The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music of the week
The early days of summer are upon us. As the calendar marches on – the sun sporadically emerging from the clouds, fields of lambs slowly growing into sheep, and the constant soundtrack of an ice cream van somewhere in the distance – the time will soon come when the beer gardens and local parks of the UK are awash with smiling faces. The flip side of that is that when you emerge from your hibernation, you are expected to have interesting things to talk about, which is not always easy. Luckily, Far Out is on hand to offer you this week’s best new conversation-starting releases.
It has been a mixed bag of releases this week, with many embracing the optimistic, sun-soaked sounds of summer while others still seem to be stuck in that post-winter blues. We have seen the re-emergence of old favourites – in the form of post-punk icons The The – and the emergence of promising new talents like Addy Nemana and Finn Rees.
While not all of the new material released this week feature the frankly outdated sounds of guitar-led indie rock, they are certainly all imbued with a spirit of independence and DIY music making. For instance, Lancaster punk DIY duo The Lovely Eggs have returned with a new record, Eggsistentialism, storied by fuzzy garage rock and unexpectedly heart wrenching self-reflective vocals. That seems to be a theme for new releases this week; expect the unexpected.
Of course, singles can only take you so far. If you are looking for perhaps a more coherent listening experience, then head over to this week’s Alternative Album Chart to view the best full-length releases offered up to us by the musical gods this week. However, if you’re in the mood for a smorgasbord of indie excellence, then look no further.
The best new music of the week:
Track of the week
The The – ‘Cognitive Dissident’:
The wait is finally over, cult post-punk icons The The have returned with an incredible new track, ‘Cognitive Dissident’. Offering a preview of the new LP, Ensoulment, the single affirms that the previous 24 years have certainly not been wasted by songwriter Matt Johnson. Simultaneously celebrating the past of the groundbreaking band and pushing them forward into new, exciting directions, the single is an excellent promise of things to come.
Featuring single artwork from Johnson’s departed brother, Andy Dog, who first lent The The their graphic identity, ‘Cognitive Dissident’ feels like a vintage post-punk release. At the same time, though, it has all the power and energy you would expect from a 21st-century track. Johnson’s lyrics, while bordering on needless rhyme at times, certainly have not dipped in quality since the band’s last release all the way back in the year 2000. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest new tracks of the week
The Lovely Eggs – ‘I Am Gaia’: The closing track to the newly released album by The Lovely Eggs sees the Lancaster pair embrace an unexpected new direction for the group. Abandoning their usual eccentricities, distorted guitar tones and unique sense of humour, the band delivered this incredibly impactful number about the existential difficulties that come with operating by your own principles within a cruel industry. [4.5/5]
Beth Gibbons – ‘Lost Changes’: Released shortly before her groundbreaking debut solo album Lives Outgrown, Beth Gibbons remains as profound and emotionally effective as ever on this song. The ex-Portishead lyricist places pivotal importance on her lyrics and vocal performance on this song, and with good reason. It feels incredibly personal, with an inexplicably special feeling to it. [4/5]
And So I Watch You From Afar – ‘Do Mór’: Irish instrumentalists And So I Watch You From Afar unveiled the lead single from their upcoming album this week. ‘Do Mór’ is an abrasive and uncompromising sonic assault, which rarely gives you a chance to catch your breath. Don’t let the instrumental fool you, this is not a background song. [4/5]
Crumb – ‘Side By Side’: The definitive stand-out from this week’s ‘Album of the Week’, ‘Side By Side’ reels unsuspecting listeners in with its dance beat before plunging them deep into the siren’s call of Lila Ramani’s vocals. An ethereal anthem that only seems to get better with every listen. [4/5]
Wunderhorse – ‘July’: 18 months on from the release of Wunderhorse’s debut album, the Jacob Slater-fronted indie outfit are back with a commendable new single, ‘July’. Released alongside the announcement of a new album on the horizon, this track evokes the sounds of 2000s rock but with a firmly modern attitude. [3.5/5]
On The Rise – Songs to note this week
