Indie rock of anthemic highs and conceptual lows, darkness and upbeat optimism carefully combined. Dumpster Fire is Beldon Haigh’s latest poignant re-release, following a video that racked up over a million views in two years, and it’s set to launch in unison with the band’s Rock Opera Premiere at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Indie Rock
Standing tall on the strength of a simple but satisfying bass line, rising higher still as a soulful vocal thread and funky indie-rock aura gathers clear momentum – Lui Fazo rides the pulse of an implication, with the slick and unmistakable Energy.
Jag, Griffin, Luke and Parker make up Chelekis, a four-piece with a shared passion for the process, and that inherent connection that shines brilliantly through the rhythmic unity and celebratory scorn of Problematic.
Already an impressive and consistently likable band, this latest offering injects a twist of something like soul and ska modestly woven into the band’s classic tapestry. The songwriting is catchy, the vocals sublime, and the faultless unity between musicians lets this spacious and genuine arrangement create a completely intoxicating groove.
Where Do We Go? is an absolute earworm of an indie rock single – a huge hook, harmonised voices united, a familiar existential crisis at the forefront, and catchy verses that feel familiar but fresh enough in this distorted, high-energy setting. The juxtaposition of confronting lyrical depth and joyful pop-rock escapism is mighty, and that makes this an easy favourite.
Noting a clear similarity to the early years of Arctic Monkeys, Black Lounge access a current gap in the modern music scene, with great vocals, clever lyrics, fresh melodies and smart guitar play. Their musicianship is second to none, their unity as a band undeniable, and the pace and presence of this track, the sheer tempo and their faultless delivery of it, quickly overcomes any nostalgic comparisons.
The UK’s own, bringing back the ferocity and riffs of classic, timeless rock – Canada Hill energise the space in an instant, with the relentless tempo, raw distortion and anthemic chorus of voices that make up Hit!
Bringing back the sheer energy and grit of rock and punk, with a vocal and production twist that’s easily distinct – Stoke-on-Trent band Whooligans deliver a distorted anthem of simple, nostalgic listing and confident scorn for the rat-race.
Glaswegian indie duo The Sundown Social Club let emotional depth and melodic warmth guide the way, as their nostalgic yet vocally fresh storyteller of a single Everybody Needs a Dodge softly pierces through the noise of the scene.
We’re in a king of Hard-Fi realm with this voice and writing, but then as we move into the more world-music sway and bass-play of Pet Sematary, Zweng is quick to recapture his own lane. The voice is softer, the lyrics compelling and unusual, before we return to another uplifting pop-rock anthem for Goodbye To You.
An indie gem for the long-time alternative rock and pop-punk / emo fans across the board. North Carolina solo songwriter and musician Violet Wish ignites the passion and power of the past, with the energising arrangement and deeply reflective emotional heartbreak of Thanksgiving.
Great songwriting always resounds, regardless of the setting or recording style. In this case, the authenticity of the studio capture seems to aptly reinforce the realism and appeal of the song. Jumbo Chords deliver an indie-rock classic, for Dennis Wilson.