New Zealand's fast-rising indie-rock outfit, PARK RD, are back on the scene, kicking off the next phase of their career with the release of their vibrant new single, ‘The Way I Feel’. This punchy track marks the first fresh material from the Auckland five-piece since they spent the winter months holed up recording their eagerly anticipated sophomore album, perfectly timed following a wildly successful, month-long hometown live residency.
‘The Way I Feel’ is an immediately uplifting number that maintains the band's signature blend of soaring indie-pop energy and melodic complexity. Built on a foundation of driving drums and evocative, wistful guitar lines, the song barrels forward towards a massive, stadium-ready chorus already proven to be a crowd favourite during their recent sold-out shows. Lyrically, the track sees frontman Tom Chamberlain channelling a more assertive persona, "trying to embrace his inner 'bad boy'," while navigating the familiar sting of an unreciprocated romance.
The single showcases a continued commitment to refining the polished indie-rock sound listeners have heard on recent hits like ‘English Boy’ and ‘Antidote’. It follows their critically lauded 2024 debut full-length, 'The Novel'. That record was praised for its "culturally relevant narration" of life on the cusp of adulthood, packaging deeply vulnerable lyricism inside catchy, youthful rock anthems such as 'Call Me Up' and 'Secrets'. Critics have often drawn parallels between PARK RD’s slick, emotive style and that of global indie heavyweights like Spacey Jane and The 1975, reflecting their knack for producing music that feels both current and instantly nostalgic.
It is clear that the momentum behind PARK RD is reaching fever pitch across Aotearoa and Australia. Their four-week residency in Auckland recently caused queues to snake around the block weekly, confirming their status as a major live draw. They’ve already ticked off impressive milestones, including touring Australia in support of The Rions, performing at key industry showcases like BIGSOUND and SXSW Sydney, and opening for established international acts like The Band CAMINO, Milky Chance, and Spacey Jane on New Zealand soil.
With a sophomore LP now firmly on the horizon, fans can look forward to more new tunes dropping throughout the summer as PARK RD build towards the full release. ‘The Way I Feel’ is the perfect indicator that the next chapter will be their boldest yet.
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