POST CATEGORY : Indie

Low Hummer – ‘Take Arms’

Low Hummer are a Hull quintet who do a fine line in wonderfully crafted post-punk meets indie-pop, sprinkled with synths, it is danceable and ridiculously infectious.

Having formed in 2019, Low Hummer have been indulging us with a steady stream of superb singles of the aforementioned ilk – and follow their excellent previous single, ‘Sometimes I Wish (I Was a Different Person’), with another agitated jam which takes the band’s sound to the noisiest level yet. Driven by a pulsing synthline and relentless bass, ‘Take Arms’ is a fiery rallying cry bursting with rebellious spirit as powerful raspy vocals duke it out anxious guitar riffs amid a sea of frazzled electronics. Where previously guitars have taken centre-stage, on ‘Take Arms’, they take a backseat to the synth/electronics for a relentless, pulsating Krautrock indebted end of days address. It is searing, passionate and raw – while a little dancey too – ‘Take Arms’ is their finest work yet.

‘Take Arms’ is out now through Dance to the Radio.

A.S. Fanning – ‘All Time’

Berlin-based, Dublin-raised, singer/songwriter A.S. Fanning has shared the single ‘All Time’ ahead of the release of new album ‘You Should Go Mad’ on 13 November via Proper Octopus Records.

It is the follow up to Fanning’s 2017 solo debut Second Life and ‘All Time’ indicates a continued evolution of his blend of folk, country and rock & roll, with psych and gothic brushstrokes. Fanning combines these aforementioned sensibilities to create a richly resonant, dark and foreboding backdrop with subtle layers of psychedelic textures and glistening production adding a touch of respite and illumination; illumination for Fanning’s finest attribute, his brilliant songwriting and storytelling abilities, to thrive. His world weary baritone vocal delivers a vivid introspective tale through time and memory for a compelling 7-minutes of rich and powerful emotion.

Listen to ‘All Time’ below now – and You Should Go Mad’ is out on November 13.

Lauran Hibberd – ‘Boy Bye’

Lauran Hibberd has fast become a reliable go-to name for irresistible blasts of fuzz-filled indie pop with her satiric, tongue-in-cheek approach is wrapped with fuzz, crunchy guitars and anthemic tendencies

The hotly tipped Isle of Wight native has returned with yet another top quality tune in the shape of new single ‘Boy Bye’. While marked with a lot of the recognisable Hibberd characteristics – it is satirical, sarcastic, punchy and hooky – ‘Boy Bye’ takes a more measure tempo as it meanders melodically through swathes of warm fuzz and feedback. It is potent and powerful with roaring guitars complimenting her angry vocals as it swells to anthemic climax. Hibberd has crafted yet another powerhouse  slacker anthem bursting with all that hooky, sarcastic brilliance that we all know and love.

And just a final note, even taking a cursory glance at Hibberd’s existing work and it is easy to see why she’s built a rep for super catchy and fuzz-filled guitar-pop heroics. It has been solid gold tune after solid gold tune, and what’s here is as good as any of them.

Listen to ‘Boy Bye’ below – and if your into this, there is an interview with Lauran Hibberd in the 10 Year Celebratory Zine from a few months back – read it here.



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Swine Tax – ‘Relax’

Newcastle-upon-Tyne outfit Swine Tax have proven their credentials for fiery, jagged and infectious post-punk with a slew of singles that are best described as a bit indie, a bit alternative rock, a bit rough-around-the-edges and a whole lot melodic.

The Newcastle quartet return with a thrilling new single ‘Relax’. Quite possibly their best work to date, it is produced by Barry Hyde of The Futureheads, who approached the band about producing their music following an intense live show in Sunderland last year, and ‘Relax’ is the first fruit to emerge from these sessions. The single itself is a spikey, agitated and hook-driven jam propelled by a throbbing bass groove and a heavy punk stomp as jerky riffs and power-pop chorus duke it out for an intoxicating, off-kilter dance. Yet another rousing, boisterous and brilliant blast of guitar hijinks from Swine Tax.

Listen to ‘Relax’ below:

Jacqueline Tucci – ‘Home’

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Jacqueline Tucci is a Toronto-based musician with a penchant for 90s indebted alt-rock as evidenced by 2020 singles ‘Fear’ & ‘Sweeter Things’.

Further strengthening this rep, Tucci has released a powerful and potent new single, ‘Home’. It is a powerful and potent alt-rock anthem that is bristling with raw biting emotion and intensity as guitars burn and wind through mild fuzz and feedback with a bouncy bass bass riff for company, with Tucci’s powerful vocals soaring above. It is a huge tune that while meaty, raw and powerful, there is deftness to it too. It once again demonstrates Tucci’s brilliant ear for melody, a catchy chorus and lyricism, wonderfully switching as it does, from softer, more melancholic verses to euphoric, uplifting and anthemic choruses with seamless ease. 

