The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music of the week
It’s official. We declare it to be summer. The other day, our editor had an ice cream on his lunch break, desks have been set up in gardens, and the competition for what will be the song of the summer has begun. As festival season looms just around the corner too, we’ve finally made it to the best part of the year, with plenty of artists putting in their contenders for a soundtrack.
Music simply sounds better when the weather is good. Orville Peck and Elton John have paired up to remind the world of the anthemic greatness of ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)’, while new artists like Van Zon, The Bug Club and Cola all deliver indie tunes that beg to be played out of speakers at the park.
Artists of all shapes, sizes and styles came out this week. Major names like Beabadoobee, CMAT and John Cale offered up new tracks. On the other side of the spectrum, some artists take their very first steps into the music world with their debut singles. Whether they have 10 streams or 10,000 streams, all songs are considered here on the Big Indie Playlist.
If what you’re looking for is a new favourite album, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart. But right here, get a quick fix of the best new hits as we gather all the songs you need to hear this week into one place. All you have to do is hit play…
The best new music of the week
Track of the week
John Cale – ‘Shark-Shark’: Sometimes when an artist has hit legend status, they can get lazy. When you have a big reputation behind you, it’s all too easy to rest on your laurels and continue to put out the same middling stuff while older works keep the hype. But when it comes to John Cale, he refuses to fall into that trap.
His latest offering, ‘Shark-Shark’ is a menacing yet danceable number, with a rolling and raging undercurrent reminiscent of early era The Velvet Underground. Balancing nostalgia for his origins with clear future-thinking freshness, it’s a reminder that new artists everywhere should be learning from Cale as he still bats with the best of them. [5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest new tracks of the week
Orville Peck + Elton John – ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)’: Elton John’s 1973 track remains an anthem, but with indie’s favourite cowboy Orville Peck on the track too, it’s reinvigorated. Sounding better than ever, it’s a reminder of the song’s greatness just in case anyone forgot. [4/5]
The Howl & The Hum – ‘Same Mistakes Twice’: Announcing their sophomore album and the first as a solo project, The Howl & The Hum returns with this painstakingly honest indie outing. When the saxophone kicks in and the Springsteen-esque glory begins, it’s a clear sign that bigger things are coming their way. [4/5]
CMAT – ‘Aw, Shoot’: CMAT’s storytelling skills are sharper than ever on ‘Aw, Shoot’, a track about getting cabin fever on a writing trip to Paris. Declaring herself a “sad country song of a woman,” at least she’s getting hits from past hardships. [4/5]
Beabadoobee – ‘Take A Bite’: Rich with 1990s energy and Fiona Apple-inspired cutting lyricism, ‘Take A Bite’ welcomes a new era for Beabadoobee. If this opening song is anything to go off, it seems that more mature and interesting music is on its way. [4/5]
Role Model – ‘Deeply Still In Love’: When feelings still linger and neither a love song nor a heartbreak song work, what is there to do? Smash the two together. On ‘Deeply Still In Love’, Role Model attempts to balance moving on with the desire to go running back. With a nostalgic instrumental and upbeat vocal line, it’s an anthem for everyone trying to carry good energy, even if that means pretending you’re over it. [4/5]
On The Rise – Songs to note this week
Hinds + Beck – ‘Boom Boom Back’: Who knows what Hinds put in their songs? Perhaps the sun-shining holiday energy of Madrid finds its way into the track, or maybe it’s the result of making music with your best friends, but either way ‘Boom Boom Back’ has bottled something infectious. [4/5]
Welly – ‘Soak Up The Culture’: Opinions on Welly are split in the Far Out office. One person said the vocal sounds like James Acaster’s stand-up voice, which is pretty hard to unhear. But if you can look past that, the band are delivering high-octane silliness that’s earning them an ever growing cult fan base. [3/5]
