Browsing Category

Music Blog for Indie Pop Fans

Drew Hersch broke new ground in heartache with the raw indie-folk pop reflections in ‘Onward & Upward’

Posted on 30 August 2024

Drew Hersch’s latest single, Onward & Upward, is a raw, intimate confession that bleeds vulnerability from start to finish. The lyric, “The other night when I had someone over, I taught him to hold me like you did,” is a gut-wrenching highlight, encapsulating the bitter pangs of moving on while still anchored to the past. This tender indie folk pop ballad doesn’t just brush against the surface of heartache—it plunges into the depths, making you feel every pulse of pain that Hersch so poignantly articulates.

In Onward & Upward, Hersch captures the agonising reality of being the one left behind, as his ex-partner soars above it all, while he’s left to grapple with memories that linger like ghosts in every corner. From old date spots to the universal curse of dating someone with a common name, Hersch paints a picture so vividly relatable, that it will be hard to determine where your emotions end and his torment starts.

At just 23, this Boulder, Colorado-based artist is already proving himself as an alt-indie folk pop savant of emotional resonance. The artful ingenuity intertwined with the confessionally cathartic release makes the irreverently witty melancholy hit so much harder. From hushed acoustic verses to ornately tender crescendos, each motif is a conduit of unfeigned emotion in the track which echoes the warmth of Zach Bryan, the haunting depth of Lana Del Ray and the textured production of Eilish.

The official music video for Onward & Upward will premiere on August 30th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bari Mcknight synthed away the pain of ephemeral affection in ‘SUMMER THINGS’

Posted on 28 August 2024

Two things are guaranteed every summer: swathes of stellar summer pop hits and the inevitable ashes of quick-to-burn romances. In his latest single, SUMMER THINGS, the independent artist, Bari Mcknight, brought one of the former and consoled casualties of the latter by fusing echoes of Afrobeat with catchy pop hooks, the soul of stylistically synth-driven RnB and a trappy beat, resulting in an irresistible earworm which is weighted in evocative realism, contrasting the dreamy etherealism of the track.

If the lingering sting of ephemeral affection is making the onslaught of autumn feel that much colder, SUMMER THINGS is the ultimate source of salvation. The echoes of The Weeknd’s aesthetic coursing through the neon-lit, synaesthesia-inducing production leaves enough room for Mcknight’s sonic signature which is scribing his legacy – one hit at a time.

It’s rare to find a pop track with the potential to dominate the charts while resonating with the sincerity of a diary entry, but that’s exactly what the New Jersey-residing independent artist achieved in SUMMER THINGS, which features on his latest album, Summer of Love; a curated anthology of laidback melodies and relatable narratives.

SUMMER THINGS dropped on August 2nd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cincinnati icon of chameleonic pop, Catlea, has struck again with the affecting anthem, Crumbling

Posted on 26 August 2024

Cincinnati singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Catlea is unreckonable in their mission to become one of the biggest pop sensations of their generation.

Their latest single, Crumbling, instantly arrests with emotionally weighted minor piano chords cradling the haunting with luminescence vocal lines before the single unravels as a synth-driven hit which sheds its dreamy etherealism to establish itself as an anthemic perennial pop earworm.

The lyrical exploration of the inevitability of not living up to unrealistic expectations in relationships where we only exist as an abstract idea and are expected to play out a role without being given a script is the ultimate consolation for anyone who has faced rejection after refusing to alter their autonomy.

The versatility in this track alone is enough to leave you in awe of Catlea’s ability to confidently command a myriad of genres and vocally match the sonic textures with unflinching ease; the rest of their discography is a larger attestation to their chameleonic cultivated skill.

As a precursor to the upcoming LP, Language Barrier, Crumbling, which was produced by Claudia Mills and features pianist Nick Tsang (Ed Sheeran, The Script, Lewis Capaldi), couldn’t set the anticipation any higher.

Crumbling euphonically cascaded onto the airwaves on August 2nd. Stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Embrace the Chaos with the Visceral Visualisation of Emotional Discord in Dilly Dally Alley’s Electro Jazz Pop Attack, This Just In

Posted on 23 August 2024
Dilly Dally Alley

Fresh off the heels of their last single, Find Out, Minneapolis Indie-Pop jazz-adjacent collective, Dilly Dally Alley, led by the magnetic emissary of soul Sophia Spiegel, has unleashed their second single of the summer, This Just In.

