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The term ‘indie’ in the music industry has become so ambiguous it has practically become as subjective as the meaning of life. Whichever way it is defined, it is still a massive part of the music industry in the UK and across the globe.

Originally, indie referred to how an artist distributed their music. Over the decades, it became a catch-all term for artists sharing the same sonic off-kilter edge; and, of course, the same moody yet inexplicably cool aesthetic. Indie, as a genre, only came around as the result of experimental artists in the 70s wanting to bring a new sound to the airwaves; instead of solely hoping for commercial success after appeasing one of the major record labels.

Indie artists adopted punk ethos they started to push the boundaries of pop. Instead of commercialising their sound, they pushed it into post-punk, shoegaze, synthpop, Britpop, avant-garde, noise rock and dream pop arenas. For all that separates bands such as Sonic Youth, the Cure, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Elliott Smith and Radiohead, there is still so much that ties them together, namely their attitudes and the loud discordant style.

Along with the bands, iconic venues such as the 100 Club in London, the Hacienda in Manchester, and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow had a pivotal part to play in the traction of independent artists and music. New Indie labels, such as Rough Trade and Factory Records, were amongst the first record labels to truly embrace and encourage experimentalism and authenticity in the artists they scouted and signed – taking New Order and Joy Division as a prime example.

It may have been a while since there was an indie breakthrough act as successful as the Arctic Monkeys, but indie music has far from lost its resonance. Besides, Monkeys won over 42 awards and sold over 20 million records, so that’s going to take some beating, and they’re certainly not the only indie artists currently thriving.

The Welsh indie rock icons, the Manic Street Preachers, celebrated their first number 1 album in 23 years with the release of Ultra Vivid Lament in 2021. The Tarantino-Esque Liverpool outfit, Red Rum Club, released their debut album in 2019, and got to number 14 in the official album sales chart with their album, How to Steal the World, in 2021. Perhaps most impressively, the world’s first CryptoPunk rapper, Spottie Wifi, made just under $200k in album NFT sales in 90 seconds this year.

Take a detour to ‘the suburbs of jersey’ with Natalee Gallo’s latest indie vignette of vulnerability

Posted on 19 December 2024

Natalee Gallo’s latest release, The Suburbs of Jersey, weaves a delicate yet unyielding balance between introspection and melodic sophistication. With her sophomore single, the Pittsburgh-based indie singer-songwriter invites listeners into the emotional architecture of her experiences, building bridges between past uncertainty and present clarity through her Americana-tinged indie pop.

A master of subtle dynamism, Gallo’s layered approach to songwriting breathes life into her narratives. The slide guitar’s soft curiosity melds seamlessly with the driving acoustic backbone, creating a soundscape that pulses with restrained intensity. The production evolves in waves, mirroring the emotional intricacies of its subject matter: the insecurities that stem from navigating perception and expectation at the genesis of a relationship.

Born from a journal entry penned in 2018, the track feels as confessional as it does cinematic. Gallo’s tender yet resolute vocal delivery conveys the vulnerability of her lyrics with an evocative timbre that paints panoramic emotional vistas. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what follows from the organically absorbing artist who can stir the coldest souls into feeling whole.

the suburbs of jersey is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

PRI// Talks Sonic Freedom, Narrative Albums, and What’s Coming in 2025 – An Exclusive Interview

Posted on 18 December 2024

In this exclusive interview with PRI//, the boundary-pushing artist reflects on a year of bold sonic narratives and lyrical honesty that’s set the tone for what’s to come in 2025. Known for leaning into instinctive creativity and crafting albums that feel thematically cohesive yet unshackled by convention, PRI// explores themes of solace, self-expression, and connection through music. With a glimpse into the upcoming releases and a promise to amplify the visual element alongside the sound, PRI// offers a candid look at the passion and process driving their artistry.

PRI//, welcome to A&R Factory! Thanks for the opportunity to connect with you as you close out a hyper-productive year! What’s been the highlight of 2024 for you?

So many highlights but I have really enjoyed creating my albums – bodies of work which have told complete narratives from start to finish. Not quite concept albums but almost. I’m thinking of Begging, Manufacture and Vagina Den Tata.

