The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music of the week
Another week, another huge bumper crop of new music. With tens of thousands of new tracks released into the ether each and every week, it is quite literally impossible to keep up. To ensure no greatness slips between the cracks, the Big Indie Playlist puts all the best releases of the week into one easy place.
But don’t let the name be deceiving. All genres are considered here. Sure, there are fresh indie offerings from Hinds, Nilüfer Yanya, Saloon Dion, The Howl and the Hum and beyond. But the playlist expands way before any labels. This week’s includes electronic tracks from Sega Bodega and Eartheater, as well as a foray into that world from ARXX. Elsewhere, Hozier delivers more of his own brand of folk, while Dora Jar and Szou merge indie with pure pop.
Artists of all shapes and sizes are considered, too, from some of the biggest names in the music world to brand-new acts or projects. NewDad’s Julie Dawson started fresh this week as she released her debut solo single, moving in a different direction while the band are on a hiatus between records.
If it’s a new favourite album you’re looking for, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart to find the best new long plays. But right here, get a quick fix of the new hits, all placed in one easy playlist so all you have to do is hit shuffle.
The best new music of the week:
Track of the week
Katy J Pearson – ‘Maybe’: Katy J Pearson is on an absolute golden run of singles in the build-up to her upcoming third album, Someday, Now. From the second ‘Weird Goodbyes’ dropped, it was clear that this chapter would be something very different for the artist. The scale was building as she stepped into bolder and bigger sounds, growing beyond her folkish roots into something more expansive.
‘Maybe’ proves this better than ever as Pearson delivers a glorious indie track that merges her folk origins with a distinct pop edge. Her voice sounds as angelic as ever. The poetic storytelling of her lyrics remains intact, but the instrumental is stepping onto bigger stages as if predicting the artist’s inevitable rise. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – the biggest new releases of the week
Hozier + Bedouine – ‘That You Are’: Hozier shared three new tracks this week in the form of a mini EP called Unaired. As expected, each one is stunning with the lyricism and glorious musicality that has made the Irish artist a star, but none are as beautiful as this tender duet. [4/5]
Hamish Hawk – ‘Juliet As Epithet’: Opening up his brand new album, Hamish Hawk dives straight in with the record’s best track. He balances heavy topics on a delicate instrumental that keeps you gripped from start to finish. [4.5/5]
Hinds – ‘The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You’: Hinds are another act on a golden run at the moment as the world waits for their upcoming album. On this new single, they step into anthemic shoes for a big singalong moment. [4/5]
Nilüfer Yanya – ‘Mutations’: There’s something about Yanya’s voice that is so emotive, so gripping and just so good. This new track sounds better than ever as the instrumentation builds a perfect nest for her vocals and storytelling to shine. [4/5]
Say She She – ‘I Believe In Miracles’: The weekend just received the ultimate soundtrack thanks to one of the best modern disco groups around. Delivering unbeatable vibes, this song begs for a cocktail in hand and space to dance. [4/5]
On the rise – New releases to note this week
The Howl And The Hum – ‘Echo’: The Howl And The Hum continue their own golden run of singles with this beautiful new cut. Contemplating growing up, growing apart and the aches and pains that come with both, hit play and surrender to the memories. [4/5]
Szou – ‘Thinkin’ Bout’: Haim meets Paramore on this new one from London’s Szou. Just like the spiralling thoughts the lyrics deal with, the track itself will be stuck on a loop in your head. [3/5]
Sega Bodega + Eartheater – ‘Fade Into You’: Everyone knows that Mazzy Star’s ‘Fade Into You’ is one of the most beautiful tracks ever penned. But there’s something about this glitchy yet sparse cover by Sega Bodega and Eartheater that brings all that raw emotion to the surface. Built of nothing but their voices and some vocal effects, there’s nowhere to hide from the feelings. [3.5/5]
Fashion Club + Perfume Genius – ‘Forget’: What begins as an unassuming ambient piece quickly explodes into a full technicolour firework of feeling. It’s a track that grips you and drags you along for the ride with the kind of elevated artistry that Perfume Genius has mastered. [3.5/5]
Remy Bond – ‘Don’t Go Back To Paris’: Raised at the Hotel Chelsea, Bond was destined for artistry. ‘Don’t Go Back To Paris’ is a perfect display of her gloriously vintage dripped vocals, merged with her fresh storytelling lyricism. [3/5]
Angie McMahon – ‘Untangling’: McMahon could sing a shopping list as her voice is beautiful enough to keep ears eager for more. But luckily, she’s always an incredible songwriter as she grapples with the messiness and difficulty of letting go on this new offering. [3.5/5]
ARXX – ‘Trouble’: Brighton duo ARXX are moving in a very different direction for this track, letting their imagination lead them into the world of electronic tunes, which will sound just as good out of club sound systems as they will live at a festival. [3/5]
Deadletter – ‘More Heat!’: Scratchy, off-kilter, chaotic, and all the other descriptors for something somewhat unsettling in its greatness could be used for this new track from Deadletter. As they announce their debut album, this is a great way to kick it off. [3/5]
Dora Jar – ‘Ragdoll’: Considering powerlessness in a busy and big world, Dora Jar claws back control as she dials all her confusion into this intricately layered track. It’s a prime example of her might not only as a singer and songwriter but as a producer, too. [3.5/5]
Nubya Garcia + Richie – ‘Set It Free’: The beloved saxophonist Nubya Garcia links up with KOKOROKO’s Richie Seivwright on this glorious, groove-heavy track that highlights two of the UK’s brightest talents. [4/5]
Drug Church – ‘Chow’: The influential Albany punks have released another single from their upcoming album, ‘Prude’. A more introspective number than ‘Demolition Man’, it contains another huge chorus and their typical crunching guitars, providing another heavy hint that this is to be one of punk’s albums of the year. [4/5]
Saloon Dion – ‘Tangerine’: Not only do Saloon Dion have one of the best band names around, but they put out great tunes as well. The Bristol troupe merge Slowdive style shoegaze instrumentals with an all-out indie delivery for this latest release. [3/5]
Douglas In Fur – ‘Call At 5’: Seductive, theatrical and managing that perfect balance between nostalgia and newness, Douglas In Fur’s new track begs for a dark corner of a cocktail bar. [3/5]
W.H Lung – ‘The Painting Of The Bay’: Synth-pop glory is coming out of Manchester thanks to W.H Lung. As one of their most expansive tracks yet, this one build and builds and keeps you hooked each minute of the way. [3.5/5]
Shaene – ‘Tom’: The Leeds music scene offers up greatness upon greatness. The latest in that enduring legacy comes in the form of Shaene, an artist who makes lo-fi emo music for dragging your feet on a moody late-night walk. It’s cinematic and primed for some serious angst. [4/5]
First spin – Debut single of the week
Julie Dawson – ‘Silly Little Song’: This is by no means Julie Dawson’s first foray into the music world. As part of NewDad, the singer has been a rocket launch to become one of the hottest ones to watch around. But the launch of this solo project sees her exploring her songwriting and sound in a whole new way with a glitchy, dreamy offering that is very different from her work in the group. [3.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds
Anna Butterss – ‘Shorn’: Australian bassist Anna Butterss offers up something unique with this improvisational jazz track, given a futuristic electronic edge, pushing the form into fresh, exciting places. [3.5/5]
The Skatalites + Alvaro Henriquez – ‘Un Amor Violento’: An unexpected yet brilliant collaboration this week came from the ska legends and the Chilean songwriter Alvaro Henriquez. Together, the vibes are high. [3/5]
