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The Aotearoa-born alt-pop artist has dropped his first single of the year, offering a taste of new music on the horizon
Cybele Malinowski
Luca George is back with a new single.
The Aotearoa-born alt-pop artist has dropped “Better Apart”, offering the first glimpse of a new body of work.
“With raw honesty, ‘Better Apart’ paints a picture of a love that burned bright but wasn’t meant to last,” says George. “Haunted by old hoodies, familiar scents and the lingering question of whether anyone else could ever compare. The song blends nostalgia and heartache with a sense of gratitude, proving that even lost love can leave something beautiful behind.”
You can listen to “Better Apart” below, which George co-wrote with UK artist and writer Saint Raymond. He’s also teased upcoming collaborations with Caleb Harper of Western Australian indie rock band Spacey Jane and UK singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin.
The music video (watch below), produced and directed by Devan Narsai and Luke Penney, looks into the remnants of a past relationship.
“From the moment Luca sent me the track, it immediately struck me as something vast, cinematic, and emotionally expansive—all the elements I love bringing to life in a music video,” Narsai shares. “We had an incredible time crafting this visual world, working alongside our brilliant art directors who built some truly stunning sets. The VFX, masterfully brought to life by our friend Dylan, added that extra layer of magic that helped tie everything together.
He continues, “This was a true team effort, and I’m so proud of what we created. We hope the video captures not only the grandeur of the song but also the emotional core of Better Apart—its beauty, its heartbreak, and everything in between.”
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“Better Apart” follows last year’s “Before You Hold Me“, as well as his 2023 EP You’ll Never Know Me Sober.
George made his mark in Rolling Stone AU/NZ‘s ‘Future of Music’ series last year, hailed as one of 25 artists from Australia and Aotearoa destined for the top.
“Admired by Troye Sivan, New Zealand has a future pop powerhouse in its midst,” we wrote. “You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep, and you can also tell a lot about an artist by who wants to work with them, so it felt notable that Sivan selected Luca George as the sole New Zealand artist to take part in his SongHubs songwriting camp.
“The fledgling Kiwi pop star flew to Sydney to take part in the camp, getting to work with top songwriters and producers from around the world. And a lot of the same qualities that helped Sivan rise to the top are prominent in George’s music: sugary vocals, natural charisma, and melancholic yet hopeful pop aesthetics. The Wanaka-born artist is ready for the world.”
Luca George’s “Better Apart” is out now via Island Records Australia / Universal Music.
In This Article: Luca George
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