Feeling deeply can often feel like a curse, yet, a proclivity towards heightened emotion only serves to sweeten the resonance in this incitement of an indie art pop riot, which feeds an abrasive electro pulse through John Carpenter-reminiscent synths, deliciously delirious reverb and distorted jazz-punk sax riffs capable of driving you to the brink of euphoria and beyond to experience a cathartic release from emotional turmoil.

The opening lyrics – “there was a sharpness in the land, sharpness in the beat, sharpness in your eyes, made me feel complete” – reflect the conflation of emotions and conflicts, perfectly matched by the avant-garde instrumentals that create a vivid, visceral, whirlwind of an experience which transcends sound.

You couldn’t ask for a more accurate mirror of the mental discordance that accompanies emotional dichotomies or for more blissful salvation from them.

This Just In will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from August 23rd, ahead of Dilly Dally Alley’s sophomore LP, which will permeate the airwaves in January 2025.

Stay up to date with the latest releases from Dilly Dally Alley on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The New Tropics augmented introspection in their indie-rock anthem, Street Parking

Posted on 14 August 2024

Proving that razor-sharp pop hooks have a place in indie rock and introspection hits even sweeter when it is infectiously augmented is the Nashville-hailing powerhouse, The New Tropics with their recently released sophomore single, Street Parking.

The sweeping guitar chords, vocal lines which harmonise with almost endless sustain, and the pulsative rhythm section combine to synthesise a sound which doesn’t break the mould but polishes it with scarcely heard cultivation.

The sticky-sweet coming-of-age ode to growing pains ticks all the right boxes while inventing a few more for their sonic signature to scribe through. You just can’t help but feel The New Tropics hype when you sink into the expansively vivacious atmosphere; whatever the trio turn to next under the influence of The Cardigans, Paramore, and The Beaches, it’s bound to be a riotous ride through reimagined indie nostalgia.

Street Parking was officially released on July 12 and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Carey Clayton rebooted retrofuturism with the seraphic synths in his latest single, Future in a Past Life

Posted on 11 August 2024

Carey Clayton brought the sound, synths and soul of the 80s to their latest in a long line of seminal singles, Future in a Past Life, while etching into the nostalgic hallmarks with his indelibly scintillating sonic signature which scribes beyond contemporary trends.

The title alone is enough to spark a profound meditation on its poetic meaning; when you sink into the release, you’ll start to swim in the temperate, tonally seraphic spectres of reflection, artfully amalgamated by the LA songwriter, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, who has become revered for his stylistically expansive body of work.

Future in a Past Life, caged within his third LP, Headless, may be composed of different aural anatomy from his previous releases, but fans who came to adore Clayton for his past work will find their appreciation for the visionary renewed by the sense of spirituality which drifts between the instrumentals in the polished production.

Clearly still humble after his music being sought after by Netflix, NBC, ABC and the Tribeca Film Festival, Clayton synthesised straight from the soul with Future in a Past Life, which fuses the arcane emotive air of Cigarettes After Sex with the kicks and grooves of Django Django.

Future in a Past Life was officially released on July 19th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

From Ghosting to Growth: Trisha Reclaimed Her Self-Regard in Her Trend-Ascending Pop Hit, MVP

Posted on 9 August 2024
https://soundcloud.com/trisha-singss/mvp-demo/s-2IJES7EaZOj?si=17f8d53e4f534e9ea93eb535153ea798&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The airwaves are saturated in laments on romantic rejection, yet few artists are vulnerable enough in their candour to meditate on the disintegration of friendships; the magnetically daring, hypnotic chill pop artist, Trisha, threw down the gauntlet on unchartered vulnerable ground with her latest single, MVP.

The empowering advocation to always treat yourself as the MPV (Most Valuable Player) marks the 15-year-old singer-songwriter as one of the most fearless lyricists on the airwaves. The transformational power of the release belies its chill-pop serenity; therein lies the beauty of the coming-of-age artist who has already mastered the art of emotional maturity and intelligence which filters into her raw-with-resonance releases.

