The Chills – If This World Was Made For Me

The musical world receives a poignant gift from New Zealand’s influential indie scene. Martin Phillipps, the creative force behind The Chills, left us an extraordinary parting message with “If This World Was Made For Me”, the first glimpse into Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs, set for release on February 28, 2025, via Fire Records.

This collection represents a profound musical archaeology project – Phillipps, who passed away in July at 61, dedicated his final months to excavating and completing songs from The Chills’ earliest days. What started as an exploration of old tapes transformed into a remarkable 20-song collection, bridging past and present with characteristic brilliance.

The process involved delicate reconstruction, with Phillipps noting that these weren’t simple reproductions but thoughtful reinterpretations: “A 60-year old man couldn’t just stick to the lyrics of those formative years”. The project features contributions from New Zealand music royalty, including Crowded House’s Neil Finn, alongside members of Fur Patrol, Split Enz, and Purple Pilgrims.

While not intended as a final chapter, Spring Board has become a touching farewell from one of New Zealand’s most vital musical voices, arriving with the blessing of both Phillipps’ family and his bandmates.