Our regular round-up of new songs and singles, featuring Tommy Genesis, Stephen Malkmus, Rhye, Transistor, Kehlani and more…

SONG OF THE WEEK

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – ‘Middle America’

An instant Malkmus classic

Only Malkmus things: rhyming ‘nerve’ with ‘nerve’; following that with a line that goes “open the door and piss if you need to”; releasing this new song accompanied by a press photo of himself riding a horse. Cryptic crossword lyrics, sneaky hooks, inscrutable scrapbook cover art – in other words, an instant Malkmus classic. It reminded me of this tweet from 2015: “Seriously: gonna ride my skateboard to Moda Center for NCAAs #48andlovingit”. This is that tweet in song form, the sound of a 48-year-old Malkmus skating down to a college basketball playoff on an easy spring afternoon, somehow still the coolest man in indie rock. / Calum Henderson

It is hard to believe, but Stephen Malkmus has released six records since the disbandment of Pavement (who released five), and it appears a seventh is on the way if new single ‘Middle America’ is any indication. Malkmus has grown comfortable in his middle age, taking the laid-back vibes of later day Pavement and marrying them to the guitar jamming potential that his backing band The Jicks afford him (something the beautiful near car-wreck of Pavement never quite could), always sounding familiar but not quite complacent. ‘Middle America’ pushes this avoidance of schlubby Dad-rock to its breaking point. It’s a sunny pop number which shuffles by lazily, with the sharpness coming to save the day courtesy of Malkmus’ mischievous wordplay: “Men are scum, I won’t deny / May you be shit-faced, the day you die”. / Pete Douglas

Tommy Genesis – ‘Lucky’

Less ‘fetish rap’ more pop-tinged reggae

Hailing from Atlanta’s Awful Records (a collective of unorthodox rap/R&B ring-led by rapper Father), Tommy Genesis makes music for outcasts with no desire to be ‘ladylike’. Tommy is an elusive, explicit force oozing unapologetic sexuality without conforming to what the world expects of a young woman – particularly in hip-hop. Just when you think you have her all figured out, she’ll leave you bewildered and wanting more.

On latest single ‘Lucky’, the rapper switches up her flow from the usual foul-mouthed, self-professed ‘fetish rap’ she’s known for, dipping her fingers in pop-inflected reggae. Swapping the hardcore raps for a soft-sung hook, ‘Lucky’ is an unapologetic ode to self-confidence: “Look at my face / Only thing more pretty is my pussy”. We can expect to see the Awful Records vixen expand into unexplored directions with the arrival of her imminent sophomore album Genesis. As she explained to Noisey, “Every song on the album is a different genre. This is my No Doubt album. There’s no rules.” / Laura McInnes

Kehlani – ‘Again’

Last year’s R&B’s princess is back

Last year Kehlani stole hearts on her acclaimed female duality-focused debut SweetSexySavage – a record brimming with bop after bop of ’90s-style R&B, landing her a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance on ‘Distraction’. It established her spot as modern R&B’s young princess, but the immense 18 tracks almost drowned each other out in their abundance. In recent months the Oakland musician has been dropping gems at a steady pace: October’s sweet ‘Honey’, December’s triumphant ‘Already Won’, and now a new surprise SoundCloud release, ‘Again’.

Stripped-back acoustics have ruled Kehlani’s recent work, giving her vulnerable, raw vocals a chance to shine above the beats. ‘Again’ is a heart stirring ballad that showcases the delicacy of her vocal range, letting us deep into her heart with caution and sincerity. “Unmixed, just how I like it,” is how she recently described the love song on Instagram. “Imperfect and honest.” / LM

Keepsakes – ‘Mind Your Manners Munted Millennial’

The less you’re given, the more you’re left to read into what you have. And in the tradition of almost-anonymous techno 12″s, you’re often, consciously or not, letting the track names do a lot of the heavy lifting into where the music’s coming from. So, with Keepsakes’ 12″ on Haven (the new record label born out of the Auckland ‘outsider dance music’ club night), the title ‘Mind Your Manners Munted Millennial’ adds significantly to the experience. The everything-to-eleven four-to-the-floor beat with over-driven synth lines take on an ironically pissed-off tone, like it’s a little bit funny, but a little bit nasty too. A track that will laugh at your jokes but you wouldn’t want to cross. / Henry Oliver

Transistor – ‘All You Remember’

Wellington psychedelia falls a little too close to the tree

Transistor is a psych-rock outfit from Wellington, and based on a bit of personal research they are definitely not the same band as Christchurch’s Transistors (with an s). As psych-rock groups are wont to do, the band’s latest single ‘All You Remember’ uses runny guitar lines and post-John Lennon vocals. It’s a thoroughly pleasant listen, but in its eagerness to replicate familiar psych-rock staples it has surrendered any element of innovation. In the band’s defence though, this tends to come with the psychedelic territory – it’s a style that tends to replicate the past more than open up new horizons. And on ‘All You Remember’ the band have cooked up a lovely vocal melody, like a really chilled out Liam Gallagher. / Alex Lyall

Trendees – ‘How Many Masterpieces etc’

When your song is exactly two minutes long, why not spend a quarter of that on the introduction? Trendees have the energy of youth, fuelling it through an old 1980s Dunedin funnel (i.e. it sounds like a lost Toy Love demo). The song itself is genuinely enjoyable, loaded with fuzzy riffs and car-crash vocals. Yes, it is as short as all get-up, but it really doesn’t need any more than a minute and a half. / Alex Lyall

Rhye – ‘Sinful’

Sad, sensual, synth indie RnB

After a five year break following their debut album Woman back in 2013, Rhye are back with a record that is emotional, romantic and thought-provoking. Rhye consists of two men, something of a shock considering how much the androgynous vocals of lead singer Milosh sound like Sade, with a bit of Jessie Ware thrown in. ‘Sinful’ is a stand out track here, thanks to its sophisticated production and the combination of strings and whispered-in-you-ear lyrics, describing Milosh’s own divorce. It’s the perfect break up soundtrack, a blissful melancholy. / Bridie Chetwin-Kelly

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Alex Casey and Sam Brooks round up the new content coming to Lightbox this month, including UnREAL tackling… The Bachelorette?!

