Mild Orange creates music that feels like the visual equivalent of a lens flare. It is fundamentally warm, optimistic, and bathed in a specific kind of New Zealand coastal light. Their sound is defined by clean but heavily processed electric guitars that shimmer with chorus and reverb, creating a liquid texture that feels both nostalgic and immediate. The rhythm section provides a steady, unhurried pulse that anchors the more ethereal melodic elements.
What sets them apart is their commitment to 'mildness' as a strength rather than a lack of intensity. They lean into the 'orange' aesthetic - warmth, aspiration, and happiness - without falling into the trap of being saccharine. There is a gentle psychedelia at play here, a sense of being slightly unmoored from time, which makes their songs feel like half-remembered summer vacations or the quiet clarity that comes just as the sun is setting.
Start with 'Some Feeling' to understand their core appeal: it is the quintessential example of their ability to turn a simple, repetitive guitar motif into a sprawling, emotive atmosphere. From there, dive into their self-titled album for a more polished take on their 'melting' sound, perfect for anyone who needs a sonic reset from the noise of the world.
Mild Orange is a New Zealand dream pop and indie rock band formed in Dunedin, Otago, in 2016. The band is composed of four friends, Josh Mehrtens (vocals, lyrics, guitar, production, mixing, art), Josh Reid (lead guitar), Tom Kelk (bass guitar), and Jack Ferguson (drums), who met while studying at the University of Otago. Mild Orange has written and released four albums together. Their first album, Foreplay, was released independently in April 2018 and was received positively by critics. The single "Some Feeling" has achieved over 27 million views on YouTube. Their second album, a self-titled, was released independently on 29 May 2020 and received positively by critics. The video for their single "Freak In Me", released on 12 March 2020, has attracted over 6.7 million views on YouTube. Their third album, Looking For Space, was released in early 2022. In August 2025, the album “The//Glow” was released.
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, analog warmth, bedroom production (production style)
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); golden hour, summer, ocean (atmosphere)
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); dreamy, nostalgic, wistful (moods)
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, analog warmth, layered dense (production style)
Shares reverb heavy, analog warmth, bedroom production (production style); dream pop, indie rock, surf rock (subgenres)
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); golden hour, summer, ocean (atmosphere)
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, analog warmth, bedroom production (production style)
Shares reverb heavy, analog warmth, bedroom production (production style); dreamy, serene, nostalgic (moods)
Shares reverb heavy, analog warmth, bedroom production (production style); dreamy, nostalgic, wistful (moods)
Shares dream pop, indie rock, psychedelic rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, analog warmth, bedroom production (production style)
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