POSTS TAGGED : Indie

I, Doris – ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’

London’s I, Doris have re-written REM’s classic ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’ to reflect the dystopian feel of the past few years.

Self-proclaimed ‘kitchenpop/mummycore’ outfit sprinkle some of their playful and infectious indie magic to craft a witty and poignant take on REM’s classic, bringing things up to date, with lyrics reflecting our present day issues; Covid-19 Brexit, Trump, Black Lives Matter, among others.

The track is part of a compilation entitled ‘A Carnival of Sorts: A compilation of R.E.M. covers by various artists’. It has been put out by God Is In the TV to raise funds for Help Musicians UK and I, Doris’ is but one of 40 (yes, 40!) covers from the likes of Desperate Journalist, Bandicoot, Bugeye, MIRI, Hadda Be, The Darling Buds and Piney Gir

There’s 40 tracks in all – all for a cool £6 – and you’re supporting a great cause. Grab the album from Bandcamp, and while you wait for that to download, enjoy the lyric video below….

Late Runner – ‘Nothing’s Real Anymore’

Late Runner is the solo project of Danish musician / singer-songwriter Asger Tarpgaard who, also known for his work with Superheroes, introduced his solo wares with debut single ‘Spring’ back in April.

Having just released debut album Nothing’s Real Anymore – available from August 20 via Crunchy Flog – Tarpgaard has lifted the record’s title track as new single. ‘Nothing’s Real Anymore’ is a rich, warm and beautifully bittersweet song. A sentimental song that gently waltzes along bringing to mind the finest 60s pop and early ’70s singer-songwriting as warm guitars strum atop a jaunty beat, sinuous melodies and sumptuous tones while Tarpgaard’s soothing, warmth and inviting vocals glide above, forging an unforgettable union. This is ever so endearing and you will be all the better for basking in the beautiful warm glow of ‘Nothing’s Real Anymore’.

Listen to ‘Nothing’s Real Anymore’ below – the album of the same name is out now, listen to it here.



Mt Fog – ‘One Piece Puzzle’

Seattle-based artist Mt Fog (Carolyn B.) has a flair for merging layers of minimal electronic sounds and haunting vocals to evoke magical spaces, real and imagined, with mesmerizing results.

Mt Fog’s latest album Guide to the Unusual, elaborates on this approach, whisking you on a dark-hued adventure through a world inhabited by imaginary creatures and shadows of a former life and latest single ‘One Piece Puzzle’ offers the perfect intro to this sound. This is utterly stunning; a mid-tempo lullaby leaning synth splashed waltz. Beautifully rich and intoxicating vocals soar through the scales as we are spellbound by wonky psych ripple, hypnotic twinkle, soft beat and sunken waltzing groove while synths flicker and shimmer like sunlight through stained glass. Mt Fog created this album while singing to herself on rainy walks during quarantine. Dreamy, meditative and yet groovy and somewhat danceable, albeit slowly, ‘One Piece Puzzle’ is but one of many that make for a good friend on walks and travels. Magnificent!

Listen to ‘One Piece Puzzle’ below and check out Guide to the Unusual here

koleżanka – ‘In A Meeting’

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer koleżanka (aka Kristina Moore) is readying the release of her debut LP under this moniker.

koleżanka’s sound is difficult to box-off; there is a flair for offbeat folk, indie and flourishes of pop while co-existing in a space with an equal propensity for psych – but it is captivating and magical, and somewhat hypnotic and playful.

Ahead of the release of Place Is, on July 30 via Bar/None, koleżanka has lifted another single from the record called ‘In A Meeting’, which demonstrates all those aforementioned attributes in abundance. Opening with gentle keys (Casio-esque), soft pattering beats and bubbling bassline. providing a beautiful backdrop for Moore’s cooing melody and lush and beautiful vocals to thrive before swathes of psych enter the fray with frazzled synth and colourful instrumental breakdowns. it is both playful and vulnerable, strange yet comforting, and like the composite sounds, in lesser hands would sound jarring but in Moore’s it is a revelation. ‘In A Meeting’ is weaved together with a boundless versatility, and the moments of musical whimsy probably wouldn’t resonate so much were it not for the moments of melodic sweetness.

Listen to ‘In A Meeting’ below and keep an eye out for the album coming on June 30.

CIEL – ‘Never Alone Again’

Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbH

Brighton-based, Dutch dream-pop trio CIEL return with new single ‘Never Alone Again’, continuing their streak for irresistible bouts of dream-pop perfection.

With CIEL we have become accustomed to them striking a perfect balance between indie-rock and dreamy pop, and  ‘Never Alone Again’ continues this trend with aplomb. While hazy, dreamy and richly melodic, there is also a harder edge to proceedings as a propulsive riff buzzes, ushers us forward through a wall of warm fuzz and distortion, lush shimmering synth and swirling hazy atmospherics – an alluring elixir for the hushed, dreamy and nonchalant vocals to thrive. A mesmerizing slice of melodic yet muscular jam that is all things evocative, dreamy and rocking – and brilliant

Listen to ‘Never Alone Again’ below:

Cow – ‘Notemakers’

Liverpool-based, Welsh exiles, COW do a fine line in ’90s inspired fuzz-filled alt-rock, and demonstrated with great potency by their cracking new single ‘Notemakers’

Having released their debut EP at the tail end of 2019, more was expected to follow in 2020 but sadly, like a lot more besides, gigging and recording ground to halt. Cow, However continued writing and rehearsing and have another EP in the works – preceded by ‘Notemakers’.

