W: Jane Withers I: Tom Grut

New Zealand’s hottest indie-pop exports, Borderline, are officially on a tear. Fresh off the back of a gruelling 14-date North American blitz across the US and Canada, the Auckland four-piece have unleashed their brilliant new single, 'That Girl', alongside a delightfully spooky, retro music video. It is the ultimate tastemaker teaser for their highly anticipated, self-titled debut album, dropping on 26th June via EMPIRE. At just 20 and 21 years old, childhood mates Ben Glanfield, Jackson Boswell, Matthew McFadden, and Max Harries are rapidly converting critical buzz into brilliant reality. They are already rubbing shoulders with pop royalty, securing Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Pop Artist nods at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards alongside global superstars Lorde and Benee.

With 'That Girl', Borderline unapologetically raid the 80s archives, leaning heavily into maximalist instrumentation and sheer, unadulterated fun. It is a masterclass in live musicianship that refuses to dial it back, littered with live vintage synths, classic sounds, and Michael Jackson and Prince-inspired vocal swagger. The band note that the track is the thrilling result of four musicians refusing to shy away from self-indulgence, serving as a perfect representation of their tight chemistry and what happens when they let loose on their instruments to just have fun.

The official music video, directed by Tom Grut, is an absolute triumph of art direction that perfectly matches the track's driving pulse. Filmed in an abandoned asylum turned haunted house, the visual sees the boys channel classic Scooby-Doo aesthetics with their outfits, set design, and theatrical energy. Borderline called it their most ambitious shoot yet, successfully capturing a high-energy, nostalgic vibe that highlights their playful charisma on camera.

If 'That Girl'—alongside previous stellar cuts 'Terrify', 'Tainted', and 'Watching It Burn'—is anything to go by, the upcoming debut album is set to be an absolute juggernaut. Crafted between late-night home studio sessions and the legendary Brick Room at Roundhead Studios, the LP promises a brilliant sonic cocktail of pop, rock, and funk built on timepiece guitars and analogue synths. Borderline are utilising their lifelong friendship to deliver an overarching soundscape you can truly dance to, proving they have the technical chops to match the hype.