The Big Indie Playlist: Curated by Lip Critic
This week, life is supposed to go into overdrive. With the year of the horse officially kicking off on February 17th, the zodiac prophesies a year of go-getting and achievements, but clearly, the music world wanted to get a head start. Attempting to keep up, this is The Big Indie Playlist.
Artists didn’t want to wait for the starting gun as 2026 has already been packed full of new hits, great albums, big announcements and long-awaited comebacks. This week alone, Charli XCX delivered one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Cardinals dropped their long-awaited debut, and a scattering of artists, big and small, shared amazing new tunes.
There’s something for everything. Fcukers are back to soundtrack a heavy night out, while SoftTop provide something for quieter moments. Sarah Kinsley teamed up with Paris Paloma for a beautiful track, while The Dare is ready to make the speakers rattle.
But don’t just take our word for it. We checked in with Lip Critic to see what new tunes they have on repeat during the release week for their own new tune, ‘Legs In A Snare’.
Must Hear: Curated by Lip Critic:
Trauma Ray – ‘Hannibal’: “This is the kind of shoegaze shit I love; big riffs, soaring vocals. And the video is super cool, very PlayStation One. Visually and sonically delightful.”
James Massiah & DJ GAWAD – ‘Contact High’: “Swagged out release from London poet and musician James Massiah. Might get into a car accident cutting up traffic to this track.”
Mandy, Indiana – ‘Try Saying’: “Unbelievable track from an unbelievable album by Mandy, Indiana. This one especially got me… the way the percussion and synth parts all centre around this central voice sample. I am so jealous I didn’t make this.”
2slimey – ‘Belly’: “This dude is probably the most exciting new rapper to me. His delivery and production are truly next level, especially on this track.”
KAVARI – ‘PULSE’: “I truly believe we are living in a golden age of music – wow, this shit is so sick. I’ve been a fan of her work for years, but this project is just next level. I love how slow and deconstructed moments can be, and then pick up out of nowhere, and it’s a party. One of the sickest doing it right now.”
Robber Robber – ‘The Sound It Made’: “Got so addicted to this track when it first came out, the album hasn’t dropped yet, but it seems like it’s gonna be a heater. The amen break juggling, the completely zero-reverb sort of break-down pre-chorus thing, the lyrics, ‘Mischief mask, Vicious task, Trolley problem, Vicious man,’ I live for stuff like that. Shout out to these ballers.”
The best new music of the week:
Wet Leg and The Dare – ‘Mangetout’: Taking what is already one of the most hyper songs on Wet Leg’s recent album and then giving it a dose of party chaos, The Dare sprinkles high-octane magic here. [3.5/5]
Charli XCX – ‘Dying For You’: For people looking for Brat 2.0, ‘Dying For You’ is the closest you’re getting to Charli’s new Wuthering Heights soundtrack. Hyper catchy and bright, this one demands to be on any weekend party playlist. [4/5]
Erin LeCount – ‘Don’t You See Me Trying’: Building up to the release of her new EP, Erin LeCount just keeps getting better and better, delivering tracks with more and more polish. [4/5]
SoftTop – ‘Your Aching Words’: The Brighton music scene has so many sparkling diamonds, but the second Miles Goodall opens his mouth, he becomes one of the shiniest with such a gorgeous and emotive tone. On this new track, SoftTop keep the limelight right there. [3.5/5]
Bleachers – ‘You and Forever’: The best thing that ever happened to Jack Antonoff was falling in love with Margaret Qualley, both in a day-to-day sense but also a musical one as the love songs he writes about his actor wife are always his finest work. [3.5/5]
MUNA – ‘Dancing On The Wall’: Life feels like it’s in technicolour again now MUNA are back, releasing more alt-pop bangers. ‘Dancing On The Wall’ is that at the furthest extent, taking the hits of their last record and levelling up the scale once more. [3.5/5]
Fcukers – ‘Beatback’: Single? No Valentine’s plans? Please, I beg you, call your friends and go to the club, walk right up to the DJ and specifically request this song. It’s as if Fcukers recognised Confidence Man’s game and thought, ‘We can make that sexier.’ [3.5/5]
Sarah Kinsley and Paris Paloma – ‘After All’: Two of the most beautiful voices around right now join together for an emotive ballad here, so it comes as absolutely no surprise that this piano tune is stunning. [3/5]
Lip Critic – ‘Legs In A Snare’: Our very out playlist curators release one of this week’s most booming tracks. It already sounds as if it’s blowing up your speakers, so the song demands to be played loud. [4/5]
Orsini – ‘Ezin Atera’: How better to remedy the endless drizzle of mid-February than with the energetic rebellion of anarcho-punk? Courtesy of Basque country outfit Orsini and their stunning debut record, the title track acts as a perfect introduction to their punk attitude and post-punk sound. [4/5]
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