The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music of the week
Sorry to say it, but summer is drawing to a close. September looms, and with it comes Autumn as the weather threatens to change any day now, and the beer garden evenings are numbered. So, while the sunny weather is still here, it’s time to make the most of it with a great soundtrack of new tunes from the Big Indie Playlist.
Some songs seem to have sunshine bottled in them, letting the energy of summer endure as long as they’re on repeat. Orla Gartland and Declan McKenna put out one of them this week as they teamed up for the ultimate indie banger. Los Bitchos also released an album full of high energy instrumental tracks perfect for this weekend’s parties.
But if the turning of the season has already kick-started a period of introspection, this week also delivered a solid lineup of beautiful lyrical pieces and moody guitar tunes. Wunderhorse and Molly Payton gave the world two great grunge-laced records that have plenty of emotive moments. For high art in an album form, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released a swelling spiritual soundtrack on Wild God, while Paris Paloma considers feelings through a folk-horror lens on her debut.
If it’s albums you’re after, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart to find your new favourite record. Right here, however, we’re boiling down the best tracks of the week, so all you have to do is hit play to catch up on the hottest new releases.
The best new releases of the week:
Track of the week
Orla Gartland and Declan McKenna – ‘Late To The Party’: As summer threatens to fade into Autumn with the coming of September, what we need now more than ever is one last huge indie hit. Two of the genre’s brightest young things answered the call as Orla Gartland teamed up with Declan McKenna.
For those in the know, Gartland is one of the most exciting voices in indie right now, and she has been for quite some time. After her 2021 debut Woman On The Internet tackled her experience going from a YouTube singer to a working artist, her sophomore album sees her level up again. Each single so far has been golden, but this one is something else. It’s exactly what you want from an indie banger, but it’s tackled with so much intrigue and spark it’s electric. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest releases of the week
Nick Cave – ‘O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is)’: The second to last track on Nick Cave’s latest album is where the magic is. Ending with a voice note from the woman who inspired the track, the track immortalises the spirit of Anita Lane, Cave’s ex-partner and early Bad Seeds collaborator. [4/5]
The Last Dinner Party – ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us’: Right as The Last Dinner Party hit new and dizzy peaks of popularity after their debut skyrocketed them to mainstream success, they return with something left-field and theatrical, proving they’ll never fit into easy listening moulds. This cover of the Sparks classic sounds like it could have been plucked straight from an opera, with Emily Roberts’ guitar playing being as electric as ever. [3.5/5]
The Smile – ‘Zero Sum’: Just as The Smile had to cancel their summer appearances, they made it up to their fans by announcing a new album, Cutouts, scheduled for release in October. ‘Zero Sum’ is the more upbeat of the teasers, getting interest brimmed for what’s to come. [3.5/5]
Tucker Zimmerman, Big Thief, Lji and Twain – ‘Burial At Sea’: Big Thief are producing a new album from the 83-year-old singer-songwriter Tucker Zimmerman. On this opening number, Adrianne Lenker’s stunning voice joins him for a beautiful country-folk duet. [3/5]
Wunderhorse – ‘Emily’: As our album of the week, the entirety of Wunderhorse’s latest record could make the cut. But ‘Emily’ is a stand out, brimming and boiling over with emotion and grunge power. [4.5/5]
On The Rise – new releases to note this week
Molly Payton – ‘Teenage Bedroom Floor’: For fans of introspective lyricism with big guitar sounds, get to know Molly Payton. Her new album YOYOTTA is something really special with this track about a messy mind being a standout. [4/5]
Bess Atwell – ‘More Than Science’: Hot off the back of her latest album, Atwell is back with more as she releases a short EP of more stunning ballads. This is a gorgeously written song, with Atwell’s vocals being as angelic as ever. [3.5/5]
Dolores Forever – ‘Concrete’: Looking for a new indie pop obsession? Look no further than Dolores Forever who feel like the two Haim sisters who were left out of the band. ‘Concrete’ is a hi-octane track that feels custom-made for a Friday night hype up or a disco-in-your-bedroom shake-up. [3/5]
GARDENS – ‘Flaws’: Hailing from Vienna, this dream-pop quartet have dropped a surf-psych-inspired track as they announce their debut album. There are a lot of influences at play, and all of them are great. [3.5/5]
Gut Health – ‘Stiletto’: Got a spare eight minutes and want to sink your teeth into something meaty and delicious? Hit play on this new one from Gut Health, which feels like a true punk odyssey with a danceable edge. [3.5/5]
Oslo Twins – ‘Sally’: It’s an easy mistake to make but no, Oslo Twins are not from Oslo. But the London-based duo are making tunes that defy any one scene or city’s influence. This new dream-pop one has a serious 1980s edge as they defy time, too. [4/5]
Tess Parks – ‘Crown Shy’: Canadian-born but now London-based, Parks is a long way from home. But on this new track, she’s sharing gratitude for her family, friends and loved ones in a gorgeous dream-pop ode to connection. [4/5]
Tom A. Smith and Swim School – ‘I don’t want you to have to remember me for longer than you ever knew me’: It’s a lengthy-title to articulate a sharp and simple feeling. Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith teams up with indie outfit Swim School for this catchy contemplation on heartache and yearning. [3/5]
Paris Paloma – ‘Last Woman On Earth’: After her track ‘Labour’ shot her to the world’s attention, Paris Paloma’s debut album Cacophony is finally out in the world, and it is stunning. From start to finish, it’s a folk-horror consideration of love, heartache, societal expectations and exploitation. ‘Last Woman On Earth’ is a standout track, but each song is. [4/5]
MICHELLE – ‘Cathy’: Exactly the kind of song you want playing in your headphones on a sunny weekend walk. This new one from MICHELLE is bright with breezy, funky vibes. [4/5]
Wasia Project – ‘Somebody Come Through’: The sibling duo of Wasia Project have been ones to watch for quite some time now thanks to Olivia Hardy’s stunning vocals. Their new EP Isotope puts it on glorious display, especially this cinematic ballad. [4/5]
First spin – Debut single of the week
Dill – ‘Sale’: The opening statement from Italian-born artist Dill is a pretty one. The first verse takes a minute to get into, but when the song bursts open with harmonies, it becomes something altogether more cinematic and special. In the background, it’s easy to hear the power that her voice can hold, with hopes that future releases might see her let it loose for more bilingual tunes. [3/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds
Los Bitchos – ‘Let Me Cook You’: This weekend’s parties just got a great soundtrack as Los Bitchos released their new album, Talkie Talkie. This one is full of exactly the kind of high-energy instrumentals the band are known for and loved for, and it is especially vibey. [4/5]
Yannis and the Yaw – ‘Night Green, Heavy Love’: Before his death, Tony Allen was in the studio with Foals’ Yannis Philippakis. To honour the time he spent with his idol, the musician finished their collaborations and released it as part of a project by Yannis and the Yaw titled Lagos Paris London as a nod to their geographical influences. This track is especially gripping as Philippakis’ rock vocals add tense moodiness to a gripping instrumental. [4/5]
