Good music makes you forget you’re listening to it. It picks you up and takes you with it. The opening riff from “Off to Nowhere”, lead single from Lunar Intruder’s EP Moonlight, picked me up and took me back to shenanigans with mates, to spontaneous day trips and to naughty nights that felt like they’d never end. It’s a beautiful opening to this 5-track offering from Lunar Intruder, which tastefully melds indie-pop riffs with strong currents of garage rock and psychedelia.

Ōtautahi guitarslinger Sam Bambery is an introspective character. His debut album “Songs About Sailors” was released last month. Simply composed and largely left in their natural, naked form by producer De Stevens, Bambery’s thoughtful songs tell stories of heartbreak and change. The album explores folk, country, and indie rock influences while balancing Bamberry’s skilled musicianship with the “three chords and the truth” ethos that embraces simple songwriting.

The beautiful video for Tohorā, the latest release of bilingual husband and wife duo Aro, sees Charles and Emily Looker (née Rice) team up with director Hattie Adams and producer Ryan Bradley.

This year Joe Sampson, with his new project Joe Sampson & Friends, released Unfinished I, a collection of previously unfinished tracks from his huge back catalogue. They are DIY rock songs that draw from his time fronting the noisy Flying Nun group T54 as well as the janglier, poppier songs of Salad Boys, who he also fronted. Interview by Sam Elliott with photos from Flynn Robson.