Category Archives: Indie Pop

SADSUN ‘Heads or (Tails)’

Newcastle moody synth-pop duo SADSUN have released their new single ‘Heads or (Tails)’. SADSUN made their debut on the scene in February with their single ‘Control’, an addictively delirious synth-pop track with dark and atmospheric undertones. Gaining praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, God Is In The TV and BBC Music Introducing North East, founded by talented musicians, Aimy Miller (vocals/production) and Simon Atkinson (synths/guitar/production), SADSUN blend uplifting vintage pop sensibilities and brooding introspective lyricism with a cinematic backdrop.

‘Heads or (Tails)’ is a refreshing burst of synth pop shimmering with a glorious 80’s pop sheen. The funky guitars inject and weave a groovy thread throughout this laid back summer number while the glistening synths and sticky, pulsing beat create a breathtaking ethereal atmosphere. With smooth vocals caressing the nostalgic melody this sweet, summer baked gem is an easy listening catchy track to put on repeat.

Speaking on ‘Heads or (Tails)’, vocalist, Aimy Miller explained: “Heads or (Tails) is an attempt at exploring the chaos of emotions. When it was written, I was struggling to get a grip on how I was feeling day to day – it felt as though it could literally be down to a flip of a coin. One moment I was over the moon happy, the next I was through the floor hopeless and experiencing a lot of physical pain. I was aware how it must have been for someone to see me like that and i just wanted everything to stop.”

Stream  ‘Heads or (Tails)’ below


wojtek the bear ‘tonic youth’

Glasgow four-piece wojtek the bear have released their new single ‘tonic youth’.The track is the first of four singles being released by wojtek the bear during 2019, which will be collected on a limited edition 10” vinyl in the autumn.

‘tonic youth’ is a blissful refreshing can of indie pop brimming with sugary melodies, lush harmonies and vibrant instrumentation. This dreamy number chimes with radiant guitars, a pulsing bassline and a peppy beat. The track majestically floats along the buoyant rhythmic foundation while the smooth vocals coo behind a graceful string melody. These guys have fleshed out one beautiful track that glimmers with sun kissed vibes while drifting delicately on a laid back tone of ecstasy.

Of the track, lead singer Tam Killean reveals; “When I first moved into Glasgow in my early 20’s I quickly encountered people at parties I’d never been exposed to before; kids who’d never worked a day in their life, spent their summers in Val-d’Isére or Biarritz and all seemed to have fucking ponies. This song is about how initially on coming into contact with them I had a bit of a crisis of confidence, thinking that I’d wasted my life by just getting absolutely smashed from the age of 15 onwards.”

Stream ‘tonic youth’ below


NULLA ‘Sunyata’

Photo Credit : Sophie Biliz-Reeves

Liverpool band NULLA have released their debut single ‘Sunyata’. With its infectious groove, laid back swagger and silken guitar lines  ‘Sunyata’ is a tight impressive debut from Nulla. The guitars inject a zesty refreshness into the track as they shrill and lightly zing through the ethereal soundscape. A melty pop melody floats upon the dreamy soundscape with a buoyant beat and elastic bass groove creating that charming hip moving foundation for this easy going gem. With its catchy melody, velvety vocals, shredding solo and sun kissed radiance ‘Sunyata’ is a glorious jazz-drizzled ditty to keep you smiling all day.

Stream ‘Sunyata’ below


Thumper ‘In My Room’

Dublin’s Thumper have released their new single ‘In My Room’. With major radio support across Ireland and the UK and stretching as far as Brazil, these guys are currently riding high on Spotify’s Hot New Bands playlist.

‘In My Room’ is an erosive blast of psych pop that corrodes with blistering guitars and pummeling drums creating an exhilarating wall of sound while the pop smacked melody coats the track in sugary fizz. This frenzied track froths with shrilling distortion and abrasive instrumentation as the rumbling elastic bass slaps and grooves infectiously behind the crashing majestic guitar-burns while the smooth vocals bounce along the bubblegum melody. The track builds into a sonic blast of pounding rhythms and mania for the thrilling crescendo as this adrenaline-inducing song shows Thumper at their most intoxicating. It’s one hell of a tune made for playing as loud as possible.

Watch the video for ‘In My Room’ below


Delights ‘Daydream’

Manchester indie band Delights have released their new single ‘Daydream’ another heavenly track from the band. With a rooted bass weaving its elastic wiggle-ready groove around the punchy drums and glistening sun saturated guitar, this sweet number is easy on the ears and utterly mesmerising. The dreamy melody floats delicately on the zesty indie backdrop creating a soothing cushion while Delights build the background with subtle edgy instrumentation. The guitars soar, sting and wail through the track adding dashes of vibrancy and scintillation throughout as the sublime rhythmic foundation bounces and bubbles behind the velvety vocals.It’s a charming track that is ready for those lazy hazy days in the sun.

Stream ‘Daydream’ below


Velvet ‘Drift’

Five piece band Velvet have released their new single ‘Drift’ – a dreamy sun speckled number that floats along a sweet melody, vibrant guitar jingles and a punchy beat. This candied sugary pop ditty swirls around your ears with its delicious laid back melody while raspy warm vocals coo and soothe. The glistening guitar wisps about the track’s melody lifting this ethereal hazy number and adds a zesty sting. With a subtle indie rock backdrop providing instrumental depths and rich texture the track bops along brimming with summer vibes. This luscious, glorious track is another delightful gem from Velvet.

