Under The Surface

‘Semi-rock’ | NO CIGAR | Listen wherever you stream or buy music

NO CIGAR’s Under the Surface is easy listening with depth—an album that slips on effortlessly but rewards closer attention. Describing themselves as ‘semi-rock’, the band’s warm lead vocals echo 90s Britpop like Oasis, Blur and The Verve, while still sounding distinctly their own. This Aotearoa New Zealand outfit has been steadily building a loyal following, and standout singles ‘Chantilly’ (written while touring France), ‘Clean’ and ‘Problem’ showcase their knack for blending melody with momentum. I caught NO CIGAR live in Wellington during their recent Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia tour. The atmosphere was electric and the sound massive, even if vocals were occasionally lost in the mix. With a UK and European tour ahead, Under the Surface feels like a confident step onto a much bigger stage. (Reviewed by Kai Sanders)