There’s an infectious melodic tension at the heart of Big Love, the new single from Lucy Gaffney. The lucid UK songwriter reminds us once again that it’s all about the delivery.
Effectively produced, Big Love feels new within a familiar construct. There’s a 90s sensibility adapted refreshingly new. Stylistically we think she connects with that breakthrough indie sound known to Boy Genius, Clairo, and Sharon Van Etten. Get your insufferable love on.
Hear Big Love now on our Best New Indie Playlist.
The unabashed haunting brilliance of Bess Atwell lands iconic with her new single Release Myself. This is the one, with a trademark hook and a relentless melancholy conundrum soaked into the narrative.
“I can only release myself, got a lot to be remembered for…” It’s that existential peril, a universal plague known to anyone trying to find truce with their younger self. If you never accept yourself you’ll always be pushing in a way that inhibits the serenity of life.
Atwell’s performance is convincing. It matches the song intriguing melodic intellect. Bess Atwell was already high on our radar courtesy of The Weeping. With Release Myself she drops a song meant for your forever playlist, tying itself to a moment like a memento.
Hear Release Myself now on our Best New Indie Playlist.
We love the stylistic blend that converges on Masquerade, the masterful new single from Tracy Gallagher. The compositional essence of Neil Young intersects a dark indie sensibility known to Midlake. They collide with the serene contrast that is Gallaghers voice.
Like the title suggests, she blends cleverly into this vibe, not unlike how Stevie Nicks adapted into some of the heavier Fleetwood Mac arrangements. Gallagher retains her charm and sensual nature within a moody construct. It’s a reflection of her inspirations, as she cites the influence of dynamic singers like Cat Power, Thom Yorke, and Margaret Glaspy. We can dig it.
Masquerade is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
We were drawn into the anthemic percussive magnetism of Waste of Time, the new single from Smith & Thell. The Swedish duo find some fresh trails within that stomp and holla indie folk vibe known to The Lumineers, of Monsters and Men, and Mumford and Sons.
Just at the moment we thought that vibe was fully covered Waste of Time simply floors us. This sound is timeless, drawn from an ancient well of traditional folk and British Isle standards and adapted with new indie ferocity. Waste of Time straight up drops the hammer in the epic closing minutes, embracing the legacy of Vaudeville or Ragtime in a way that’s unheard within this realm. Damn this feels good. We wish we were there.
Hear Waste of Time now on our Best New Indie Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 