Promising stories of contemplation regarding influence, authority, and personal agency, Message Through Meadows is clearly songwriting-driven. The band are not flashy nor attention grabbing in their image or audio demeanour, they let the music speak honestly on each concept and feeling, and this is what lets these four songs feel so moving and emotionally memorable.
Indie Rock
Massive indie riffs and charming, nearly spoken indie vocals build a quirky and captivating alt-rock sound that’s instantly nostalgic. The Orange Blossoms bring unique lyrical musings together with a distinct performative identity and classic rock guitar sounds, for the brilliantly inspiring album Green Light.
Returning with a gorgeous organic groove of classic acoustic guitar to full-band vibrancy, Ehson Hashemian delivers an absolute earworm of an anthem from his brand new album, with the angelic vocals and indie-anthemic charm of Anything.
Classic indie rock grooves and good vibes a-plenty rain down from superb Toronto band The Get Alongs this season. Blending the passionate rasp and soulful grit of The Stones with the snappy and anthemic energy of 60s garage rock (and a twist of power pop alongside), Second To None includes timelessly addictive jams like Come … Continued
Surf rock and sixties sentiments and melodies light up the catchy grooves of this uplifting new live-style EP from indie’s one and only ukulele rock troubadours.
Somewhere to lose yourself, an echoing garage-rock arena, drenching distortion in reverb and adding something like gentle diary-style vocals and an adlib outbursts to the songwriting. Dayfiction work with mood and momentum, as the tumbling drums and evocative drama of Spare introduces their latest EP on a poignant high.
Maypo Deluxe is one of indie’s most consistent artists, a songwriter with an authentic sense of heart and storytelling, holding closely to the organic rock sounds of a simpler era, and meandering from the soulful rock ballad set-up to the upbeat and addictive grooves accordingly, as we roll through more and more fantastic songs.
Brilliant basslines, soulful vocals, quirky but satisfying melodies and a fiercely human sense of passion and live-music vibrancy. Scottish artist and producer Novaborn captures a moment of pure addictive escapism, with the soaring stomp and seduction of Gone.
UK music is fiercely impressive when it needs to be. This year feels important for live music and creativity, and Fierce Friend is firmly a part of that.
Funky basslines and live rock energy carves out a band-sound that’s hopefully making a huge comeback this year. The Lucky Angels deliver the distortion, depth and soul required to light up the space, with the solid rock stomp and tone of The world’s for sale.
Personification, metaphor, and all-round powerful songwriting elevate the appeal of an indie band well and truly paving their own way. Glasgow’s Revelation 23 have that something fresh and fascinating to their sound, something topical and piercing about their sense of purpose, their rebellious intrigue, and Veal is a fine dedication to the craft.
This classic indie rock anthem is both gentle and impassioned, thoughtful and uplifting, and that natural connection to the songwriting and playing process, along with the band’s extensive years of experience on the scene, is what effortlessly sets The Monumentals apart from most of the indie acts you’ll scroll past during this week’s algorithmic downpour.