The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music of the week
We commend anyone who chanced it with a release this week. Over in the world of mainstream music, some absolutely huge albums were dropped by titans, daring to overshadow anything else – but we won’t let that happen here on the Big Indie Playlist.
Just like every other week, we’ve dived deep to make sure the most exciting new releases of the week aren’t missed out. As always, we scoured the breadth and depth of streaming services to gather up the tracks you need to hear this week. From the emo ambient sounds of Claire Rousay, who gained our album of the week crown, through to the nostalgic fun of Home Counties video game-inspired track, there’s something from everything.
Across indie, rock, pop, folk and beyond, all genres are considered here. All sizes and scales, too, as this week we’re spotlighting songs from up-and-comers like Molly Payton and Nxdia alongside names like David Bowie and Brian Eno; I’m not sure if you’ve heard of them…
If you’re looking for your new favourite album, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart for the best of the long plays. But for a quick fix of the best new hits, we’ve gathered them all in one place, so all that’s required is to click play.
The best new releases of the week:
Track of the week
Fontaines D.C – ‘Starburster’: Since it dropped, someone has brought up the new Fontaines D.C track at least every hour or so in the Far Out group chat. The Irish rock leaders burst back to life, but this time in full colour. The mysterious veer of their previous releases is gone, and a neon storm has taken its place in both style and sound.
‘Starburster’ is relentless. It rages on and doesn’t stop, apart from a few marked and incredibly satisfying gasps of air. The band seem to have so much to stay and so much revived energy to share; it’s hard to contain it in this little four-minute-long package. Fontaines have always been a high-octane band delivering the best in modern rock, but ‘Starburster’ feels fuelled by something new, different and incredibly exciting. We’re hooked in and gagging for more. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest new tracks of the week
Kate Nash – ‘Space Odyssey 2001’: Bowie meets Kubrick meets Kate Nash. Poking fun at her choice of first date film, this kooky little number is exactly what you’d expect from the singer. [3.5/5]
David Bowie, Brian Eno + Nature – ‘Get Real’: Yes, you read that right. This new remix was done in collaboration with Nature, who is now an artist on Spotify. To raise money for global conservation projects, a scattering of tracks have been credited to the artist. But this Brian Eno remix of the Bowie classic is something special. [4/5]
Claire Rousay – ‘Head’: A real stand-out track from our album of the week. Claire Rousay plays with ambient emo on this honest and regret-tinged composition that slowly builds to one hell of a chorus. [4.5/5]
Kings Of Leon – ‘Nothing To Do’: If you’ve dropped off the Kings Of Leon train, it might be time to get back on board. This new track feels like a return to former glory and just in time for some big festival slots this summer. This raging little track is going to sound so good out of those big speakers on a scorched field. [4/5]
On the rise – New tracks to note
Pillow Queens – ‘Notes On Worth’: It’s the closing track of Pillow Queens’ third album that is truly worthy of attention. “I think I’m worth the time,” they sing as their parting remarks on this life-affirming, bolstering song for strength. [4.5/5]
Molly Payton – ‘Accelerate’: It’s been a long wait since her stand-out 2022 EP Compromise, but Molly Payton is back with a scattering of singles. The latest, ‘Accelerate’, sees her going all out as she kicks her usually wistful soft grunge sound into pure rock. [4/5]
Eyedress + Jesse Jo Stark – ‘Sinning in Heaven’: Eyedress just dropped a huge 34-track mixtape of collaborations, but it’s this track with Jesse Jo Stark that captures the heart. It is the sort of song you can imagine soundtracking a prom scene in a 1980s film where a bad boy finally gets the good girl, John Hughes, to eat your heart out. [3/5]
Home Counties – ‘Dividing Lines’: As the final taster before their album, Home Counties slip into a silly mood on ‘Dividing Lines’. The intro sounds like the background music you would have heard coming out of your childhood Playstation, and that same fun nostalgia sticks around for the whole song. [3.5/5]
Nxdia – ‘Jennifers Body’: Nxdia released a new theme tune for Megan Fox’s iconic 2009 role. That Y2K feel finds its way into the instrumentation, making it easy to imagine a scene of the most popular girl in school walking down a hallway with a wind machine blowing her air while this plays in the background. [3/5]
Been Stellar – ‘Sweet’: Been Stellar might single-handedly bring back the glory days of the New York music scene. With Interpol’s moodiness merging with The Strokes’ catchiness, meet me in the bathroom and we can listen to this hooking new track. [3.5/5]
Hex Girlfriend – ‘Cafe Culture’: One to blow the cobwebs of the week away. If you’re heading out this weekend and struggling for motivation after a long working slog, turn this on and turn it up loud. We guarantee that the second wind will hit you. [3/5]
Lucy Rose – ‘Light As Grass’: The new album from Lucy Rose is a tender beast, dealing with a bout of serious illness after giving birth. She suddenly found herself unable to play her usual instrument, the guitar, so she turned to the piano. It seems there’s a silver lining to everything, as this track is beautifully jazzy, mixing her typically angelic vocals with a new musicality. [4/5]
Pom Poko – ‘Champion’: Pom Poko return for the first time since 2022, and we’re glad to see them back. The instrumentation on this track is so fun and intricate but still balances a lot with space to breathe. It sounds like the sun coming out or waking up on the right side of the bed. We’re into it. [3.5/5]
First Spin – Debut single of the week
Daisy St Patience – ‘Roadkill’: A fun instrumental with a spoken word vocal, Daisy St Patience bursts into the word with plenty to say. “So where can we start?” Daisy St Patience asks, but this seems like a great place to kick things off. [3.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Global sounds and left-field cuts
Lucas Arruda – ‘Ominira’: Hit play on this, and within a second, you’ll be dreaming about a hot July day in the park, your mates around you and a cold drink in hand. Or maybe you’re on a lilo floating in a pool somewhere hot, or on the field dance floor on a sunny festival afternoon. Whatever your fantasy is, this funk-ridden jazz sounds like bliss. [4/5]
La Banda Chuska – ‘Basic Bichos’: Psyche rock meets Latin America’s cumbia sound on this new release from La Banda Chuska. With a distinct air of the B-52s but with a trippier edge, it’s a perfect mix. [3.5/5]
