Living Perfection Debuts Ovo Je Za Tebe EP, Announces Auckland Release Party
Living Perfection, the solo project of Auckland‑based singer‑producer Maté Vella, has released its debut EP, Ovo Je Za Tebe, on 7 July 2026 through the independent label Sunreturn. The five‑track collection is now available on all major streaming services and on the artist’s Bandcamp page. A celebratory release party is scheduled for 25 July at Geihinkan Japanese Karaoke & Live Music Bar in Auckland, where guests will hear the new material followed by karaoke.
Vella, who previously released music with Trust Punks and Cool Cult, is a native of Tāmaki Makaurau and has long drawn on his Croatian heritage. The EP’s title, Ovo Je Za Tebe, translates to “This Is For You” in Croatian, a nod to the cultural background that also informs the lyrical content. In interviews, Vella has said the project is a chance to “have fun playing music” and to share that joy with listeners in both living‑room and club settings.
Musically, the EP blends elements of Italo‑disco, synth‑pop, EBM, vaporwave and witch house. The opening track, “Steel & Soul,” features a driving cyber‑punk beat and the lyric “metal heart with a human beat.” Production duties were handled by Martin Phillips, known for work with REPAIRS and God Bows To Math, who mixed and mastered the record. The result is a dancefloor‑ready sound that critics have described as “ghost‑consumed passion” and “drama‑laden.”
The release party will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a live set from Living Perfection, followed by karaoke at 11:30 p.m. Special guests include Green Grove, a fellow Sunreturn artist, and The EE Machine, the group of Taite Music Prize winner Emily Edrosa. Tickets are being sold through UnderTheRadar’s UTR platform, and rumors of free tiramisu have circulated among attendees.
In a statement released ahead of the EP, Vella noted that the project is a new challenge for him, as it is his first solo endeavor. He said he relies on feedback from his fiancé, child and friends to gauge the music’s reception. He also expressed hope that his Croatian‑inspired songs will be embraced by listeners in Croatia and beyond.
The EP is distributed by Sunreturn, an Auckland‑based independent label that focuses on electronic and dance music. UnderTheRadar, the platform that reported the release, encourages readers to support its operations by contributing through its UTR system.
With the EP now live and a party set for the end of July, Living Perfection’s debut marks a fresh entry into New Zealand’s electronic scene. Fans can stream the five tracks or purchase the EP on Bandcamp, while those in Auckland can attend the Geihinkan event to experience the music live.
