The Sampler's Nick Bollinger is on hiatus for six months while he writes a book, so RNZ Music has a brand new music podcast. Song Crush, hosted by audio obsessive Kirsten Johnstone, brings you the best new music every week.

In the final Sampler for 2018 Nick Bollinger revisits a few of the standout releases from the past 12 months.

Nick Bollinger surveys some of the outstanding international sounds of the past 12 months.