Arjuna Oakes Releases Debut EP "The Watcher" Out Now!

The first two tracks on the EP fit neatly within the jazz-infused soul music landscape he is quickly becoming part of, but the latter half of the EP is far harder to categorise. Featuring instrumentation from some of New Zealand’s most exciting young jazz musicians, The Watcher explores a wide variety of themes and musical ideas, with Arjuna’s charismatic soul vocals and robust sonic palette serving as a connective thread. From big social issues to personal relationships and internal self-discoveries, across The Watcher, Arjuna takes his cue from the title track, an exploration of mass surveillance, and its relevance within our everyday lives. This watcher theme continues throughout the rest of the EP, with the stories told rendered as if being observed by an outside force. Decorated by cinematic soundscapes, hypnotic grooves, creative improvisation and catchy melodies, Arjuna's debut is a test palette for his future projects, one that makes his enthusiasm to develop and explore themes and style in song abundantly clear. - Martyn Pepperell

Mixed by Jim Macrae (Jordan Rakei) & mastered by Kelly Hibbert at Almachrome Studios (J Dilla, Madlib, Little Dragon, Flying Lotus, Hiatus Kaiyote).