The Big Indie Playlist: Curated by Femur
The weeks keep passing at the speed of light, and with the end of each one, a bounty of new music is up and waiting like a reward. From big artists, small artists and acts working in every genre imaginable, these are the best new releases of the week, and this is the Big Indie Playlist.
This week’s biggest surprise came from Hayley Williams. After Paramore freed themselves from a huge eight-album contract, the future of the band was already in question. Now, as Williams drops a cryptic solo record, those questions are even louder thanks to some suspicious merch and telling lyrics.
Another big moment came from Chappell Roan, as she finally dropped the long-awaited track ‘The Subway’, which instantly and undoubtedly became this week’s biggest pop banger. But across all genres, there’s new greatness to be discovered.
This week, we handed the mic to Sheffield’s psych-rock darlings, Femur, to give us some of their picks as an insight into the four-piece’s eclectic taste. Gathering all the best new releases into one place, all you have to do is hit play.
The best new music of the week
Track of the week
Hayley Williams – ‘True Believer’: Not one to be caught up in the excitement of Hayley Williams’ strangely launched surprise release and what it all means for the future of Paramore, ‘True Believer’ deserves real, important attention as the singer might just have released one of the most important songs of our time.
This staggeringly political track stares down the barrel of social, political and racial injustice in Trump’s America, referencing Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’ as a harrowing reflection of the past we have not moved all that far from. This is the singer unlike we’ve ever heard her on a song; so serious and severe, it leaves you with goosebumps. The kind of song they should play in history classes, and you should listen to it. [5/5]
Must-Hear: Curated by Femur
Fresh from Glastonbury and the Tramlines mainstage, Sheffield’s favourites Femur tell you what to listen to this week.
Lambrini Girls – ‘Bad Apple’: “Big punk riffs and lyrics which cut to the core of ‘what seems to be the problem’. When this comes on, point me in the direction of the pit.”
Sundrift – ‘Tired Eyes’: “Perfect hangover listening. When the daylight peaks through the curtains and your head feels too heavy to lift off the pillow, Zac Barfoot’s laid-back, dazed acoustic surf eases you back into the room.”
Cory Hanson – ‘Lou Reed’: “I’ve always loved Cory Hanson, he’s also the lead singer of Wand, who we’ve drawn loads of inspiration from, but his solo stuff is just beautiful and personal.”
Snooper – ‘Worldwide’: “They’re just that dancey, post-punky vibe that is just fabulous; just listen to them. They’re amazing.”
Tame Impala – ‘End Of Summer’: “Exactly what it says on the tin; chilled atmospheric beats that reminds me of late nights and that festival season is coming to an end. Take me back to the dance tent.”
Deftones – ‘my mind is a mountain’: “I was wounded when they dropped out of Glastonbury as they were a big name for me growing up. But the huge signature noise of this song shows that the new album is shaping up to be phenomenal.”
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (feat Anderson .Paak) – ‘Ensalada’: “Solid return of the lo-fi chill gangsta duo. Freddie raps about the hardships of slinging gear, murdering, and maybe getting yourself murdered! Great added sizzle from Anderson .Paak.”
Tyler, the Creator – ‘Sugar On My Tongue’: “Well into this groovy filth from Tyler, the Creator. Fine balance of danceable beats and experimental quirk. The new album slaps start to finish n’all.”
The best new releases of the week:
Chappell Roan – ‘The Subway’: Over a year after the internet first became obsessed with this heartbreak banger, Chappell Roan finally shared the official version of ‘The Subway’, and it does not disappoint. [4.5/5]
Kamran Khan and The Japanese House – ‘Personally’: Khan plays in The Japanese House’s live band, so the natural ease of their collaboration makes a lot of sense as the two artists move in perfect sync for a gorgeous track. [3.5/5]
Baxter Dury – ‘Schadenfreude’: Providing summer bangers for the neurotic who wants something between a club classic and a John Cooper Clarke poem, Dury delivers again. [4/5]
Keaton Henson and Julia Steiner – ‘Lazy Magician’: You never know what you’re going to get from Keaton Henson, and it’s amazing. Last time, he was sharing a fully instrumental record. Now, he’s leaning back into an indie vein and returning to the mic. [4/5]
The Dare – ‘Tambourine’: In case you’d forgotten, The Dare is an incredible DJ and producer. First known for his Freakquencies nights in New York, he’s returning to his roots with this first taster of an upcoming dance EP. [3.5/5]
Geese – ‘Trinidad’: The Cameron Winter fan club keeps getting fed as Geese are back with more. This time it’s bluesy and seductive, so everyone with a crush on Winter is getting fed too. [4/5]
Chloe Slater – ‘Harriet’: No need to rewatch Normal People to hurt your own feelings; now, you can just listen to this track as Slater reimagines all those feelings of ex-girlfriend insecurity into a song. [3.5/5]
Nourished By Time – ‘BABY BABY’: An artist that defies any clear labels or categorisations, Nourished By Time remains one of the most imaginative and exciting names around at the moment, and you should be paying attention. [4/5]
The Two Lips – ‘Clue’: Whimsical and wistful pop is so back, and The Two Lips are helping to lead the charge. This is such a fun track that could make even the dullest walk down the street feel like a movie montage. [3/5]
Off The Beaten Track: Left-field sounds, curated and written by Ben Forrest
Kwartet Frits Kaatee – ‘Easy Evil’: Tramp Records have repeatedly reaffirmed themselves as the go-to label for funk, soul, and jazz excellence over the past few years, and this release from Dutch jazz master Frits Kaatee is no exception. First released in 1984, the song is an infectious brass-heavy jazz-fueled earworm which commands attention—thank god there are labels like Tramp around to resurface these forgotten masterpieces. [4.5/5]
metra.vestlud – ‘Лунный Барабан’: Flowing from idyllic images and the peaceful rippling of waves to foreboding sci-fi sounds and a growing sense of unease, Russian ambient master Artem Dultsev takes listeners on an incredible voyage on the cassette-only release, Ashes That Made The Shape Of My Dreams, and this track (roughly translating to ‘Moon Drum’) is a definite highlight. [4/5]
