fresh off a big 2019 which saw the release of their debut LP Bones, a slew of awards at the Georgies as well regular appearances on club and festival line-ups, their latest single is a perfect distillation of their powerful, upbeat sound.
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Truth - EP Review: Without You
02 Jul 2020 // review by Gwarden
Truth, predominantly known for their prolific output in the Dubstep scene via their own Deep, Dark & Dangerous label, now turn their attention to 170BPM on the stellar EP Without You. This is a substantial EP utilising classic Drum & Bass motifs, it retains enough of a connection to the vibe of deep Dubstep as to not alienate fans of previous works, while still crafting something truly unique.
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Fear Not Want - Album Review: The Waiting
11 Jun 2020 // review by Gwarden
Fear Not Want is a new project from Jeremy Graham aka J Plates, an electronic producer most well-known for his Drum & Bass output but who also dabbles in styles as diverse as House, Downtempo, and now Ambient. This carefully assembled collection boasts compelling arrangements that provide for an introspective journey and reveal a musician capable of bringing genuine warmth using a digital palette.
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J Plates - Single Review: A Cut Above / Strength To Strength
04 Jun 2020 // review by Gwarden
J Plates comes correct with another nostalgia-infused slice of timeless Drum and Bass, for the debut release on his very own imprint. Originally appearing in 2014 on now-defunct Sonata Recordings, these two singles have been remastered and sound absolutely massive, sitting firmly in the wheelhouse of atmospheric, low-BPM DnB pioneered by the likes of LTJ Bukem.
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J Plates - Interview with J Plates
29 May 2020 // interview by Gwarden
After reviewing his recent Brain Drain EP, Gareth from Muzic.net.
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J Plates - EP Review: Brain Drain
13 May 2020 // review by Gwarden
NZ-born, UK-based producer J Plates surfaces for another killer EP following a brace of releases last November on Omni Music UK. This time around he lands on London label In-Reach Records with 5 cuts of old school Drum n Bass that will please fans of intelligent, rugged beats.
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Habit - Interview with Habit
28 Jan 2020 // interview by Gwarden
Wellington-based DJ, producer and promoter Stu Habit is a regular fixture in the NZ drum & bass scene. Gareth from Muzic.
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Oakley Grenell - Gig Review: Oakley Grenell @ Dux Central, Christchurch - 19/01/2020
20 Jan 2020 // review by Gwarden
Coming off the back of supporting his latest single Serious Time across a series of NZ dates over the last month, Oakley Grenell graced the Dux Central courtyard alongside brother Redford on drums and Peter Flemming on double bass. Taking a stripped back approach to some staples from his back catalogue, it was the perfect soundtrack to a sunny Sunday afternoon, amid the bubble of a rejuvenated Christchurch inner city.
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Gig Review: Noisia & Kanine @ Riccarton Park Racecourse, Christchurch - 21/12/2019
13 Jan 2020 // review by Gwarden
When pioneering musicians Noisia announced in September 2019 that they’d be disbanding in 2020, it sent a ripple through the electronic music scene. 20 year's worth of multi-genre dominance, 3 record labels, countless releases - it was understandable that their final appearance on South Island shores would be met with excitement and a tinge of sadness.
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Oakley Grenell - Single Review: Serious Time Feat. Rayjah45
23 Dec 2019 // review by Gwarden
Prolific local lad Oakley Grenell (now based out of Melbourne) returns with a bouncy slice of dancefloor double-time, which contains a serious message from vocalist Rayjah45. Titled Serious Time, the tight production assistance from fellow NZ’ers 10a and Hooves give this release a punchy impact destined for high rotation on Summer sound systems everywhere.
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Gig Review: Ulterior Motive [UK] @ Hide Club, Christchurch - 23/11/2019
16 Dec 2019 // review by Gwarden
UK duo Ulterior Motive (JD & Morphex) have been producing intricate, heavyweight music for the better part of a decade now, with early releases on Subtitles before joining the Metalheadz family where they released their debut album Fourth Wall in 2014, and in the last few years forming their own imprint Guidance. Touching down in NZ in late November, read on to discover which Metalheadz classic JD dropped to a stunned and adoring Hide Club crowd… The evening started on the right note driving down to the club listening to a guest mix from James aka JD on the RDU 98.
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Unsub - Interview with Unsub
11 Dec 2019 // interview by Gwarden
Lily Luck aka Unsub has been producing music for the better part of a decade with a slew of releases across multiple labels, including a whopping 3 albums this year alone. UK-born and NZ-bred, now based in Auckland, Lily was kind enough to answer some questions about her multiple talents, and what it’s like to live as three artists within one body...
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Unsub - Unsub - Album Review: Heartbreaker
11 Dec 2019 // review by Gwarden
Prolific producer Unsub delivers the impressive Heartbreaker LP, the fourth on her ‘Pure Heart Dirty Mind’ imprint via mother label ‘NexGen Music’. Sub-genre wise the album could be filed under techstep or neurofunk, but unlike the sometimes cold and emotionless offerings prevalent in this sound, Heartbreaker (like much of Unsub’s output) carries a deeply musical element bringing an analog warmth to every track.
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Vapour & Shape - EP Review: Nullius
05 Dec 2019 // review by Gwarden
Hailing from Auckland, duo Vapour & Shape burst onto the electronica scene with Nullius, a refreshing slice of 4/4 that fuses neon-drenched nightclub production with a melodic, nostalgic element making it suitable for both dancefloor and headphones. Opener Catchpool pulses with reverbed melody flickering around a dubbed-out bass reminiscent of classic NZ acts such as Pitch Black or Salmonella Dub.
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TREi - Gig Review: Trei & Jabz MC - 'Locally Sauced' @ The Slate Room, Christchurch - 22/11/2019
28 Nov 2019 // review by Gwarden
DJ/MC partnerships are a long-standing tradition, especially in Drum & Bass; just think of iconic pairings like Andy C & MC GQ (and later Tonn Piper), Grooverider & MC Flux, and DJ Marky & Stamina MC. On a humid Canterbury evening in late November, long-time NZ-based duo Trei and Jabz MC treated a sweaty Slate Room to an exhibition of that unique chemistry.
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Flowidus - Gig Review: Flowidus with Jabz MC @ Hide Club, Christchurch - 16/11/2019
21 Nov 2019 // review by Gwarden
Billed as the perfect kick-ons for the Saturday of Canterbury’s Show and Race Day long weekend, hordes of white-shirted, short-skirted punters flooded into Hide Club to get frothy with popular local act Flowidus. Momentum Promotions has been on a roll lately and despite a couple of technical hiccups, this latest event was a continuation of their high quality line-ups and well-run evenings.
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Gig Review: The 30 Pack: The World's Fastest Festival @ Hide Club, Christchurch - 08/11/2019
11 Nov 2019 // review by Gwarden
"From the people that usually bring you really good ideas, comes an idea so bad, it might even be good" went the tagline for the ambitious World’s Fastest Festival. A combined venture between Momentum Promotions, Brand+New, and Notion Touring, Hide played host to 20 drum & bass selectas downstairs and 10 DJ’s upstairs offering a range of 4/4 genres.
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NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
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