The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
It’s been a busy week. That could be said for every week in the world of music, but this week especially has been hectic. The Mercury Awards had everyone with bated breath waiting to see who would be crowned, a huge crop of hotly anticipated albums came out, and, as always, a long list of new singles was dropped. Putting them all in one place, The Big Indie Playlist does the work, so no hits are missed.
Where to even begin? Now festival season has ended, it might be expected that the music world would quieten down a bit. But instead, the third quarter of the year is busier than ever with album releases and new artists popping up to deliver new tunes. With the summer of live music coming to a close, now is the time for some concentrated listening with a mass delivery of new songs and albums being handed over to eager ears.
If you were mourning the end of Brat summer, The Dare finally released his debut album to soundtrack many more nights at the club. For more introverted ears, Sarah Kinsley, The Howl and the Hum, and MJ Lenderman offer up greatness across the entire spectrum of indie, but each with their own unique emotive language. In the world of singles, up-and-coming names like Theo Bleak, Human Interest and Pixie McCann all demand your attention this week.
If you’re looking for a new favourite album, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart for the best of the long plays. But right here, we’re boiling down the best singles of the week across indie, rock, folk, pop and beyond into one easy playlist.
The best new release of the week
Track of the week
‘Stranger’ – Hinds and Grian Chatten: The meeting of two indie powerhouses feels like a beautifully emotional moment set to a catchy tune. “Our best friends in music turn out to be the greatest band in the world,” the Spanish troupe wrote on Instagram as Fontaines D.C released their latest album, Romance, alongside a slideshow of the two groups climbing the ladder together from young up-and-comers to today.
Now, with the release of VIVA Hinds, the girls are meeting them right there at the top. With Chatten jumping on this track, it’s not only a beautiful nod to the journey but is a real standout on the record. The instrumentation is simple, the vocals are gorgeous, and the combination of Spanish and Irish accent twangs is unexpectedly glorious. [4/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest releases of the week
Ethel Cain – ‘For Sure’: To celebrate ten years since American Football’s debut album, Ethel Cain is one of the names enlisted to reimagine a track. But she was never going to just do a carbon copy. Instead, Cain’s take is a nearly ten-minute-long haunting version that combines her stunning vocals, cinematic world and her lesser-known Soundcloud ambient projects into one beautiful package. [4/5]
The Dare – ‘All Night’: Drop what you’re doing right now, pick up your phone and call your mates; it’s time to hit the club. The Dare just dropped the ultimate party soundtrack as his debut album is finally unleashed, bringing with it the official sound of the new indie sleaze era. It’s impossible to hear this track and not want to go out. [4/5]
David Gilmour – ‘Scattered’: At seven and a half minutes, this epic is worth the journey. Orchestral strings and piano melodies frame some inspired poetry before another classic Gilmour solo. [4.5/5]
MJ Lenderman – ‘Wristwatch’: A stand-out track from our album of the week, this song distils what makes the Wednesday guitarist such a force. The searing, expressive solo is one of the best heard in recent times. Imagine if J. Mascis and Kurt Vile had a sonic child. [4.5/5]
The The – ‘I Want To Wake Up With You’: Post-punk stalwarts The The returned with a new album this week. This searing track is a stand out for its sharp, pleading emotional heart. [4/5]
Jungle – ‘I Want To Go Back’: The perfect soundtrack for luxurious evenings cooking up a nice meal, hours spent in the mirror getting ready to go out, or chill drinks with friends. Basically, Jungle are ready to soundtrack whatever you want, delivering good vibes no matter the context. [4/5]
On The Rise – New releases to note this week
Sarah Kinsley – ‘Sublime’: Sarah Kinsley’s debut album should set a new golden standard for indie-pop innovators. ‘Sublime’ is a standout amidst a busy tracklist of glory, but this chorus is impossible to resist. [4.5/5]
Human Interest – ‘Matrix’: London duo Human Interest released a new EP of greatness this week, but ‘Matrix’ is a firm favourite. It’s stripped back and simple, showing the band in a whole new light where their raw talent shines. [3.5/5]
The Howl and the Hum – ‘Pale Blue Dot’: Introspective to the point of intrusion, Sam Griffiths of The Howl and the Hum ripped page after page out of his diary and put them on display on Same Mistakes Twice. But nowhere is that more exposing than right here as he grapples with loneliness, meaninglessness and the acceptance that no one is all good, all loving or all-powerful all of the time. [4/5]
Welly – ‘Cul-De-Sac’: If you’re struggling to get on board with the Oasis comeback, how about a modern act keeping the gobby energy of Britpop alive for the new age? Give Welly ago, and if you’re still not sold, perhaps it’s time to put the Fred Perry down and give it all up. [3/5]
Terra Twin – ‘The Recogniser’: For anyone looking for a new guitar rock band to get behind, may we suggest Terra Twin. After their EP Head Leaking earlier this year, this new cut levels up the quality even more. [3.5/5]
Mxmtoon – ‘The Situation’: Mxmtoon boomed to success with her candid lyricism and twee sounds. On ‘The Situation’, she brings both to the table again with a hefty dose of pop catchiness. [2.5/5]
Fat Dog – ‘Clowns’: Listen, we gave the Fat Dog album some slack this week, but a good song is a good song. ‘Clown’ is a saving grace providing a lovely breather from the relentlessness of the album while still keeping the off-kilter feel that they’re clearly going for. [4/5]
Theo Bleak – ‘In My House’: For fans of Holly Humberstone, Phoebe Bridgers, Samia or any other beautifully produced, angelicly sung and sharply written music, Theo Bleak is one to get to know. [3/5]
Pixie McCann – ‘Needy (I Want You All)’: McCann came up on my TikTok For You Page, and suddenly, I’m left thanking an algorithm. If you want to get behind an artist in their real infancy as they put out tenderly made bedroom tracks that brim with potential, look no further. [4/5]
First Spin – Debut single of the week
Safe Mind – ‘6’ Pole’: Made up of the minds behind Boy Harsher and LUCY, Safe Mind combine their individual indie and electronic power into a new package. It’s catchy, genre-bending, unique and finished with an expert polish. With more promised from their collaboration, we’re locked in. [3.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds
Dar Disku – ‘Sabir’: Taking influence from the golden age of Turkish cinema and featuring vocals from Istanbul-based vocalist Billur Battal, this new track from Dar Disku exudes good vibes. Defying Western scales and packing on the 1970s nostalgia, it’s a gorgeous little trip. [4/5]
Marcos Valle – ‘Bora Meu Bem’: Noted as a “Renaissance man of Brazillian pop”, Valle mixes in notes of country and bossa nova into his unique yet hooking sound. This one is a slice of easy-listening, effortless energy. [3.5/5]
