The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
It’s so easy to fall into habits with music and end up just listening to the same playlists or albums over and over. But each week, whether it’s rock, punk, folk, indie, jazz, pop or any other genre, there is a wealth of new music to broaden your horizons. That’s what the Big Indie Playlist is here for.
This week, especially, the offering was vast and varied. The ex-Beatles member Ringo Starr announced he was going country with a new tune. Confidence Man and Kelly Lee Owens set the soundtrack for this weekend’s parties. Father John Misty continues his theatrical reign with a new tune, and Charli XCX stays dominating the club scene.
But in the world of up and coming artists too, it was a strong week. Brighton continues to be the gift that keeps on giving as Porridge Radio and Ideal Living, both formed in the city, put out greatness. Blondshell tackled an American Football cover with such style and ease it may as well have been her own tune. Charlie Vaughan, Chilli Jenson and Dream Wife fed the indie masses with newness too.
All genres are considered here, along with artists of every size and scale, from the biggest names in the world to bands putting out their very first single. If it’s a new favourite LP you’re looking for, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart. But here, we’re celebrating the best new singles of the week.
The best new music of the week:
Track of the week
Mk.gee – ‘Rockman’: Following the release of the debut album that made musicians around the world quake in inferiority, Mk.gee is back with a new single. Ask any modern guitar player, and they’ll probably mention Mk.gee or Michael Todd Gordon as an inspiration. His debut album, Two Star & the Dream Police, is packed full of unique riffs and rhythms as the musician seems to operate utterly in his own lane, making music that doesn’t feel tied to anyone one genre or any specific references. Even Eric Clapton praised him, saying, “He has found things to do on the guitar that are like nobody else.”
‘Rockman’ is the same. It’s catchy without being obvious, packed with twisting and turning details that keep you on your toes and make the headphone listening experience feel immersive and immense. It builds on the world set by the debut, proving that the musician is intent on rising and rising. [4.5/5]
Instant classics – the biggest releases of the week
Gracie Abrams – ‘That’s So True’: Co-written and performed on tour with her best friend Audrey Hobert, that energy exudes off ‘That’s So True’, a bratty yet feeling-full indie outing. Abrams has such a unique and distinctive lyrical world, and this track is a great example of this. [3.5/5]
Ringo Starr – ‘Time On My Hands’: The Beatle has gone country as Ringo Starr announced a new country record is coming. It’s always easy to see why Starr wasn’t a songwriter in the band, as it’s not lyrically great, but come on, it’s Ringo Starr! [2.5/5]
Father John Misty – ‘She Cleans Up’: Similar to ‘I’m Writing A Novel’ or ‘The Night Josh Tillman Came To Say’, ‘She Cleans Up’ sees Father John Misty back in his bitchy, sassy lyrical phase with this hooky and seductive track. [3.5/5]
Confidence Man – ‘Real Touch Move’: Speaking to the band’s clear interest in the history of diversity of dance music, the song pays homage to 1990s rave culture, drum and bass, and jungle through a stunning collaboration with Sweetie Irie. It is much more than a non-consequential dance anthem. [4.5/5]
Charli XCX and Kesha – ‘Spring Breakers’: Following the release of Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat last week, Charli has already moved onto the bonus tracks as she links up with Kesha for this revamped version. [3/5]
Bon Iver – ‘Things Behind Things Behind Things’: As Autumn solidifies into winter, Bon Iver’s return is perfectly timed. This new track feels like a perfect bridge track between his early acoustic work and his later glitchy production. [3.5/5]
Florence Clementine – ‘Overwhelmed’: Previously Flo Morrissey, the folk singer returns with a record we crowned album of the week. This love song is a real stand out as the Clementines, Florence and her husband Benjamin Clementine, collaborate on a track about their love. [4/5]
On the rise – Releases to note this week
Blondshell – ‘The Summer Ends’: To celebrate the music of American Football, the band gathered up a cast of new artists to take on covers of their tracks. Blondshell’s sonic world works so well for this as her cover of ‘The Summer Ends’ could be her own song. [3.5/5]
Chilli Jesson – ‘Something For Nothing’: The ex-Palma Violets member knows how to make a good indie tune. ‘Something For Nothing’ is proof of that, as the song would undoubtedly go off live in a small, sweaty room. [3.5/5]
Dream Wife – ‘Room 341’: When Dream Wife release music, you know what you’re gonna get. It’s gonna be artistic, full of attitude and set to a high-octane instrumental. ‘Room 341’ is no different as the band are consistent with their quality. [3/5]
Heartworms – ‘Warplane’: Heartworms has been building for some time, gathering a cultish following as one of London’s finest musicians. Now, with the announcement of her debut album coming next year, it’s clear that all her skill and talent are ready to come to fruition on a long play that, if this track is anything to go off, will be thrilling. [3.5/5]
Kelly Lee Owens – ‘Dreamstate’: The soundtrack for this weekend’s parties is sorted as Kelly Lee Owens’ record is packed with atmospheric bangers. The title track is especially hypnotic, proving the club can be a place for ambient meditation, too. [3/5]
Porridge Radio – ‘God Of Everything Else’: Brighton-born band Porridge Radio put out their debut album with this moody track being a standout moment as singer Dana Margolin tries to forgive her own feelings, grappling with the criticisms of her lover while reasserting her confidence. [3/5]
Haley Heynderickx – ‘Gemini’: Heynderickx dropped her 2018 album I Need To Start A Garden, established herself as an indie-folk leader, and then dipped for years. Now, she’s finally back with a scattering of new singles. This is the best one yet, as she needs little more than an acoustic guitar and her voice to build real tension. [3.5/5]
Charlie Vaughan – ‘I Know You (And I Know You Well)’: There is so much joy and character in Charlie Vaughan’s work that it’s instantly infectious. This new track is exactly the same as it worms its way into your head. [3.5/5]
Ideal Living – ‘Loving and Still’: Brighton-based troupe Ideal Living are one of the best the city has at the moment. ‘Loving and Still’ is great proof as to why with its gritty, gothic sound. [3.5/5]
First spin – Debut single of the week
Idiogram – ‘Twilight Sleep’: It’s easy to underestimate the damage COVID did to music and to timelines of bands. Idiogram were raring and ready to go when the pandemic hit, putting everything on pause. Finally, the East Lothian band have released their debut. ‘Twilight Sleep’ is mood, unique and, in moments, epic as the instrument piece tells a real story. [3/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds
Saagara – ‘Where Is That Blossom’: A fantastic collaborative effort between Polish multi-instrumentalist Wacław Zimpel and four incredible musicians from Southern India with deep roots in the Carnatic musical tradition. [4/5]
Junior Dell & the D-Lites – ‘Step On (Live at Club 007)’: An infectious rocksteady reimagining of the classic Happy Mondays track, performed by London’s premier ska and rocksteady outfit. [3.5/5]
Lucas Jones – ‘Some good news if you wish you were dead’: Lucas Jones is no stranger to music as he was the frontman of Cambridge indie band The Rose Affair and then the man behind London Foxes, a project that deserved more love. Since, he switched focus to poems, as his recent book Sorry I Was Miles Away (In The Year Of Romance) gained major attention. Now, he’s combined the two, composing a beautiful musical world for spoken word performances of his pieces to live in. [4/5]
