New Song of the Day on the 13th Floor Features Office Dog
Aotearoa/New Zealand alternative rock trio Office Dog has released their latest single, “Reins,” marking the final release from their upcoming second album, “Prime Corner,” set to be available digitally, on vinyl, and CD on June 19 through Flying Nun Records. Fronted by Kane Strang, the band’s lead vocalist, “Reins” delves into the theme of feeling stuck in a cycle, grappling with personal obstacles, and yearning for outside guidance. Strang, while back in his hometown, drew inspiration from the isolating aspects of living in a small town at the edge of the world.
“Reins” follows the success of their earlier singles, “Front Row Seat” and “Gold Things,” with the former being praised by Stereogum as “a propulsive, guitar-heavy anthem” and the latter described by UndertheRadar as “a triumphant new slab of post-punk / avant-rock.” The band has also unveiled a captivating video accompanying the release, crafted by a friend of the band known as East.
Currently, Office Dog is on a nine-date tour across the UK and Europe, including a sold-out performance at The Windmill in Brixton and appearances at Dot to Dot festival, showcasing their melodic yet powerful indie rock sound to a global audience. Thematically, “Prime Corner” reflects notions of instability and the concept of home, largely penned by Kane Strang during a month-long house-sitting stint in West Auckland. Experimenting with different guitar tunings for the first time, Strang, alongside bassist Rassani Tolovaa and drummer Mitchell Innes, demoed the album in a rapid session at ‘Storage King’ before recording the final tracks at Roundhead Studios with producer De Stevens.
Diving into a diverse sonic landscape, “Prime Corner” incorporates both the band’s heaviest and most delicate tracks to date, exploring the tensions of everyday life and the sense of detachment from a solid foundation. The album’s title was inspired by a sign outside a construction site promising the “best spot on the street,” alluding to the band’s ability to carve out their own niche in the music scene.
Comprising Kane Strang, Rassani Tolovaa, and Mitchell Innes, Office Dog emerged in 2021 after Strang’s solo ventures with Flying Nun Records and Dead Oceans. Relocating from Dunedin to Auckland, Strang sought to create a more collaborative musical project, resulting in the formation of Office Dog. Since their inception, the band has released their debut album “Spiel” in 2023, followed by the “Doggerland EP” in 2024, gaining popularity with the lead single “Big Air.” Now, set to release their sophomore album “Prime Corner” on June 19, Office Dog continues to establish themselves as a prominent name in the contemporary New Zealand guitar music scene.