I’ve also enjoyed developing a bit more in the live setting on TikTok and leaning into the visual elements too. There are exciting things to come!

We love that you’re not afraid to go bold with your tracks and track titles; how does it feel to be so free through sonic expression? 

 I think it’s important to hold true to your instincts when you are an artist creating, you need to be aligned with that little voice inside and honour it, without trying to stifle it!

If you had to name one, what’s the main component which ties your eclectic discography together? 

I think the common thread is…me! Ha ha! People also seem to respond to the lyrics, and that is really great to hear. I want to create a body of work, a body of work that can help people, that can soothe them in times of distress and make them feel less alone.

Where do you typically find your lyrical inspiration? 

Everyday life. Or it can be something I read or watch. A line of dialogue will set me off. Or it can be something that someone says or the way someone looks. It can take me by surprise.

You’ve teased a string of upcoming releases in 2025; can you give us an inside view into what will be dropping onto the airwaves? 

There’s more stuff coming and I’ll be leaning into the visual element more. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s an exciting time!

How did these tracks come to fruition? 

I am spinning a lot of plates, so I try to use my time in a productive way but that also feels free and conducive to making something honest. So I like to have my instruments on hand and easily accessible to create when the spirit moves me

How do these singles tie into your broader ambitions? 

My main ambition is to create music that makes people feel less alone that is like a virtual hand, held out to give support. The artists I love have been like that for me.

Stream PRI// on Spotify.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Cecilia’s Debut, Don’t Wanna Cry, is a Disco Ball’s Glow over Retro-Futuristic Reflections

Posted on 15 December 2024

Cecilia’s debut single, ‘Don’t Wanna Cry’, sinks the listener into a rabbit hole of retro-futurism beneath the glow of a disco ball, pulling her listeners’ senses between awe for innovation and comfort from nostalgia-swathed pop hooks.

If you’re weary of modern retro pop revolving around Lana Del Rey’s carbon copies, Cecilia rhythmically shifts away from the fray. Her sound—recorded and produced independently in her Los Angeles home studio—invites her growing following into a seraphic reverie of dreamy alt-pop, all defined by some of the most sublime vocals from a breakthrough pop artist in 2024.

Influenced by the disco era’s warm grooves, modern electronic textures, and soulful classic vocal timbres, she crafts a retro-futuristic hybrid with indie sensibilities. ‘Don’t Wanna Cry’, released on 26th November, layers its introspective lyrics and ethereal melodies to form a kaleidoscope of colourful warmth, while the earworm mantra lingers long after the final note.

By making her debut with such an empoweringly vulnerable release, Cecilia sets a high bar, teasing more hits from an already iconic artist who dares to groove to her own tune.

Stream Don’t Wanna Cry on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Indie Pop Meets Folk Symphony: The Dynamic Contrasts of Woodstone’s ‘Touch of Adrenaline’

Posted on 13 December 2024
Woodstone

Woodstone, a rising indie pop singer-songwriter from New Jersey, offers an emotive glimpse into his forthcoming fourth LP with the release of ‘Touch of Adrenaline.’ The track captures the essence of early 2000s indie pop while throwing back a little further to 90s Britpop, evoking memories of Plain White T’s and stoking the nostalgia of Oasis while infusing his own raw, heartfelt style.

This intricately crafted track intertwines folk elements with chamber pop strings, allowing contrasting layers of ornate orchestration and winding folk guitar lines to showcase Woodstone’s skill in bending and blending texture and tone into affecting aural contours. Reflecting on the ephemeral nature of intense feelings, Woodstone demonstrates a sophisticated approach to scintillating the senses of his growing fanbase.

Woodstone Said:

“Touch of Adrenaline is about a relationship with an end date, with both parties knowing it will end, and the last fleeting moments being marked by intensified emotion. 

The single explores what it really means to truly feel and be present with someone you love for the last time while conveying an image of romance in the midst of a dystopian world. 

Like all songs on the upcoming concept album, it was inspired by a relationship that could have worked but wasn’t the right time, and life forced us to drift apart.”

–

Touch of Adrenaline will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from December 13th, with Woodstone’s fourth album, Glass Skin, set to follow in early 2025.