Echoes of 90s pop breathe through the intricately melodic production which paradoxically cuts across and beyond contemporary trends, affirming that if any emerging artist has what it takes to make it to the top of the pop charts in 2024, it is Trisha.

Trisha Said:

“I wrote “MVP” about trying to regain my self-esteem when I found myself frequently ignored by my closest friend. Our relationship had deteriorated into one of apathy and I found myself constantly making excuses for her. Writing this song really helped me reinstate my sense of self-worth, establishing that I am the MVP in this equation.”

MVP will be available to stream on all major platforms from August 9th; stream the single on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Miss Terious exhibited the power and pain of alter-egos in ‘Misty’

Posted on 26 July 2024

Miss Terious’ latest single, Misty, bridges the gap between the tender indie pop magnetism of boygenius, the artful expression of Kate Bush, and the gothic sombre glamour reminiscent of Evanescence. This coalescence is perfectly interwoven in the arcane atmosphere of the indie piano pop ballad, where the sparse instrumentals allow Miss Terious’ emotionally heightened vocals to spectrally overpower the production.

Each verse tightens the heartstrings as you become consumed by the raw emotion conveyed through the confession of how pseudonyms can deliver confidence while concealing the person behind the greatness. The deeply felt pain of being wanted through association rather than true connection resonates throughout Misty; anyone who has experienced this pain will find the ultimate consolation within the candour.

Miss Terious is a British-born alternative musician from the West Midlands, known for her originated mix of electronic and classical instruments. Since debuting with her EP Bleeding Green in 2020, she has tackled topics such as abuse, mental health, and her separation from the ballet industry. In 2022, she was honoured as BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Month for Coventry and Warwickshire and performed at the Backyard Festival in Leamington Spa. Her contribution to the music scene earned her the Local Hero Award for AIM Awards 2022.

After hearing Misty, there isn’t an industry accolade we wouldn’t see her as fit for.

Misty was officially released on July 19; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Urban Café Crew cruised through 80s nostalgia and became sonic heartthrobs in their latest single, Movin’ Down I39

Posted on 24 July 2024

It’s all gas and no brakes in Urban Café Crew’s latest single, ‘Movin’ Down I39’, which exudes a striking blend of 80s Hollywood glamour and heart-throb vocals that make the driving anthem impossible not to groove with.

With the opening sounds of engines revving against strident piano chords that are augmented by Blockbuster nostalgia, you’re instantly susceptible to the lyrics that compel you to seize the moment while the rhythmically magnetic progressions seize your pulses and evoke panoramic images of a guy driving to get the girl. The propulsion of the pulsating beats transcends auditory ingenuity to craft a visual masterpiece that you’ll never get tired of revisiting.

We didn’t need any more evidence of the Australian-based collective’s cultivated songwriting stripes after hearing their Christmas earworm and the eternally endearing single, Hey There Boomer, It’s Not OK. Yet, now that Movin’ Down I39 is here, it only cements their ability to produce hits that sweep you up in their infectiously soulful intensity; it’s the most syncable single I’ve heard this year.

Movin’ Down I39 was officially released on July 17; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bang emotional ambiguity cascades into Bang’s alt-indie lullaby, HOLD ON

Posted on 24 July 2024

In his latest single, HOLD ON, the alt-indie visionary, Bang, plunged his eternally expanding following into a pool of lush reverb-swathed ambience, intersected by sharp, reverberant trap beats that push momentum into the hazy lullaby which envelops the senses with wavy dream-like soul.

With this seminal release, bang captured the essence of affection as the harbinger of comfort and the precursor to uncertainty and confusion. The exposition of the dangers of letting down your walls is intricately crafted into the thematic visualisations of the introspective lyrics that are filled with late-night longing.  The sensory expedition into the heart of emotional ambiguity is an irresistible invitation to escape into the delicious delirium.

The seraphically disorientating release marks the Michigan-raised Asian-American artist as the Thom Yorke of his generation while becoming a milestone stride in his set-to-be illustrious sonic journey which was chartered after early exposure to Bollywood rhythms and 00s hip-hop beats.

As the architect of hits that pulsate with modern indie rhythm and find superlative equilibrium between evocative and innovative cultivation, Bang is elevating the airwaves with his solo work and his role in the genre-defying collective, Rarehearted.

HOLD ON will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from July 24th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast