Fast Romantics are instantly anthemic on their new single Smoke + Lightning. The noir music video accents the duos collective star personas. It’s an affect of their aura, a sentiment that’s reflected in the essence of their music.
Smoke + Lightning is elusively nostalgic. It takes features from both 80s and 90s pop and infuse them with indie inspired energy. The landmark components of the synth string and the vocal performance blend poetically, amplifying the songs emotional instincts. For us the collective depth and rich presence of the production recalls the works of Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, and the Districts. It’s a testament to its updated indie appeal while harkening to the best facets of classic underground punk inspired pop breakthroughs. It’s an eclectic array of assumed inspirational references, ascending chronologically from ABBA to Human League to The Verve. Fast Romantics encapsulate the next evolution in euphoric pop.
Hear Smoke + Lightning now on our Best New Indie Playlist.
From the Netherlands the duo that is Maida Rose rise like a conceptual Phoenix. The title of their new single, this dreamy emotive gem encapsulates a vibe. It’s heard in the vulnerable hush delivery of the lead vocal. The music follows its melodic lead, as the production unfolds like one synergetic mechanism.
Everything is exactly where it should be on this effective arrangement. Stylistically Phoenix is a sure thing for fans of dream pop icons like Beach House. They also bear a semblance of the musical poetry known to Lana Del Rey and the dark dreamy essence of Men I Trust. We find it delightful.
Hear Phoenix now on our Best New Indie Playlist.
Billy Keane is a dynamic shapeshifting force. A burgeoning recording artist who knows no stylistic boundaries. His compositional instincts reflect Rocks lineage to folk and country. Like the best known to indie music he adapts that influence with stylistic prowess. Its heard in both his arrangements and in the little details. Like the emotional swings between performances or the sonic treatments heard on every musical input.
His new single The Pilgrim Age fits the description. It’s both catchy and classic. You can trace the influence of The Grateful Dead or The Band and how it motivates the modern works of indies like Hiss Golden Messenger and The War On Drugs. Its a facet of that Pilgrim Age in rock, when troubadours roamed these tricky microcosms like rock and roll mercenaries, there to offer some relief to their culturally imprisoned brethren, watching their numbers grow with every subsequent tour visit.
Billy Keane is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
Is Radiohead the most cherished band of the last 30 years? Without a doubt they’re at the top of the list and the rest simply depends on your subjective debate. Taking their rock or electronic hits and presenting them acoustic tends to be the cover standard, but New Friends have flipped the script with their rendition of High and Dry.
Reimagining it as a modern pop rock jam, New Friends shows that the great compositions known to The Bends shine in every manner. New Friends honor Radioheads legacy with a gorgeous presentation from start to finish. From the magnetic vocal performance to the rich guitar solo, High and Dry reigns infectious.
New Friends are featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 