‘Notemakers’ is a potent and fuzzed-up jam with nods to Dinosaur Jr, early Nirvana and Pavement, while Merseyside hero Bill Ryder-Jones’ influence looms large too. It is a slowburing, gripping affair primed with crunchy riffs, buzzing guitar, taut drums and tempered with a perfect blend of angst and vigor. ‘Notemakers’ finds a sweet spot combining melody with crunching, grungy rock while weaving catchy pop hooks into a rock squall. With a mere few listens ‘Notemakers’ finds its way into your psyche and refuse to leave – and that is in no way a bad thing.

Take a listen below. It is a belter. Oh, and there are some live dates below……. remember them??

COW live dates:

Saturday, August 21 – Gullivers Manchester – Mai 68 Records Showcase
Saturday, September 4 – Arts Club Liverpool – w/ By The Sea
Saturday, September 11 – Live Rooms Chester – w/ By The Sea
Friday, September 24 – Smithdown Road Festival Liverpool
Saturday, September 25 – Northwich – Salty Dog
Friday, October 1 – Newport – Le Pub – w/Campfire Social
Thursday, October 21 – Late Lounge Rhyl – w/ Maines
Saturday, October 30 – The Castle Manchester – w/ Groan Room and Lossline

English Teacher – ‘R&B’

Last year London label Nice Swan began the ‘Nice Swan Introduces’ series facilitating releases from a whole raft of new and exciting talent including Jelly Cleaver, Courting, Sprints, Hallan, Malady, Mandrake Handshake & Anorak Patch, and English Teacher’s ‘R&B’ is latest entry in the series.

Leeds quartet English Teacher trade in meaty and razor-sharp sprawling post-punk alchemy and waste no time in setting the wheels in motion on ‘R&B. Part of an inaugural compilation that is penned for release in August, ‘R&B’ is built upon a speedy bassline and Lily Fontaine’s deadpan vocals before exploding with a searing riffs, soaring guitars and crunching drums, all bathed in a wall of fuzz and distortion. A huge, epic and absolutely magnificent crunching anthem – turn it up loud.

Listen to ‘R&B’ and keep an eye out for the compilation come August:

Late Runner – ‘Spring’

Late Runner is the solo project of Danish musician / singer-songwriter Asger Tarpgaard, also known for his work with Superheroes.

Tarpgaard has announced the project with aptly titled single ‘Spring’, which is lifted from what will be Late Runner debut album – out in August via Crunchy Flog. ‘Spring’ is a morose, sweet and beautifully melancholic song. Tarpgaard’s hushed lilting vocals are ever-present in a shimmering world of synths and guitars as his vocals thrive in ever more interesting, beguiling and beautiful environs. At times it is melancholic, nostalgic, playful, colourful, and slightly surreal, we’re treated to a beautiful blend of dreamy and understated electronica, left-field folk, hazy psych and transfixing grooves, and all draped with seductive melodies. A magnificent, unique and truly beautiful track, and one which offers a wonderful introduction to the debut album of a promising new artist.

Listen to ‘Spring’ below – the album is out Friday, 20 August 2021.

Air Devi – ‘Mosquitos in the Backyard’

Air Devi is the moniker of Philadelphia singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Devi Majeske.

The project began life as home recorded lo-fi indie pop before releasing debut EP, ‘Swanning About’ last year, before signing off on 2020 with superb single ‘Move Without Place’. Devi has opened her 2021 account with new single ‘Mosquitos in the Backyard’; a lush, colourful confection of woozy, starry-eyed dream-pop. Devi’s syrupy smooth vocals drift over a bubbling bassline groove that seductively slaloms through a plush haze of woozy guitars and swirling atmospheric tones. It is dreamy, heartfelt and intoxicating sound as Devi’s voice continues to be cast in a series of woozy settings, with beguiling results.

Listen to ‘Mosquitos in the Backyard’ below – you won’t be disappointed

Maida Rose – ‘Where Do We Go’

Maida Rose is dream-pop pairing of Roos Meijer and Javièr den Leeuw from Dutch seaside city the Hague. 

Early days it maybe, having two tracks to their name, the duo have already left a mark on 2021 with debut ‘Harmony of Heartache’ and current single ‘Where Do We Go’. It is a richly melodic and dreamy, underpinned by a sense of wistfulness, and endearingly languid, relaxed feel. Smooth, breathy vocals swirl around a gentle strum, shimmers of guitar, subtle-bass-groove and mellow melodies cast in lush, dreamy and beguiling atmospheres. ‘Where Do We Go’ pangs with heartfelt nostalgia, nostalgic for a dream that has passed but it has a lovely, human optimism, and leaves a warm wistful glow and a feeling that all things – good, bad or indifferent – eventually pass. Utterly beautiful, beguiling and hypnotic.

Listen to ‘Where Do We Go’ below now: