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.
Indie Pop
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.
Always a dangerous word to throw around in a relationship, Irrational is a song that explores the genuine issue of overreacting to minor situations, but it does so in such a joyful bounce of a way that it almost feels like a compliment.
Having served in the Marines in 2004, Kevin and his closest friends were hit by an improvised explosive device, seeing the latter perish and leaving Kevin fighting to survive. This event impacted his entire future in every possible way, and as such, music became an unparalleled tool for healing and acceptance.
Conceptually deep and provocative by nature, there’s more to love about Abstract with each re-listen. The production and melody create a shoulder-swaying groove that’s a pleasure to let play, but then on closer inspection, the lyrics prompt you to become inescapably aware of the fragility of life and the inevitable passing of time.
Piano-led indie pop and breathy vocals depict a contemporary sense of influence amidst a poetic and personal style of writing. Argentinian artist Pilar Victoria, now based in Texas, rises up from intimate and acoustic to anthemic and bold, with the increasingly likable single Headphones.