Music Industry News

Today, Hemi Hemingway (Waitaha, Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Mutunga) releases his highly anticipated sophomore album, Wings of Desire, via PNKSLM Recordings. Listen here.

If 2023’s Strangers Again introduced Hemingway’s noir-tinged romanticism, Wings of Desire levels that up again. After relocating from the UK back to Aotearoa in 2022 and seeing the end of a long-term relationship, the album captures a reckoning with identity and desire. It is deeply honest, stirring the otherwise untouched corners of life and ultimately showcasing the peak of Hemingway’s songwriting. “Writing these songs was a grieving but also a rediscovery.” – Hemi Hemingway

Co-produced by James Goldsmith and shaped through a more collaborative process than any of his previous work, Wings of Desire expands Hemingway’s sonic world – romantic ‘50s and ‘60s melodicism collides with gothic ‘80s post-punk and new romantic drama. Collaborators including Vera Ellen and Georgia Gets By lend additional dimension while contributions from saxophonists Zelia Shaw and Toby Leman, drummer Josh Dominikovich and a cast of backing vocalists enrich the album’s musical palette. A testament to Hemingway’s artistry very much at the heart of Aotearoa’s music community.

The name Wings of Desire nods to Wim Wenders’ 1987 film, framing the record’s central tension between longing and transformation. “I wanna live on the wings of desire,” are the first words we hear, out of the title track which topped the New Zealand Alternative Radio Chart. ‘Desiree’ then puts a name to that feeling. ‘Promises’ steps into the heartbreak and ‘If Love Is A Winters Day’ traces the aftershock of it. ‘(To Be) Without You’ and ‘This City’s Tryna Break My Heart’ hum with late-night energy and post-punk pulse, capturing desire as an isolating and restless thing, before ‘Long Distance Lover’ reintroduces it as playful, physical and alive again. Even the album’s most confronting moments sit within this continuum: ‘6th April ‘13’ faces personal trauma with quiet resolve and closing track ‘No Future No Future No Future’ widens the lens, channeling collective anger in response to threats against Māori rights.

Across these songs, there is a thread of yearning and longing that runs throughout the album, revealing all different kinds of desire. “It feels like I have connected with Hemi Hemingway a lot more with this record. I’m leaning in fully”. – Hemi Hemingway

Hemi Hemingway with his full band will play an exclusive Wings of Desire album launch party on Friday 27 February at Auckland’s Neck Of The Woods with support from Roy Irwin and Big Sur. Limited tickets are available here.

Check out all things Hemi Hemingway below:
Instagram
Spotify
YouTube