Songs of the week: July 9

Nadia Reid from the tribute album The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake

Nadia Reid joins countrywoman Aldous Harding, Ben Harper, John Grant, Joe Henry, Meshell Ndegeocello, Liz Phair and many more on a new double album covering the songs by Nick Drake, the English singer-songwriter whose brief catalogue has undergone many revivals since his death in 1974 at the age of 26. While some other participants drag their tracks into the present, Reid’s Poor Boy is quite the period restoration piece, with its conga-driven folk-soul groove. It wouldn’t have sounded out of place on the NZBC’s Studio One 50 years ago – and it probably would have won. Reid’s effortless vocal makes it sound as much of a tribute to Joni Mitchell.

Olivia Rodrigo from her forthcoming album GUTS

It would be criminal not to put the 20-year-old three-time Grammy winner’s return to the scene on this week’s list. The almost operatic lead single for her new album GUTS has the infectious pace of an ABBA song with Paramore angst. It also serves as a cathartic diss to an older man she was in a relationship with – a déjà vu moment for Taylor Swift fans. Rodrigo revealed via TikTok clean edits of the hook that didn’t make the cut, some less NSFW lines that still rhymed with “blood sucker”. These included whale blubber, garlic butter and Mark Zucker. Very Meta.

Alayna from her album Self Portrait of a Woman Unravelling

The title of Rotorua-raised Alayna’s debut album might suggest harrowing Yoko-like soul-baring, but over sympathetic settings, she embraces the classic songwriters (Dylan, Cohen) she grew up with as much as current R&B soul. From her debut album out now.

Seth Haapu from his album Whai Ora

Slinky Pacific soul with just enough of a balmy yacht-rock vibe to locate it between radio-friendly soul and pop. From his album reviewed in the July 15 issue.