Pickle Darling Unveils Exciting New Album ‘Battlebots’

A new album from Pickle Darling is on the way!

The Christchurch indie-pop artist has unveiled Battlebots, set for release on September 5th through US label Father/Daughter Records. This album is touted as their most detailed and wonderfully chaotic project yet, following the earlier release of 2023’s Laundromat and a cover collaboration with The Beths.

The latest single, “Violence Voyager,” is currently available and comes with a fresh lo-fi music video directed by long-time partner Christiane Shortal.

“It’s a low poly ode to nature and the sensation of connecting to something larger,” explains Lukas Mayo, the creative force behind Pickle Darling. “We took our little PS1 mascot and guided them towards transcendence.”

“Violence Voyager” joins earlier tracks “Human Bean Instruction Manual” and “Massive Everything,” providing a sneak peek into the intricate and emotionally layered universe of Battlebots.

To celebrate the album release, Pickle Darling will host a series of intimate in-store performances across Aotearoa, presenting solo shows with just a guitar. The schedule includes September 5th at Slowboat Records in Wellington (4:30 PM), September 6th at Flying Out in Auckland (2:00 PM), and September 11th at Penny Lane Records in Christchurch.

Additionally, this new music release coincides with the launch of Pickle Darling: The Game, a retro-inspired video game co-created with Shortal. Players will navigate a DIY pixel-art landscape while searching for a lost album, all set to 8-bit renditions of Pickle Darling tracks like “Bicycle Weather,” “King of Joy,” and “Invercargill Angel.”

Described as a cult favorite on Bandcamp for several years, Lukas Mayo reached a significant milestone with Laundromat, an enchanting album that perfectly captures the essence of their Pickle Darling endeavor. It even placed at No. 56 on notable lists.

“Violence Voyager” by Pickle Darling is now available for listening!

Upcoming Pickle Darling Shows

Friday, September 5th
Slowboat Records, Wellington – 4:30 PM

Saturday, September 6th
Flying Out, Auckland – 2:00 PM

Thursday, September 11th
Penny Lane Records, Christchurch