The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
Never in the history of the Big Indie Playlist has there been so many four-stars out of five awarded. But that’s just proof of how strong this week in music has been, with artists across genres, countries, scenes and sizes all putting out some of their best work yet.
Across every level, the music world seemed to be putting out gold this week. In the world of more established acts, Black Country, New Road returned with a new track that feels set to win over new fans, while Torres and Julien Baker continued their duo side-quest.
In the land of up-and-comers, countless artist put in their bid for rising star status. Stevie Bill reworked a Beatles classic into something new, ELLiS-D continued to unleash high-octane glam rock, Maya Delilah seemed possessed by the spirit of Prince, and Jacob Alon wrote the world’s prettiest song about poppers. From pop to rock, folk to punk, acoustic sounds to raging electric moments – there is something new and great for everyone.
If it’s a new favourite album you’re after, head to our Alternative Album Chart, where all of this week’s LPs are gathered. Here, the Big Indie Playlist gathers up all the best new singles to ensure nothing slips through the cracks of a busy New Music Friday. All in one place, all you have to do is hit play.
The best new music of the week:
Track of the week
ELLiS-D – ‘Drifting’: Skilled drummer, talented guitarist, frontman with the electric energy that seems to merge Ian Curtis, David Bowie and David Byrne all into one – ELLiS-D has it all. The Brighton-based musician has been one to get to know for some time. His 2023 EP Hullo, Reality! was a thrilling masterclass in high-octane, gothic glam rock, but everything he’s released since has only levelled it up and up.
‘Drifting’ is the latest. The seven-minute-long track feels like an odyssey. It’s a rollercoaster that pulls the energy up and up as the tension builds and then breaks as you go over the edge and race down. At the halfway point, it almost feels like it breaks into a whole second song as an incredibly bold composition. Full of dynamic excitement and expert playing from Ellis, it’s further proof of his rising star status. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest new releases this week
Black Country, New Road – ‘Besties’: Black Country, New Road put up a billboard on my street to promote their upcoming album with a huge red button. It took me a week to get up the courage to press it, and when I did, a big shining star lit up, and three people smiled at me as I smiled at it. The experience was a true joy, and so is this new song. [4.5/5]
The Kooks – ‘Never Know’: Climbing out of the indie landfill with new music in hand, The Kooks are back. Simply built, instantly catchy – it’s exactly what you want from a head-bopper by one of the UK’s most beloved indie units. [3/5]
Torres and Julien Baker – ‘Sylvie’: Torres and Julien Baker continue their country-twanged side quest with this great little ditty which holds both the artists as their best, but in a very different light to what the world is used to. [3.5/5]
Katie Gregson-MacLeod – ‘God I Love A Funeral’: While too often brushed off as a viral fad, Katie Gregson-MacLeod proves her power time and time again. This simple yet incredible poetic folk track is a perfect example, displaying a talent for truly poignant lyricism. [4/5]
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – ‘March On Pax Ramona’: Our weekly track to blow the cobwebs away comes from Psychedelic Porn Crumpets as the Aussie troupe drop into all-out rock mayhem. [3.5/5]
On The Rise – New releases to note this week
Stevie Bill – ‘Fan’: Started with a riff on The Beatles’ ‘Norwegian Wood’ and reimagining their signature guitar part throughout, Stevie Bill rewrites the band’s 1960s track about a fleeting affair into a 2025 anthem about messy dating and desire. It’s a true stroke of genius. [4/5]
Maya Delilah – ‘Squeeze’: After blowing up online for videos of her incredible guitar playing, Delilah is putting every ounce of that talent into her own work. This new one sounds like a Prince song, paying homage to his groove across every detail. [4/5]
Ólafur Arnalds and Talos – ‘We Didn’t Know We Were Ready’: For a moving song about creativity and community, Arnalds called in a talented cast to form a choir, including The Staves, Niamh Rega, Ye Vagabonds, a whole orchestra and many more. The rest is nothing short of breathtaking. [4/5]
Jacob Alon – ‘Liquid Gold 25’: Scottish artist Jacob Alon only has three songs out, but it’s enough to know that big things are coming. Weaving experiences of queerness into pure poetry, ‘Liquid Gold 25’ is undeniably the most beautiful song ever written about poppers. [4/5]
Pebbledash – ‘Alone and Forsaken’: The entirety of Pebbledash’s new EP is worth a listen, but this project’s opening six-minute-long musical journey is a gorgeous start that sets the tone for the greatness that immediately follows. [4/5]
Sofia Isella – ‘Dogs Dinner’: Sofia Isella has the talent to build an atmosphere. Sometimes that atmosphere is somewhat creepy as her earlier track ‘The Doll People’ is haunting, but on this new one, she’s grungy and seductive with poignant lyrics punching through like “Only a woman has seen everything and must act like shе’s seen nothing.” [4/5]
Sunflower Bean – ‘Champagne Taste’: A quintessential indie song from a quintessential indie band. New York’s Sunflower Bean unleash exactly what the world has come to expect from them, but it’s great all the same. [3/5]
Grandmas House – ‘Slaughterhouse’: Bristol-based band Grandmas House has been honing its sound for a while, and on ‘Slaughterhouse’, it feels like they nailed it as punk, indie, and blues are in the mix. [3/5]
Good Health Good Wealth – ‘The Cafe’: Spoken word poetry over an atmospheric beat; Good Health Good Wealth sits firmly in the lineage of Baxter Dury, The Streets and countless other great writers busy dominating music with their prose. [3/5]
The Pale White – ‘Lost In The Moment’: Making noise up in Newcastle, the North-East’s favourite rock troupe just announced their sophomore album with this new track that breaks open into something big, bold and hooking. [3.5/5]
Celeste Madden – ‘Lapdog’: This lo-fi tune musing on the sad end of a friendship is as layered and emotive as the kind of experience that inspired it. [3/5]
Independent Spirit – The best unsigned release of the week
Raquel Martins – ‘I Wanna Live Next To The Sea’: Written, performed, produced and released all by herself, ‘I Wanna Live Next To The Sea’ is entirely the brainchild of Raquel Martins as a golden product of her talent and production power. Swelling and cinematic, it’s in the song’s final third that it truly comes to life as something really special. [3.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds, as picked and written by Ben Forrest
Damon Locks – ‘Isn’t It Beautiful’: An ambitious collage of spoken word, samples, and the written word, the Chicago musician constructs a rich and diverse soundscape evoking everything from soul to hip-hop to improvisational jazz. Behind it all lies a staunch message of Black liberation and unity, culminating in something that is always uplifting in its defiance. [4/5]
Trinka – ‘Algum Lugar Em Nós’: On their debut EP, Portuguese/Brazilian trio Trinka introduces listeners to the power and artistry of their Afro-Brazilian heritage. This stand-out track is gentle in nature, but do not mistake that relaxed atmosphere for banality – Dandara Modesto’s stunning vocals always demand attention. [4/5]
Laura Agnusdei – ‘The Drowned World’: Released via Bologna’s Maple Death Records, the latest effort from the Italian saxophonist and experimental composer sees the listener thrust into a post-apocalyptic world. Sporadic outbursts and a brooding bassline give an impression of exploring an otherworldly landscape, which is always captivating, if not comforting. [3.5/5]
Amber Hummel – ‘Natural Disaster’: Halle/Saale poet Amber Hummel delivers an 11-minute spoken word exploration of love, loss, and modern romance, performing a farewell letter she wrote for somebody living far away who disappeared without a trace. Released on a short run of cassette tapes by Berlin’s Billo label, the work rewards those with a longer attention span with Hummel’s beautifully compelling words. [3.5/5]
