The Bats are an institution on the New Zealand music scene, their melancholy jangle pop sound and infectious melodies consistently defining the Kiwi rock aesthetic at its very best. After forming in the early '80s, the band would keep the same lineup as they progressed through more than 30 years together, moving from their first album in 1987 to later releases like 2020's Foothills without changing too much about their uniquely wistful melodies and pastoral songwriting.