Fake Fruit – ‘Mucho Mistrust’: Off-beat Californian post-punk is the perfect soundtrack to the summer months, so praise be Fake Fruit for releasing the first single from their upcoming record of the same name. Complete with endearingly disinterested vocals and a driving bassline, what is there not to like? [4/5]
Dazy Park – ‘Lila’: A gentle and breezy, yet introspective and melancholic offering from the secretive Rhode Island artist Dazy Park. There are countless other songs that cover similar themes to this track – of love, loss and heartbreak – yet Dazy Park seems to tackle it in a way that feels very fresh. [4/5]
Splint – ‘Continuing Endless’: Moody Calderdale outfit Splint seems to be embracing a new era with their latest material. The band’s new track draws upon shoegaze and old-school gothic post-punk without ever feeling too derivative or unoriginal. [3.5/5]
Kosmetika – ‘Pictures Are Gone’: It has been far too long since the last release by Melbourne-based new wavers Kosmetika, so the unveiling of this new single is a cause for celebration. The first to be taken from their third album, Luxury, the song features the kind of spaced-out, retro-inspired sound that the band have become synonymous with. An ideal track for a late evening summer drive. [3.5/5]
Ani DiFranco – ‘Unprecedented Sh!t’: The title track of Ani DiFranco’s latest album is as honest, confrontational and exciting as its title might suggest. Its brooding, rising atmosphere never really gives you a chance to relax into DiFranco’s vocals, but songs like this are not meant to elicit relaxation. [3.5/5]
Cutters – ‘Depresso Rant No.69’: Speaking of a lack of relaxation, perhaps you want your summer to be soundtracked by dark, furious, Australian hardcore punk. If that sounds like you, then look no further than this excellently defiant song from the upcoming album Psychic Injury by Cutters. [3.5/5]
The Crystal Teardrop – ‘Après Jeudi’: Rising Midlands outfit The Crystal Teardrop released this dangerously infectious retro garage psychedelia this week. Granted, their French accents are not the best, but you could easily fool somebody if you told them this track came out at the peak of the French psychedelic scene during the 1960s. [3.5/5]
Wu-Lu – ‘Daylight Song’: The new EP from Brixton-based artist Wu-Lu is a perfect summation of his detesting for genre boundaries. Across the release, you can hear the disparate styles of jazz, hip-hop and even punk. This chilled-out song, in particular, is certainly a highlight. [3.5/5]
Liz Lawrence – ‘No one’: Featuring what is undoubtedly the most infectious bassline of the week, this new song from indie-pop vocalist Liz Lawrence is an enjoyable – if somewhat repetitive – take on the developing sound of her discography. [3/5]
First Spins – Debut singles of the week
Magic Fig – ‘Goodbye Suzy’: Nothing encapsulates summer quite like dreamy American psychedelia. This debut track by San Francisco’s long-running collective Magic Fig fits effortlessly into the incredible musical legacy of their city. ‘Goodbye Suzy’ offers listeners the first glimpse into the release of their self-titled debut, set for release later this year. [4/5]
NTSC PAL – ‘Suggestive Rex’: A new project from Billiam, a stalwart of the Melbourne punk scene, the opening track from this debut EP is a synth-led adrenaline rush which demands your attention. At only 85 seconds, the track is far too easy to stick on repeat, too. [4/5]
Addy Nemana – ‘Sweet Greek Madonna’: Introducing the world to the captivating sounds of Leeds-born, Berlin-based singer-songwriter Addy Nemana, ‘Sweet Greek Madonna’ will appeal to fans of romantic Northern voices and gentle indie folk journeys through the soul. [3.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – left field sounds
Balthvs – ‘Asha’: Latin psychedelia has something of a timeless quality to it, which is probably why this recently released track from Colombian psych masters Balthvs is undoubtedly one of the best releases this week. Whether you’re looking to trip out on some spacey sounds or simply find a nice soundtrack to your studies, Balthvs have you covered. [4.5/5]
Finn Rees – ‘Expansion’: The latest single to be taken from the upcoming record Dawn Is A Melody, ‘Expansion’ sees Tasmanian-born, Melbourne-based, spiritual jazz master Finn Rees really hit his stride. Backed up by some truly incredible musicians, this track takes listeners on an enchanting journey, and definitely builds excitement for the full album. [4.5/5]
Sir Plain – ‘Deixa me pregar’: In another life, Dortmund collective Sir Plain would soundtrack the finest films of the blaxploitation era. Instead, we have been treated to this old-school funk track featuring the conflicting yet captivating vocals of Albert Palowski and Oliveira Kabassu. [3.5/5]
