Every once in a while new music is submitted to us that is so impressive, we wonder if it could have sent in error. We start to think surely this artist must be on the verge of breaking out, and we just happened to get this right before the big Rolling Stone feature.
Such was the case with UK artist Natalie McCool and her new single “Heavens.” I am so impressed by this song that I had to search our local NPR radio station, a national hub for new music discovery, to see if they had played her yet; they hadn’t.
Natalie isn’t totally unknown. She is getting some great attention in the UK and has been playlisted on BBC Radio 1. We think it’s just a matter of time before she catches on here in the States. “Heaven” is infectious, and hits all the marks of what makes a great indie pop song: ethereal atmosphere, retro synth key hits, a soft but assertive vocal, a nice hook – but most importantly, a genuine lead guitar perfectly toned, dripping from a Vox combo. Mostly, Natalie’s guitar tone is a reflection of her dynamic soft touch, creating a sound all her own.
McCool’s comparisons belong somewhere between Phoebe Bridgers and The War On Drugs, but she still displays a unique sound of her own. A derivative of classic 80s Springsteen and Fleetwood Mac, McCool effectively highlights her use of intermittent guitar and lead keyboard lines, as well as a familiar Christine McVie delivery.
You can hear it all in this live performance from Future Yard 2021. Natalie is also featured in our Best New Indie playlist, as she certainly is one of the best we’ve heard this year.
written by Maestranza
The Wild Is Calling 