Single Review: Robert De Niro

The latest release from Auckland’s Superturtle is a darkly pretty post-punk gem, an absolute banger. Robert De Niro comes hot on the heels of Right The Wrong, released earlier in 2023. Both feature on a new album slated for release soon.

Darren McShane’s voice has just the right amount of melancholy to it, painting an all-too-relatable picture of the repetitive nature of everyday life. A story perhaps of dreams dreamed, but lost, as reflected in the final line of “You want it all… but you get nothing now”. A stark contrast to the “You want it all, la la lalala la!” chorus lyrics, delivered in magnificently lush harmonies.

That chorus is a real earworm, too. It’s been stuck in my head for days. It’s delicious to listen to, too. I love the way such a beautifully ultra-clean guitar tone can contribute a dark atmosphere in the right hands, and such a tasty little guitar solo too. 

There’s an excellent danceable energy to this song too, and you might just get an opportunity to test that claim when they tour through April/May. Superturtle are songsmiths who truly know what they’re doing, check them out if you haven’t already.