Listener’s Songs of the week: New tracks from Jon Toogood, Marlin’s Dreaming, and Mousey

By Jon Toogood

Jon Toogood of Shihad, whose last album was Old Gods, still has deity images in mind for this slow piano ballad which is freighted with optimism and a message that recommends staying the course and sticking the dark days out: “things will start to turn around”. Solid sentiment and a decent album track, which, in the closing passages, has some of Neil Finn’s heroic, melodic hopefulness. – Graham Reid

By Mousey

Ōtautahi Christchurch singer-songwriter Mousey (Sarena Close) is one of the more experimental pop artists on the spectrum with two excellent and critically acclaimed albums – Lemon Law (2019) and My Friends (2022) – and an Apra Silver Scroll nomination. With the strange, moody and percussive Dog Park she shows no sign of pulling back with a song which scratches its way into the subconscious. Released with its B-side companion piece, the equally hypnotic and brooding Opener, Mousey looks to be setting up a fascinating album where pop meets art in a discomforting, dark room. – Graham Reid

By Marlin’s Dreaming

Still firmly rooted in surf-tinged alternative rock, Marlin’s Dreaming explore further sonic pathways on Hello My Dear. Acoustic guitar, slides and synths are welcome additions to the Dunedin band’s well-developed sound. It follows on from previous single Earnestly, featuring Erny Belle. It’s been nearly three years since Marlin’s Dreaming released their last LP, Hasten. Since, frontman Semisi Maiai has started School Fair, recorded with Julien Dyne and more recently featured on Death and the Maiden’s new album. A time for musical exploration, reflected on a great local release. – Sam Clark

By Misha Panfilov