Roonie - EP Review: Loveless
After releasing a series of exciting singles throughout the year, Christchurch indie-pop artist Roonie drops her first ever EP Loveless. Created in collaboration with producer Will Henderson, it’s a bright, self-assured project, exploring how love impacts Roonie’s self-perception.
EP opener Alibi throws listeners right into the thick of things, opening with electronic instrumentals, sharp clicking percussion and Roonie’s smooth, simple voice. The upbeat production glitters under every line. But the song’s greatest feature is its chorus, delivered sweetly, but with an undertone of malice that complicates Roonie’s emotions. Later track Something ‘Bout You shows off her melodic abilities with a honeyed hook that sticks in the listener’s head, moving through difficult note changes effortlessly and effectively.
The deceptively named title track Loveless is in fact an ode to finding love again after a tough period alone. Its chorus is a dreamy, simplistic melody, carried by booming dancefloor beats. Shimmering basslines and skittering rhythms fill out the song. Catchy and effective, it’s an EP highlight, but much like Something ‘Bout You, it could use some extra runtime to expand into an even more bombastic finale.
Closing out the collection is The Way It Should Be, a comparatively stripped-back number. It pairs highly visual lyrics with a delicate, airy pop instrumental, drawing focus to Roonie’s expressive vocals as she mourns a past love who’s moving on. Capturing an earnest feeling many people can relate to, it’s the most emotionally vulnerable moment on Loveless. The contrast to the other three songs is perhaps a little too stark, but it’s where Roonie’s cohesive, clear songwriting undeniably shines the brightest.
Confident even in her most complex state, Roonie’s Loveless EP is a strong pop debut with plenty of commercial appeal. If the gorgeous pink cover art doesn’t have you sold, it’ll only take a moment of listening to the music for Roonie to steal your heart.
About Roonie
Her new single My Heart out out on June 19th 2020 is about self-discovery and learning to grow when you’re lost and alone. This song is electric with colour is strong yet vulnerably honest and self-reflective.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Roonie
Releases
Other Reviews By Danica Bryant
Alba Rose - EP Review: First Light
12 Dec 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Kiwi soul pop creative Alba Rose has dropped her first international release after relocating to Berlin, the new EP First Light. Gaining popularity as the frontwoman of Corduroy before taking off on her solo endeavours, Rose has increasingly found success on the NZ charts and festival circuit.
Read More...
Adam Hattaway & The Haunters - Album Review: High Horse
07 Nov 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Marking their sixth album in six years, High Horse is the latest impressive release from Christchurch powerhouses Adam Hattaway and the Haunters. Unlike the boisterous rock and roll ventures which precede it, High Horse is an intimate, eerie project made with a small group of collaborators.
Read More...
Tess Liautaud - Album Review: Blue Mind
25 Oct 2024 // by Danica Bryant
As the modern musical generation dive headfirst into digital production, home studios and the art of the solo performance, it’s hard to remember the days of the traditional, all-out band jam session. But Tess Liautaud’s beautiful sophomore record Blue Mind proves that lifestyle is alive and well in Otautahi.
Read More...
Claudia Robin Gunn - Album Review: Little Wild Learning
16 Sep 2024 // by Danica Bryant
The art of writing children's music is deceptively harder than people might expect. The songs are easy to listen to and lyrically simple, but they must incorporate educational vocabulary, introduce new ideas about life, and maintain a catchiness that gives young listeners a fun experience, rather than one that could be overwhelming.
Read More...
Nur Peach - Album Review: Syncopate
21 Jun 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Coromandel Peninsula's Nur Peach is fresh off a bachelor's degree in Pop Music and is immediately "gathering momentum" to realize her dream of releasing an album. Syncopate is an eclectic pop-folk and adult contemporary record full of motivational coming-of-age material, produced in collaboration with Auckland's Scott Seabright.
Read More...
Valere - EP Review: Gold Dust
10 Jun 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Christchurch performer Valere has built an impressive catalogue over the past decade, and her latest EP Gold Dust is no exception. Informed by recent years of experiences with motherhood, marriage and familial love and loss, Valere rediscovered the simplicity of songwriting on the guitar, and has now shared six powerful tracks motivated by this artistic return.
Read More...
Aro - Album Review: He Rakau, He Ngarara
21 Apr 2024 // by Danica Bryant
Tamaki Makaurau based husband & wife duo Charles & Emily Looker, otherwise known as Aro, escape genre boundaries on their fourth body of work, He Rakau, He Ngarara. Aro's waiata draw from country and folk, jazz, and shades of haka, making for a collection that often purposefully creates sonic whiplash in a stunning exploration of sound and kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga.
Read More...
17 Mar 2024 // by Danica Bryant
By some miracle, Homegrown 2024 hits a home run and finds Welly on an infamous good day this Saturday, 16th March. That sun is blazing down as the fairground rides and colourful outfits roll out onto the waterfront.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
