
Zoë Vera is a New Zealand pop singer-songwriter known for her honesty, vulnerability, and emotive vocals, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and growth. Born in the Netherlands and raised in South Auckland, she draws on her life experiences to create music exploring themes of resilience, identity, and growth. Her sound leans into musicality, sophistication, and creative substance, setting her apart from predictable pop genre conventions.
Zoë returns to the music scene with her five-track EP titled ‘Live Harder’, delving into her personal experience with trauma and the journey of rebuilding her life. ‘Twelve Feet Under’, the second track to be released from the EP on January 23, captures the feeling of unbearable overwhelm, moving between despair and defiance. Written in the wake of a prolonged legal battle, the song reflects the relatable pressure to move on when a difficult chapter ends, despite the impact that lingers. It stands as a raw yet determined survival anthem to not let the weight of trauma define the ending.
‘Good Enough’, the first single released from the EP, received widespread industry acclaim and multiple radio spins, including debut airplay during an on-air interview with celebrated hosts Jono, Ben & Megan on The Hits. Rising Artists praised its “striking, raw vulnerability,” while The Sounds Won’t Stop highlighted its “boisterous honesty, authenticity, heart, personality, and character,” noting its ability to make listeners “think and feel.” Popfad observed “the pathos of her creative mission,” describing Zoë Vera as “unafraid to express vulnerability,” and noted it is “impossible not to develop a strong connection to the artist.” Le Future Wave commended the “solid musical build and multi-textured hook,” declaring that “Zoë has the scene on lock.” Further reinforcing its impact, Popfad stated that “Zoë Vera’s work refuses to go unnoticed, assertively defining her place within the New Zealand music community.” The Sounds Won’t Stop described the release as a promising glimpse of the EP, predicting it will deliver “a massive amount of personality and authenticity.”
Zoë has been working on this EP with producer Danny McCrum, who has an extensive background working with artists including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Norah Jones. The final track on the EP features keys by Alex Burke, a Los Angeles-based musician who has recently worked with Bob Dylan and contributed to the latest (unreleased) Bruce Springsteen album.
Previous singles, ‘Don’t Make It My Fault’ and ‘Amsterdam’, received radio play in New Zealand, including on The Edge, as well as internationally. ‘Don’t Make It My Fault’ was featured in Air New Zealand’s Runway Pop playlist. LA on Lock described the vocal performance as “impressive,” noting the emotive power of her delivery, while Tear Away highlighted her “moving and heartfelt” songwriting. Welcome to the Gig praised Vera’s ability to “create deeply emotional music.”
Not only is Zoë Vera a talented artist, but she is also an Emergency Nurse. Music has always offered her a source of expression and comfort, helping her navigate the highs and lows of life. Her ability to channel such deep emotion into her music resonates strongly with listeners, offering both relatability and inspiration.

TWELVE FEET UNDER, the second single from EP LIVE HARDER — out on all platforms on January 23

