Lunavela is the project of Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter  Steve Mathieson. Well known from fronting indie-pop band Collapsing Cities, Mathieson has for several years been taking a solo route, leading in 2022 to Lunavela’s debut album ‘Imposter Syndrome’.

Lunavela’s introductory release was a self-titled EP in 2017 so it has been a while since first single Six-out-of-ten Friend was released. With a slow trickle of singles; Pondering Meandering, People That You Know and You Know Who You Are, You Know How I Feel since then, excitement for a whole album has been building.

The lyrics of Six-out-of-ten Friend reflect on those friends who aren’t quite as present as they could or should be – people who only call when they want something and aren’t available to be supportive if it doesn’t suit them. It is a relatable topic set to an upbeat rhythm that somehow makes the whole situation seem a little bit less shit than it might actually feel when those friends don’t really care.

The chorus harmonies lift Elevators up to hopeful heights, a song that feels like it might be sung by a crowd waving their arms left to right in sync. The lyric, “I’m not scared anymore” adds to the sense of hope, making it a great song to listen to when stepping outside your comfort zone.

Next of Kin starts off differently than the rest of the songs on this Lunavela album with a simple electric guitar riff that’s soaked in reverb. It then tightly squeezes for the first verse into the indie-rock sound that is present throughout, however, a bit slower going. The rhythm is simple and the rest of the instrumentation stays laid back, creating space for the song to cruise along and unfold at its own pace.

‘Imposter Syndrome’ is well-named as each song touches on the kind of topics that stay timeless, and might resonate with you through teenhood to adulthood. Overall the album remains indie-rock, dipping in and out of different intensities as it goes on. The way that Mathieson juxtaposes vulnerable lyrics with poppy punchy instrumentation keeps the whole engaging.