Humble but ambient design smooths out the thoughtfully uncertain edges of a songwriting style committed to melodic and conceptual intrigue. UK rock duo KIN TALA weave an unorthodox creative web that’s both unique and enchanting, for their impressive debut EP Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost.
Indie Pop
Swedish rock three-piece Frank Follows reignite the flame of indie rock, with a likable fusion of strong riffs, bright guitar tones, and raspy, tired but emotive vocals.
Sublime guitar work pairs fluidity of playing with breathy vocals and a mellow groove. The metaphorical depths and distinct vocal tone of Orion Redwolf presents an hypnotic and likable warmth, for the brand new single Glow.
Long-time favourite and easily one of indie’s most engaging songwriters from recent years, Kyle Jaymes leans into the anthemic uplift of Folk Rock, with the brilliantly captivating new single Haunting.
Our protagonist sings with emotional strain about loneliness and the struggle to adapt to the fast-pace of life, but meanwhile this ethereal back and forth of the chords and these light drums, the reverb-kissed guitar pouring through like waves of optimism, creates an unassuming safe space – within which these thoughts can really connect.
What grabbed me the most about this track was Amanda’s decision to write from the perspective of the cult leader. It’s interesting, original, and strangely intoxicating. If ever there was a relevant artistic representation of the allure and appeal that cult leaders manage to enchant their followers with, Cigarettes and Crucifixes is the one.
The humble strum of an acoustic guitar, the breathy warmth of an intimate, melodic folk-pop vocal, subtle synths in the distance – Italian artist Alaïs reflects with sophistication and respect, on the highs and lows of learning to love yourself.
Perhaps his first masterpiece, Leaving feels like a structurally knowledgeable yet still intriguingly alternative indie treasure of a track. I’ve mentioned The Eels previously in terms of that vocal rasp and warmth, the joyful twinkle of the instrumentation, but from a songwriting perspective Marshall Gray falls somewhere between the likes of the nineties emo artists and the more edgy realism of bands like Radiohead and REM.
If you weren’t a fan of Anti-Hero before, I’d take bets that you will be after listening. And if you already were – here’s a whole new tempo and flavour to reignite your love for it.
Contemporary storytelling complete with fearless vulnerability and vocal character combined – Sid Dorey masters the freedom of creative writing, with the deeply evocative and artistically unique EP Drama In Doses.
Inspired by the sentiments of Dostoevsky, the project drives with an organic passion for living in a wonderful world. Florence offers folk-pop melodies, distinct vocals that soothe and suggest, alongside simple keys and mellow rhythms.
New Jersey artist and multi-instrumentalist Brittneyann leads with a divinely delicate and breathy RnB vocal, throughout the smooth-indie pop single Friends Lovers Enemies.