The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
Easter weekend is upon us. Maybe you’re off enjoying a long, luxurious bank holiday. Not me. I’m here because the music world never rests, and Far Out will never tire in our mission to bring you the best of it. Distilling all the noise of New Music Friday into only the must-hear tracks, The Big Indie Playlist gathers up the best of the newness this week.
The quality was high. I can’t think of another week so busy with four out of five. But this week, the music world across all genres and scales of stars turned out their best work, whether they’re working towards a major release or launching a brand new project.
L Mayland put their best foot forward for their first step as Lizzie Mayland, of The Last Dinner Party fame, launched their solo project with a staggeringly beautiful release. Witch Post also introduced themselves as the awaited release of their debut EP brought all the buzz around their name to fruition.
In the world of the well-established big leagues, Fontaines DC refreshed their fans’ obsession with a batch more songs on a deluxe version of Romance. Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey keeps people happy amidst the confusing chaos of her delayed album release by sharing another surprise single. Sure, no one knows what her album is called anymore or when it might arrive, but at least we now have ‘Bluebird’ to tide us over.
Across indie, folk, alt-pop, punk and beyond, there is something for everyone right here, but if its a new favourite album you’re looking for, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart, where all the best LPs are gathered. Here’s we’re all about the singles and the stand out tracks of the week so all you have to do is hit play on a mix tape of golden releases.
The best new releases of the week
Track of the week
L Mayland – ‘Lighthouse’: From their role as the rhythm guitarist in The Last Dinner Party, the world has had glimmers of Mayland’s gorgeous vocals. They sing a stunning intro to ‘Sinner’ in their live set. On the band’s recent release of covers and acoustic versions, Mayland’s cover of ‘Up North’ is staggeringly beautiful. But now, the announcement has come that we’re getting an entire project with the limelight solely on them.
The first offering, ‘Lighthouse’, has us instantly excited. Mayland’s vocals have this way of holding so much emotion in them. This is the kind of performance that gives you goosebumps. And as the gentle folk sound swells as the sound goes on, it’s so atmospheric and so affecting that it’s like a siren call. [4.5/5]
Instant classics – The biggest release of the week
Matt Maltese – ‘Buses Replace Trains’: Matt Maltese is about to release an album all about love, and so with each new love song released in the run-up, things keep getting more and more beautiful. ‘Buses Replace Trains’ is the latest, and it’s so sweet it could give you a toothache. [4/5]
Lana Del Rey – ‘Bluebird’: Who knows what on earth is going on with Lana Del Rey’s upcoming album? The previous title and release date announced have been revoked, so the project is now nameless and TBC, but at least we’re getting music, and at least that music is as good as this as she leans in heavy to the country inspiration. [4.5/5]
Fontaines D.C – ‘Before You I Just Forget’: Loved Fontaines D.C’s career-boost record Romance? Well, you’re in luck, cause now there’s more of it. Releasing a surprise deluxe edition, each new addition is great, but this one is golden. [4/5]
Addison Rae – ‘Headphones On’: Wait, is this the song of the summer? Charli XCX collaborator and all-around it-girl Addison Rae has been more than proving her musical worth with this run of singles. Each one gets better and better so ‘Headphones On’ just set a new gold standard. [4.5/5]
Caroline and Caroline Polachek – ‘Tell Me I Never Knew That’: The coming together of the Carolines is, naturally, a match made in heaven. Caroline Polacheck could put her unique and intoxicating vocals to anything, though, and it would be glorious. [4/5]
Must-Hear – New releases to note this week
Folk Bitch Trio – ‘The Actor’: Australian trio Folk Bitch Trio are a huge ‘if you know, you know’ act that have big fans in the likes of Julia Jacklin. With tight harmonies and sharp lyricism, each new single is a treat and ‘The Actor’ is no different. [4/5]
Sofia Isella – ‘Crowd Caffeine’: Sofia Isella is someone you should be paying attention to. If what you like is dark, somewhat creepy tracks with lyrics so cutting they could bleed someone, she’s delivering. Each new song feels like a whole movie, and ‘Crowd Caffeine’ is a particularly dramatic and unsettling one that drags you into its world. [4/5]
