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The Sampler headlines with summaries.
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Local trailblazers Strawpeople return with the typically moody Knucklebones
12 Aug 2023Tony Stamp reviews the electronic duo's first record in nineteen years.
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The Sampler: A Trip to Bolgatanga by African Head Charge
5 Aug 2023The psychedelic dub pioneers craft an album-length tribute to bandleader Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah's hometown.
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The Sampler: Language of Flowers by Sofia Machray
5 Aug 2023The debut EP from this Te Whanganui-a-Tara songwriter is affable with a sinister edge.
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The Sampler: The Ballad of Darren by Blur
5 Aug 2023The Britpop titans reflect on middle age in their first album since 2015.
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The Sampler: PJ Harvey, Karl Steven, Hand Habits
29 Jul 2023Tony Stamp reviews an adaptation of an epic poem, a selection of local remixers, and a playfully profound folk-pop EP.
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The Sampler: Beach Fossils, Robin Saville, Teke Teke
8 Jul 2023Tony Stamp reviews Brooklyn indie-surf, British landscape-inspired ambient electronica, and a boisterous outing from Canada by way of Japan.
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The Sampler: Youth Lagoon, Mioclono, Cloth
1 Jul 2023Tony Stamp reviews Idaho indie, Spanish percussion jams, and Glaswegian dream-pop.
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The Sampler: Pickle Darling, Protomartyr, This Is The Kit
24 Jun 2023Tony Stamp reviews Ōtautahi bedroom pop, Detroit post-punk, and banjo-led Parisian folk.
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The Sampler: Nabihah Iqbal, Tom Lark, Feist
17 Jun 2023Tony Stamp reviews poetic British post-punk, local space-folk, and the return of a Canadian great.
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The Sampler: No Broadcast, Overmono, Hannah Jadagu
10 Jun 2023Tony Stamp reviews yearning indie rock from Ōtautahi, an anthemic UK dance debut, and boundary-busting bedroom pop.
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The Sampler: Jazmine Mary, The Big Fresh Collective, Guardian Singles
3 Jun 2023Tony Stamp reviews the second album by neo folk artist Jazmine Mary, a nationwide collection from the BFC, and Guardian Singles’ noisy return.
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The Sampler: The National, Deva Mahal, Ethel Cain
27 May 2023Elliott Childs reviews the latest release from stately indie rockers The National, Maggie Tweedie assesses future classics from Deva Mahal, and Liam Brown talks anti-pop star Ethel Cain.
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The Sampler: The Circling Sun, Peter One, Dictaphone Blues
20 May 2023Tony Stamp reviews the debut of local jazz super-ensemble The Circling Sun, West Africa-via-Nashville musician Peter One's first LP in 40 years, and Dictaphone Blues' return to noisy fun.
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The Sampler: Cloudboy, Fred Again..., Brian Eno, Terrible Sons
13 May 2023Tony Stamp reviews the reissue of Cloudboy's ambitious 2001 epic, an ambient album by Brian Eno and Fred Again…, and Terrible Sons' hushed and wholesome debut LP.
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The Sampler: Tiny Ruins, Billy Nomates, Maxine Funke
6 May 2023Tony Stamp reviews a hopeful collection about grief from Tiny Ruins, UK maverick Billy Nomates' second record, and the latest from Dunedin songwriter Maxine Funke.
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The Sampler: Jonathan Bree, Brandee Younger, Ringlets
29 Apr 2023Tony Stamp reviews Jonathan Bree's latest faceless pop confection, Brandee Younger's tribute to an iconic jazz harpist, and the debut of local post-punks Ringlets.
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The Sampler - Nia Archives, Mali Mali, Eddie Chacon
22 Apr 2023Tony Stamp reviews jungle-soul fusion from Nia Archives, the uninhibited Aotearoa folk of Mali Mali, and Eddie Chacon's ongoing RnB comeback.
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The Sampler: The Lahaar, Caroline Rose, Jadasea & Laron
15 Apr 2023Tony Stamp reviews an Aotearoa/ Australian groove-based collab called The Lahaar, a sad selection from the previously-sunny Caroline Rose, and Jadasea & Laron's first UK/ USA hip-hop joint.
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The Sampler: Soft Plastics, Lonnie Holley, Leonard Charles
8 Apr 2023Tony Stamp reviews the debut album by Te Whanganui-a-Tara trio Soft Plastics, a spiritual odyssey from 73-year-old artist Lonnie Holley, and Leonard Charles’ jubilant new EP.
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The Sampler: Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Caroline Polachek, Surf Friends
25 Mar 2023Tony Stamp reviews new music from Ruban Nielson's Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Caroline Polachek, and local duo Surf Friends.
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The Sampler: Jen Cloher, Brandn Shiraz, Fever Ray
18 Mar 2023Tony Stamp reviews an Aotearoa/ Australia co-production from Jen Cloher, Tāmaki rapper Brandn Shiraz, and the return of Swedish maverick Fever Ray.
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The Sampler: Andy Shauf, U.S. Girls, Nosaj Thing
11 Mar 2023Tony Stamp reviews the latest from Canadian wordsmith Andy Shauf, pop satirist U.S. Girls, and LA beatmaker Nosaj Thing.
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The Sampler: Gorillaz, Running Club, Khotin
4 Mar 2023Tony Stamp reviews albums by Damon Albarn's virtual cartoon band Gorillaz, local guitar pop maximalists Running Club, and rumpled electronica from Khotin.
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The Sampler: Kelela, Yo La Tengo, Wau Wau Collectif
25 Feb 2023Tony Stamp assesses new records from futurist RnB star Kelela, veteran indie rockers Yo La Tengo, and a collaboration between Senegal and Sweden called Wau Wau Collectif.
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