Another Friday and another batch of new music to recommend. Today, New Music Friday, we present you three new albums from New Zealand artists and two international acts.

Marty Duda from “The 13th Floor” selects these five new releases for you:

1. Al Park – APE (Self) Also known as One for the dog, one for the cat and one for the people with a monkey on the backThis is the third album by the musician from Lyttelton and was produced by Adam Hattaway Bandmate Elmore Jones. This new record ‘Ape’ builds on the surprise success of 2020Pony’ and not only does it sound as energetic and committed as anything you might hear from a younger artist, but it also shows a deep and thoughtful streak in the way a man who has survived and felt for more years than most might need wants to show you.

2. Michael Hall – Nothing stands still (1157 records) Pluto’s Bassist goes solo. Mike’s resume as a bassist is impressive. He is supported Anna Coddington, SJD, Mulholland, Tami Neilson, Dimmer, Finn Andrews, The Bads, Tim Finn and more. Now he is in the spotlight with his solo debut. Produced by Jol Mulholland and supported by the drummer Alistair DeverickKeyboarder Matthias Jordanguitarist Brett Adams. Check out the 13th Floor album review here and give this gem a try.

3. Robert Joass – Fault lines (Self) This is Rob’s fourth solo album after releasing 7 albums with shoe nail, 1 with Too many chiefs and 1 album and 2 EPs with The Shot Band. According to Rob, Fault lines contains 8 beautifully designed originals as well as a wonderful cover of the Intermediary classic Goodbye pride, and is by far the best album of his long career.

4. Devon Allman – Miami Moon (Create) Greg Allman Son releases his latest feature George Porter Jr. (The Meters) on bass, Stefanie on keyboards. Devon says: “The Miami Moon Recording with these legendary musicians was a highlight of my career. They brought these songs to life with their masterful playing and timeless feel. In terms of approach, a few things were different this time: Firstly, writing the songs on bass guitar was a first for me and allowed me to let the grooves be the main focus. Additionally, letting go of some previous, limiting thought processes allowed some of my other influences to enter the chat for the first time, such as Curtis Mayfield, Sade, The Cure, Steely Dan…among other things.” Pay attention to the 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview with Devon Allman coming soon.

5. Hamish Hawk – A firmer hand (Fierce Panda) And last but not least, we would like to introduce you to the new album by Hamish HawkHamish is from Scotland, but his father is from New Zealand. A firmer hand is the third in a series of superlatives Hamish Hawk Albums that started 2021 with Heavy liftand continued last year with Angel NumbersHamish says: “When I was writing this album, I opened my wardrobe and a skeleton appeared. What all the songs have in common is a feeling of the unsaid, whether it’s guilt, shame, repression, embarrassment, shyness or whatever. I realised: I’m going to say these things and not all of them are going to make me look good. The album had so many demands and I just went with it.” Willingness for the 13th Floor MusicTalk Interview with this extraordinary artist.

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