Track of the Week: MICHELLE ft. Arlo Parks – SUNRISE
As soon as summer ended, it began again with this soul-warming track. This diaphanous collaboration between two of the brightest young acts around at the minute instantly teleports you to new realms of peace and love. It’s a truly magical tune, one which sticks with you for an effortlessly beautiful while.
April – Watching You Disappear
A melancholic wooze, April has delivered a dreamy dive into her soon-to-be EP. This track gives a spin on the April brand, revealing a more bluesy side to the blue haired singer and giving the ultimate chill track of the week.
Буерак (Buerak) – Грустно с тобой (Sadly With You)
Russian post-punk is a nice YouTube hole for you to get into today. I’d start with a band like Beurak, and their new single ‘Sadly With You’, and branch from there. Good luck.
Genevieve Miles – Magic Man
Wake up and smell the daisies, because Miles brings that fresh floral in her sunny anthem ‘Magic Man’. It’s hard not to feel the warmth in her cheery voice and glistening synths, adding that extra ray of sunshine into your life. If you need a pick me up, this is the track for you.
Infinite Bisous – Racist Uncle/Your Mind
Have you every had to tell off your racist uncle at a family event? This is one of those stories, told through 8-bit drums, synths and acoustic guitars. Joined by an introspective song that sits in your hand like a vulnerable baby bird.
Luke Wild – Fever Brain
Summer may be over but that’s not stopping Wild giving us Sunburn (his new EP). Fever Brain is an echoey, at times hauntingly beautiful, delivery of indie. Reverb guitars and calls for togetherness, it gives you comfort in the uncomfortable.
Lupin – Vampire and Murderer
A bumper double release from newbie Lupin sees him climb up the ladder in our books fast. ‘Vampire’ and ‘Murderer’ are both stellar singles, the former chronicling a troubling CT scan result and the latter detailing the death of a long term relationship. Give them a spin, you won’t regret it.
Marmalarky – Schism Trek
With this tune Mamalarky have begun a new era of indie-pop that I’ve coined optimistic pop, or opti-pop for short. It’s the musical equivalent of a morning coffee, giving you the power to get up and get on with your day. However, unlike most morning coffees, this track is full of outlandish and eccentric instrumentals, pushing it beyond that status of your average wake up brew.
Magazines – Happy Alone
Feelgood indie tune ‘Happy Alone’ feels like a birthchild of The XX and Wolf Alice’s Visions of a Life. It’s thumping instrumental rocks on Cath’s graceful vocals, making for a mesmerising listen. Still can’t get the drums out of my head.
Molchat Doma – Ne Smeshno
Enjoy that Russian post-punk YouTube hole earlier? Now try Belarusian post-punk… You’ll probably recognise Molchat Doma from their recent TikTok fame. Their new single ‘Ne Smeshno’ is enough to put hair on your chest, with its lingering guitar lines and persistent drum claps transporting you to Eastern Europe in the back of a flatbed truck. Post-punk revival? The east are just doing it better at the moment.
Pearl Charles – What I Need
This song feels so much like it could be in a musical, it’s almost disappointing that it isn’t. It’s completely dreamlike, with groovy guitars and gorgeous harmonies and a rhythm that’s beyond catchy. Perfect for relaxing on the beach.
Petticoat – The Middle
Forget the 1975, Petticoat is bringing 1985 with vintage synths and bass lines reminiscent of 80s greats The Human League and A-ha. Bubblegum pop never sounded so sweet.
Pixey – Just Move
Dance like nobody’s watching. I’d put money on your mum having that quote hung up somewhere in her house. Normally, it’s enough to make you cringe. Yet, Pixey’s ‘Just Move’ makes you want to do just that, unironically. It removes all the cringe and replaces it with an infectious guitar line and the sort of percussion that makes you unable to stop yourself from grooving along.
Porridge Radio – 7 seconds
Let’s chant these lyrics at a live show someday soon, yeah? If you’re looking for a slow-burning, grungy indie anthem, look no further. Soft, wobbling synths sound straight from the 80s, with fresh distorted guitars and indie persona that brings us right back to today.
Stephen Malkmus – Juliefuckingette
An angsty folk song about Romeo and Juliet, given to us by an ultimate American slacker alt-rock artist. Sprinkled on top, some lovely wind instruments, for a nice finish.
The Nude Party – What’s The Deal
Again, our Round-Up is taken back in time to the raucous grain of the 60s. On the outside, it feels like an ode to the Summer of Love with The Doors and The Stones james but in its lyrics, pens the tale of love going wrong. It’s a bittersweet beauty if I’ve ever heard one.
Twenty Committee – In A Rush
Step into the future with Twenty Committee’s new release. Feeling slightly sci-fi, this song will have you hooked with its ominous pianos and almost spooky vocals.
