EP Review: That Feeling

Growing up is a peculiar business. One minute you’re romanticising the future, the next you’re mourning a past you didn’t realise you were living through. Somewhere between the two, Auckland’s Charisma Club have managed to capture That Feeling, and they’ve made it sound rather bloody good.

The brainchild of Auckland songwriter and producer Josh Stewart, Charisma Club have been steadily carving out their own corner of the alternative pop universe, marrying nostalgia-soaked synths, infectious basslines and undeniably clever songwriting with the kind of emotional complexity that often gets lost beneath pop music’s polished exterior.

Their sophomore EP, That Feeling, is a five-track exploration of the beautifully uncomfortable experience of becoming an adult in a world that seems increasingly determined to make absolutely no sense.

And frankly, isn’t that just the soundtrack to our collective existential crisis?

What makes this record particularly compelling is its understanding of contrast. Beneath the buoyant arrangements and kaleidoscopic production lies something considerably more introspective. These are songs about fractured relationships, digital disconnection, shifting identities and the peculiar loneliness of existing in an age where we’re supposedly more connected than ever.

It’s a delicious contradiction, really. Music that makes you want to dance while quietly reminding you that the world might be falling apart.

Take Your Love, for example. On first listen, it’s an irresistible slice of indie pop, complete with effervescent synthesisers, commanding bass and the sort of melodic sensibility that could comfortably soundtrack a gorgeous warm sun-drenched road trip. Dig a little deeper, however, and the narrative is considerably less carefree. The song explores a relationship deteriorating under the weight of technological escapism, where screens become substitutes for vulnerability and communication is sacrificed for the illusion of connection.

Particularly fascinating is the inclusion of a vintage Aldous Huxley interview sample, a rather inspired choice given his enduring relevance to conversations surrounding technological control and the erosion of independent thought. There’s something wonderfully subversive about embedding that commentary within such an accessible pop arrangement. It invites listeners to consider the message without ever feeling like they’re being lectured.

And in an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, parasocial relationships and digital dependency, the subject matter feels remarkably pertinent.

Musically, Stewart demonstrates a strong understanding of dynamics, arrangement and perhaps most importantly restraint. Tension and release is so important in pop writing and this record demonstrates that perfectly. The production is polished without feeling sterile, allowing synth textures, fuzzy guitar passages and bass-driven rhythmic foundations to coexist without fighting for attention. I love that my ears aren’t fighting against each other unsure which line of instrumentation to listen to. There’s an obvious affection for the sonic vocabulary of contemporary indie pop, but rather than relying entirely on nostalgic aesthetics, Charisma Club use those familiar textures to examine the present.

Technophobe offers a particularly interesting departure from the record’s more kinetic moments. Its stripped back, almost submerged atmosphere creates a sense of emotional distance that feels entirely appropriate to the subject matter. Where the brighter arrangements propel the listener forward, this track allows the music to breathe, demonstrating that vulnerability doesn’t always require grand gestures or enormous production.

Sometimes the most effective musical statement is knowing what to leave out.

Vocally, there’s a distinctly conversational quality to the delivery, balancing melodic immediacy with a certain emotional restlessness. It complements the project’s broader aesthetic beautifully, evoking the uncertainty of early adulthood without sacrificing the confidence of the songwriting.

Perhaps the greatest achievement of That Feeling is that it never treats nostalgia as something entirely comfortable. Nostalgia is often romanticised as a longing for simpler times, but there’s something inherently bittersweet about recognising that those times are irretrievable. Our relationships evolve, our understanding of the world changes and the people we thought we’d become don’t always resemble the people staring back at us.

Charisma Club seem acutely aware of this.

Rather than presenting growing up as some triumphant arrival at adulthood, That Feeling acknowledges the messy, nonlinear reality of it all. There’s heartbreak, frustration, disillusionment and plenty of uncertainty, but there’s also humour, warmth and an undeniable sense of possibility.

It’s refreshing to hear a project explore these ideas without descending into self-indulgence. The emotional weight is there for those who wish to engage with it, but the music remains accessible, energetic and, crucially, enjoyable.

The EP’s chart success is another well-deserved milestone for Stewart and a wonderful achievement for an independent New Zealand project. At a time when the sheer volume of music being released can make meaningful discovery increasingly difficult, it’s genuinely exciting to see artists like Charisma Club finding their audience and building momentum beyond our little corner of the world.

Ultimately, That Feeling is a thoughtful, brilliantly textured addition to New Zealand’s alternative pop landscape. It’s emotionally intelligent without being pretentious, nostalgic without feeling derivative and ambitious without losing sight of the fundamentals of a genuinely good pop song.

Charisma Club aren’t offering us an escape from the absurdities of modern existence so much as an opportunity to dance our way through them.

And perhaps that’s precisely what makes this record resonate.

Growing up is confusing. Love is complicated. Technology is terrifying. At least the soundtrack absolutely slaps. 5 absolutely well-deserved stars!!

That Feeling is out now on all major streaming platforms.