The first single, Good Enough, from the EP Live Harder, is out now


Zoë Vera's Debut Single
Available on all platforms

"New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Zoë Vera’s new single, “Good Enough,” is told from Vera’s perspective as a twin, taking listeners to a world of deep comparison since birth. Growing up, Zoë constantly felt inferior, being compared since she can remember. The chorus is an explosion of Vera’s pain – hard-hitting piano chords, soft-strumming guitar, and drums – along with her soft yet assertive vocals. This raw vulnerability is striking in today’s music scene, making for a truly memorable, must-listen track."
"A beautifully intense new single from Zoe Vera delivers a warm tonality but a very honest sentiment. This single has a very current pop overtone, but it also has a contemporary underbelly. The piano work is beautiful and expresses the same level of emotion as the vocals do. She has a natural knack for building her songs.
It's songs like these that make us think and feel. This is the kind of music that has a strange way of letting us hold on to hope simply because of the fact that we know we're not alone in thoughts like this.
I love hearing completely authentic songs, like this one. It has that youthful undertone and still somehow beckons classic contemporary pop. It's a song you can easily picture in the scene of a film or a TV show, and this is mostly because of its emotional backbone and sentiment, but it also has to do with the music itself and the songwriting. The way the song is portrayed has a certain kind of mood and aesthetic to it that fits a cinematic landscape super well.
It's got heart, personality, it's full of character, and it's that boisterous honesty that really paints a picture for you and gives you a little piece of who she is. That is exactly what we need more of when it comes to pop music in general.
As far as we know, this is a glimpse of an upcoming EP release from the artist, and I certainly can't wait to hear more from this record. I have a feeling the whole thing is going to offer this massive amount of personality and just authenticity through and through."
"Good Enough speaks to an experience that feels increasingly universal in a world where social media amplifies the pressure to measure ourselves against others.
The musical build-up of this song is very solid, with some theatrical touches. The hook remains the strongest part due to its multi-textured mix. The vocals sound wonderful, bringing the narrative to life.
Zoë has the scene on lock with Good Enough."
"Assertively defining her place within the New Zealand musical community, nuanced indie pop artist Zoë Vera’s work refuses to go unnoticed as she makes her presence known throughout the airwaves.
The pathos of her creative mission feels wholly embodied within the lyrics of her latest single “Good Enough.” Unafraid to express vulnerability in her work, her sense of sentimentality is put on full display within the lyrics of this music.
Channeling a lifetime of adolescent insecurities into the minutes of this track, there is an unmistakable sense of empowerment in the way Vera owns the pages of her own life and chooses to embrace her own sense of self. Steeped in overtones of angst and melancholy, but delivered with a sense of refinement and composure, it feels impossible to not develop a strong connection to the artist’s story as we feel their sense of ambition to accept themself for who they truly are."
— Nick Gumas ~ Popfad
“Heartbreak is one of the cornerstones of songwriting, with untold songs written on the subject, and yet talented artists like Zoë Vera continue to dip into this emotional well.
’Don’t Make It My Fault’ is about love gone wrong but Vera’s manages to give us a vulnerable and tender song without delving into the anger or jaded skepticism often found in such songs. Her vocal range and emotive delivery is impressive and this song has a haunting quality that makes you want to give her a comforting hug afterward.”
— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock
"Zoë Vera is a rising pop singer based in Auckland, New Zealand. Zoë is making her mark on the music scene this 2024 with her newest offering single Don't Make It My Fault."
"Heroic nurse and wonderfully gifted musician, Zoë Vera, who hails from Auckland, is slowly creeping back onto the New Zealand music scene having recently released her exceptionally personal, vulnerable track from her archive titled Don't Make It My Fault"
— Ashlea Harris ~ Welcome to the Gig
"WPGM Commentary: Zoë Vera Explores Heartbreak and Shame On 'Don't Make It My Fault'"
— Ayo Adepoju ~ WPGM PR and Publicity
"This number hits wildly with raw emotion...The acoustic feeling to Amsterdam rallies around listeners, bringing them into the bubble that Zoë is expressing, allowing small amounts of intimate, raw emotion to be shared with nothing but beautiful truths from her internal dialogue, something Zoë does with ease, and extraordinary bravery. Amsterdam embraces you like the warmest, long-held hug from the ones you enjoy the company of the most; it is special, magnetic and really suits the launch of the vibe of Zoë's latest single".
— Ashlea Harris ~ Welcome to the Gig
"Zoë Vera's simple songwriting approach is moving and heartfelt, focusing on raw lyricism and showing off her beautiful vocal. This is a gorgeous introduction to a Kiwi artist who's sure to stay on your musical radar."
— The TearAway Weekly Music Haul
Zoë Vera "should be commended for her rawness within her lyrical journey. It brings so many special moments for her listeners and leaves plenty of room for the audience to insert their own story into the emotion. Beautifully done."
— Tricia Patras ~ Music & Fashion Blog
"Pop singer-songwriter Zoë Vera is back with her latest single, Amsterdam a vulnerable and raw exploration of depression, hopelessness, and self-reflection. The new track comes on the heels of her successful debut single, Don't Make It My Fault, which garnered widespread attention and critical acclaim earlier this year."
"Good Enough, the first single to be released from the EP, explores the universal experience of comparison, self-worth and the toll of trying to be “enough”. Written from Zoe’s perspective as a twin, in a moment that should’ve felt celebratory, she reflected on how comparison shaped her identity. With social media amplifying this pressure, the song feels widely resonant."
"Zoë Vera Releases ‘Good Enough’, the First Single from Upcoming EP Live Harder"