RNZ is unable to publish any content with commercially-released music to podcast platforms, but Song Crush is available on our website at rnz.co.nz/song-crush

The first Song Crush of the year has some songs nostalgic for the 80s, as well as some up-and-coming local musicians and more. Host Kirsten Johnstone is joined by Tony Stamp and Waveney Russ.

Ballads for the end of the world, torch songs for broken hearts, political missives for everyone, and a glimmer of hope in them all. It’s Song Crush’s 2019 wrap of the (international) songs they’ve loved the most.

It was another strong year for music in Aotearoa, from the internationally acclaimed Aldous Harding and Tiny Ruins, to the grass roots DIY acts just bubbling up. The Song Crush team play some of their favourites.

Art-pop from Moses Sumney and FKA Twigs, a techno soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, an afrobeat banger, some sad-boy-soul, and some Scottish minimalist dream-pop feature on Song Crush this week.

All year the Song Crush team have introduced you to new songs they're loving, but this week host Kirsten Johnstone threw the call out to you the listeners, for your favourite tune of 2019. Here's a handful of the answers we got.

French For Rabbits find a new banging synth sound, British-Ghanaian rapper Kojey Radical shows his smooth side, and Wye Oak just keep on evolving - these songs and more on Song Crush this week.

Doom folk, te reo Maori electronica, sample based soul and Jeff Goldblum's lounge album are some of the things discussed in Song Crush this week, but beware of tangents everywhere.

Kanye goes gospel - but is he just cashing in on the Christian dollar? Plus a woozy missive from Frank Ocean, a powerful message from Onehunga's SWIDT, and more.

Some dreamy new local releases, thirsty soul, desert blues and Tibetan meditation music feature on Song Crush this week.