Check out ‘Home’ below – it will not disappoint.

Toledo – ‘Challenger’

Brooklyn-based TOLEDO – AKA the pairing of Dan Alvarez and Jordan Dunn –  have kept us well stocked with irresistible, lush and melodic indie-folk delights.

The pair have returned with a new single called ‘Challenger’, which offers yet another delightfully charming slice of understated melodic indie folk sound. ‘Challenger’ is a woozy and heartfelt jam that wanders, chilled & relaxed, song a meandering groove as subtle bassline bubbles beneath a sea of warm shimmering tones and bright dreamy guitars while soft melodic vocals purr breathily above. It builds and builds, slowly and steadily to climax with a rich swell of organ and heart melting emotional pull with its tender vocal imbued and pang of melancholy. ‘Challenger’ is rich and dreamy, and brimming with sweetness and charm, and bewitching us in the process.

Listen to ‘Challenger’ below now – as per usual, TOLEDO don’t disappoint.

Fax Machine – ‘Motorbike’


Fax Machine is the musical moniker of Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK) based songwriter David Turnbull who has a propensity for unconventional, off-kilter and colourful confections of sound as evidenced by 2019 debut Soup.

Turnbull is back with plans for a new album Ouch!, expected on Dec 11, it is preceded by the magical lead single ‘Motorbike’ – a giddy and playful slice of jerky post-punk, art-rock and indie-pop. It buzzes with excitement and exuberance as razor sharp riffs and hyper-active bursts of guitar jerky to-and-fro as a series of earworm hooks and playful melodies swirl around the colourful sound-palette akin to Futureheads meets The Beta Band. ‘Motorbike’ is a wonderfully manic, spikey and infectious jam coated in a fine veneer of power-pop – word of warning, this is a tune that will be stuck in your head for days and days but will leave you all the better for it. 

Listen to ‘Motorbike’ below – and keep an eye out for the new album next month.


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Freedom Fry – ‘Human’

Ever prolific LA duo, Freedom Fry released the follow up to their delightful 2018 debut LP, Classic, with Songs from the West Coast back in May and in keeping with their productive tendencies have shared a brand new single called ‘Human’.

Over the past number of years, Freedom Fry, AKA Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll, have regularly brightened up our lives with charming, catchy and bright indie-pop songs, and ‘Human’ continues this trend. It is a lush and alluring blend of gently seductive grooves and undulating rhythms percolating amid a sea of woozy tones and textures with a sweet strum for company. It is all whisked together into a beautiful confection of melodic, dreamy and hazy indie-pop which, as is so often the case, topped off by Freedom Fry’s pièce de résistance; the wonderful harmonies and beautiful vocal interplay from the pair. A wonderful song that will leave you all the better for making its acquaintance.

Listen to ‘Human’ below now:

ASTER – ‘Unaware Bliss’

ASTER is a singer, songwriter and musician from Glasgow.

Drawing from a deep well of folk, psych, pop and subtle electronica influences, ranging from  the likes of Big Thief, Perfume Genius and Half Waif, ASTER crafts a unique brand of beautiful, expansive, fragile and experimental psych-folk; something born out on new stunning single ‘Unaware Bliss’. It is an exquisite psych-folk daydreamer that whisks us away on a dreamy meditative journey. ‘Unaware Bliss’ meanders gracefully along a blissful groove and swirling, rhythmic psych-folk, and splashes of electronics complete the mesmeric backdrop for ASTER’s bewitching crystalline vocals entrance the listener completely. An elegant, awe-inspiring and charming blend of shimmering psych-folk and glistening electronica – a hazy, soothing and altogether wonderful song.

Listen to ‘Unaware Bliss’ below.

Psych-O-Positive – ‘Make Me Wanna’

Psych-O-Positive are New Jersey outfit – Andy Gilchrist (vocals, lead guitar), Karyn Kuhl (drums), Judy Nock-Olsen (vocals, electric sitar), Debby Schwartz (vocals, bass) & Louis Zhelesnik (lead guitar) – with a flair gloriously ramshackle and instantly addictive lo-fi garage pop.

Psych-O-Positive’s latest single ‘Make Me Wanna’ is an utterly infectious, sun-drenched lackadaisical garage jam with a nods to 60’s garage band The Prophets and a Who-based tangent and back again. Sun-drenched, hazy and whimsical vibes combine with rumbling drums, scratchy guitars, seductive reverb-soaked guitars and melodies and memorable harmonies. This rollicking adventure is draped with infectious exuberance, inherent sassiness and layers of scuzz – not too far away from Jonathan Richman / The Modern Lovers – what’s not to like? 

Tune into ‘Make Me Wanna’ below: