Sam[uel] Smith
@sgowsmith1988.bsky.social
I am a journalist, writer, and radio host/selector.
Albums of the year
9 - Blood Orange "Essex Honey"
Dev Hynes returned with another excellent Blood orange project in 2025 that reiterated why he is such an in-demand pop producer.
This album was beautifully produced and featured some excellent guests in the vocal booth.
9 - Blood Orange "Essex Honey"
Dev Hynes returned with another excellent Blood orange project in 2025 that reiterated why he is such an in-demand pop producer.
This album was beautifully produced and featured some excellent guests in the vocal booth.
December 11, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Albums of the year
9 - Blood Orange "Essex Honey"
Dev Hynes returned with another excellent Blood orange project in 2025 that reiterated why he is such an in-demand pop producer.
This album was beautifully produced and featured some excellent guests in the vocal booth.
9 - Blood Orange "Essex Honey"
Dev Hynes returned with another excellent Blood orange project in 2025 that reiterated why he is such an in-demand pop producer.
This album was beautifully produced and featured some excellent guests in the vocal booth.
Albums of the year
10 - Geneva AM "Pikipiki"
Combining electro beats with Reo Māori, Geneva AM got the formula just right with Pikipiki
This record harked back to the days of Moana & The Moa Hunters, but its fresh production ensured it is an album fit for the 21st century
10 - Geneva AM "Pikipiki"
Combining electro beats with Reo Māori, Geneva AM got the formula just right with Pikipiki
This record harked back to the days of Moana & The Moa Hunters, but its fresh production ensured it is an album fit for the 21st century
December 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Albums of the year
10 - Geneva AM "Pikipiki"
Combining electro beats with Reo Māori, Geneva AM got the formula just right with Pikipiki
This record harked back to the days of Moana & The Moa Hunters, but its fresh production ensured it is an album fit for the 21st century
10 - Geneva AM "Pikipiki"
Combining electro beats with Reo Māori, Geneva AM got the formula just right with Pikipiki
This record harked back to the days of Moana & The Moa Hunters, but its fresh production ensured it is an album fit for the 21st century
albums of the year
11 - Pulp "More"
Britpop was back in vogue in 2025 and Pulp were at the forefront of the resurgence thanks to their album More.
It was a wonderous return for Jarvis and co, with an album that fits nicely with their classic 90s material.
11 - Pulp "More"
Britpop was back in vogue in 2025 and Pulp were at the forefront of the resurgence thanks to their album More.
It was a wonderous return for Jarvis and co, with an album that fits nicely with their classic 90s material.
December 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
albums of the year
11 - Pulp "More"
Britpop was back in vogue in 2025 and Pulp were at the forefront of the resurgence thanks to their album More.
It was a wonderous return for Jarvis and co, with an album that fits nicely with their classic 90s material.
11 - Pulp "More"
Britpop was back in vogue in 2025 and Pulp were at the forefront of the resurgence thanks to their album More.
It was a wonderous return for Jarvis and co, with an album that fits nicely with their classic 90s material.
The RNZ Panel Live
December 9, 2025 at 5:14 AM
The RNZ Panel Live
Albums of the year
12 - Mokomokai "Pono"
These guys are one of the best rap crews going around Aotearoa at the minute.
Combining the smooth flows of frontman Manu and the production savy of Dusty & Ghos, Pono should become a classic in the NZ rap canon in years to come.
12 - Mokomokai "Pono"
These guys are one of the best rap crews going around Aotearoa at the minute.
Combining the smooth flows of frontman Manu and the production savy of Dusty & Ghos, Pono should become a classic in the NZ rap canon in years to come.
December 9, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Albums of the year
12 - Mokomokai "Pono"
These guys are one of the best rap crews going around Aotearoa at the minute.
Combining the smooth flows of frontman Manu and the production savy of Dusty & Ghos, Pono should become a classic in the NZ rap canon in years to come.
12 - Mokomokai "Pono"
These guys are one of the best rap crews going around Aotearoa at the minute.
Combining the smooth flows of frontman Manu and the production savy of Dusty & Ghos, Pono should become a classic in the NZ rap canon in years to come.
Albums of the year
13 - Viagra Boys "Viagr Aboys"
One of the most electric and out there albums of 2025 came from the Viagra Boys.
Always taking things to the limit and experimenting with how far they can go musically, this album was a wild ride as a listener.
13 - Viagra Boys "Viagr Aboys"
One of the most electric and out there albums of 2025 came from the Viagra Boys.
Always taking things to the limit and experimenting with how far they can go musically, this album was a wild ride as a listener.
December 8, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Albums of the year
13 - Viagra Boys "Viagr Aboys"
One of the most electric and out there albums of 2025 came from the Viagra Boys.
Always taking things to the limit and experimenting with how far they can go musically, this album was a wild ride as a listener.
13 - Viagra Boys "Viagr Aboys"
One of the most electric and out there albums of 2025 came from the Viagra Boys.
Always taking things to the limit and experimenting with how far they can go musically, this album was a wild ride as a listener.
Albums of the year
14 - Bret Mckenzie "Freak Out City"
McKenzie continued down the Harry Nilsson/Randy Newman styles he explored on his previous record on Freak Out City.
Quirky songwriting and a killer band make for a fun listen and show he has music chops to burn.
14 - Bret Mckenzie "Freak Out City"
McKenzie continued down the Harry Nilsson/Randy Newman styles he explored on his previous record on Freak Out City.
Quirky songwriting and a killer band make for a fun listen and show he has music chops to burn.
December 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Albums of the year
14 - Bret Mckenzie "Freak Out City"
McKenzie continued down the Harry Nilsson/Randy Newman styles he explored on his previous record on Freak Out City.
Quirky songwriting and a killer band make for a fun listen and show he has music chops to burn.
14 - Bret Mckenzie "Freak Out City"
McKenzie continued down the Harry Nilsson/Randy Newman styles he explored on his previous record on Freak Out City.
Quirky songwriting and a killer band make for a fun listen and show he has music chops to burn.
Albums of the year
15 - Bar Italia "Some Like it Hot"
The London band hit the jackpot in what is quite possibly their best album yet.
Harking back to a golden period for UK indie in the mid 2000s, this album sounds oh so familiar, but also very fresh.
15 - Bar Italia "Some Like it Hot"
The London band hit the jackpot in what is quite possibly their best album yet.
Harking back to a golden period for UK indie in the mid 2000s, this album sounds oh so familiar, but also very fresh.
December 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Albums of the year
15 - Bar Italia "Some Like it Hot"
The London band hit the jackpot in what is quite possibly their best album yet.
Harking back to a golden period for UK indie in the mid 2000s, this album sounds oh so familiar, but also very fresh.
15 - Bar Italia "Some Like it Hot"
The London band hit the jackpot in what is quite possibly their best album yet.
Harking back to a golden period for UK indie in the mid 2000s, this album sounds oh so familiar, but also very fresh.
Albums of the year
16 - Sault "10"
The mysterious UK collective have been prolific in their output in recent years and their album 10 was a welcome addition to their discography.
Mixing soul, jazz, rap, electro and more. This album might be the most eclectic of the year.
16 - Sault "10"
The mysterious UK collective have been prolific in their output in recent years and their album 10 was a welcome addition to their discography.
Mixing soul, jazz, rap, electro and more. This album might be the most eclectic of the year.
December 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Albums of the year
16 - Sault "10"
The mysterious UK collective have been prolific in their output in recent years and their album 10 was a welcome addition to their discography.
Mixing soul, jazz, rap, electro and more. This album might be the most eclectic of the year.
16 - Sault "10"
The mysterious UK collective have been prolific in their output in recent years and their album 10 was a welcome addition to their discography.
Mixing soul, jazz, rap, electro and more. This album might be the most eclectic of the year.
Albums of the year
17 - Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out"
The Virginia duo's first album in 16 years was one of the best comebacks in hip hop history.
A ferocious production mixed with some banging bars made for a great listen, and proved that time away has not done them any harm.
17 - Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out"
The Virginia duo's first album in 16 years was one of the best comebacks in hip hop history.
A ferocious production mixed with some banging bars made for a great listen, and proved that time away has not done them any harm.
December 4, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Albums of the year
17 - Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out"
The Virginia duo's first album in 16 years was one of the best comebacks in hip hop history.
A ferocious production mixed with some banging bars made for a great listen, and proved that time away has not done them any harm.
17 - Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out"
The Virginia duo's first album in 16 years was one of the best comebacks in hip hop history.
A ferocious production mixed with some banging bars made for a great listen, and proved that time away has not done them any harm.
It has been mysteriously closed for a year, so what it going on with this iconic Auckland bakery?
www.stuff.co.nz/food-drink/3...
www.stuff.co.nz/food-drink/3...
It has been mysteriously closed for a year, so what it going on with this iconic Auckland bakery?
After 28 years, Pasadena Bakery in Point Chevalier is up for sale.
www.stuff.co.nz
December 3, 2025 at 3:04 AM
It has been mysteriously closed for a year, so what it going on with this iconic Auckland bakery?
www.stuff.co.nz/food-drink/3...
www.stuff.co.nz/food-drink/3...
Albums of the year
18 - Black Country, New Road "Forever Howlong"
They may have lost their frontman but BCNR have not lost their quality, quality which was flowing throughout their 2025 album.
An English folk styled album that certainly measured up well all round.
18 - Black Country, New Road "Forever Howlong"
They may have lost their frontman but BCNR have not lost their quality, quality which was flowing throughout their 2025 album.
An English folk styled album that certainly measured up well all round.
December 3, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Albums of the year
18 - Black Country, New Road "Forever Howlong"
They may have lost their frontman but BCNR have not lost their quality, quality which was flowing throughout their 2025 album.
An English folk styled album that certainly measured up well all round.
18 - Black Country, New Road "Forever Howlong"
They may have lost their frontman but BCNR have not lost their quality, quality which was flowing throughout their 2025 album.
