The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
This week, a new report confirmed that the UK music industry reached a new record value of £7.6million in 2023. That’s a beautiful thing. But what’s even more beautiful is the government’s bid to finally support it as it always should have. We’ve been critical enough over the years of the powers that be, beleaguered culture with utter neglect, so Labour should be applauded for this seismic step.
The government passed a bill that ensures every arena ticket sold contains a financial that supports grassroots venues. This will not only stop the industry from being so monumentally top-loaded but hopefully foster a growing cultural boom—that, in turn, changes the outlook of the nation. As we all know, live music helps to breed community spirit, so steps to support it from the bottom upwards has sustainable impacts beyond culture.
With that in mind, it seems fitting that as the year comes to a close and the big names in the industry head towards their holidays, a roster of fresh new breakthrough faces unleash their hopeful singles. As ever with this time of year, things only ever quieten down in one particular sphere, the cogs are always turning elsewhere.
So, this week’s Big Indie Playlist brings you delightful cuts from a northern jazz collective, mesmeric grooves from the desert stalwarts Tinariwen, and a luscious smattering of hits and experimentation from new names proving to be benefactors of the independent venue scene like so many before them.
The best new music of the week
Track of the week
Work Money Death – ‘We Are the People’: It’s cold and it’s weary, but if you can part the curtains, sip a warm brew and bask in ‘We Are the People’, you’ll soon be affirmed that life isn’t so bad. With a sweet, sunny morning vibe, this sauntering jazz cut centres around the core waltzing piano melody, a meta that allows for all manner of horns to parp in style reminiscent of Pharoah Sanders’ stark mix of simplicity and wandering experimentation.
Work Money Death are a northern jazz collective that first came about when they backed Tony Burkill on his 2017 debut LP for ATA Records. There are members of The Sorcerers, The Lewis Express, and Nat Birchall’s band in the mix, and this may well be the fledging experiment’s finest effort to date. In fact, it is undoubted. ‘We Are the People’ stirs the honey into your tea without a spoon in sight, or any honey for that matter.
Instant classics – The biggest new release of the week
Angel Olsen – ‘Farfisa Song’: Ahead of the upcoming Cosmic Waves Volume 1 compilation, Camp Saint Helene’s ‘Farfisa Song’ gets the Angel Olsen treatment. The performer imbues this track with her usual grace and plenty of awe-inspiring vocal moments, which offer the perfect accompaniment to the cold winter months. [4.5/5]
Cymande feat. Celeste – ‘Only One Way’: Architects of the British funk scene back in the 1970s, Cymande are finally back on form. Boosted by the ethereal tones of Celeste, the band seem to be picking up where they left off, building tension throughout this atmospheric, orchestral funk track taken from the upcoming album Renascence. [4/5]
Adrianne Lenker – ‘Feel Better’: The distinctive, understated tones of Adrianne Lenker return to provide comforting warmth to listeners this week. ‘Feel Better’ is a previously unreleased song that has now been unveiled as part of the Transa compilation album, which aims to celebrate and bring awareness to the transgender community. [4/5]
Say She She – ‘Purple Snowflakes’: For those who are bored of the same old Christmas songs, Brooklyn-based disco outfit Say She She has the perfect antidote, in the form of new single ‘Purple Snowflakes’, originally recorded by Marvin Gaye. Providing an entrancing, psychedelic take on the festive period, the song rounds off an incredible year for the vocal group. [3.5/5]
Tinariwen – ‘Azaman Amikankanen’: Tinariwen have been boldly flying the flag of Tuareg desert blues for years now, and this previously unreleased effort is an excellent indicator of why. With its gripping instrumentation, enchanting vocals, and deeply emotive playing style, it is a wonder that it took so long to finally see the light of day. [4/5]
Sam Fender – ‘People Watching’: The latest single from the Geordie starlet Sam Fender was produced by the folks behind The War on Drugs, and you can’t half tell, but as our very own Joe Taysom put it, “I’m not complaining, I love The War on Drugs”. As far as under-pressure comeback singles go, Fender has delivered a safe bet in the best possible way. [4/5]
The Weather Station – ‘Window’: The Weather Station return just in time for the cold snap. Toronto musician Tamara Lindeman wastes no time with the track, dropping you straight into a racing melody and her usual breathy vocals. It’s moving stuff, typical of Lindeman’s continued excellence. [4/5]
On the rise – New tracks to note this week
Silent Daze – ‘Ego Extension’: An infectiously bizarre synth-led, punk-influenced effort, taken from the debut album of Bulgarian duo Silent Daze. Although the pair have yet to make waves outside of their native Sofia, Bulgaria, the captivating energy of this song offers a great deal of promise for the future. [4/5]
Collignon – ‘Estrada do Norte’: Portuguese trio Collignon treats listeners to a glimpse at their latest project, Bicicleta, in the form of this diverse dance number, complete with a suitably whimsical synth riff. Stretching from the roots of Latin jazz all the way to the musical traditions of India, it is difficult to pin the sound of this song down to one genre, particularly when its compelling beat leaves little room for rational thought. [4/5]
Melin Melyn – ‘Promised Land’: A luscious fresh offering from the band Melin Melyn sees a simple, lovely chord sequence develop into a gathering storm of sweet, sliding solos. It’s a comforting driving song that mellows out the vistas that whizz by your window. [4/5]
Lando Manning & Misty Miller – ‘By & By‘: A haunting folk ditty from Lando Manning & Misty Miller sees the dup swap verses as they mournfully ache for the sun. Things feel positively medieval, brought into the present by a carefully crafted echo chamber. Backed by expert plucking, the song has plenty of chops on display from the young pair. [3.5/5]
Divorce Finance – ‘You Can’t Say Whore on the Radio’: After a period of incubation, snarling Leeds outfit, Divorce Finance release another nihilistic slice of their unique psychobilly in these trying times. A brilliant and razor-sharp take on identity politics, political correctness, and racism – with an infectious riff that might remember from years gone by – it’s another clear example of why the band need your attention. [4.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left field sounds
Fredrik Svabø – ‘Running’: Following on from collaborations with the likes of Sigrid and Aurora, the debut solo single of Norway’s Fredrik Svabø has certainly been worth the wait. With heavy jazz leanings, the song also embraces its pop-potential, culminating in something which laughs in the face of genre dividers. [3.5/5]
Zaho de Sagazan – ‘Le dernier des voyages’: French avant-pop star – which might just make her a standard pop star in France – Zaho de Sagazan is surely set to go bombastic. With great poise and passion, she injects her songs with an undercurrent of adrenaline every time. The latest cut from her new album, La Symphonie des Éclairs, might not be the neatest, but it has her infectious passion all sewn up. [3.5/5]
Les Passagers – ‘Tu n’es pas seul’: The influences of Les Passagers cast a wide net, ranging from Fela Kuti to Broadcast, but these disparate styles seamlessly tessellate with this latest offering. It is a gorgeous offering that unexpectedly gathers towards a climax that wouldn’t be out of place on an Aphrodite’s Child album. [4.5/5]
