The Big Indie Playlist: the best new music of the week
Another week has come and gone, bringing with it a fresh cohort of new releases. As the year races towards a close, it seems that artists are throwing out their last attempts at those coveted song and album of the year titles by delivering some stunning work late in the game.
If it’s albums you’re after, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart to find your new favourite record. Right here, we’re focussing on the quick hits and sharing some of the best singles released this week.
This week offered up a bumper crop of new releases as a whole host of artists seemed to make a comeback. Cult-favourite indie outfit Sheer Mag returned as they announced a new album to land in March 2024; similarly, Mary Timothy, the long-time Carrie Brownstein collaborator, returned to her solo efforts. Elsewhere, indie-pop wunderkind Baby Queen released her long-awaited debut album, while Cat Power took on the work of Bob Dylan.
To find all the best new releases in one place, dive into our weekly Big Indie Playlist. With an especially jam-packed edition, here are the best new releases from the week of November 6th…
The week’s best new music:
The best new indie songs:
Van Houten – ‘Coming Of Age’: The Leeds-based lo-fi up-and-comers returned with new track ‘Coming Of Age’. Another stellar addition to their discography that stands out as a shining example of modern shoegaze, the band feel so self-assured in their unique melting pot of influences despite still being in their infancy. With this sort of maturity and confidence already, it’s exciting to think where they might go. (4.5/5)
Marika Hackman – ‘Slime’: We’re so happy to have Marika Hackman back and her latest track ‘Slime’ doesn’t disappoint at all. Wading into darker water with grungy guitar and haunting lyrics, ‘Slime’ is vast and cinematic. At once both seductive and sinister, Hackman’s own brand of moodiness had been missed. (5/5)
Baby Queen – ‘Kid Genius’: Baby Queen’s debut album has been a long time coming as the artist climbed the indie pop ladder to its dizzy heights. Now one of the brightest ones to watch in the genre, her album doesn’t disappoint. ‘Kid Genius’ especially stands out as a bright and eloquent take on the gifted child to the depressed adult pipeline. (4/5)
LÉON – ‘Dirt’: Another must-see indie pop cut this week comes from Sweden’s LÉON. Launching a new era of her music, ‘Dirt’ sounds huge with swelling choruses, synth detailing and catchy drums. Getting you up and dancing, this is the indie-pop injection your friday needs. (3.5/5)
Ellur – ‘The Woman’: Mixing euphoria and heartache, Ellur’s latest single ‘The Woman’ will mess with your feelings. A slow burner that at once bursts into something bold and cinematic, this track really has it all – incredible lyrics, stunning vocal performance and instrumentation that gives you goosebumps. (5/5)
Sheer Mag – ‘Playing Favourites’: The Philadelphia indie outfit Sheer Mag have made their awaited return with ‘Playing Favourites’. A racing and roaring indie banger that will get the blood pumping, this one feels like a return to the glorious indie heydays of the 2010s. (3.5/5)
The best new folk songs
Cat Power – ‘Fourth Time Around’: Back in November 2022, Cat Power recreated Bob Dylan’s 1966 Royal Albert Hall show track by track. Finally releasing the live album, Power’s renditions of Dylan’s half-acoustic, half-electric set maintains the lyrical might of Dylan while adding in her own magnetism. Her softened version of ‘Fourth Time Around’ is especially stunning. (3/5)
Amelia Coburn – ‘See Saw’: The folk favourite of the North East, Amelia Coburn has relaunched herself into the music world with the haunting ‘See Saw’. Coburn’s lyrics stick loyally to the storytelling, lullaby-like traditions of the genre. But with Bill Ryder-Jones taking reigns on the production, there’s a fresh element to keep it interesting, resulting in an ‘Eleanor Rigby’-like, Beatles energy. This one is utterly unique. (3.5/5)
John Francis Flynn – ‘Kitty’: Described by Flynn himself as “not your Irish father’s Irish music”, his fresh takes on Irish folk classics are hypnotic. Flynn’s deep, gruff voice turns the Gaelic standards into more indie-leaning folk cuts to fascinating effect. (4/5)
Gracie Abrams – ‘Cedar’: Co-written with The National’s Aaron Dessner, Gracie Abram’s new track ‘Cedar’ is another stunning cut from the singer. Letting her angelic vocals stay firmly in the limelight, this gentle piano and guitar folk ballad continues her reign as the new princess of sad girl music. (4/5)
Emma Bradley – ‘Sensitive’: While you can’t hear ‘Sensitive’ on streamers year, the new track from Emma Bradley is worth going looking for. Rejecting the traditional release route to reconnect with her music at its rawest, letting her return to the simple piano ballads that made her fall in love with the craft – ‘Sensitive’ is so stripped back and vulnerable it brings a tear to the eye. (4/5)
The best new alternative/rock songs:
Ghost Woman – ‘Juan’: It seems there’s no slowing Ghost Woman, who are prepping to release their third album in 18 months. But from the sounds of ‘Juan’, the quantity isn’t affecting the quality. This bluesy rock number is nostalgic in all the right ways. (3/5)
Chartreuse – ‘Switching On, Switching Off’: The debut album from Chartreuse earned our Album of the Week for their incredibly layered and mature alt sound. Waltzing between two different vocalists as they weave flavours of rock, indie and jazz into their own unique sound, ‘Switching On Switching Off’ especially stands out as something special. (4.5/5)
Pillow Queens – ‘Suffer’: Pillow Queens have finally made their 2023 entrance with their first release since their 2022 album Leave The Light On. ‘Suffer’ is a dark, moody cut that grapples with a messy end to a relationship. The Irish rockers stay on top form, leaving us already excitement for hopefully more music to come soon. (4/5)
Julia Holter – ‘Sun Girl’: It’s difficult to even describe the new track from Julia Holter. The five-minute-long epic is a feat of intricate instrumental layering, mixing haunting vocals, flutes, synths and more. It’s totally dreamy and totally hypnotic. (4/5)
Mary Timothy – ‘Dominoes’: Mary Timothy might be best known for her role in White Flag, a band she fronts alongside Sleater Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein. Also playing guitar and writing for Ex Hex and Helium, Mary Timothy has finally made a return to her solo efforts with ‘Dominoes’. Bringing the 90s slacker rock energy into 2023, this is a really fun track. (3.5/5)
