A soulfully husky debut

The pinnacle event for the local music industry, the New Zealand Music Awards, was less Hollywood and more down to earth this year.

A raft of recent debut releases showcase how uniquely diverse and creative our musical culture is.

Nouri’s family was granted refugee status when they fled from a Syrian refugee camp.

And while she has since based herself in the US after featuring on the soundtrack to Daddy’s Home 2, she still regards herself as a proud Kiwi.

Her official debut single, the soulfully husky Where Do We Go From Here is a delightfully melodic and pumping slice of mainstream pop. Nouri’s backstory has already captured the attention of overseas media and she certainly has the voice and look to go places.

Two other singers shaking things up with their debut singles are Kaaterama and Kennedy. The former has a voice that is as powerful as her te reo message of environmental stewardship on the funky, summery He Iti. It’s the lead single off her debut EP Shine Your Light. If you think you recognise the voice, it’s likely you might have heard the 18-year-old’s 2017 collaboration with Dave Dobbyn on the te reo version of his hit Welcome Home.

Kennedy delivers an empowering message about choice with On The Run, with its lovely Tuck & Patti-style guitar intro and soothingly sweet vocals.

It’s the kind of song that catches you off-guard when you first hear it – at once familiar but also refreshing. Again, like Kaaterama, Kennedy has enjoyed success when she was the featured vocalist on the single Taking Me Home by Dutch producers Joey Dale and Anthony Dircson. She’s a songwriter to keep an eye on.

An impressive album is Simple Lives, the debut from Mimi & Rivers. The affinity between Mimi (Aimee Belton) and Rivers (Chris Baigent, who has released three solo albums), was established during a difficult period for both, where they connected through ‘‘a mutual love of music’’.

The title says it all – simple, folkish songs, often achingly sad but full of life.