Witch Post – ‘Spell’: When Witch Post emerged a few months ago, they instantly got ‘One to watch’ status. But with each track, they’ve proved they deserve it. Now with the release of their debut EP, ‘Spell’ stands out as a different side to the group, showing how broad their talent is. [4/5]
Chloe Quisha – ‘Modern Romance’: Chloe Quisha is primed and ready to be alt-pop’s new leader. Each release feels like another brick in her campaign to get to the top, but this one is especially interesting, with even a Laurie Anderson vibe to moments of it. [3.5/5]
Orla Gartland – ‘Now What?’: At the end of 2024, Orla Gartland released an album about being in a long-term relationship, so what happens when that relationship breaks up? ‘Now What?’ she asks herself on this perfect follow-up that takes the lyrical strength of the album and levels it up even further. [4/5]
Billie Marten – ‘Leap Year’: As expected, the new Billie Marten song is beautiful, like all her other songs, like anything she turns her voice to. Did anyone expect anything less? [3.5/5]
Jacob Alon – ‘August Moon’: Jacob Alon is another key ‘one to watch’ consistently proving why they deserve that title. ‘August Moon’ has such an intoxicating quality to it thanks to the waltzing instrumental behind their gorgeous vocals and storytelling talent. [3.5/5]
Black Honey – ‘Dead’: Black Honey are back. Each of their album so far has been inspired by a particular director: Quentin Tarantino for their debut, Wes Anderson on their follow-up, but now they’re in their Kubrick era, bringing a weirdness into this deeply stylistic track. [3/5]
Sex Mask – ‘Circe’: Each week we like to deliver a track that will help shake off the cobwebs of the week, and Sex Mask are bringing the head-wobble this week with this thumping track that combines eletro, post-punk and industrial sounds. Play it loud. [3.5/5]
Independent Spirit – The best unsigned release of the week
Roscoe Roscoe – ‘Before You Die’: One of the best things about any local music scene is the collaborations that come from people simply knowing each other. Roscoe Roscoe are a beautiful product of that as the six-piece unit is made up of a lineup of familiar faces. The members play with other favourite independent acts in the city, like Hank and Sarah Meth, but in this unit, they’re crafting something special and utterly their own.
‘Before You Die’ is so cinematic that it pulls you instantly into its mood. Combining folk elements with some more classic indie aspects and then a sheen of shoegaze over the top, it’s haunting and captivating. As the band’s first release in three years, having finally returned to this collective project, they sound better than ever, primed for new listeners to get on board. [4/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds, curated and written by Ben Forrest
La Retreta Mayor – ‘Torta De Pan’: A timeless Latin jazz-funk gem complete with soulful vocals, a rich, blaring brass section and all the groove you need to usher in the summer months. Originally released in Venezuela back in 1976, Madrid’s Vampisoul label has unveiled a new reissue of the track this week, marking the first time it has been available on seven-inch wax. [4.5/5]
Kokoroko – ‘Sweetie’: Gearing up for the release of their sophomore album later in the summer, London collective Kokoroko reaffirm their West African roots on this groovy brass-centric effort. There is an effortless coolness exuded by this track, helped along by its jazz influences, the infallible vocals of Sheila Maurice-Grey, and the collective passion of the group. [4.5/5]
Kelly Finnigan and Renaldo Domino – ‘Keep Me In Mind’: Colemine Records continue their run of putting out infectious soul floor-fillers with this, the latest effort from LA vocalist Kelly Finnigan, which sees him collide with Chicago soul icon Renaldo Domino to reimagine the Samson & Delilah classic ‘Keep Me In Mind’ from 1967. [4/5]
Mitchum Yacoub – ‘Cumbia No Get Enemy’: A commanding cumbia reimagining of Fela Kuti’s defining track, ‘Water No Get Enemy’, by Afrobeat percussionist Mitchum Yacoub, who you might remember from his touring work with Seun Kuti. Far from being a simple cover song, Yacoub makes the track his own, imbuing the Afrobeat classic with all the groove and infectious rhythm that comes along with the cumbia style. [4/5]
DjeuhDjoah and Lieutenant Nicholson – ‘Danse Divine’: Paris Afro-Soul label Hot Casa Records treats listeners to a preview of the Danse Divine album, due out in May, with the release of its title track. Lush, intimate vocals exude sunshine relaxation, while the funk-ridden instrumentation draws upon everything from bossa nova to Afrobeat in equal measure. [3.5/5]
Azymuth – ‘Andaraí’: The first cut taken from Marca Passo, due out in June, Brazilian samba masters Azymuth have returned with ‘Andaraí’, a spaced-out six-minute epic incorporating their typically expansive samba sound with influences of electronica and dub. Suddenly, June seems so far away. [3.5/5]
