NYC buzz artist Patrick J. Smith who performs as A Beacon School drops their most mesmerizing work yet with their new single Mantra. Channeling an influence of dream pop inspired shoegaze within an indie pop framework, Mantra is cinematic pop gold.
The melodic juice recalls the insatiable writing known to Alvvays with an immersive design akin to early lofi era War On Drugs. Like them the progression updates a compositional rhythmic legacy known to 80s Springsteen, but A Beacon School drags it through the sonic influence of grunge and adds their own dose of indie bred tonal churn. We can dig it.
Mantra is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
Orions Belte caught our attention with their catchy groovy new single Balloonist 86. Meters era soul inspired funk and classic dub find new life on this psych pop jam. Subtle vocal contributions add some lyrical substance and dreamy chill rhetoric to compliment the musics snappy nature.
They give an influence of Khruangbin a groovier uptick, leaning more into their jazz inspiration with new Vulpeck style indie instincts. We find it delightful.
Orions Belte are featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
Everything is not as it initially seems within Healing, the new smash single from Molly Millington. It’s a reflection of both the progressive arrangement and the narrative. The initial Nashville indie pop feel collides with an indie pop sensibility and then back again with whiplash surprise.
Millington injects flashes of explicit candid language that feel genuine in the moment, there’s nothing cheap about it. The dynamic stylistic nature bridges the aura of Phoebe Bridgers, Paramore, and Kacey Musgraves. Healing offers this indie scene troubadour real breakout potential. We’re rooting for her.
Healing is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
The rapid surf pump of a swirling tom drill fits well into the Americana vibe heard on Back to Living, the new single from Rose Gerber. It suits the songs dramatic uplifting nature and adds some elegant contrast to the collective design.
Gerber injects some fresh indie influences known to Fleet Foxes or even Vampire Weekend into this fairly contemporary composition. In that way it recalls artists like Kathleen Edwards who use colorful arrangements to illuminate their works. Gerber’s voice also bears some semblance to Natalie Merchant and that elusive early 90s Lilith era exotic appeal. We adore it immensely.
Back to Living is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 