The Big Indie Playlist: Curated by Rat-Tails
Things are changing up here on the Big Indie Playlist. Sure, we do our best. Days at Far Out involve living and breathing music, trying to stay as clued in as possible on all the goings on, new names to note and fresh releases that demand attention. But we can only do so far, and with a wealth of in-the-field artists out there playing shows with the most exciting new talent around, why wouldn’t we ask them for tips?
So, we’re calling in some help. First up to the plate, London’s Rat-Tails have provided us with five new tracks that deserve a listen this week, highlighting a class of exciting new acts that exist somewhere in the worlds of indie, hardcore, post-punk and beyond.
Elsewhere, this was a huge week for indie folk, it seems, as artists like Katie Gregson-Macleod, Wednesday, and Dee Rae all released new tracks. It was also a huge week simply for the city of Brighton, as it feels like a solid proportion of this week’s picks hail from the seaside city.
From huge names to artists emerging with their debut projects, all corners are covered here as we draw your attention to acts of all shapes, scales and genres. Nothing is off limits, nothing is too left-field.
If it’s a new favourite album you’re after, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart, where all the best LPs are gathered. But for a quick fix of new hits, look no further.
Track of the week:
Pulp – ‘Got To Have Love’: Just as Charli XCX declared on the big screens of her big Coachella set, it’s a Pulp Summer. With the band’s first new album in over two decades heading our way soon and a bunch of huge live dates swiftly coming up, fans of the group are being well and truly fed.
Following up their comeback track ‘Spike Island’, ‘Got To Have Love’ keeps the energy high with another track that will undoubtedly sound absolutely incredible at their sets. Merging northern soul and disco with lyrics musing on Cocker’s relationship to love and love songs, it’s as anthemic as ever. [4.5/5]
Must-Hear: Tracks to note this week, handpicked by London’s Rat-Tails
We’re changing things up here at the Big Indie Playlist. Why would we hog all the power of recommendation when we could hand the mic to some of our favourite artists who have a front-row seat to the new music scene, given their role right in it? First up, Rat-Tails are taking over, sharing their must-hear picks of new tracks from artists they believe everyone should be paying more attention to.
Cosmorat – ‘Stealing!!!’: When the police arrest me for nicking a Kinder Bueno, I’ll be singing this track to the officers whilst they cuff me & throw me to the dogs. Big track packed with boulder-like drums and vocal harmonies that melt between the crevices. Amazing production on this one, rats.
Neuroplacid – ‘Patient 16’: Man put me through the five stages of grief with the line “I fucking hate women and I fucking hate men, thats why I’m only chilling with the fucking they/thems.” Gorgeous guitar tones and a seductive bassline that hold my hand through Neuro’s monologue. Solid track.
Jackson Roy – ‘Natural Cause’: A lovely debut single which weaves between a sweet balcony serenade and dramatic bursts of indie rock. An Infectious track, I’m looking forward to Jackson Roy’s future releases.
Alien Chicks – ‘Mr Muscle’: Mr Muscle sees Alien Chicks leaning into elements of hardcore with powerful and aggressive guitar riffs, supersonic speed lyrics, supplemented by the band’s usual taste for eclecticism and dynamism. The track oozes with chaos and three distinct sections showcase a band that’s able to manage the wealth of chaos that they have in their creative arsenal.
Velvetine – ‘Just This Once’: Velvetine’s latest track, ‘Just This Once’ takes the listener through an energetic and tense introduction that opens up into a soaring and powerful chorus. The track bridges the post-punk sensibilities of bands such as Magazine and Television, with the sonic grandeur of shoegaze icons such as Slowdive and Lush. All together, it makes for a rewarding listening experience for a band that is carving out their own unique sound of guitar-driven rock.
