Bret McKenzie

856 fans

As you can probably glean from that gleaming album title above, Bret McKenzie—whom you know from such modern musical treasures as comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, the Muppets movie reboots and other ace kid-film soundtracks, Lord of the Rings fan blogs, guest songs for The Simpsons, cycling around the streets in his native New Zealand, and more— has a new solo record coming out filled with songs that ARE NOT COMEDY SONGS! For members of the press, we thoughtfully provide some irresistible story headlines below, for Bret’s sake and your convenience.

-Kiwi Flies, and Solo!

-Songs From One Bloke

-Three (Con)chords (Minus Two Conchords) and the Truth

-Uh-Oh! Rhymenoceros on the Loose!

-Bretty or Not, Here He Comes

There. Now doesn’t that feel better? Sometimes it helps just to get it out in the open.

So, yeah, Bret’s a ridiculously funny dude, and you might even call him one of the best comedy songwriters in the biz. (In Bret’s own words, there are fewer than a dozen people in the world writing comedy songs today, but who’s counting?) He’s had smash hits, he’s won major awards, he’s the better-dressed part of his duo...he’s got a good thing going! So, what gives with this whole “songs without jokes” solo stuff, man?

“Post-Conchords, I’d been working on songs for the Muppets films, and during a session I had the thought that it would be fun someday to work on some songs that weren’t for someone else, that doesn’t have to tell a story or be funny or continue the narrative plot, checking all the boxes for the character in the movie,” McKenzie says. “I thought it’d be fun to do a record like that, something different. It started as kind of a side project; it’s not like I’m trying to start a massive solo career or change the world with music. But now it’s turned into a full record and therefore requires quite a bit of time. It turns out it’s quite a big job, putting out a record. Why did no one try to stop me?”

The Conchords landed McKenzie and Jemaine Clement a hit HBO TV show, a BBC Radio series, chart-topping records, world tours, a Best Comedy Album Grammy, and a 2018 “reunion” special and accompanying live album, Live In London. McKenzie then transitioned to Hollywood, writing songs for 2011’s The Muppets (winning a “Best Original Song Oscar” for “Man or Muppet”), 2014’s Muppets Most Wanted, along with films in the Pirates! and Dora canons. But while he both enjoyed and excelled at the work, he also endured the tedium accompanying all that plot-bound specificity, and began wondering what directions his songs might go if set truly free. He had already noticed his writing vocabulary expanding organically, something he attributed to the emotional needs of the films. And so, while in Los Angeles a few years back, recording movie music with a crack assemblage of legendary session musicians, McKenzie started playing around with a tune or two he had written simply as songs—songs without any external direction, songs without plot-pushing concerns, songs without jokes.

“My songwriting had started to open up a little bit,” he says. “We were writing songs all the time in Conchords, but they were always based on a gag. Then the movie stuff often required more story and character, so sometimes what might be a funny song also had to be an emotional moment. I wanted to do some songs that didn’t have to be anything for anyone else, songs that could just exist. It’s kind of bizarre, because 99 percent of songs are like that—there’s only about 10 people who write comedy songs. So mostly this was just me wanting to write songs that didn’t have to do anything apart from be a song.”

Adding to his successful track record writing and performing across most genres of pop music, McKenzie is a fan of wry, literate artists like Harry Nilsson, Steely Dan, Randy Newman and Dire Straits. He’s a talented player of multiple instruments and a veteran of several non-comedy bands in New Zealand back in the day, most notably the reggae-based fusion group The Black Seeds. Yet, while songs without jokes are just as much in his blood as those with, he recognizes that most people who know his work will arrive expecting a laugh. Hence, the album’s title.

“When I tell people I’m doing an album, they hit this wall: ‘Is it comedy?’ I’ve been working on it for two years, so I’m well past that, but until people hear it, it’s harder for them to wrap their head around what I’m doing.”

Written mostly during the quieter moments of 2019, with his life split between work in Los Angeles and his family in Wellington, the songs of Songs focus on themes of escape, the perpetual search for peace, and navigating a life being pulled in multiple directions at once. There are also simple meditations on driving through a city, and the weather. McKenzie was inspired by the path his aforementioned idols like Newman and Nilsson had paved, where a silly or playful number could be sandwiched directly between a song about heartbreak or an earnest redemption and a scathing satire or character commentary. He threw a bit of everything into the mix, recording ideas on his phone at home in New Zealand after the kids had gone to sleep. Upon returning to LA, he would play the sketches for his longtime producer and collaborator, Mickey Petralia, who helped McKenzie identify the best moments, then together they would add parts and shape the songs. From there, longtime film collaborator Chris Caswell created charts for that same ensemble of session players with whom they’d recorded so many pieces for film. The majority of songs were then recorded at United Studio in Los Angeles in just a few takes.

“I love working in the studio with those guys, this older generation of LA session musicians, these Wrecking Crew type legends,” McKenzie says. “They’ve played on everything, it’s insane —Dolly Parton, James Taylor, Lionel Richie, everything. It’s quite old-fashioned; the band all get a chart and sit there and play the song two or three times and you’re done. It’s a bit like directing actors. I’ll say ‘This song should have a bit of a Steely Dan vibe, or, it feels like LA freeway music” and Dean, the guitarist, just goes, ‘Yeah.’ And we’re cracking up because it turns out Dean is one of the guitar players from Steely Dan. All those session guys are such a trip.”

“If You Wanna Go” charges out of the gates like a classic Randy Newman kiss-off served sunny-side-up, with an instrumentation that somehow manages to sound contemporary and vintage all at once. “A Little Tune” is a vampy, barroom piano romp with a great big smile, loads of style, and nary a yuk. And the driving, synth-laced rhythmic pulse and bathroom stall wisdom of “Dave’s Place” offer a sense of groove and strong, understated vocals that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Dire Straits record.

While the album may be free of traditional punch lines, it doesn’t lack a sense of humor. It showcases a new stage of McKenzie’s career, to be sure, but one that isn’t so far removed from his past work and true artistic self. Like Jim Henson before him, who made a career of blending the silly with the sincere and the playful with the profound, McKenzie also aims to connect rainbows to the ridiculous.

“I’m becoming way more comfortable in my own skin with songs that are a bit more personal. At first, I felt a little naked singing a song about how I’m not sure what to do with my life— compared to writing for fucking Kermit the Frog—but I’m getting more comfortable now with the heartfelt. Instead of going for a laugh you’re creating these cool little moments. I love comedy songs but I don’t put a comedy record on while hanging out; I don’t drive around listening to standup, I listen to regular music. So it feels right to finally make a record of music I might want to listen to.”

Bret McKenzie’s Songs Without Jokes will be released August 26th, 2022 worldwide from Sub Pop Records.
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Top tracks

05
Could This Be Love?
Bret McKenzie
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:52
Composers: Bret McKenzie
02
If You Wanna Go
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:03
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
16
Say My Name, Karen (Demo Version)
Bret McKenzie
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:07
Composers: Bret McKenzie - Linda Perry
08
A Little Tune
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
05:06
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
01
This World
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:56
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
06
All I Need
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
04:07
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
05
That's L.A.
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
04:08
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
09
America Goodbye
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
04:00
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
03
Dave's Place
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
04:08
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
04
Here For you
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:29
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
07
Carry On
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:48
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
06
Up In Smoke
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:39
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie

