For NZ Music Month, we're asking local musicians to tell us about the New Zealand songs they love the most. Today, Auckland-based LVJ explains what's so special about songs from Lapis x Nikolai (Rayne), Home Brew, Connan and The Mockasins, The Mint Chicks and Muirs.
Photo: Silas McClintock
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Lapis x Nikolai (Rayne) - Andalusia
I'm taking this song to the grave. I could never not be in love with this tune. It creates such vivid and beautiful imagery. It's so pretty that it's almost painful. There's so many textures that make you feel like you're on a magic carpet with no destination. When the beat comes in, it feels like it pulls you back into reality, resembling the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia. It's like a lucid dream. I will never get over this song. I'm proud to know these two young and amazing artists.
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Home Brew - Dark Intro
I bumped Home Brew pretty hard when I was younger, entranced by Tom Scott's flow and the general tongue-in-cheek, 'life is what it is' attitude in their early work. I guess it's pretty appealing for a young hooligan. It wasn't until I had my first experiences of 'real life' and having to 'grow up' (same time as the HB album came out) that I really appreciated their darker side.This song hit my best friend and I hard when we first heard it. It's an ass real song that made me realise some things about myself. Thanks for that.
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Connan and The Mockasins - Hey Chocolate
This blew me away when I first heard it and still does. It's like walking down a long corridor in slow motion not knowing where it leads but you accept the unknown and you like it. Then it's like when Alice falls into to the rabbit hole and shit gets real. It's also complimentary in the way that I was at a age where I was trying new things, yafeelme? ;)
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The Mint Chicks - Opium Of The People
Many feels with this song. Heavy history with it. Again with the nostalgia thing - the bit with just the harmonics crushes me. Makes feel warm and sick at the same time. It's ok to have feelings, kids. Duh.
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Muirs - Skuqz
#FREEMUIRS