The Good Doctor (available now)

Look, it’s the number one network series in the States, Canada and Australia right now, so if you aren’t watching The Good Doctor then I’m sorry but everyone is secretly laughing at you behind your back. Starring Freddie Highmore (the freaky kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory AND the freaky kid from Bates Motel) as Shaun Murphy, an autistic young surgeon who can diagnose patients at lightning speed, The Good Doctor is appointment viewing for fans of House, Grey’s Anatomy and staying in the loop. / Alex Casey

UnREAL S3 (arrives February 27)

The first season of this show was one of the most compelling seasons of television I’ve seen in a while, using reality TV to serve as a microcosm for the modern world and the constant manipulations and deceits that people use to get ahead. The second season bit off more than it could chew, but ended up sticking the landing, and I’m excited to see where this latest season goes with a Bachelorette rather than a Bachelor. Put February 27 in your calendar for some grade-A, must-watch TV. / Sam Brooks

Mozart in the Jungle S4 (arrives February 17)

Cons: This is not a show about the famous classical composer living Mowgli-style in a jungle.

Pros: This is a very good show about the New York Symphony, which falls neatly into the comfortable drama category: there’s enough drama to keep you engaged but you’re not going to go to your bed wracked with sobs about fictional characters.

Gael Garcia Bernal is a delight on this show, as he always is, and any chance to see living musical theatre legend Bernadette Peters on your screen is one you should take. It’s won a few Golden Globes, it’s a stunningly gorgeous and lush show, and it’s exactly what you could fill a mid-week night with. Treat yourself. / SB

Dimension 404 (February 14)

If you like the sharp satire of Black Mirror and the philosophical conundrums of Electric Dreams, but don’t want to be left wide awake at night with a suffocating sense of existential dread, then Dimension 404 is probably the sci-fi/horror anthology for you. Exploring the weird and wonderful terrors that come from our modern, digital age, each episode of Dimension 404 tells a different story where “the twist ending… is just the beginning.” Also features Lea Michele from Glee, so, there’s the first of many surprises. / AC

Local made-for-TV movies (available now)

Be honest. You’re always telling yourself you should consume more local content and find out more about our rich history. What better way to do that than through the magic of television, more specifically the wizardry of the television movie? You could start with 2011’s Tangiwai: A Love Story, starring iZombie’s Rose McIvor and set on Christmas Eve 1953, the night before our country’s worst ever rail disaster. Or Until Proven Innocent, the 2009 film that follows the true 1993 case of David Dougherty, a man wrongly convicted of the abduction of an 11 year-old girl. If documentary is more up your alley, The Common Touch: The Jake Bailey Story tells the incredible story of a teenager dying of cancer, and how one high school graduation speech changed his life forever. / AC

Diplomatic Immunity (February 12)

The year was 2009. John Key was the prime minister of New Zealand, Avatar came out in cinemas and, on Thursday nights at 10pm, a local comedy called Diplomatic Immunity would air on TV1. Created by local television godfather James Griffin and starring Dave Fane, Craig Parker and John Leigh, Diplomatic Immunity followed the shenanigans at the consulate of The Most Royal Kingdom of Fe’ausi. With cameo appearances from Pua Magasiva, Madeleine Sami and Natalie Medlock, it’s a pretty good way to watch all of our best funny people at once. / AC

Gone (February 20)

The premise for this show is a wild ride: A child abduction survivor joins an FBI unit specializing in child abductions and disappearances, run by the very FBI agent who saved her. It’s a bit convoluted, but I’m a sucker for a premise that promises all kinds of psychological messiness and more than a little bit of allegory. Will she get too emotionally involved? Probably! Will it make for some compelling drama? Definitely.

Plus the cast is pretty stacked (Chris Noth aka Mr. Big aka The Bad Husband to The Good Wife and Tracie Thoms of The Devil Wears Prada supporting cast fame) too! / SB

A touch of nature (February 27)

Back behind your desk, the only nature you’ll be able to easily access in inside your computer or phone screen. That may sound glum, but what if I told you that not only could you learn about the wonder of mother nature, but you could do it with the help of your favourite celeb? Fans of hostage films will be sharpening their very specific set of skills to watch Journey Into Amazing Caves with Liam Neeson, and surfers will be blue-crushing on The Ultimate Wave with Kelly Slater. Closer to home, Catching Light explores the beauty of the South Island in 4K UHD. If you hold your phone right up to your face, it’s like you’re almost there. / AC

Casual (February 28)

Michaela Watkins! If you’re not onboard with this comic delight already, you need to fix that now. I’m talking about Watkins, but Casual is also a comic delight, albeit one with a little bit of gravity behind it. It revolves around the recently divorced Valerie (Watkins) finding her feet and finding a new life in her thirties, negotiating her relationship with her angsty teenage daughter, her live-in brother and trying to find love again.

Watkins is a tremendous anchor for the show, she’s likeable as hell while still being believably harried and sharp, as you might expect from a therapist trying to work out what’s going on with her own life. It’s a great companion piece to Better Things, but a little bit lighter and more focused on the ensemble; it’s a great pick for a Sunday hangover binge, it’ll make you laugh a lot and think just a bit. / SB

Click here to enjoy the delicious new telly fruits of February, only on Lightbox:

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