An English folk styled album that certainly measured up well all round.
Albums of the year
19 - Joe Kaptein "Pool Sharks"
Jazz fusion at its very best and straight out of Aotearoa.
This groovy chilled-out record is fantastically recorded and positions Kaptein right at the forefront of the next wave of jazz musicians coming through.
19 - Joe Kaptein "Pool Sharks"
Jazz fusion at its very best and straight out of Aotearoa.
This groovy chilled-out record is fantastically recorded and positions Kaptein right at the forefront of the next wave of jazz musicians coming through.
December 2, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Albums of the year
19 - Joe Kaptein "Pool Sharks"
Jazz fusion at its very best and straight out of Aotearoa.
This groovy chilled-out record is fantastically recorded and positions Kaptein right at the forefront of the next wave of jazz musicians coming through.
19 - Joe Kaptein "Pool Sharks"
Jazz fusion at its very best and straight out of Aotearoa.
This groovy chilled-out record is fantastically recorded and positions Kaptein right at the forefront of the next wave of jazz musicians coming through.
Albums of 2025
20 - Ty Segall "Possession"
He is prolific when it comes to releases and his third album in two years might just be his most consistent yet.
With a mixture of electric and acoustic tunes, Possession has everything you need out of a Ty Segall record.
20 - Ty Segall "Possession"
He is prolific when it comes to releases and his third album in two years might just be his most consistent yet.
With a mixture of electric and acoustic tunes, Possession has everything you need out of a Ty Segall record.
December 1, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Albums of 2025
20 - Ty Segall "Possession"
He is prolific when it comes to releases and his third album in two years might just be his most consistent yet.
With a mixture of electric and acoustic tunes, Possession has everything you need out of a Ty Segall record.
20 - Ty Segall "Possession"
He is prolific when it comes to releases and his third album in two years might just be his most consistent yet.
With a mixture of electric and acoustic tunes, Possession has everything you need out of a Ty Segall record.
My annual top 20 albums of the year countdown starts tomorrow. One album a day for 20 days.
November 30, 2025 at 4:30 AM
My annual top 20 albums of the year countdown starts tomorrow. One album a day for 20 days.
The Others Way another great success
November 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
The Others Way another great success
Anthonie Tonnon the only man who will talk about the building act during his performance
November 29, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Anthonie Tonnon the only man who will talk about the building act during his performance
Looking forward to the Others Way tonight. They have plonked a stage in the middle of K Road and the weather is a stunner so it should be a great night.
November 29, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Looking forward to the Others Way tonight. They have plonked a stage in the middle of K Road and the weather is a stunner so it should be a great night.
Oasis remarkably finished their reunion tour today without an on stage bust up or the tour ending early cos of a falling out
November 24, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Oasis remarkably finished their reunion tour today without an on stage bust up or the tour ending early cos of a falling out
Reposted by Sam[uel] Smith
Some of the information in this book excerpt is either distorted or flat out wrong.
According to the survey, 58% of journalists are women, not "two out of every three". The average journalist is 45.8 years old, and they are not "mostly aged in their 20s or 30s" newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/24/j...
According to the survey, 58% of journalists are women, not "two out of every three". The average journalist is 45.8 years old, and they are not "mostly aged in their 20s or 30s" newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/24/j...
November 23, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Some of the information in this book excerpt is either distorted or flat out wrong.
According to the survey, 58% of journalists are women, not "two out of every three". The average journalist is 45.8 years old, and they are not "mostly aged in their 20s or 30s" newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/24/j...
According to the survey, 58% of journalists are women, not "two out of every three". The average journalist is 45.8 years old, and they are not "mostly aged in their 20s or 30s" newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/24/j...
This week's show featured new music from De La Soul, Bic Runga, and more. I also paid tribute to Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player Mani who sadly passed away last week.
95bfm.com/bcast/the-su...
95bfm.com/bcast/the-su...
The Sunday Mixtape with Sam: November 23, 2025
This week's show featured new music from De La Soul, Bic Runga, and more. Sam also pays tribute to Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player Mani who sadly passed away last week.
95bfm.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:06 PM
This week's show featured new music from De La Soul, Bic Runga, and more. I also paid tribute to Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player Mani who sadly passed away last week.
95bfm.com/bcast/the-su...
95bfm.com/bcast/the-su...
The Stone Roses - Shoot You Down (Live In Blackpool)
YouTube video by StoneRosesVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Sam[uel] Smith
RIP Mani
youtu.be/3QLMS0QsPF0
youtu.be/3QLMS0QsPF0
The Stone Roses - Waterfall (Live On The Other Side Of Midnight) 1989 1080p 60fps
YouTube video by Mucky Fingers
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
RIP Mani
youtu.be/3QLMS0QsPF0
youtu.be/3QLMS0QsPF0
That is really sad news to hear about Mani. He was the heart of the Roses and with Reni the groove.
November 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
That is really sad news to hear about Mani. He was the heart of the Roses and with Reni the groove.
