Category Archives: Indie Pop

Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

The Crayon Set ‘Don’t Step Back Too Far’

Dublin-based The Crayon Set have released their second single ‘Don’t Step Back Too Far’ taken from their forthcoming album ‘Downer Disco’ which is set for release in September 2021, supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture,  Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.The first line-up of The Crayon Set released their eponymous debut album in 2013 – it was recorded with Nick Brine (Teenage Fanclub, Super Furry Animals). It’s follow-up ‘Lost Languages’ was recorded with Gavin Glass (Lisa Hannigan, Villagers) and released in 2017 and featured Kate Dineen on guest vocals who later became a permanent member of the band. 

Driving on a pulsing bassline and rippling electronics, ‘Don’t Step Back Too Far’ is a shimmering disco ball of alternative pop. The song fleshes out The Crayon Set’s lush sound with layers of palpitating synths, propulsive rhythms and a dash of Americana glimmering through on guitars. As the song progresses, it slips into psychedelic hues, creating a laid-back, carefree vibe that ebbs and flows throughout. The Crayon Set have become known for their hook-laden sound, and ‘Don’t Step Back Too Far’ follows this trend wonderfully. Press play and enjoy.

Speaking about their new single, Robert explains “I was pleased when this song came along – I think it helped signal a new direction for the band. It had more of a groove to it – and it had a melancholic atmosphere that drew you in. Lyrically it is about feeling down and losing a sense of yourself and your role in the world. It probably inspired the ‘Downer Disco’ album theme – a bit depressing, but you could dance to it…”. 

Stream ‘Don’t Step Back Too Far’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Ben Lorentzen ‘Black Eyed Girl’

Indie-pop master, Ben Lorentzen has released his new single, ‘Black Eyed Girl.’ Written for his Korean wife, ‘Black Eyed Girl’ sheds some light on the problem of Asian Hate, and Lorentzen’s love for his muse. Raising awareness is one of Lorentzen’s top priorities, but he is doing it in a way that spreads love through the form of music.Lorentzen has collaborated with a variety of big names such as Rie Tsuji (Beyonce) and Brian Hardgroove (Public Enemy). 

‘Black Eyed Girl’ is a bright, refreshing guzzle of indie-pop that displays the catchy musicianship of Ben Lorentzen. This charming tune radiates sun-soaked vibes with shimmering synths injecting glimmers of scintillation through a groove-laden backdrop. Lorentzen surges a sugary sweet melody over an effervescent soundscape to create a dreamy and charming tune that is sure to brighten your day. With a catchy chorus, smooth vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, ‘Black Eyed Girl’ is an infectious tune brimming with loving lyrics, blissful melodies and lush instrumentation.

Stream ‘Black Eyed Girl’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Soda Blonde ‘In The Heat Of The Night’

Photo Credit : Ste Murray

Soda Blonde have released their new single ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ taken from their highly anticipated debut album ‘Small Talk’ which is set for release on July 9th via Velveteen Records, the entirely self-produced album sees the group reflecting on their twenty-something experiences with refreshingly honest transparency.

Teasing with a lingering refrain on keys, ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ announces itself with an air of mystery. In true Soda Blonde manner, the track expands on this refrain to delicately reveal lush textures and melodies as the song progresses. The band creates an enticing and rich soundscape that exudes a disco-esque persona enhanced by an irresistible groove on bass, supple guitars and gentle percussive shuffles. The song flows with subtle cinematic qualities that is simply awe-inspiring and mellowed by Faye O’Rourke’s bewitching soft coos as she sings, “It’s the way you carry on and the way that you lie, It’s under harsh lights baby we say our goodbye”.

‘In The Heat Of The Night’ is a nostalgic and engaging slice of indie-pop cementing Soda Blonde as a band that sets a high standard. Their timeless sound is set to inspire future bands and artists.

About the track, ‘O’Rourke describes: “The music possessed an attitude that I wasn’t familiar with as a songwriter. It deftly evoked the neon of night and brought Scorcese’s Casino to my mind. Our goal was to create a song that had everything we wanted to hear. It allowed me to write, uninhibited by the labour of self-analysis. It’s a song about conflict-and getting a kick out of it. The thrill of the fight”

Stream ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Thrillhouse ‘Just At The Right Time’

Thrillhouse return with their latest single ‘Just At The Right Time’.The song is a little love letter to anyone that comes along and helps you out in a time of need.