Follow Woodstone on Instagram to stay up to date with all of his latest releases and news.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ava Valianti’s ‘Wishing Well’ is a Diaphanous Dive into Lost Innocence

Posted on 10 December 2024

At just 15, Ava Valianti has already mastered the art of weaving raw emotion into new-wave indie pop. With her latest single, ‘Wishing Well’, the Massachusetts singer-songwriter delivers a reverie-rich production that captures the ache of growing up and the bittersweet nostalgia for the innocence of youth.

Inspired by childhood memories, Ava channels her reflections on the fading simplicity of youth into soaring harmonies and sweeping melodies. Thematically, ‘Wishing Well’ resounds with longing and hope, its diaphanous textures sonically illustrating the vulnerability of clinging to the magic of belief. Ava’s lyrical candour doesn’t just invite listeners into her world; it offers them a mirror to their own experiences of inevitable change and loss. Her ability to find clarity in bittersweet moments transforms each note into a visceral connection.

Standing alongside her earlier singles—‘Bubble Wrap’, ‘Middle Ground’, and ‘January’—this track showcases her ability to fuse introspective lyrics with literally and figuratively haunting melodies. With comparisons to indie luminaries like Mitski and First Aid Kit easily and rightfully drawn, her trajectory has been meteoric, already earning her 10k monthly listeners, a nomination for the New England Music Awards’ “Pop Act of the Year,” and praise from over 60 radio stations across the US.

Ava’s music is a force propelling her into the heart of indie supremacy, and ‘Wishing Well’ solidifies her place as an artist who creates vessels of unfiltered soul, poised to resonate with listeners across generations.

Wishing Well was officially released on November 22nd; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mikey Mosher – ‘Tell Me!’: A Scuzzy Slice of DIY Indie Garage Rock Romanticism

Posted on 9 December 2024

If Fidlar and The Strokes met in a garagey middle ground and took a few production and vocal cues from John Grant, the result would reverberate in the same deliciously scuzzy vein as the latest self-written, produced and recorded single, ‘Tell Me!’ by the Chicago-based DIY musician and visual artist, Mikey Mosher.

With the only other hands brought to this single and self-shot and directed music video being Joseph at Freeman Mastering, it’s safe to say that Mikey Mosher has honed his multi-faceted talents enough to emerge as a master of all sonic trades.

The aesthetic of the release is perfectly complemented by the warm, saturation-rich visuals, which hark back to the DIY videos which reigned supreme in the era of indie sleaze; now that Gen Z is determined to live through the epoch they missed the first time around, Mikey Mosher is well-placed to make major waves throughout the US and beyond.

If you can’t get enough of the haplessly hopeless romanticism in ‘Tell Me!’, keep Mikey Mosher on your radar to stay posted on his new album, Atlantis, which is due to drop in early 2025.

The official music video for ‘Tell Me!’ dropped on November 26th; stream it on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Detroit Dreampop Diehard Romantic, Jessie Berkshires, Pulled All the Emotive Punches in Her Latest Single, Don’t Let Me Down

Posted on 6 December 2024

With her latest single, Don’t Let Me Down, Detroit-based indie artist Jessie Berkshires carved a new vein into the dream-pop pantheon. Opening with tenderly hammered minor piano notes entwined with a syncopated, trip-hop-inspired beat, the track balances warmth and alienation in bittersweet duality.

Beneath its polished production lies a raw exploration of the paradox of love and its ability to flood your world with light while igniting fears of the darkness of heartbreak. Berkshires’ lyricism pierces with its candour: the tension between vulnerability and the need for reassurance is as gripping as the delicate melodies that carry it. Her ethereal vocal delivery is perfectly framed by an instrumental arrangement that feels both spacious and all-consuming, like staring into a love you want to trust but fear will falter.

The balance of the raw, relatable emotion and the cold visualisations of romantic dissonance in the instrumentals allow Jessie Berkshires to establish herself as an artist who knows exactly how to amplify her lyricism with melodies which may be quiescent, but they know exactly how to pull the evocative punches.

Don’t Let Me Down was officially released on November 22 and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.  

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt-Indie Raconteur Mickey Haimes Shines Light on Shadows in his Debut Single, ‘Sunlight’s Exposure’

Posted on 6 December 2024
Mickey Haimes

With his debut single ‘Sunlight’s Exposure’, Guernsey-based singer-songwriter Mickey Haimes signalled that supremacy in the alt-indie scene is his for the taking by blending jazz, blues, and indie rock with the swagger reminiscent of Nick Cave. Supported by BBC Music in the Channel Islands, Haimes offers a candid tale of questionable life choices via an unflinching descent into past experience.

With a distinctive, soulful voice, he could harmonise his shopping list and still leave listeners mesmerised. His rugged yet sweet harmonies infuse smooth grooves with a warmth that only a true conduit of soul can provide. While most artists have to resort to experimentalism for authenticity’s sake, with Haimes, there’s a rare sense that his distinction breeds from unfeigned expression as he exudes a rare originality born from sincere expression.

The intricate, organic layers of ‘Sunlight’s Exposure’ paint a vivid portrait of a soul guarding its own shadow, serving as the perfect introduction to an artist already making major waves before his first official release reaches the shores of the alt-indie arena.

Already recognised locally as Guernsey Street Festival Performer of the Year 2022 and having graced the BBC Introducing stage at the Guernsey Together Festival 2023, Haimes reflected on his songwriting with the observation that “A gritty insight is a useful one, but a playful slant is what brings it to life.”

Sunlight’s Exposure will be available to stream on all major platforms from December 6th; discover your preferred way to listen via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ulysse Zangs turned the pages of a grief chapter with his artful installation of ambient folk in ‘Gone in Lust’

Posted on 5 December 2024

The opening sequence to Ulysse Zangs’ single, Gone in Lust, rivals the chill-inducing talents of David Lynch; it’s a slice of sonic arthouse cinema in itself. After the haunting discordance of the synths, a gentle acoustic guitar melody rises within the ambient folk production against the singer-songwriter’s diaphanously sweet vocal lines, which are just as caressive as Elliott Smith’s, with a nuanced alt-country twang.

As the single progresses with ethereal semi-lucid candour, the jarring synths pick their moments to rush through the release, adding a palpable sense of unease to the reverie of the single.

With every release orchestrated in an intersection of sound, movement and nature, Ulysse Zangs’ is so much more than an aural architect chiselling their legacy into the airwaves one release at a time. By pulling inspiration from a myriad of phenomena, their sound is as cerebral as it is invitingly intimate.

Given the filmic qualities of Gone in Lust, it is no surprise that Ulysse Zangs also scores for performance pieces, art installations and film. Their recently released EP, Idle Hands Or, which features Gone in Lust, is an exploration of grief and recovery; after the passing of his grandmother, Zangs returned to their hometown, a small village in Normandy, and set up a studio in their grandmother’s former home.

Speaking on the EP, the artist reveals, “This album feels like an invitation to slow down and contemplate—both the external environment and the inner landscapes of emotion. It reflects my journey of letting go of the past and arriving fully in the present moment.”

Gone in Lust is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Talking Hours cast the first stone in the indietronica blues-rock revolution with the swagger in their latest seminal release, Stop the Sound

Posted on 5 December 2024

The Talking Hours have returned as unrivalled pioneers of post-punk panache after a four-year airwaves hiatus with Stop the Sound, a track from their third LP, Transmissions to Missy. If you’ve ever wondered what The Black Keys would sound like if they traded in their vintage bluesy tones for indie hooks and Arcade Fire-style swagger, look no further.

Mauricio and Karie, the fierce force behind The Talking Hours, weave magnetic indie vocals through a dense fog of percussion and angular guitars that slice through the track with post-punk precision. The visceral rhythm and sharp riffs deliver jolts of energy while the vocals cut through, commanding attention with their arcane deliverances of deadpan drawls and euphonic harmony.

The way the duo push against the constrictions of sonic conformity by pairing rock, blues, and indie elements with electronic pulses amplifies the hypnotic gravity of Stop the Sound. You’ll come for the perfect equilibrium of style and substance, yet it is the emotive anatomy of Stop the Sound which allows it to establish itself as a playlist staple, with the same sense of magnetism as Editors and Interpol in spite of the abstract nature of the lyricism.

Stream The Talking Hours’ LP, Transmissions to Missy, in full via Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast