An album written, arranged and produced in a Tītahi Bay studio has reached No. 2 on New Zealand’s official Aotearoa Albums Chart, bringing national recognition to music created in Porirua.
Wellington singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Louis Baker’s second full-length album, Trouble, debuted at No. 2 on the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums Chart for 16–22 October.
The record also entered the overall Official Top 40 Albums Chart at No. 12, competing alongside international releases.
The achievement follows the album’s release on 9 October and represents a significant result for Baker, who spent much of 2024 and 2025 writing, arranging and producing its nine songs at his studio in Tītahi Bay.
The coastal Porirua suburb provided the working base for a project that combines contemporary soul, rhythm and blues, and elements of classic soul music.
Baker played multiple roles in the album’s creation, overseeing its songwriting, arrangements and production while bringing in a collection of Wellington-region musicians.
Contributors include Tristan Carter, Cory Champion, Leo Coghini, Rikki Gooch, James Illingworth, Johnny Lawrence, Iris Little and Louisa Williamson.
The record was mixed by producer Ben Lawson and mastered by Josh Llewellyn at Downbeat Mastering.
Its sound combines live instrumentation, guitars, keyboards and strings with contemporary production.
Baker has described the album as emerging from a period of personal growth and reflection.
The songs explore grief, love, resilience, community and social issues, alongside more personal experiences.
Speaking in the original album announcement, Baker said he enjoyed making the record and described it as reflecting both difficult experiences and more hopeful parts of life.
The national album placing is not the only chart success.
Four songs from Trouble also featured on the Hot 20 Aotearoa Singles Chart for 16–22 October.
The title track reached No. 10, followed by Flaws at No. 11, All We Need at No. 13 and Mighty Tree at No. 14.
The results give the album a presence across both the national album rankings and the chart measuring interest in new local singles.
According to publicity material released on 22 October, music from the project has accumulated around 1.8 million streams since the release of its first single.
Baker has also received international radio exposure, including plays on BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom.
The chart achievement adds to a career that has taken him from Wellington to performances across Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom.
For Porirua, the result highlights the creative work taking place within the city.
Although Baker is widely associated with Wellington’s music scene, Trouble was developed in Tītahi Bay rather than in a major commercial recording facility elsewhere.
The album demonstrates how a substantial national music release can emerge from a working studio in a coastal suburb.
Baker is currently touring the album around New Zealand, with a full-band Wellington performance scheduled at Meow Nui on 31 October.