The Sampler

Nick Bollinger reviews the global hip-hop of Nigerian rap star Burna Boy; a funky tonic for dark times from Fantastic Negrito; and the personal, political blues of Darren Watson. Read more Audio

This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger discusses the quietly instructive narratives of Bill Callahan; songs of lost innocence from The Flaming Lips; and the history-steeped rock'n'roll of Chuck… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses an album of memories and ghosts from Troy Kingi; an unearthed slice of 1981 post-punk from Auckland band the Techtones; and David Long's colourful soundtrack for television… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews the latest from precocious 70s-inspired brother duo The Lemon Twigs; queer country from North Carolina singer H.C. McEntire; and an insrumental set from sometime Tall Dwarf Alec… Read more Audio

This week in The Sampler Nick Bollinger previews a long-overdue set from versatile Auckland vocalist Caitlin Smith; a vocal excursion from local jazz guitarist Dan Sperber; and a surprising study of… Read more Audio

This week in The Sampler, Nick Bollinger reviews a choral collaboration from Baltimore duo Wye Oak; a sombre opus from classical crossover composer Max Richter; and a typically idiosyncratic set from… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger discusses the country soul of Auckland singer-songwriter Milly Tabak and her band The Milltones; a compilation of local garage rock from vinyl indie label 1 To 12; and an abundance of… Read more Audio

To mark the 40th anniversary of Split Enz's True Colours album, Nick Bollinger calls a Sampler Summit. Guests are The Phoenix Foundation's Luke Buda, music journalist Silke Hartung and Enzology… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews Taylor Swift's relatively low-key collaboration with members of The National and Bon Iver, UK soul musician Lianne La Havas self-titled album, and the latest from country/ folk… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a new album from The Chicks - formerly Dixie Chicks - in which the personal is political; a four-continent collaboration under the South African banner Keleketla, and a tough… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews lockdown sets from Kenyan-born, Minnesota-based troubadour J.S. Ondara and veteran English singer-songwriter Richard Thompson, plus the gothic synth-pop of Swedish duo I Break… Read more Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a sophomore album of power pop from The Beths; blues and boogie from North Georgia sisters Larkin Poe; and a surprisingly vocal set from the usually instrumental trio… Read more Audio