New Music & Video Release - Psycho Gab drop cool, smooth, lush single 'Compass' - 30 January 2026
Credit - Gabriella Gillespie
Artist Name - Psycho Gab
Release Name - Compass
Release Date - 30th January 2026
Genre - Neo-Soul, R&B, Pop Music
Label - Psycho Gab
Tāmaki Makaurau five-piece Psycho Gab are stepping into 2026 in style!
The fine purveyors of neo-soul have today released their warm and summery new single ‘Compass’.
Emerging in 2023, Psycho Gab have spent the last few years cultivating a unique sound formed at the crossroads between soul, RnB, jazz and pop; and ‘Compass’ delivers on all fronts.
Laden with smooth grooves and lush melodies, ‘Compass’ - much like earlier releases from Psycho Gab - ruminates on a plethora of deeply personal themes but with a new-found assuredness and depth. It offers an honest and vulnerable take on navigating identity and relationships, which is bound to resonate with many.
“There’s a lot bubbling away in there,” says the band’s lead singer Rosetta Stone. “Connecting with self, yet nurturing one another; balancing self-love with community; turning inward without shutting others out; reckoning with femininity and sensuality in ways that feel authentic and safe and navigating romantic relationships without stifling personal growth.”
Maintaining their grassroots approach to making music, Psycho Gab was involved in every step of making the track, with Rosetta, Caleb and Orlando producing the track. The band was also thrilled to work with award-winning engineer Olly Harmer (The Naked And Famous, Mel Parsons) at Auckland’s famed Lab Studios. “Olly helped us bring to life our dream of doing a live desk mix in the studio - old school style,” says Rosetta.
The cast working on the NZ on Air funded track also included musicians Amy Boroevich (violin) and Jono D’Souza (cello) and master engineer Kelly Hibbert (J Dilla, Little Dragon, Madlib).
Meanwhile, the warm vibe of ‘Compass’, its honest lyricism and the DIY nature of the band’s creative process, is aptly reflected in their first-ever music video shot on Super 8 film and directed by long-time creative collaborator Gabriella Gillespie.
“Warm analog equipment and sounds are huge sonic touchstones for us and with the opportunity to expand on that visually, we shot the entire video on about five rolls of film out in Manukau Heads,” says Rosetta.
“Shooting on film obviously presented its challenges; we could only do each shot once, and had no idea how it would look until after we'd sent the film to Australia to develop! It meant we had to have a lot of trust in one another but ultimately, we love the fact that imperfections, giggles, and candid moments made their way into the final cut Plus, consciously leaning into slow, analog, tangible media feels more important than ever to us right now.”
The video was made with the help of Aidan McNeillage (lighting and production assistant) and Maya Morpeth (production assistant), Alex Beattie (colour grading) and Jade Perry (text graphics). It was edited by Gabriella and Orlando. And a beautiful sunray shot from the music video features on the single artwork.
To mark the song’s release, Psycho Gab will tonight (release day – January 30th) open for Pōneke jazz-house group Groove Council at Ponsonby Social Club. They are also playing at Shipwrecked festival north of Auckland (February 6th-8th).