Wiri Donna has returned in fine form with new single, “The Gold”.
On her first release since her 2022 debut EP Being Alone, Wellington-based Bianca Bailey makes up for lost time with another slice of wholehearted indie rock with a purpose.
Recorded at Surgery in her Newtown with James Goldsmith, “The Gold”, in the best possible way, sounds heavy, with Bailey backed up by Harrison Scholes (TOI), James MacEwan (Arjuna Oakes), and Elliott Dawson.
“The Gold” is accompanied by a fiery visualiser, which was filmed at Princess Bay in Wellington. Directed by Bailey herself, the clip was made with nothing but a few mirrors, lights, and a flame cannon, it’s a minimalistic effort, but it manages to get the atmosphere of the song across well.
“The Gold” follows Wiri Donna’s debut collection Being Alone, which received positive reviews in 2022.
“This is an impressive finish to a strong, independent release,” wrote Ambient Light. “It’s all killer from needle drop to return. If the record execs haven’t woken up to this yet, they bloody well better. Wiri Donna is a force to be reckoned with.”
Wiri Donna was named as one of Rolling Stone AU/NZ‘s Eight Kiwi Artist Tipped to Take Over in early 2023.
“After stellar supporting slots for the likes of national favourites The Beths and Soaked Oats, Wiri Donna released her long-awaited debut EP, Being Alone, in 2022, and it was quietly one of the fiercest feminist releases of last year,” we wrote.
“A headstrong lyricist with the eternal thoughtfulness of Julia Jacklin or Lucy Dacus, her coming-of-age record was a reclamation of personal power, with Bailey realising that finding the confidence to do things on your own is cathartic. “He told me what to do with my body,” she sighs in the title track, before ferociously adding, “I should have told him it was my fucking body.”
With the impressive songwriting backed by muscular guitar riffs, it’s exciting to think what Wiri Donna could achieve on a full-length release.”
Wiri Donna’s “The Gold” is out now.