Wellington-based band Libbianski return with Episode 1, a self-produced EP that deepens their place within Aotearoa’s growing shoegaze and doom-pop scene. Out now via Over The Hill Records, the release captures a band fully settled into a slow, immersive sound built on weight, texture, and emotional pull.
Recorded and produced entirely in their home studio, Episode 1 reflects a shift to a three-piece lineup that pushes the band further into DIY control. That change sharpens the focus of the EP, allowing space for layered guitars, dense low end, and deliberate pacing. The songs move with patience and pressure, unfolding gradually rather than rushing toward release.
Libbianski’s sound blends heaviness with atmosphere. Thick walls of guitar distortion stretch wide, while bass lines pulse beneath the surface, giving the music a grounded, physical feel. The drums act as an anchor, steady and hypnotic, keeping the songs locked in place as the surrounding textures swell and recede. The balance between force and softness gives the EP a dreamlike quality without losing its weight.
Formed in 2022, Libbianski draw influence from Wellington’s underground scenes, pulling elements from post-metal, alternative rock, and dream pop. That mix results in music that feels both massive and intimate, capable of filling space while still sounding deeply personal. On Episode 1, the band sounds more confident and restrained, using repetition and mood to build tension rather than relying on dramatic shifts.
The EP follows their 2024 debut Useless Splendour, which helped introduce the band to wider audiences across New Zealand and Australia. Touring in support of that release strengthened their live presence and informed the darker, more focused direction heard here. Those experiences translate into songs that feel controlled, intentional, and emotionally heavy.
The lead track “Continue The Sad” serves as a clear entry point into the EP’s world. Its slow pace, shimmering distortion, and subdued intensity reflect the overall tone of the release, pulling listeners into a space shaped by melancholy and scale.
With Episode 1, Libbianski present their most cohesive and atmospheric work so far. The EP stands as a strong statement of intent from a band continuing to refine a sound that feels vast, deliberate, and deeply absorbing.
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