Zaia caught our attention with his recently dropped EP, Midnight Hour, a genre bending collection of tunes that instantly reminded us of music from artists like Tame Impala and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Overall the EP is a banger, and highlights include BROKEN SOUL. We’re also big fans of the third track, “Stay Away.” For us it perfectly encapsulates the overall vibe of this EP. Synth-heavy, distorted melodies with catchy, layered vocal lines and a strong 4/4 groove show Zaia’s hip hop and psych rock influences here.
This tune is an atmospheric, dark exploration of introspective thought paired with a pocket groove that makes us want to dance. The production is also noteworthy. We hear each instrument working cohesively with the drum and bass groove, building a spacey sonic landscape that serves the vocal line.
Hear it now on our Best New Indie playlist.
SAINT KID is back with a new single, “Kids Again,” an emotionally charged, atmospheric peek into his unique and inspiring artistry. Without the use of drums, a bassline, or any excess instrumentation, this artist tells a heartfelt story of heartbreak and longing that heavily resonates with us. It starts with a humble piano progression paired with a catchy vocal melody and remains this way throughout the song, the only additional instrumentation being a soft synth-organ and some ambient, textured overtones.
The emotional warmth and stripped-down instrumentation in this single is reminiscent of artists like Hosier or even John Legend. SAINT KID offers an intimate, indie folk inspired style that has totally captivated our attention. Be on the lookout for his next EP release on May 23rd.
Hear it now on our Best New Indie playlist.
Up next is “Jours de cendre,” the title track from French-Canadian band zouz’s recent album release, an eclectic and groovy indie rock tune that showcases an excellent level of musicianship. These guys know how to play. It features a dark and moody chord progression that is matched with equally ominous vocal harmonies and multiple layers of intricate guitar work.
Fans of Radiohead will instantly connect with this band. Soundscapes composed of distorted guitars, synths, and breathy vocal lines are reminiscent of that classic alternative / indie rock style, modernized with fresh production techniques. If you are a fan of the heavier side of indie rock, this band is for you. We look forward to hearing more from them.
Hear it now on our Best New Indie playlist.
Sun Scene recently released their single, “In My Room,” an indie / dreamwave exploration of sonic capability in music. This song features a number of intricately woven together drum patterns and synth patches that invoke feelings of nostalgia. The vocal work in this tune is wonderful, harmonies being simple and spot on. There is something to be said about the production of this song as well, with incredible use of sidechaining techniques and studio effects.
This song rides the arc of human emotion, touching on themes of isolation, loss and hopefulness, blending multiple genre influences to create a sound all of its own. Fans of Electric Youth and Memory Tapes will instantly connect with this artist’s sound.
Hear it now on our Best New Indie playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 