The Big Indie Playlist: The best new music
Trying to keep up in the world of new music releases is exhausting. Every day, an average of 100,000 songs are uploaded to Spotify from artists around the world. When each week delivers a busy new dose of songs from established artists and new up-and-comers, how are we supposed to know what to hit play on?
That’s where we come in. Gathering the top new tracks across rock, indie, folk and beyond, we’ve searched the depths of the streaming services for the songs you need to listen to. Mixing big names in with new ones we think you should be taking note of, The Big Indie Playlist is designed to keep you in the know. Whether you’re after fresh indie offerings or deep cuts from our Off The Beaten Track section, we’ve got you covered.
This week saw new releases from major names like Bleachers and Khruangbin. Swim Deep, Bat For Lashes and even Catfish and the Bottlemen have made their grand return to the music industry with great new tracks. In the world of new artists, you should be paying attention to Ellie Bleach, The Mysteries, Sunday (1994) and SoftTop, to name just a few.
If it’s long plays you’re after, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart. But for a quick fix of the best new hits, we’ve gathered them all together in one easy playlist. You just need to press play.
The best new music of the week
Track of the Week:
Ellie Bleach – ‘That’ll Show ‘Em’: It’s easy to throw around the word cinematic when it comes to music. In most instances, people use it loosely when something is wistful or the sort of song that could soundtrack a sweet little montage. In the case of Ellie Bleach, we mean it in the grandest, truest, most real sense possible. Her entire discography so far fits the description, but on ‘That’ll Show ‘Em’, she kicks it up one massive, theatrical notch.
In preparation for her upcoming EP, Now Leaving West Feldwood, Bleach is diving deeper into her fiction world on this dark, gothic lounge lizard track. Taking on the voice of a washed-up rock star with lashings of saxophones and clarinets, it descends into musical madness as you can imagine him sinking drink after drink. Like Kate Bush meets Nick Cave meets a musical, Ellie Bleach is doing something special and ‘That’ll Show ‘Em’ is the clearest evidence yet. [5/5]
Instant Classics – The best new tracks of the week
The Mysterines – ‘Stray’: Back and better than ever, The Mysterines announced their sophomore album with this infectious rock track. Building on the sound of their stunning debut Reeling, ‘Stray’ is sexier and bigger, imbued with the confidence they got after touring stadiums with Arctic Monkeys. [4/5]
Bat For Lashes – ‘The Dream Of Delphi’: The return of Bat For Lashes was always going to be great. Natasha Khan sounds as beautiful as ever on this angelic track, built of layered harmonies and an electronic undercurrent. [4/5]
Bleachers – ‘Me Before You’: Bleachers are on an absolute golden run at the moment as every single release delivers excellence. Jack Antonoff feels like a modern Bruce Springsteen as this love song rolls on. [4/5]
Adrianne Lenker – ‘Fool’: With each new song, Adrianne Lenker gets better and better. Her lyricism never falters as she delivers poetic, gut-wrenching lines like their nothing. [3.5/5]
Catfish and the Bottlemen – ‘Showtime’: Catfish and the Bottlemen made a surprising return this week to make our 2014 nostalgia even heavier. While their last efforts before their hiatus were weak, ‘Showtime’ is actually good! Maybe they got better over that break. [3.5/5]
Swim Deep – ‘How Many Love Songs Have Died In Vegas’: Making another case for the suggestion that 2024 is actually just 2014, Swim Deep are back. But on this new track, they’ve matured way beyond Tumblr and tinnies in the park. This is a mature cut that has us intrigued for more. [4/5]
On the rise
Astrel K – ‘R U A Literal Child?’: This song is so fun. The instrument feels built to raise the mood and get toes tapping as Ulrika Spacek’s Rhys Edwards’ solo project keeps revealing itself to be an exciting outing to pay attention to. [4/5]
Khruangbin – ‘May Ninth’: Back with another mellow jam track, Khruangbin remains the leader of background noise. This is a nice little number, but nothing special in comparison to their other hits. [2.5/5]
Another Sky – ‘Swirling Smoke’: A vast number led by a stunning vocal, ‘Swirling Smoke’ is moody and masterfully made. Rich feels like the only way to describe this as it echoes around your headphones like a spell. [3/5]
Saint Saviour – ‘I Just Can’t Take The Risk’: Teaming up with Jadu Heart for this new one, the North Eastern songwriter is on a golden run of singles at the moment. This new track is reminiscent of cuts from Belle & Sebastian or her producer, Bill Ryder-Jones’ gentle acoustic storytelling. [3/5]
Gen & The Degenerates and Uninvited – ‘GIRLS!’: Two key up-and-comers in the world of punk have paired up for this riotous queer anthem. Reminiscent of The Runaways in their prime, this song demands to be played loud and screamed along to. [3.5/5]
Grace Cummings – ‘Common Man’: Grace Cummings has one of the most unique voices we’ve heard in a while, merging classic rock with true soul. ‘Common Man’ feels like it could have been plucked straight from the 1970s in the best way. [3/5]
Bored At My Grandma’s House – ‘Show & Tell’: Announcing her debut album with this title track, Bored At My Grandma’s House is another exciting new artist coming out of the thriving Leeds scene. Mixing tongue-in-cheek lyrics with vast indie sounds, it’s a great opening to a new era. [3/5]
SoftTop – ‘Runaway’: Brighton is the musical city that keeps on giving. One of its newest offerings comes in the form of SoftTop, a seven-piece delivering seductive ballads. It’s a good old-fashioned heartbreak track, given a deliciously theatrical finish. [4/5]
First spins – The best debut single of the week
Sunday (1994) – ‘Tired Boy’: This is how you introduce yourself. Wistful, cinematic and catchy as hell, ‘Tired Boy’ is a powerful opening remark from the new trio, Sunday (1994). Mixing strains of Lana Del Rey with The Cranberries or 1990s indie, we’re hooked instantly. [4.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Sounds from around the world
Kneecap – ‘Sick In The Head’: Gaelic meets hip hop in this new track from Ireland’s beloved Kneecap. The Belfast-born trio have always been passionate about boosting the Irish mother tongue, and on this infectious cut, they’re using it masterfully. [4/5]
Hermanos Guitierrez – ‘Sonido Cosmico’: Latin influence meets Americana blues rock on this seductive new cut. Despite being fully instrumental, its sound will get under your skin and stay there on repeat. [3.5/5]
Fabiano Do Nascimento – ‘Foi Boto’: Brazil by way of Tokoyo and London; there are a lot of influences melded into this beautiful little instrumental number. [4/5]
