Music Industry News

Wellington indie/alt-rock band Lipstick return with their new EP Better Ways to Spend the Night — a sharp, danceable collection steeped in brooding new wave textures and driving alt-rock urgency.

Built on wiry guitars, pulsing bass lines, and moody romanticism, the record pushes the band into darker, more expansive territory while keeping one foot firmly on the dancefloor.

Built around hypnotic guitar lines, driving rhythms, and anthemic choruses, the EP explores desire, restlessness, and self-destruction in equal measure. It paints a portrait of late nights, blurred connections, and the tension between escape and consequence.

Following on from 2025’s ‘Giving It Up’, then ‘You & Me’, and most recently ‘Hardly Know Her’. A run of releases that cemented Lipstick’s reputation as one of Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s most exciting rising acts. Better Ways to Spend the Night sees the band refine their sound: sharper, moodier, and more immediate, while keeping the infectious hooks and emotional urgency that define their music.

Blending sharp hooks with restless guitars and late-night romanticism, the EP captures the push-and-pull of youth, excess, and emotional fallout. Louder, darker, and more direct, it marks a bold new chapter for the band.

To celebrate the release, Lipstick performed Better Ways to Spend the Night live on March 5 at San Fran, Wellington. A hometown statement and a chance to experience the record in full force. Joining the night was Felix Bird and Homing, rounding out a lineup that reflects the energy of Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s thriving alternative scene.

Since emerging onto the Wellington indie scene in 2024, Lipstick have built a reputation for high-energy alternative rock, punchy songwriting, and electric live performances. The band have shared the stage with Racing, Where’s Jai, Half/Angel, New Candys, and more. The boys have been building a loyal following across Aotearoa’s underground scene.

Lead singer and guitarist Oliver Bailey says of the EP:

“This record is about tension and release, the push and pull of wanting more from your nights, your relationships, and yourself. It’s the most complete version of our sound so far, and everything feels more direct, more intense, and more honest.”

Produced and mixed by Joe Ledword (Wet Denim) and mastered by Chris Chetland (KOG Studio), Better Ways to Spend the Night captures Lipstick at their most confident and fully realised yet.

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Photo by Alex Shirtcliffe