Brògeal – ‘Hill Is High’: The pure folk revival roars on and Brògeal are a leading light. The Scottish troupe borrow from the traditions of their native country but reinvigorates them with fresh eyes, and on ‘Hill Is High’ that mix of old and new is beautiful. [3/5]
Holly Macve – ‘Wonderland’: With a co-sign from Lana Del Rey, Holly Macve is one to note in the world of cinematic, wishful ballads. ‘Wonderland’ proves that tenfold as orchestrated elements elevate this tender track to lofty heights. [3.5/5]
Mermaid Chunky – ‘Céilí’: Mermaid Chunky are reintroducing themselves. As another act getting involved in the revived interest in old school folk, this new track is designed to be jigged to as they built a song custom-made for a Céilí dance. As that then gives way to more dynamic production details, it’s a fascinating creation. [3.5/5]
Daisy and the Deadheads – ‘Baby’: Opening up with an infectious bassline and staying great to the very end, this new track from the East London quartet feels nostalgic. It’s the sort of song you feel like you’ve heard a million times but could never be sick of, and that’s a good thing. [3/5]
Gigi Perez – ‘Please Be Rude’: Gigi Perez has one of those voices where she could sing a shopping list and it would be hypnotic. The velvet richness and slightly gruff edge of her voice, paired with her incredible songwriting abilities make all her tracks golden. ‘Please Be Rude’ is no exception. [3.5/5]
Cola – ‘Albatross’: Playing out of Montreal, Cola have nailed indie music, pairing storytelling lyrics with a rumbling instrumental that teases you all the way. It’s the sort of song that demands to be heard live in some basement venue with rattling floors and walls. [3.5/5]
Draag – ‘Microgravity Tank’: Sprawling, lo-fi, shoegaze. Three words to describe Draag’s moody new track that sits in the lineage of hard-to-place but easy-to-love alt music. [3/5]
Alice Boman – ‘Waiting II’: Sharing a follow-up part two to her beloved 2013 track, Alice Boman’s new track is sharply emotive in its musical sparseness. It might not be as potent as the original, but what, excuse me, is? [4/5]
The Bug Club – ‘Quality Pints’: A song to blow the cobwebs of the week away and give your head a shake before the mission for weekend beers begins. This one will be stuck in your head all the way to the pub. [3/5]
Half Waif – ‘Big Dipper’: Discordant pianos are perfectly contrasted with Half Waif’s angelic vocals on this new track. As the soaring chorus kicks in, it’s a stunning track ready for brighter days and better weather. [3.5/5]
First Spins – Debut singles of the week
Blue Lacy – ‘Why My Wife Is A Witch’: Kicking down the doors to the music world with a clear artistic identity, sound and vision, Blue Lacy are ready to start running. And if this debut is anything to go off, they could be big. [3/5]
Van Zon – ‘Cannon Fodder’: The Brighton music scene is the gift that keeps on giving. The latest name to emerge are Van Zon, the city’s newest folky post-rock troupe. There’s a definite Black Country, New Road thing about them, but as their London backdrop is switched out for the optimism of a seaside one, Van Zon feel instantly more intriguing. [4/5]
Off The Beaten Track – left field sounds
Keaton Henson – ‘Awake/Alive’: Keaton Henson is an artist who cannot and will not be pinned down. His last album was a more upbeat rock outing, filled with guitars and catchy lyrics. As he works towards his next, he’s making symphonies. His return to instrumental music is just as interesting and just as beautiful, though, as he somehow manages to get the same level of emotion across without saying anything at all. [4/5]
Florence Adooni – ‘Uh Ah Song’: A stand-out track from the excellent debut album by Ghanian Frafra singer Florence Adooni. Deceptively soulful and modern, while evoking the cultural and musical heritage of Ghana, occasionally hinting at styles of highlife and deeply entrenched in frafra/gospel. [4/5]
João Nabuco, Sue Jorge – ‘Cego’: Sue Jorge made a name for himself by covering David Bowie, and here he teams up with João Nabuco for a Portuguese gem akin to the Starman joining Iggy Pop for some pure funk. [3/5]