‘Just At The Right Time’ simmers with Thrillhouse’s intense indie sound as the band spread scorching instrumentation over a quivering rhythmic section to create one exhilarating gem. Pulsing synths ferment through the verses while deep vocals hurry through the lyrics with a sense of urgency. Driving rhythms, sparkling keys and lush melodies come to the fore as the chorus builds into the 80’s infused sound we have come to love from the band with bright guitar refrains glimmering through the muggy synth-heavy soundscape. Thrillhouse use precise layering and a cinematic crescendo to create an epic quality within their songs and ‘Just At The Right Time’ follows this trend perfectly allowing the listener to indulge in an immersive, hair raising listening experience. ‘Just At The Right Time’ is a passionate display of musicianship from Thrillhouse.

About the track singer Sam Strawberry says : “I wanted to say thanks to someone who’s done a lot for me. I’m no good with words in real life so I just wrote a song about them… I should probably send it to them at some point” 

Stream ‘Just At The Right Time’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Five Days North ‘Colours (In My Mind)’

Immersed in memories of pre-pandemic life, ‘Colours (In My Mind)’ is the new single from Manchester indie pop band Five Days North. From winning the 2017 Best Unsigned Band at the UK Unsigned Music Awards, Five Days North have gradually evolved into the encompassing and emotionally charged outfit they are today. Their heart-on-their sleeve lyricism combined with their infectious brand of indie pop has turned heads in their home city of Manchester, as well as further afield. With festival spots at Dot To Dot Festival and Kendal Calling, headline shows at Gorilla and Manchester Academy 3, as well as radio support from BBC Introducing and Co-Op Radio, Five Days North are winning hearts and minds up and down the country as well as on the international stage.

Exuding a progressive 80’s synth-pop persona filled with melodic pop hooks and indie glimmers, ‘Colours (In My Mind)’ shows Five Days North are a band cultivating their sound into something unique and expressive. The track broods with a dark undertone as bubbling rhythms simmer under the atmospheric synth explosions. With brisk drum beats creating a pulse and rush of adrenaline, Five Days North present a fresh and biting tune brimming with passion. The band blend a whirlwind of expressive instrumentation with soft eerie twinkles on keys to create a wonderful contrast as the track reaches its dynamic crescendo. Saturated in lush textures and sounds ‘Colours (In My Mind)’ is a magnificent new single from Five Days North.

Stream ‘Colours (In My Mind)’ below  


Author : Danu

Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Joe T. Johnson ‘Far From the Sun’

Joe T. Johnson has released his new single ‘Far From the Sun’. In the past, Joe T. Johnson has performed at Glastonbury Festival 2019 and achieved local success in 2020 after three singles. 

‘Far From the Sun’ continues the lush dream-pop sound of Joe T. Johnson. Melting 60’s sweet melodies into supple psychedelic soundscapes, the track creates a soothing atmosphere. Johnson layers the song delicately to create soft prismatic elements within moments of edgy indie-rock. Glistening jingles on guitar exudes a hypnotic quality and desert-esque tones while Johnson’s smooth vocals drift over the dreamy melody as the track unfolds into a mellow and catchy chorus. ‘Far From the Sun’ is a charming and well-crafted earworm displaying the meticulously arranged, and lush musicianship of Joe T. Johnson.

Stream ‘Far From the Sun’ below 


Author : Danu

electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter

Riley Holland ‘Say it First’

Riley

Riley Holland has released her new single ‘Say it First’. Riley Holland is a songwriter and performer from Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Riley has achieved much in her early career. In 2019 she was a semi- finalist in the Belfast-Nashville Young Songwriter Of The Year, making her live debut during this festival. She was also a finalist in the All-Ireland Star Nation competition. This earned her recording time in Ireland’s famous Windmill Lane studio.

‘Say it First’ is an infectious electronic pop tune saturated in Holland’s emotive songwriting. The track surges with luscious sun kissed electronics that wisp through balmy tones and sticky beats as Holland uses her knack with bittersweet melodies to create one heartfelt breakup bop. The tender lyrics contrast the song’s effervescent radiant backdrop; the warm guitars, tropical tones and bubbling rhythms make ‘Say it First’ a refreshing piece of pop perfection. Holland’s warm vocals coo “ don’t call me and tell me it’s over and we should just be friends”, over an intricately layered electronic pop backdrop creating a danceable radio-ready gem for listeners to indulge in.

