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Borderline is what happens when four best friends grow up making music together and never stop. The rising New Zealand band—Ben Glanfield, Jackson Boswell, Matthew McFadden, and Max Harries—turns that lifelong connection into a sound that’s as expansive as it is intimate.
Now, after racking up over 1.5 million streams and building global buzz, the genre-blurring quartet returns with their new Chrysalis EP, out today via EMPIRE. From funk-infused grooves to hands-in-the-air anthems, Chrysalis captures the magic of a band whose chemistry has been years in the making—and shows no signs of slowing down.
The band are also excited to share the official video for the EP’s “Breakdown.” Directed by Tom Grut, the video was shot in their hometown of Auckland and the band note, “This video was awesome to film, such a cool vibe to go with the song. Tom Grut who directed the video and the crew involved are so talented and it really shows.”
Additional tracks on Chrysalis include recent singles “New Romance,” “Heartbeat” and “When It’s Raining.” Each of these have charted in New Zealand and earned international attention, landing on key DSP playlists including New Music Friday, New in Pop, and Alt Pop, while also receiving radio support across Australia (Triple J, SYN), the UK (BBC Radio 1, student radio), and U.S. college stations. Rolling Stone Australia said “New Romance” carries their familiar mix of catchy pop melodies, smooth synths, and heartfelt lyrics” and RIFF Magazine called it “so catchy.” The single has become their first track to hit #1 on the New Zealand Hot 20, and BBC Introducing applauded it as “Track of the Week.” The EP’s tracklist is rounded out by “Mi Amor” and “Breakdown.”
The band have just announced a run of dates in New Zealand and Australia. The tour starts on August 22 and concludes September 6. Add dates are listed below and tickets are available here. Watch this space for news of North American, UK and European shows!
“What makes Borderline stand out isn’t just their sound—it’s the way they create it: collaboratively, instinctively, and as a true unit. “Our great superpower is the fact we’re all best mates,” says Jackson. “Matt and I have been playing and jamming since we were seven-years-old. The rest of us have been together for a long time too. So, we have a special chemistry on our instruments. We can play off each other and anticipate what one another is going to do almost to the point where it’s telepathic.”
“It really is like a four-way marriage,” laughs Ben. “We’re lucky to have each other’s support. We’re able to make it through anything because we’re so close. Traditionally, we don’t write parts individually. It’s all super collaborative.”
“When it comes down to it, this wouldn’t work if we weren’t friends,” concurs Jackson. “Friendship definitely comes first.”
Their respective talents and sensibilities merge into one distinct and dynamic vision. From the jump, Ben has always exhibited keen intuition and empathy as a lyricist, while Max effortlessly rotates between instruments, flexing his proficiency on bass, saxophone and others. The band refers to Matt as “in the running for one of the best guitarists in the world,” and Jackson not only holds down the rhythm section but curates the live set to create a full experience.
Borderline’s story started in Auckland, with Jackson and Matt forming the original version of the band in 2019. Ben joined in 2021 and they quickly penned their debut single “Spinning,” which landed at #6 on the NZ Artists Hot 20 and #34 on the NZ Hot 40. Solidifying their identity as a four-piece, Max completed the current lineup in early 2023 ahead of their Perfect Movie Scene EP.
“It’s been all go ever since,” smiles Jackson.
With standout tracks like “Going Home (Bitter)” and “This is Not Love,” the critically acclaimed debut EP Perfect Movie Scene made waves across the New Zealand charts and even impacted the College Radio Top 200 in North America. Sold-out headline shows followed, and in 2024, the band made the decision to leave school to pursue music full-time. That choice was validated with the success of their follow-up single, October’s “Heartbeat,” which cracked the NZ Hot 20 and once again earned spins on U.S. college radio, further cementing their international momentum.
2025 kicked off with a bang as the band made their U.S. debut with six buzzed-about sets at SXSW, followed by headline shows in New York and Los Angeles. Next came their UK debut at The Great Escape, with additional gigs in Brighton and London.
Throughout it all, they road-tested songs that would shape Chrysalis, pulling influence from Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, The 1975, and The Japanese House. Ultimately, Chrysalis captures a band in motion – evolving, exploring, and grounded in the kind of friendship that keeps them steady. “When you listen to us, I’d love for you to have some sense of connection with Borderline,” says Matt. “We want you to feel like you’re a part of this.”
“I hope you connect with the four of us,” agrees Jackson. “If you could hear our camaraderie in the music, that would be really special.”
Borderline tour dates
8/22 – Totara St – Mount Maunganui (NZ)
8/28 – San Fran – Wellington (NZ)
8/29 – Tuning Fork – Auckland (NZ)
8/30 – Loons – Christchurch (NZ)
9/2 – 9/4 – BIGSOUND – Brisbane (Aus)
9/5 – The Old Bar – Melbourne (Aus)
9/6 – The Vanguard – Sydney (Aus)
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