THURSDAY, 19TH JUNE 2025

1 Drop Nation keep it real with lush new love song ‘The Way We Love’

Love songs are easy to write but hard to mean—and even harder to deliver without slipping into cliché. But 1 Drop Nation, the Ōtautahi-based six-piece known for their deep roots-reggae-funk fusion, manage to sidestep the expected entirely with their new single ‘The Way We Love’—a track that feels lived-in, grounded, and real.

Built on tight, warm grooves and topped with vocalist Kanei Johnson’s emotive delivery, the song doesn’t just talk about love—it sounds like it. There’s a softness to the harmonies, a kind of relaxed joy in the arrangement, and a confidence that only comes from a band deeply in sync, both musically and emotionally.

Far from the hyper-stylised, overproduced love ballads that crowd the charts, ‘The Way We Love’ feels communal—less like a serenade and more like a shared moment. That sense is brought to life in the video too: no grand gestures, just friends, firelight, and the kind of singalong energy that makes you feel like you’re already part of it.

The track marks a continued evolution for 1 Drop Nation, who’ve been steadily pushing their sound forward since their 2022 debut album. With production from Dr Lee Prebble (a name synonymous with Aotearoa’s roots scene) and a growing catalogue of standout singles—like the groove-drenched ‘Supernova’ with Laughton Kora, and the roots-heavy ‘Proud’—the band is clearly building toward something bigger.

Still, what sets 1 Drop Nation apart isn’t just genre fusion or slick production—it’s intention. There’s a clarity in their kaupapa, woven through their sound and identity. Their music moves with purpose but never preaches. It invites you in, lets you breathe, and leaves you feeling a little more connected.

Next up, the band joins Corrella on tour this August, with dates in Christchurch and Dunedin. For those who’ve only heard the recordings, the live show is where the full 1 Drop Nation experience kicks in—heart, sweat, harmony and all.