About the track the band said: “The story behind the song was feelings and emotion felt during a gap year in Australia and reflecting back on that. The feeling of drifting away from someone and accepting that for what it is. It was the first song we wrote so it’s nice to finally get it out there, it’s changed a lot over time but we first started writing it in summer 2018”

Stream ‘Drift’ below


Lady Landscape ‘Kitsilano’

Meath-based indie pop band, Lady Landscape have released their debut single, ‘Kitsilano’. Founded by Alex Harrison and Ryan McDonnell in late 2018, Lady Landscape embrace a lo-fi sound that combines rich synth textures, dreamy guitar rhythms and smooth baritone vocals. Taking their name from an inside joke concerning McDonell’s avoidance of the dating scene. Lady Landscape became a five-piece in 2019, incorporating friends of the group: Jamie Reynolds (Drums), Tiernan Buckley (Bass) and Adam Ollin (Lead Guitar), for a series of live shows in Dublin.

‘Kitsilano’ is a dreamy wisp of indie that binds Lady Landscape’s sound with sweet flurries of lo-fi pop. Soft guitar strums and jingles around an ethereal backdrop of twinkling synths. The steady beat weaves and hops about the track while the jangly keys playfully wander through this blissful mellow song. The nonchalant baritone vocals murmur through the majestic soundscape and sun sprinkled instrumentation. Filled with laid back tones Lady Landscape create a supple tune that is smooth and easy on the ears.

Stream ‘Kitsilano’ below


Le Boom ‘Just Want To’

photo credit :Peter Fleming

Dublin-based electronic-pop duo, Le Boom (who can count Christine of Christine and the Queens as a fan),comprised of producer, Christy Leech, and vocalist, Aimie Mallon have released the video for their new single, ‘Just Want To’ taken from the forthcoming EP, ‘All Of My Highs’ out May 3. Directed by Alina Maria Rancier on Long Island, NY ‘Just Want To’ thematically picks apart social insecurities. Le Boom had a thrilling 2018, performing across some of Europe’s largest festivals – Primavera, Body & Soul and Electric Picnic to-boot – whilst also taking their eccentric live show to Reykjavik, New York and Bilbao. The duo continued by selling out an Irish headline tour – including a stop at Dublin’s 1000-capacity District 8 venue – and achieving playlist success at Spotify, attaining spots on ’New Music Friday’ & ‘Hot New Bands’ amongst others.

‘Just Want To’ is a dazzling electronic gem consumed in flashing soundscapes with an infectious groove providing that buoyant backbone.The hypnotising beat flutters and slaps behind the shimmering synths creating a compelling prismatic effect that sparkles and summons you to the dance floor. With soft vocals cooing over the melty melody with a delicate sweetness this shuffle-ready shimmy number is a mesmerising electronic ditty filled with rich layering and tangible textures.The keys hop and flutter about the ethereal atmosphere adding to the buoyancy and likeability of the track. Le Boom have created an enthralling infectious number to lose yourself in.

Watch ‘Just Want To’ below


Matt Portland ‘The Wind Hit Hollow’

London songwriter Matt Portland has released his debut EP ‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ which includes the two lead singles ‘Secondary’ and ‘South Destruction’.

‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ is a warm passionate EP that evokes bittersweet emotions of love and loneliness through wonderful musicianship. With this subline EP Portland carves for himself a position as one of alternative pop’s prime retro-visionists. The melodies are delectably sweet and they melt smoothly and caressingly upon the ears providing comfort and tranquility while Portland’s equally velvety vocals lay delicately on the melody with passion and charm. His 1960’s soulful pop, sounds so fresh as he swathes ‘Paper Thin Reins’, ‘Secondary‘ and title track  ‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ in warm guitar twangs and ethereal pop atmospheres while peppering the tracks with elegant piano and lush string glides. His graceful presentation of these songs is what makes them so mesmerising and beautiful. There is something to be admired within Portland’s musicianship – the longing guitar melodies, the smooth command at which his vocals dictate the pace, all of which lead to an enchanting chorus – an utterly breathtaking listening experience. There is a romantic velvety flow to each track. Even in the melancholic ‘Angels Of The Bay’ with its piano strides of grandeur, lush backing vocals and haunting atmosphere holds the heart breaking tear of romance.These tracks superbly boast Portland’s rich and vivid song writing, but Portland has one more trick up his sleeve , final track ‘South Destruction’. A time stopping gem that swoons with delicate piano twinkles, a sway-like flowing tempo and warm guitar. The track slowly builds becoming more intense as backing vocals are introduced. A soft beat graces our ears as the strings enter gliding through this captivating sombre backdrop. It’s a delicate, sweet gem that closes the EP on a heart stopping tone of nostalgia and regret.

‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ EP showcases the mature and compelling musicianship of Matt Portland as he has created a darling collection of tracks to treasure.

Stream ‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ below


Kios ‘Asleep’

Kios have released their new single ‘Asleep’. Kios is an indie rock band out of Nashville, TN. The three piece is made up of Cole (vocals/guitar), Aaron (drums), and Mitch (bass).

With its delightful vitality and tight musicianship ‘Asleep’ is a refreshing sun soaked indie gem from Kios. Zest filled guitars playfully meander throughout the track injecting tasty fruity bursts while the punchy drums and elastic bass set that shimmy-ready, groovy foundation. It’s an infectious uplifting track that radiates sunshine and good times from every note while Kios showcase their slick fun sound. With smooth vocals gliding effortlessly on the melty honey drizzled melody this catchy radiant number is instantly like-able and another euphoric tune from Kios.

Stream ‘Asleep’ below