A selection of new and/or relevant Indie and rock-leaning tracks that have recently left an impression on us. For the full playlist click here.
Birds Are Better – “Seven In The Morning”
In the sonic realm of Birds Are Better‘s “Seven In The Morning,” Norwegian singer-songwriter Stian Fjelldal crafts a delicate masterpiece. Echoes of Simon & Garfunkel‘s elegance dance through plucked guitars, while harmonies, reminiscent of “America,” paint a lighter, yet equally enchanting tapestry. At a crisp 2 minutes and 25 seconds, the song’s brevity leaves you yearning for more. As Fjelldal veers into radiant instrumentation and a drumbeat crescendo, it’s a musical moment that defies expectations. The abrupt ending, like a well-timed punchline, demands an immediate replay. Birds Are Better‘s debut promises a new dawn in indie-folk, and it’s a sunrise worth savouring.
NOBRO – Where My Girls At
In the blistering banger “Where My Girls At,” NOBRO transform punk into a riotous celebration, demanding attention with infectious ‘whoa-oh‘ chants as contagious as a certain airborne virus. Frontwoman Kathryn McCaughey leads the charge with vocals that scream defiance. This track is a vivid snapshot of NOBRO‘s rebellious sound, narrating the chaos of forming a band amidst societal pressures. “Where My Girls At” offers a heady mix of energy, sharp-edged humour, and unapologetic sisterhood—a rebellious call to arms (in this case, guitars) and a vibrant reminder that punk is not only alive but thriving.
Francis Of Delirium – “Blue Tuesday”
Francis Of Delirium, the Luxembourg-based project led by Jana Bahrich, unfolds a sonic rollercoaster with the single “Blue Tuesday.” Accompanied by a live, sweaty, and in-your-face music video, it effortlessly captures the essence of their dynamic live shows, transporting me back to memories of sweaty moshpits during the alt-rock revival in the UK in the early 2000s—picture the likes of My Vitriol and Cay, and Idlewild exploding onto the scene. “Blue Tuesday” melds heavy guitars, uptempo beats, and sweet sweet melodies, serving as a taste of their imminent debut album, “Lighthouse.” Bahrich, in this musical journey, becomes a sonic lighthouse, guiding us through emotions and transforming love’s ebb and flow into a resonant track.
Ivy League – Everything I Ever Wanted
“Everything I Ever Wanted” is the title track from the debut release by New York‘s Ivy League. Picture a man sprinting through Alphabet City on a freezing December night in just his boxer shorts with nunchucks whirling overhead (an actual sight I witnessed in their vibrant hometown), that’s how this song feels – it grabs your attention.
The opening bass notes immediately brought a huge grin to my face, infectious and impossible to resist. The gang vocals, peppered throughout, serve as a rallying cry demanding participation. The track, and indeed the EP, are reminiscent of emo/post-hardcore glory days, channelling personal favourites like Braid and Piebald, not only in sound but also in delivering some positive vibes amongst the singalongs. Their mantra, “more than a band, we are a family,” might sound cliched, but with Ivy League, it feels like a genuine embrace from the band members to each other and their audience. Join Ivy League‘s musical family – where struggles become anthems. With a sprinkle of cowbell, satisfaction is guaranteed.
Yard Act – “Dream Job”
“Dream Job” by Yard Act is a vivacious commentary on the perplexities of a musician’s life in the digital age. In this swaggering dance-rock number, frontman James Smith candidly navigates the tumultuous waters of the music industry. The track, a marked departure from their previous post-punk-sound, weaves a tale of contradictions, with Smith oscillating between industry critique and pointed self-mockery. The jaunty funk-pop production adds a sunny disposition to the band’s biting commentary. “Dream Job” is a tantalizing introduction to the band’s upcoming second album “Where’s My Utopia?”, and an imminent new direction.
