by Danny Wiser | Feb 24, 2022 | Interviews
Throughout our time researching music from around the world, one region remained something of a mystery to us – the Pacific Islands. Though we had listened to several albums of both traditional and modern music, the area was still enigmatic. To help us understand more...
by Danny Wiser | Feb 9, 2022 | Reviews
The Banban Bamboo Band demonstrate immense ingenuity on their beautiful bamboo-based bonanza… Plant life contributes to various parts of Vanuatuan culture, from the use of tree vines at Pentecost Island’s world-renowned land diving traditions, to the popularity...
by Danny Wiser | Jan 19, 2022 | Reviews
A preservation of Tonga’s beautiful music culture never felt so apt… There is nothing written about The Kingdom of Tonga Cultural Group online. No information about who they are or why this album was recorded. Attached to the album is only the year of...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 27, 2021 | Reviews
Despite questions about the album’s quality, Micronesian musician Ozeky teaches us a deeper lesson about how artists should not pay too much attention to the opinion of critics… Danny: When this journey to discover the best album we could from every...
by Danny Wiser | Oct 16, 2021 | Reviews
The Polynesian pair perform palatable Pacific pop… Joel: Tuvalu, the 4th smallest country in the world, with a population of only around 10,000 people, we had imagined would prove to be a challenge in finding an album, though we were undeterred after having...
by Danny Wiser | Sep 18, 2021 | Reviews
Traditional tropical rhythms are brought into the 21st century by Elijah L with a deft touch and some global music flavours… After listening to Kiribati’s biggest musical export, Elijah L, one might not be so surprised to hear that the island nation is the...
by Danny Wiser | Sep 3, 2021 | Reviews
The Anjolok brothers stay to true to their roots while adding a modern flavour to their debut album… Danny: Having recently watched the superb one-man show A Thousand Sons written and performed by Jamie Sefton, the theme of nuclear test detonations in the...
by Danny Wiser | Jun 13, 2021 | Reviews
The Five Stars provide a lovely introduction to Faʻa Sāmoa – the ‘Samoan Way’… Aside from awareness of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s heritage, it is fair to say that I grew up knowing little else about Samoa. The island nation is in a part of the world...
by Danny Wiser | May 31, 2021 | Reviews
A cracking debut album by BfolkMuzik680 showcases a talented young hip-hop artist with depth and heart… Whilst one of the mantras on our project has been to give each country and artist ‘their fair due’, we cannot pretend that when it comes to discovering albums...
by Danny Wiser | Apr 18, 2021 | Reviews
Havea’s independently released debut album is a set of genuinely uplifting and engaging tunes… The sense of wanderlust and adventure that characterises many backpackers is something that shines through in Tonga-born Joel Havea’s wonderful debut...
by Joel Dwek | Feb 19, 2021 | Reviews
Perfectly pleasant Pacific pop tunes are the order of the day with these Cook Island music specialists… Though their name may suggest to outsiders and people unfamiliar with the myriad of different nations, territories and islands that comprise the Oceanic...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 22, 2020 | Advent Calendar
AUSTRALIA: White Wine In The Sun – Tim Minchin… Comedian Tim Minchin’s song is the perfect song for atheists, non-Christians and Christians who are able to laugh at the tragic comedy Christmas has become in the Western world. Whilst on this journey of...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 8, 2020 | Interviews
Upon release of Malcura’s sophomore album, we were joined by guitarist Josh Voce to discuss a range of topics including cultural appropriation, busking days with Tash Sultana, and an impromptu gig alongside the band’s heroes… “Music’s come so...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 3, 2020 | Advent Calendar
NEW ZEALAND: A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree – Kingi Ihaka… In some ways, this song is a perfect encapsulation of New Zealand today, celebrating its Maori culture, whilst also honouring its firmly Western identity. An adaptation of the popular English carol The...
by Joel Dwek | Nov 9, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Gurrumul is a masterpiece of the highest order that evokes plenty of emotion and highlights the importance of preserving Aboriginal culture… About two weeks before I began writing the review for Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s debut solo album Gurrumul, I saw an...
by Joel Dwek | Oct 13, 2020 | Reviews
A mixture of Melanesian melancholy and pop bangers, George Telek shows why he tore up the music scene across all of Oceania… From the opening drumbeat of the first song, Sonny, I knew I was in for a treat. In fact, just looking at the album artwork you know...
by Danny Wiser | Oct 3, 2020 | Reviews
Fat Freddy’s Drop bridge the gap between the electronic dance world and the world of live instrumentation perfectly – What’s not to love?… When the two of us begun this process of listening to albums from every country in the world, whilst we had...
by Danny Wiser | Sep 10, 2020 | Reviews
Sharzy’s Iu Mi Flow could be the album for you if you are after some passable Pacific party vibes… For fans of the site who have been there from its inception, I think it is only fair that you have a better understanding of our process. We typically listen...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 12, 2020 | Reviews
Rock masterpiece or mindless noise? You decide… The Case for the Prosecution – Danny: Forget whatever Joel is about to say. At the point of writing, I haven’t read it yet. In fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret – he hasn’t even written it yet – but I...
by Joel Dwek | Aug 6, 2020 | Reviews
Odd, quirky, and with a futuristic feel, Tawk Tomahawk presents experimentation and innovation… I can’t deny that this is an unusual album. I struggled to get an angle on it, despite the fact that I liked it very much. Hiatus Kaiyote are an unusual bunch of...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 5, 2020 | Reviews
If you want to hear what defying the odds sounds like, then give Skylla’s Christian R&B tracks a listen… Trials Of Your Faith by Skylla is an album. Trials Of Your Faith by Skylla is an R&B album. Trials Of Your Faith by Skylla is a quite good...
by Joel Dwek | Jul 27, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Exciting and fresh, Sultana reinvigorates alternative rock by infusing it with a wide range of styles and genres… At the age of 13 I started to learn the guitar. I had just got into rock music and I was determined to become the next Brian May or Jimmy Page. I...
by Joel Dwek | Jun 4, 2020 | Reviews
Fun, light, and easy, Kavatime is an album full of fun, relaxing tunes in the Polynesian style… Before we start the review proper, it’s worth noting for anyone who looks these boys up on Spotify that the songs are named incorrectly. For example, the song...
