The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
It’s a common mistake to think that after the hectic summer of festivals, the music world quietens down. In fact, this period of autumn and the start of winter is the busiest time of year as seemingly every artist ever puts in a last-minute contender for song of the year or announces their bid for 2025’s top record. To ensure you don’t miss anything amidst the chaos, the Big Indie Playlist gathers up all the best tunes in one place.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, but all genres are considered here. Don’t be fooled by the title; this playlist stretches way beyond indie. In this week alone, everything is from folk to disco, punk to pop, soft singer-songwriters to raging rock troupes. It also spans artists of all sizes, from the biggest names in the music world to acts putting out their very first singles.
This week saw the return of one of those big names as Lady Gaga, fresh from The Joker’s release cycle, dropped a pop track reminiscent of the ones that first made her name, sending her Little Monsters into a spiral. In a very different fan base, duets between Katie Gavin and Mitski, and Medium Build and Julien Baker will have hit the sad music community like an emotional bomb.
But alongside them, up-and-coming acts shared some tracks this week that will no doubt put in some work growing their swelling flock of followers. Flat Party’s new song ‘Madonna’ continues to establish them as one of the UK’s finest indie gems, while Jasmine.4.t’s song ‘Elephant’ is the start of a special era from a special artist. Other names to note this week include Gigi Perez, Tommy Lefroy, Annie-Dog and many more.
If it’s a new favourite album you’re looking for, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart for the best of the long-plays. But right here, we’re sharing the top new tracks of the week, all in one place, so you just have to hit play.
The best new music of the week:
Track of the week
Laura Marling – ‘Patterns In Repeat’: A while back, Laura Marling announced that she would no longer be touring. After being on the live circuit since her teens, and now the new mother of a young daughter, Marling is tapping out of the typical life of a musician. On ‘Patterns In Repeat’ and across the album it gives its name to, she explains that decision so beautifully and so tenderly, with love to her daughter, mothers everywhere and to herself.
“I want you to know that I gave it up willingly / Nothing real was lost in the bringing of you to me / I want you to have a piece of my maternal flame / Part of me, eternity, a tolerance for pain,” she sings as the final words on the album, speaking straight to her baby. In the background, a guitar riff comes in from her 2013 album Once I Was An Eagle, an album she once worried was her peak. The joining of these two parts, her younger self and her new happy knowledge that she wants her life to change to give more of herself to her child, is such a moving moment. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest releases of the week
Katie Gavin and Mitski – ‘As Good As It Gets’: A very specific fan base are absolutely losing their minds over this. On MUNA singer Katie Gavin’s debut solo album, she teamed up with Mitski for a track that is naturally lyrically stunning but instrumentally gripping, too. [4/5]
Amyl and the Sniffers – ‘Me and the Girls’: From women’s fun and women’s pleasure through to women’s safety and women’s rights, Amy Taylor proves again that she’s the ultimate girl’s girl in music with this ode to the girls. [4.5/5]
Declan McKenna – ‘Champagne’: While people out of the loop might still know McKenna from ‘Brazil’, the indie artist proves time and time again that he’s one of the most dynamic talents in the genre. This new track especially feels fresh and exciting as the next step in his evolution. [4/5]
Pixies – ‘I Hear You Mary’: A song that draws you in from the opening notes before the energy of the melody intensifies the entire experience of their new record to new and gripping levels. [4.5/5]
Ashe and Suki Waterhouse – ‘Pushing Daisies’: Ashe has a gorgeous voice, Suki Waterhouse has a gorgeous voice, so naturally, this duet is gorgeous. Full of nostalgic energy and a beautiful build on the chorus, it’s a foolproof track. [3/5]
On the rise – New releases to note this week
Flat Party – ‘Madonna’: London’s Flat Party are on a golden run of singles in the lead-up to their upcoming EP. ‘Madonna’ is no different as the opening call back to The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’ opens up into a gothic slice of rock and roll greatness. [4/5]
Gigi Perez – ‘Fable’: There are no words for Perez’ voice. It’s so unique and so emotive that she could make a crowd cry by merely singing a shopping list. But when paired with the emotive lyrics of ‘Fable’ as she remembers her late sister, this folk song is heavy with feeling. [4/5]
Annie-Dog – ‘Little Italy’: Annie-Dog is prolific at the moment. She only put out her debut single this year but is already working towards her second EP. But as her glitchy, production-pop sound evolves further with each song, we’re not mad at it. [3.5/5]
Parcels – ‘Leaveyourlove’: Want to feel like it’s still summer for a second? Hit play here. Parcels deliver an indie-pop tune with a soul twist and a doo-wop twang for good measure. [3/5]
Tommy Lefroy – ‘You Exist’: Tommy Lefroy have been a name to note for a while as the duo unleash beautifully sung and beautifully written song after song. ‘You Exist’ is the standout from their new EP, Born Blue. [3.5/5]
Pom Pom Squad – ‘Everybody’s Moving On’: Singer Mia Berrin reflects on her friends hitting life’s milestones while she watches on one of their softest songs on their new record. “Feels like everybody’s moving on without me,” she laments over gentle twangs, “I’m still the same, isn’t it strange.” [4/5]
Medium Build and Julien Baker – ‘Yoke’: Another powerful duet that will be sending a select fandom into a spiral this week is ‘Yoke’, a collaboration between Medium Build and Julien Baker, the beloved solo artist and member of Boygenius. It’s the coming together of two incredible parts, both with a genius knack for articulating sombre feelings, so this was always bound to be great. [4/5]
Flip Top Head – ‘I Can’t Wait Until I’m Old’: Brighton endures as the gift that keeps on giving. Flip Top Head are one of its most interesting exports as this tune takes on the sadly rarely heard perspective of yearning of older age. [4/5]
Jasmine.4.t – ‘Elephant’: Jasmine.4.t’s upcoming debut album must be something special as the artist was spotted by Boygenius and flown out to LA just so the trio could produce it for her. Made alongside a fully trans band and with help from the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, it’s a beautiful ode to community even if the song is about heartache. [4/5]
HotWax – ‘She’s Got A Problem’: HotWax have been hyped up as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging talents for a while, but they’ve been taking their time. Now, they’re feeling ready as they announce their debut album with this catchy punk tune. [3/5]
First spin – Debut single of the week
Joshua Scarratt – ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’: There’s the sense that Scarratt is going for a Tranquility Base crooning Alex Turner style, or a kind of gothically theatrical Nick Cave tone, but the result feels unfortunately a bit more Take That with a cheesy sheen over the tune. [2/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds
John Philips & The Steps – ‘Ayo Ke Disco’: As the title track of a new compilation celebrating the disco sounds of Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, this record is a tour of an album. But the title track feels like it’s the most impressive and hooky landmark, and it’s ready to soundtrack this weekend’s parties. [3.5/5]
Klô Pelgag – ‘Le Sang De Fruits Rouges’: A joyous slice of synth-heavy disco-pop from French-Canadian artist Klô Pelgag that combines a sense of childlike wonder with the search for answers to life’s big questions on her album Abracadabra, where this opening track is a real highlight. [3/5]
