indie

A collection of 44 posts

indie

270. CHARM by Clairo

This 2024 record by previously covered American singer-songwriter Clairo continues her style of mostly subdued and hushed vocals, but this time over a 70's infused backing band giving the songs a soft rock quality that is a change from her previous albums. You wouldn't be faulted

shoegaze

259. MADRA by NewDad

"Next great guitar band" - that line from a recent review of this Irish band's 2024 full length debut is what caught my eye, as did the mention of shoegaze. Those of you who have kept up with my posts know that those two things -

indie

230. THE TOWN THAT CURSED YOUR NAME by The Reds, Pinks and Purples

The Reds, Pinks and Purples is basically a vessel through which San Francisco singer-songwriter Glenn Donaldson gets his music out these days. He's been part of several past and present bands, continuously evolving his music and his art. This 2023 record is a short spin, clocking in at

indie

194. ACT I: ORIGINS by Young The Giant

This indie/alternative band from SoCal (previously covered here) are back in 2022 with the first of a series of 4 EPs, this one called Origins. The idea is that all four of the EPs, once released, will encompass a full record titled American Bollywood. The goals here are lofty.

indie

188. VERSIONS OF MODERN PERFORMANCE by Horsegirl

This trio from Chicago recently released this 2022 indie rock record. A fuzzy mix of gentle vocals and distortion-filled guitar sounds actually makes for a pleasing listen. It's a breath of fresh air in these sometimes overproduced days. Give 'Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty),' 'Billy'

indie

178. HEADFUL OF SUGAR by Sunflower Bean

This 2022 record is the third in six years by New York indie rock band Sunflower Bean (previously covered here [https://www.auditorymusings.net/twentytwo-in-blue-by-sunflower-bean/]). As mentioned in that post, I'm a big fan of singer/bassist Julia Cumming's voice as evidenced by my picks down

indie

167. GEORGIA GOTHIC by Mattiel

This 2022 record comes to us from Atlanta, Georgia-based duo Mattiel (named after singer Mattiel Brown). The album is a bit difficult to describe as the tracks span different sounds, from pop to country to blues to folk to even some rap (if defined loosely). Jack White was so impressed

indie

161. FLOWER OF DEVOTION by Dehd

This 2020 record by Chicago-based trio Dehd was met with critical acclaim, most notably by the notoriously grumpy online publication, Pitchfork, calling it some of the best new music of that year. Mixing elements of surf rock (and all that entails in terms of distinctive guitar playing), shoegaze and straight

indie

154. EMOTION SICKNESS by Mediocre

This 2020 EP released by two friends who are still in college is anything but mediocre (an unfortunate choice of a band name, in my opinion, when trying to search online for them). With a sound somewhere between Sleater Kinney and the Hives (remember them?), you're sure to

indie

144. PROJECTOR by Geese

This just released 2021 debut record by Brooklyn-based quintet Geese is currently getting all the buzz, not because all the members are technically still teenagers but because, well, okay, they’re all technically still teenagers! One listen to this album and you’ll hear why. The influences contained within seem

indie

140. FEELS SO GOOD // FEELS SO BAD by The Shivas

This American indie psychedelic garage rock band is out with a brand new record for 2021. Though their previous effort came out in 2019, they were unable to tour in support of it because of the pandemic. So, they spent the last couple of years collecting their thoughts and putting

indie

132. THE WORLD WE BUILT by The Wild Reeds

Los Angeles based indie folk band The Wild Reeds released this record in 2017. Although the songs are lead by 3 part harmonies, the music is not necessarily subdued - it’s full of crunchy guitars and interesting key changes throughout many of the tracks. This is not your ma

indie

126. BLUE WEEKEND by Wolf Alice

Previously covered here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/visions-of-a-life-by-wolf-alice/], British indie/alternative band Wolf Alice are back in 2021 with their third record. Quickly garnering 5 star reviews from the critical press, Blue Weekend has already been hailed as the foursome’s best album yet. Ranging from grunge to piano ballads

indie

119. TODAY WE’RE THE GREATEST by Middle Kids

This just released 2021 record by Australian trio Middle Kids is for fans of indie or alt rock. Gaining quite a following after the release of their debut long play in 2018, this second effort is sure to expand their reach around the globe.  Check out ‘Cellophane (Brain),’ ‘R U

indie

117. ZACH PERSON EP (self-titled)

I never thought I would be mentioning American Idol in this blog but, well, here we are. Houston native (from age 13) and Austin transplant Zach Person was a contestant on the show during the 2016 season. Though he didn’t make it far, he definitely got noticed. Considered a

indie

116. A BILLION LITTLE LIGHTS by Wild Pink

This 2021 record is the third release from New York City trio Wild Pink (previously discussed here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/yolk-in-the-fur-by-wild-pink/]). Cinematic in scope, the album is imbued with lead singer John Ross’s subtle, unassuming vocals throughout. A little indie, a little country, a little Americana - there’

indie

114. KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka

This 2019 record (and winner of the 2020 British Mercury Prize) received critical acclaim from all over the planet. Considered indie folk or rock, Kiwanuka is an autobiographical concept album released just when you thought concept albums were dead. Mixing elements of soul, rock, gospel and jazz, there’s bound

indie

113. GOING TO HELL by Lande Hekt

This recently released record is by one third of the Exeter, GB-based punk trio Muncie Girls. This guitar-driven album finds Hekt singing and playing all instruments save for percussion. Billed as her ‘coming out’ record, the songs deal with very personal issues while, at the same time, backed up by

indie

111. TOP OF THE STAIRS by Maxband

This short, 5 song 2020 EP is the product of New York City indie rock band Parquet Courts’ drummer, Max Savage. Though in this role, he’s stepped out from behind his drum kit to share vocals and play guitar, Dave Grohl-style. The record is a mix of punk and

indie

109. EVERY BAD by Porridge Radio

This 2020 record from Brighton, England indie rock band Porridge Radio is reminiscent, in some ways, of 90’s grunge bands in that the loud/soft aesthetic is present in several of the tracks. “Every Bad” was a nominee for the 2020 British Mercury Prize and deservedly so. The stand-outs

indie

108. STATIC AND SILENCE by The Sundays

English indie pop band The Sundays only released three studio albums, 1997’s “Static and Silence” being their final output. Husband and wife, David Gavurin (guitars) and Harriet Wheeler (vocals), formed the core of the band. By the time this record was released, the band had mellowed out a bit,

indie

105. OH WONDER (self-titled)

There are many ways to discover new music these days (this blog, for example). I found out about this band and record recently after “Shazam-ing” the theme song of a British crime series we’re currently enjoying (Unforgotten). Turns out that this album is the debut of London-based indie pop

indie

80. YOLK IN THE FUR by Wild Pink

It’s kind of funny how Wild Pink are consistently compared to The War on Drugs and Death Cab for Cutie since I haven’t been able to find any real connection to either of those band’s music. The first time I heard “Yolk in the Fur,” however, I

indie

77. ONE ESKIMO (self-titled)

I believe I had mentioned before how it’s so refreshing to come across a musician who sings with his/her native accent intact, rather than Americanizing the vocals.  This is what Kristian Leontiou, lead singer of UK-based indie band One eskimO, does on their 2009 record. Kind of atmospheric

indie

74. OUT IN THE STORM by Waxahatchee

In contrast to her 2020 record discussed here [https://auditorymusings.ghost.io/saint-cloud-by-waxahatchee/], Katie Crutchfield’s 2017 outing is filled with electric guitars and rockers. Still writing about personal themes, the music makes you feel like she really had a lot to get off her chest. Depending on which record