There's little in the world I enjoy more than listening to new music, so I'm pretty happy right now.

I hope to turn over the next few weeks to reviewing some of this music, and already have CDs from The Shirleybyrds, The Whittakers and Archie Clark.

And there are at least four more albums currently being recorded in town.

So, since they have a launch show planned for October 13, let's start with The Shirleybyrds.

The band is a collaboration between singer/songwriter Shirley Ryder and singer/guitarist Graeme Hardaker, who previously record an album back in 2012.

The follow-up, I Wonder What Became Of Leia?, recorded recently at Tim Julian's Welcome Bay studio The Colourfield, teams them with the rhythm section of Jeff Nilson (drums) and Dave Thompson (bass) and is once again bright, poppy and approachable.

Shirley's life over the last year has been something of a rollercoaster, and I will leave it to the likes of Women's Day or another suitable publication to tell the full story. It's just the music here, Guv.

Long story short though, last October Shirley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and every indication suggested she would not be with us much longer.

Treatment pushed that cancer into remission, and since then Shirley has been creating music with a mission.

Busy times

At the time she was already largely through recording a full story concept album.

That went on hold and she has since recorded most of an album of Christian songs while simultaneously reforming The Shirleybyrds and creating this new set.

That's a serious work ethic right there.

Shirley's strength is in creating absurdly catchy little pop songs. Lyrics are often slight, but the sparkling tunes carry things. Her voice is light and has a faux-naive cuteness that works very well on the bubbly first single, Around You Spin Me (check out the YouTube video), and elsewhere.

There were two stand-outs on their previous album, Leia and Circles, and each gets a reprise here. Leia – Shirley's now-missing cat – features on the title track, while Circles has been rerecorded and sounds just as catchy as ever.

Graeme Hardaker, meanwhile, is a bit of a local legend. If there was any justice he would have a nickname of some sort like ‘The Voice', as he was long regarded as the town's premiere rock singer. As it is, people will probably know him as ‘that rumpled-looking guy in the video'.

He started decades ago in controversial punk band the Red Light Nuns, and has since done everything from fronting cover bands to playing drums with Dr Jaz.

Suzi tribute

Here Graeme sings one song and shares two others, while providing immaculate backing vocals and lead guitar. And his vocal chops still appear to be in fine form.

Both the way he belts out the chorus of the ballad Goodbye and the pure authentic rock chops he provides on Suzi, a wonderfully bizarre Bo-Diddley-beated tribute to Suzi Quatro, are inspiring.

The latter even comes with affectionate glam rock backing vocals, which are a nice touch.

There are a few stumbles. Where the first album was firmly rooted in 60s/70s retro, giving it a distinct sound and feel, this wanders a bit stylistically.

Laodicea slips into 1980s black t-shirt Hamilton rock, despite the pleasure of hearing Graeme cut loose on guitar, and sound-wise there is a slight hi-end digital swirl effecting the vocals which is a little off-putting. Also, you wonder if things weren't a bit rushed as the songs contain no noticeable instrumental hooks to match the fine vocal arrangements.But those are very picky criticisms. I Wonder What Became of Leia sparkles with easily-accessible sunny tunes (and the odd sad one), and it'll be well worth snagging a ticket for the launch gig at Vinyl Destination, on Saturday, October 13, at 8pm.

Grant Haua is opening the night on guitar, and an expanded Shirleybyrds will also feature Bruce (Brilleaux) Rolands and Tim Julian.

$20 tickets are available from The Shirleybyrds online or Vinyl Destination.