The New Things - EP Review: Pink Chocolate
If I had to sum up The New Things four-song EP Pink Chocolate in two words they would be ‘perfectly imperfect’.
The New Things are Tina McIvor and Jason Tamihana-Bryce, both have been around the indie music scene for a number of years separately and together; touring Japan a few years back.
By 'perfectly imperfect' I mean there are little bits here and there which sound like they could be happy accidents, which all adds to the recorded-at-home charm.
The EP features three songs with McIvor leading the vocals, with the last track lead by Tamihana-Bryce.
Pink Chocolate is self-produced by the Paekakariki based pair and it has been released to their Bandcamp page, with CDs available from the band.
The opening track Polystyrene Heaven has many references to the seemingly disposable nature of packaging in 1970's New Zealand.
The second song Vintage Nerd has to be one of the most charming and quirky love songs I’ve heard in years, with the pair singing it as a duet. It’s very beautiful.
In Time has a gentle mid 1980's Flying Nun sound about it, it kind of reminds of me of Look Blue Go Purple, especially in the way McIvor’s lead and backing vocals harmonize.
On the last track, You're Better, former Christchurch musician Jason Tamihana-Bryce lets rip vocally and lyrically, I’d love to know who this song was written about, my guess is that it's a former band mate. It’s a rip-snorter of a song, and the words are the exact opposite of subtle. Even the title is ice cold sarcasm.
About The New Things
The duo have individually been writing and performing Kiwi indie-pop for a long time now but have only worked together as The New Things for three years, DIY producing everything in their living room.
Tina and Jason toured Japan in 2019, and returned to glory at the Foxton Fizztival early in 2020. A tour to Australia did not happen due to a nasty virus, but The New Things have started 2022 nicely with the release of their Pink Chocolate EP, which is a taster for the album in production.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The New Things
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