And some more… – The best new music this week
Maximilian – ‘Long Time Gone’: Maximilian’s debut album, Surrender, last year, was a truly special release full of tender songwriting and intriguing composition. It was the kind of release that packs the pressure onto the follow-up, but ‘Long Time Gone’ more than lives up as this six-minute-long track is a gorgeous next iteration. [4/5]
Katie Gregson-MacLeod – ‘James’: After shaking off her old label and the pressures of old viral fame, Katie Gregson-MacLeod’s recommitment to her own voice only is delivering her finest work to date and some of this year’s most beautiful folk songs. [4/5]
Wednesday – ‘Elderberry Wine’: Wednesday are currently going through some transitions. As his solo career takes off, MJ Lendermen announced he won’t be touring with the group anymore but will still be recording with them, meaning that ‘Elderberry Wine’ still has his distinctive guitar on it. However, the emotional grip of Karly Hartzman’s voice doesn’t need any crutch. [3.5/5]
Dee Rae – ‘Strange Thing’: Huge week for indie-folk, especially emotive indie folk that will make you tap your toes and get in your feelings at the same time. Dee Rae provides a beautiful slice of exactly that with ‘Strange Thing’. [3.5/5]
Frances Mistry – ‘Shock To My System’: Brighton keep on winning with talent upon talent upon talent. Frances Mistry could sing a shopping list and I’d be hypnotised, but her incredible, wistful songwriting skills also help. [3.5/5]
Sofia Isella – ‘Muse’: I’ve been screaming Sofia Isella’s name from the rooftop for a good while now, so if you’re still not getting on board, you’re a fool. Her new EP, I’m Camera, is truly, truly remarkable – dark, gothic, sharp. ‘Muse’ opens it up beautifully, but stay for the rest. [4/5]
Lucy Darke – ‘Kiss Me In The Chaos’: What’s this? More Brighton talent? The seaside city wins this week as Lucy Darke emerges as another incredible act from the area with her debut EP, Earthly Delights. The entire project deserves your attention, but this track is truly intoxicating. [4/5]
Independent Spirit – The best unsigned track of the week
Ruby Doomsday – ‘Blood and Thunder’: Rat Tails’ singer is a busy body given that her other band, Ruby Doomsday, also put out a track this week, and it’s a great one. Full of whimsy from the lyrics to the production details, this is such a fun song elevated by some deeply fun and bold choices. Somehow, it feels completely timeless as if it’s been out and a beloved alt-anthem for a long time. [4/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds, curated and written by Ben Forrest
Andrei Nikolsky – ‘Botchit & Scarper’: London-based composer Andrei Nikolsky has repeatedly reaffirmed himself among the most inventive and original artists in the current jazz scene of the capital, and his latest effort only serves to support that bold claim. Featuring blaring horns and a building sense of tension, the track exists somewhere between psych-influenced lounge music and the kind of old-school jazz-funk that might soundtrack a low-budget cop flick. [4.5/5]
Bacao Rhythm and Steel Band – ‘Nautilus’: Steel band music is woefully underutilised in the modern age, but the Hamburg-based Bacao Rhythm and Steel Band exist in opposition to that fact. Their latest offering sees them interpret Bob James’ 1974 classic ‘Nautilus’ in a sun-soaked style awash with funk and hip-hop influences. [4/5]
The Diasonics – ‘Oriole’: Russia’s premier proprietors of groovy retro-funk have returned with a storming new instrumental, ‘Oriole’, which blends a hypnotic disco-funk style with intergalactic electronica. The dancefloor filler sounds a million miles away from the bitter chill of Moscow, and its infectious energy has a pretty universal appeal. [4/5]
Ranil Y Su Conjunto Tropical – ‘Sonido Amazónico’: Madrid’s Vampisoul label have unearthed some excellent Purvian cumbia for their latest 7” release, featuring this distinctly psychedelic offering from Ranil, one of the most essential figures in Amazonian and Iquitos music. It might be a reissue, but the track still sounds incredibly fresh and compelling in the modern age. [4/5]
nabeel (نبيل) – ‘yalma يلمع’: An enigmatic shoegaze anthem steeped in the influences of frontman Yasir Razak’s Arabic background, Richmond, Virginia, outfit nabeel (نبيل) take listeners on an endearingly dissonant journey through poetry, peace, and philosophy on this newly unveiled track. Expansive and thought-provoking, the track brings an entirely new layer of influence and inspiration to the world of slowcore and shoegaze. [4/5]
