Music Industry News

Celebrating 25 years of making music as Sola Rosa, Andrew Spraggon, the force behind one of Aotearoa’s most enduring musical projects, returns with his eighth studio album In The Mids, due for release on Friday 10 April. To mark the upcoming release, Sola Rosa returns to the touring circuit with the In The Mids Album Release Tour, taking place throughout New Zealand in May and June.

Presenting both new material and longstanding favourites, the live show has evolved alongside the music itself, incorporating a newly developed visual and lighting design that reshapes how the songs are experienced. It’s a presentation that marks a clear shift for Sola Rosa, offering a live context unlike anything the project has explored previously. Tickets are on sale now at solarosa.com.

Ahead of the album announcement, Sola Rosa unveiled ‘What You Need (feat. Blush’ko)’, the second teaser single, released Friday 13 February. Featuring Melbourne-based electronic soul and R&B artist Blush’ko, the track signals a deliberate move into an intimate, low-lit dancefloor space, built around a sparse four-on-the-floor groove and syrupy vocals.

“It came together quickly, but it never felt rushed,” says Spraggon. “There’s something slightly unsettling on the surface, but it’s softened by something warmer. Once Blush’ko set the mood and space, the track seemed to write itself.”

What You Need follows ‘Jupiter’, the album’s first single featuring long-time collaborator Iva Lamkum, which was highlighted in Rolling Stone’s Best New Zealand Music of the Week. Together, the two tracks suggest an album that blends Sola Rosa’s warm melodic instincts with darker textures and groove-led production.

In The Mids is a ten-track body of work featuring seven collaborations with vocalists from Australia and Aotearoa. The album marks a creative shift for Sola Rosa, reflecting a renewed joy in studio-based production and an evolving set of influences.

Pre-save the album here.

25 years of making music is no mean feat, and over that time Sola Rosa has established himself as one of Aotearoa’s most enduring and genre-fluid musical exports. Since winning Best Electronic Release at the 2001 New Zealand Music Awards for his debut album Solarized, Spraggon has built an expansive catalogue blending soul, funk, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music earning a devoted international following and over 200k monthly Spotify listeners. The continuing evolution of his artistry has seen him play stages at Secret Garden Party (UK), Green Man (UK), Shambala (UK), Kendal Calling (UK), Nostock (UK), WOMAD (NZ), Big Day Out (NZ), Splore (NZ), and many more.

Now he takes it up another notch with a six-date New Zealand tour, don’t miss the chance to hear In The Mids live on stage. Ticketing information here.

Sola Rosa – In The Mids Album Release Tour
Funded through NZ On Air and supported by the NZ Music Commission

FRI 22 MAY
Double Whammy | Auckland

SAT 23 MAY
Common Room | Hastings

FRI 29 MAY
Deville | Nelson

SAT 30 MAY
Hide | Christchurch

FRI 5 JUN
The Mayfair | New Plymouth

SAT 6 JUN
San Fran | Wellington

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