The Big Indie Playlist: The best new releases of the week
Twas the weeks before Christmas, and all through the music industry, artists were still stirring and putting greatness out. Even as the best-of-the-year lists are being finalised, acts are still putting out last-minute releases that demand attention. To ensure they get it, the Big Indie Playlist gathers them all into one place.
Across every genre and scale, the work of the musician never ends. Even as people begin winding down for Christmas, artists on every scale, from big names to brand new bands, are still offering tracks up to the world. Julien Baker and Torres launched a new collaboration, Julia Jacklin and Faye Webster finally let the world put their duet in their playlists, and even Fred Again.. is still busy collaborating.
In the world of up-and-coming artists, too, there is no slowing down the talent. Sarah Meth put out another truly special project, Monobloc brought back 2000s indie, Biig Piig is still releasing thoughtful club bangers, and Unflirt takes a note from her childhood friend Beabadoobee for a new song. All putting in their claim for ones-to-watch status in 2025, plenty of rising artists are still as busy as ever, delivering songs that demand attention.
Right here, we’re diving into the best new singles released this week. If it’s albums you’re after, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart. But for a quick fix of new noise, hit play of this week’s selections.
The best new music of the week:
Track of the week
Sarah Meth – ‘Someday we’ll meet on the Brooklyn Bridge (until then bitch wtf)’: The way Sarah Meth releases music is so cool. Rather than scattering singles along the path to some big project that’s taken years of work and that the artist feels somewhat disconnected from by the time it finally lands in the listener’s ears, Meth opts for short, sporadic bursts of music with a clear unifying theme.
Her new EP NY ILY is no different, as each tune finds its spiritual home in New York. Each track is rich and interesting, as if every other song she’s put out, but ‘Someday we’ll meet on the Brooklyn Bridge (until then bitch wtf)’ is a clear standout. With her folkish vocal twang paired with cutting lyrics on heartache, this short, sharp, sub-two-minute track feels like a Mazzy Star off-cut. [4/5]
Instant classics – The biggest releases of the week
Julia Jacklin and Faye Webster – ‘Good Guy’: Released on YouTube a few months ago, Julia Jacklin and Faye Webster’s duet on Jacklin’s track has finally been released on streaming services. As the coming together of two of indie’s finest voices for a cover of one of the 2020s tenderest songs yet, it was always going to be great. [4/5]
Keaton Henson – ‘A Christmas Song’: Sad during the jolliest time of year? Keaton Henson has a song for you. One of indie’s sombrest poets putting out a Christmas song likely wasn’t on anyone’s 2024 bingo card, but we sure are glad it has happened. [4/5]
Hozier – ‘Hymn To Virgil’: Hozier’s latest album is the gift that keeps on giving, and more and more newness just keeps on coming. His latest deluxe version gives fans a batch more songs, including this glitchy, remixed moment that is unlike anything else he has ever released. [3/5]
Fred Again.. and Angie McMahon – ‘Light Dark Light’: The DJ/producer and the folkish indie star wasn’t a combo anyone expected, nor is it a combination that should work on paper, but Fred Again..is clearly taking pointers from his family friend Brian Eno for a more ambient sound. [3/5]
Julien Baker and Torres – ‘Sugar In The Tank’: Grab your cowboy boots and your denim, country music just got a new power duo. The combo of Baker and Torres is a golden recipe as the duo lean into their Western influences for this tune. [3.5/5]
On the rise – Releases to note this week
Biig Piig – ‘Ponytail’: Irish artist Biig Piig has always bridged the gap between intimate indie and club tunes with such a stylish flair. ‘Ponytail’ is no different as the confessional track layers poetic lyrics over a sleekly produced instrumental. [3/5]
Unflirt – ‘Talk2me’: Unflirt grew up being childhood friends with Beabadoobee, and you can tell. ‘Talk2me’ exists in the same softly sung, grunge-influenced space as Bea’s music and both are masters of it. [3.5/5]
Twin Shadow – ‘As Soon As You Can’: This is the sort of song that stops you in your tracks. While relatively sparse musically until it breaks open, there is something about it that is so full and heavy with feeling that it immediately drags you into its mood, whether you like it or not. [3/5]
Horsegirl – ‘Julie’: As the second single from their upcoming second album, Horsegirl prove once again just how much maturing they’ve been doing as ‘Julie’, just like ‘2468’ is an incredible step up from their critically acclaimed debut. [3.5/5]
Oracle Sisters – ‘Riverside’: Oracle Sister’s 2023 album Hydranism was a must-hear slice of 1960s-tinged rock. Now, as they move towards the release of their sophomore in early 2025, ‘Riverside’ is a delicious taste of what’s to come, keeping up the nostalgic air but with more freshness to it. [4/5]
Witch Post – ‘Rust’: After their debut single ‘Chill Out’ caught attention a few weeks ago, Witch Post wasted no time hitting the music world with another offering. Clearly out to establish themselves as a one-to-watch next year, ‘Rust’ certainly makes them feel worthy of the label. [3.5/5]
Stella Rose – ‘Drugstore Romeo’: Looking for a new cinematic indie tune to make you feel like you’re in some indie romance flick? Look no further. Stella Rose’s new EP is full of moody greatness, but this song transplants you right into True Romance or Natural Born Killers or some other Bonnie and Clyde-type picture. [3.5/5]
Hachiku – ‘Merry Kissmas’: Come on, get in the festive spirit. Even if you can’t quite bring yourself to hit play on the Christmas classics yet, this Holiday tune from Hachiku is a great way to ease into the songs of the season with a new indie offering. [3/5]
Monobloc – ‘Take Me’: Monobloc hail from New York, are signed to the same team as The Strokes and have opened up for Interpol before, so it’s no surprise that their music sounds like the ultimate lovechild of the Meet Me In The Bathroom crowd. So if you love 2000s indie, you’ll love this. [3/5]
First Spin – Debut single of the week
Love Party – ‘Hit It’: Hailing from Wellington in New Zealand, Love Party deliver some of that Kiwi sunshine on their debut single that merges a rough around the edges punk instrumentation with a pure pop hookiness. Imagine if Confidence Man were rocking out with guitars in a garage instead… [3.5/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left field cuts
Ralph Heidel and Jun Miyake – ‘Wake Up’: If you need a moment of peace amidst the busy end of the year or need a soundtrack for some reflection, Berlin-based saxophonist Ralph Heidel has delivered something special. Teaming up with Japanese composer Jun Miyake, Heidel’s playing floats over a beautiful piano grounding while other instrumental and production details keep the composition fresh and intriguing. Even if fully instrumental music isn’t normally your bag, this will zen you out. [4/5]
