Marmalade’s future is looking Bright

Indie Rock

Reviewing Marmalade’s debut single is a strange thing. They came out on top in the Kick Unsigned competition and have toured with almost every international act that came to New Zealand in 2023 (including 10:32, Beach Bunny & Hot Potato Band). It’s easy to forget they don’t have music out there yet. 

“Bright” is the first sampler of a debut body of work that is in the making. It opens lush and optimistic with gorgeous licks from guitarist Liam Nuttall and huge sound drums from Dean Rodrigues over the solid foundation of bass from Chelsea Naepi. Singer Jemilah guides us through the concerns and musings of an up and coming musician dreaming for success. The lyrics are down to earth and help put you in the shoes of a band that is nervously excited for imminent success.

The production on this track is slick. Within seconds you know you’re listening to something above the general noise of a K-Road youth band. Something only the beautiful marriage of Koen Aldershof, Scott Seabright, Chris Chetland and Tom Broome can achieve.

With several tours under their belt and visibility Aotearoa wide, Marmalade are looking to be propelled into a year of success already. Their future is looking bright. 

Finally some dirty words from Underscore

Indie Rock

Underscore has been kicking around the pop school indie rock scene for a while, playing shows, reviewing sandwiches and rebooting the Skype soundtrack. Despite this varied experience they’ve never had an official release until now, with Dirty Word.

The track starts with an infectious indie rock riff that Franz Ferdinand could’ve been proud of, and some juicy chords that could’ve taught them a thing or two. Underscore keeps you interested with constant rhythmic mix ups, changes in tone, and a cheeky lil modal shift in the chorus that gets the nerdy musos raising an eyebrow and nodding in approval. The bridge of the track lets lead singer Jono really open up his pipes and put on some gravel to belt out some big notes.

Despite my juvenile hope that the word in question would’ve been more dirty, I feel that Underscore has skilfully brought an important message into a fun and energetic song to improve awareness of mental health, and letting us all know it’s okay to ask for help. It’s really a message we as a community can’t hear enough of.

We look forward to hearing more from Underscore! And hopefully an EP will be on the way. Keep tabs on them on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

Into Into You – Geoff Ong

Pop, pop rock

Self proclaimed “pop star for dorks” Geoff Ong has released another single, and it’s insanely catchy. I first heard the track on release day, and the optimistic hook line has been rattling around in my brain ever since. The icing on the Into Into You cake is the fun and professional music video choreographed by Anton Pulefale and Victoria Villapol, and directed by Geoff Ong himself.

The music video starts with Pulefale and Villapol standing back to back in a studio with a light directed at the camera. Ong asks the question “is it weird to think we could have been just strangers passing by in the street?” before wondering about the universe and its plans. It’s a feel good song, all about revelling in the magic of new love.

The dancers capture the mesmerising nature of a new relationship by moving in slow motion together. They snap into an energetic chorus while the movement of the editing aligns with the rhythm section. It’s a carefully considered video, but it still feels charming and genuine; the dancers look like they had a lot of fun filming it.

Tastefully filmed and edited by an artist with countless strings to his bow, Into Into You is infectiously groovy. The next time you need a slice of optimism load up the video and get smiling. Don’t miss Geoff Ong when he next plays live – his shows are outrageously dynamic, and so much fun.