Pipsy: All You Ever Wanted (digital outlets)

This self-produced debut album is from Wellington's Pipsy who is Paul Pouwels McMillan, formerly drummer for Males, wrote his PhD on the tension between playing covers and original music in the Dunedin scene and identifies as they/them.

They use elevating 80s and early 90s synth-pop tropes – and equipment – to craft songs which, while handy for the dancefloor, pay attention to multi-layered vocals and suave pop in the manner of Sparks, Pet Shop Boys and mid-career Cure.

And offer the seductive charms of recent bands on Australia's Popfrenzy label (Camera Obscura, Institut Polaire, Deerhunter) on the uplifting, shiny guitar pop of the title track (“The sun's are coming up and I'm feeling astounded”) and the breezy Hey, OK! (“you never listened to what I said . . . I guess it's OK”)
However among these 11 songs are the abrasive garage-thrash I Want to Crush My Enemies and the yearning old-school synth sound of Who Am I Really which telegraph lyrical depth behind the sometimes lush, sweeping surfaces.
Mature self-doubt, contained and unrestrained anger, the ache of love and further proof pop music can be joyous, cathartic and have emotional resonance.