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  • Discography
Albums
℗ 2025 Sub Pop Records
15-08-2025
Freak Out City
01
Bethnal Green Blues
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
04:12
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
02
Freak Out City
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
04:51
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
03
The Only Dream I Know
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
02:30
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
04
All the Time
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
05:06
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
05
That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
03:10
Writer: John Prine / Composers: John Prine
06
All I Need
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
04:07
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
07
Eyes on the Sun
Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
03:05
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Sub Pop Records
26-08-2022
Songs Without Jokes
01
This World
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:56
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
02
If You Wanna Go
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:03
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
03
Dave's Place
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
04:08
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
04
Here For you
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:29
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
05
That's L.A.
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
04:08
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
06
Up In Smoke
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:39
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
07
Carry On
Bret McKenzie
Songs Without Jokes
03:48
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Singles
℗ 2025 Sub Pop Records
03-06-2025
All I Need
01
All I Need
Bret McKenzie
All I Need
04:07
Writer: Bret McKenzie / Composers: Bret McKenzie
℗ 2014 Walt Disney Records
01-01-2014
I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu) (Muppets Most Wanted)
01
I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu) (Muppets Most Wanted)
Bret McKenzie
I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu) (Muppets Most Wanted)
02:47
Featured in
℗ 2025 This compilation WaterTower Music as licensee for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 
28-03-2025
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01
I Feel Alive (from “A Minecraft Movie”)
Jack Black
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:06
Composers: Andrew Wyatt - Jack Black - Mark Ronson
02
When I'm Gone ("A Minecraft Movie" Version)
Dirty Honey
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:23
Composers: Corey Coverstone - John Notto - Justin Casey Smolian - Marc Labelle
03
Change Song
Dayglow
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:27
Composers: Sloan Christian Struble
04
Zero to Hero
BENEE
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:22
Composers: Bret McKenzie
05
Could This Be Love?
Bret McKenzie
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:52
Composers: Bret McKenzie
06
Just Can't Get Enough (from "A Minecraft Movie") (Instrumental Version)
Jamieson Shaw
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:42
Composers: Vince Clarke
07
Steve's Lava Chicken
Jack Black
A Minecraft Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
00:34
Composers: Jack Black - Jared Hess - Thomas J Black
Access the complete album info (25 songs)
(P) 2025 Viacom International Inc. Under exclusive license to Soundtrack Records Inc d/b/a Lakeshore Records
07-03-2025
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01
Welcome To Bikini Bottom
SpongeBob SquarePants
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:17
Composers: Bret McKenzie
02
I'm Plankton
Plankton
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:49
Composers: Mark Mothersbaugh - Bob Mothersbaugh
03
Going Up
Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:18
Composers: Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper
04
Say My Name, Karen
Karen
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:19
Composers: Bret McKenzie - Linda Perry
05
I Made A New Friend
Plankton
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:07
Composers: Bret McKenzie
06
Bad Trip
Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:49
Composers: Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper
07
I'm a Jerky Jerk
Plankton
Plankton The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:59
Composers: Linda Perry - Bret McKenzie
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
℗ 2025 This compilation WaterTower Music as licensee for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 
28-03-2025
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01
I Feel Alive (from “A Minecraft Movie”)
Jack Black
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:06
Composers: Andrew Wyatt - Andrew Wyatt Blakemore - Jack Black - Mark Ronson - Thomas J Black
02
When I'm Gone ("A Minecraft Movie" Version)
Dirty Honey
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:23
Composers: Corey Coverstone - John Notto - Justin Casey Smolian - Marc Labelle
03
Change Song
Dayglow
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
03:27
Composers: Sloan Christian Struble
04
Zero to Hero
BENEE
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:22
Composers: Bret McKenzie - Bret Peter T Mckenzie
05
Could This Be Love?
Bret McKenzie
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:52
Composers: Bret McKenzie - Bret Peter T Mckenzie
06
Just Can't Get Enough (from "A Minecraft Movie") (Instrumental Version)
Jamieson Shaw
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01:42
Composers: Vince Clarke
07
Steve's Lava Chicken
Jack Black
A Minecraft Movie (Songs from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
00:34
Composers: Jack Black - Jared Hess - Thomas J Black
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
This Compilation ℗ 2014 Walt Disney Records
01-01-2014
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
01
"They've Ordered a Sequel"
Walter
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
00:13
02
We're Doing a Sequel
The Muppets
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
04:16
Composers: Bret McKenzie
03
"My Name First ___ Your Name"
Constantine
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
00:19
04
I'm Number One
Constantine
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:29
05
"The Casa Grande"
Kermit
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
00:13
06
The Big House
Tina Fey
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
02:24
07
"Stick with Me"
Constantine
Muppets Most Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
00:09
Access the complete album info (25 songs)
2023 Primary Wave Records
08-09-2023
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
01
Stranger In A Strange Land
Margo Price
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
04:49
Composers: Leon Russell - Greg Dempsey
02
Out In The Woods
Durand Jones & The Indications
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
03:48
Composers: Leon Russell
03
Tight Rope
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
03:40
Composers: Leon Russell
04
This Masquerade
Orville Peck
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
03:13
Composers: Leon Russell
05
Superstar
U.S. Girls
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
04:50
Composers: Leon Russell - Bonnie Bramlett - Delaney Bramlett
06
Crystal Closet Queen
Pixies
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
03:37
Composers: Leon Russell
07
A Song for You
Monica Martin
A Song For Leon (A Tribute to Leon Russell)
05:17
Composers: Leon Russell
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
This Compilation ℗ 2014 Walt Disney Records
15-04-2014
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
01
“Han encargado una secuela”
Walter
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
00:13
Composers: Not Applicable
02
Hay una secuela
Los Muppets
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
04:17
Composers: Bret McKenzie
03
"Primero, mi nombre... tu nombre"
Constantine
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
00:20
Composers: Not Applicable
04
Yo soy el uno
Constantine
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
02:29
Composers: Bret McKenzie
05
"La cárcel"
Gustavo
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
00:13
Composers: Not Applicable
06
Bienvenido a la cárcel
Nadya
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
02:26
Composers: Bret McKenzie
07
"Sigue conmigo"
Constantine
El Tour de los Muppets (Banda Sonora Original)
00:10
Composers: Not Applicable
Access the complete album info (25 songs)