The Sampler

Nick Bollinger reviews a bluegrass move from Sturgill Simpson, futuristic sounds from Autechre, and a lavish retrospective of British psych-folk curiosity Trees. Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a stock-taking set from Bruce Springsteen; lockdown songs from Adrianne Lenker; and a previously unheard album from the late Ian Morris. Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a powerfully on-point album from militant dance collective SAULT, the folk-damaged electro-pop of Sylvan Esso and an outgoing solo outing from Sigur Ros singer Jonsi. Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses a new benchmark for veteran Wellington band The Phoenix Foundation; the welcome - if overdue - return of Dead Famous People, and the magnificent miserablism of Richard and… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews dark reflections on modern America from Sufjian Stevens; a celebration of an old-time song-and-dance man from Joachim Cooder; and the hip-hop-from-another-planet of Sam Gendel.

Nick Bollinger discusses the power of refusal in the music of Lincolnshire's Billy Nomates; the visceral post-rock of Auckland's Wax Chattels; and a motherlode of previously unreleased Prince. Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews the global hip-hop of Nigerian rap star Burna Boy; a funky tonic for dark times from Fantastic Negrito; and the personal, political blues of Darren Watson. Read more Audio

This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses the quietly instructive narratives of Bill Callahan; songs of lost innocence from The Flaming Lips; and the history-steeped rock'n'roll of Chuck… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses an album of memories and ghosts from Troy Kingi; an unearthed slice of 1981 post-punk from Auckland band the Techtones; and David Long's colourful soundtrack for television… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews the latest from precocious 70s-inspired brother duo The Lemon Twigs; queer country from North Carolina singer H.C. McEntire; and an insrumental set from sometime Tall Dwarf Alec… Read more Audio

This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger previews a long-overdue set from versatile Auckland vocalist Caitlin Smith; a vocal excursion from local jazz guitarist Dan Sperber; and a surprising study of… Read more Audio

This week in The Sampler, Nick Bollinger reviews a choral collaboration from Baltimore duo Wye Oak; a sombre opus from classical crossover composer Max Richter; and a typically idiosyncratic set from… Read more Audio