‘Say it First’ is a slick, well-crafted earworm that marks Holland as an artist to keep an eye on.

Stream ‘Say it First’ below


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Thrillhouse ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’

Brighton alt/indie band Thrillhouse have released their new single ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’.This nostalgic gem flows with the emotive, infectious and masterfully crafted sound we have come to love from Thrillhouse. The band use urging keys and meticulously layered sounds to create a lush and juicy backdrop for their heartfelt melodies. This band’s knack with irresistible melodies is awe-inspiring. Throughout their releases, Thrillhouse always deliver on sweet earworm tunes filled with passion and ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’ follows this trend superbly. The smooth vocals exude rich depths through warm coos while pulsing beats adorn the backdrop creating a heart-racing pace while shimmering synths add psychedelic hues into the mix. With bright guitars injecting zesty stings through the intoxicating soundscape, ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’ is a beautiful and wholly consuming new single from Thrillhouse.

Stream ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Calum Agnew ‘Don’t Think About It’

Calum Agnew has released his new single ‘Don’t Think About It’.Agnew is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter from Duleek, Co.Meath. Since writing his first song at the age of 9, he has composed hundreds of melodies with lyrics in both the Irish and English languages. Currently a 6th year student in St. Marys Diocesan School, Drogheda, Calum has been tipped by many as a ‘rising star’ on the Irish Music scene after reaching number 1 on the Irish iTunes charts with his debut single “Crazy”. Calum says that his music is Inspired by ‘Soul & Pop’ artists such as Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith and Hozier. Amid the Global Coronavirus pandemic, Calum used this time to craft his art, learning how to record and produce his own music from his bedroom, including his new single release ‘Don’t Think About It’. 

‘Don’t Think About It’ displays the bright and compelling alternative pop of Calum Agnew. With supple melodies wisping through delicate beats and warm guitars, the song has a bubbling and light backdrop. Agnew provides an emotive and intricately weaved song through an array of soft instruments that highlight his confident and impressive songwriting. The verses brood and simmer with folk-esque tones on guitar while a lush pop melody coats the song in sweetness and buoyancy. Agnew sweeps an elegant string arrangement into the song’s vibrant backdrop adding a dash of grandeur and drama while the lush backing vocals and bouncy percussion build to the cinematic and powerful crescendo. ‘Don’t Think About It’ is a catchy and well crafted new single that marks Calum Agnew as an artist to keep an eye on. 

Stream ‘Don’t Think About It’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Lemonade Shoelace ‘Autopilot Paradise’

Lemonade Shoelace is set to release his new single ‘Autopilot Paradise’. on 24th March. Lemonade Shoelace is the project of 23-year-old Ruairí Richman, a graduate of the BIMM institute in Dublin and a native of Newcastle, Co. Down. All his tracks are written, recorded, and produced entirely in a small home studio.

Throughout ‘Autopilot Paradise,’ Lemonade Shoelace uses prismatic psychedelic tones and lusciously blended sounds to create one refreshing guzzle of alternative pop. The song drifts along with a bubbling beat and elastic bass groove which creates a dance-infused foundation while 80’s-esque synths soar and wisp throughout providing an ethereal sense of euphoria. This juicy burst of electronic pop surges with zesty guitars and rich reverb soundscapes that intensify as the anthemic chorus kicks in. Richmans’ smooth vocals coo over the dreamy melody while the synths shimmer and flicker between the vibrant soundscapes. The track is a feast for the senses and layered perfectly, revealing new luxuriant sounds with each verse and chorus arrangement.

Oozing bright melodies, deep grooves, and ethereal synths, ‘Autopilot Paradise’ is a tantalizing new single that makes Lemonade Shoelace an artist to keep an eye on.

Pre – Save ‘Autopilot Paradise’ here  https://smarturl.it/58mlnj?fbclid=IwAR2DvXP-vl2LQ4ROAQGb14XadMvJBWjP8jzA7bWGB68z5dvtXdtOyLFxZpMhttps://smarturl.it/58mlnj?fbclid=IwAR2DvXP-vl2LQ4ROAQGb14XadMvJBWjP8jzA7bWGB68z5dvtXdtOyLFxZpM


Author : Danu