The misconception about modern buzz artists is that they have some kind of secret sauce to stand out among the other 100k daily uploads to spotify. But once again we are reassured that the cream rises to the top as we observe the breakout career of German recording artist Philine Sonny. We were smitten with her breakthrough single Drugs. To an extent we were obsessed with the song, and placed it near the top of our 2023 best of list. Since Philine has continued to assert her brilliance, catching our attention once again with her other single In Denial.
Whereas drugs embraced a flair for the brutally provocative, In Denial is fairly more accessible. Just in case you thought there might be some schtick to this breakout, Philine Sonny proves she’s the real deal. In Denial shows a studious appreciation for the legacy of classic alternative, while embracing a modern indie influence akin to the Boy Genius crowd. Soon to be a household name, don’t sleep on Philine Sonny and dig into all of her new EP Invader.
Philine Sonny is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
Shake and shimmy to the infectious catchy brilliance of Funny, the new single from Kai Bosch. Destined for an APPLE commercial or some trademark social media stardom, Funny is truly a magnetic dance ready vibe. The contrast between the narrative and the dissaffected vocal screams art school cool.
The production enhances the sentiment with a building drama increasingly at the verge of eruption. Its most genius feature might be that Funny never needs to stretch beyond this contained designed, it’s the brilliance known to the art of almost. Smart pop for the post punks and more mainstream kids alike. We can dig it.
Funny is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
She calls herself The Indien, and her voices trademark hypnotic gypsy presence illuminates everything she touches. She offers it with percussive pomp and seductive cadence on her infectious new single How Many Nights.
Catchy enough to bring you to the dance floor while retaining a smart compositional nature, it mirrors an affect known to icons Fleetwood Mac. We also hear some of the adapted classic rock influence known to international superstars The War On Drugs. Like them The Indien embraces a timeless era in rock nostalgia, existing at the crossroads between the late 70 and early 80s. It was a time when bands still ascended from the organic truth of the late 60s while embracing new sonic realms offered by technologies new musical toys.
Before they completely evolved into new wave, these bands reflected that influence through guitars and live drums as if to say they didn’t need the machines to get that same feeling. We’d likely hear more of this if drummers didn’t mind keeping it contained, but most drummers prefer to showcase their skills, so the drum machines now dominate this realm. How Many Nights is a chance to remember how it could have been, if only we had such grace.
The Indien is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
Dream pop and shoegaze blend elegantly on Dinosaur, the new single from Signe Vange. Ascending from the annals of grunge the chomping power chords might present differently if not blessed with the glorious contrast offered by the singers expressive melodic vocal. Embracing her melancholy nature Dinosaur offers a pretty version of her sad state, a reflection of natures inherited beauty despite realities crippling relentless suffering. Washes of atmosphere enhance the conceptual relationship, bred from violent means of feedback and tempered noise.
All of this reflects something deeper happening within this vibe, as we’re drawn to shoegaze’s honesty and how it flips the utility of distortion and noise, making it pretty when at its founding it so sonic chaos. As a project Signe Vange connects with the works of Beach House, Warpaint, and Cocteau Twins. Dinosaur offers something refreshing within this aesthetic in how it blends the vocal magnificently. Hear for yourself.
Dinosaur is featured on our Best New Indie Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 