Browsing Tag

NYC Indie

Indie pop’s most endearingly ruthless renegade, Stella., struck again with his latest earworm, Friendly Reminder

Posted on 1 October 2024

Stella. reached his subversive zenith with his latest alt-indie pop earworm, Friendly Reminder, which is anything but what it says on the tin. The neon-lit synth lines may deliver nothing but pure euphoria, but the lyrics, as they pour from the singer-songwriter’s euphonic vocal register, reach the epitome of ruthlessness to remedy anyone who still carries contempt for their toxic exes.

The sticky-sweet synth-pop hooks and Stella.’s organically seraphic harmonies honey the cathartically cut-throat lyrics, making you almost second guess the reprises given the juxtaposition between the butter-wouldn’t-melt textures and the vindicating attestations to how healing doesn’t always need to lead to wishing the best for someone who deserves to discover that karma is an even bigger bitch than they are.

If you constantly find yourself tied to trauma bonds, follow Stella. like your life depends on it; he’s a rare artist that can cut through the static of superficial pop, hit close to the bone and deliver anthems that are as infectious as they are empowering.

As an ingenious way of supporting his new release, the NYC singer-songwriter developed his own dating app; swipe your way into your next clusterfuck situationship here.

Friendly Reminder was officially released on September 27; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Follow Stella. on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Eyelash’s indie post-punk debut, Dark Shadow, glistens with gothic glamour

Posted on 30 April 2024

The Eyelash has made their debut with “Dark Shadow,” an instant indie post-punk classic that marries Johnny Marr’s angular guitar stylings with the enchanting vocal power of NYC’s Daphne. This cross-Atlantic aural affair showcases a rare synergy, weaving together the morose melancholy of British strings with the cavernous depth of homegrown American vocals.

As the track unfolds, listeners are treated to a guitar line that feeds a quintessentially British sense of gloom, perfectly complemented by Daphne’s raw, tortured and taut vocal timbres. Her voice cuts through the gothic harmonies, to resonate with fans of Siouxsie Sioux while adding a modern twist to the nostalgic undertones.

Formed in 2024, The Eyelash is a two-piece band comprising electric and bass guitarist Tom from Eastern England and vocalist Daphne from New York City. “Dark Shadow” was penned amid the rainy, melancholic waves of the Jurassic Coast and recorded in the equally melancholic but lit-up Manhattan, embodying the geographical and emotional landscapes of its creators.

This track is more than just a debut single; it’s a formidable statement of intent from a duo poised to storm the alt-rock scene. The song invites listeners to explore the haunted corridors of an eloquently poetic psyche, pulling them into a relatable disquiet. The Eyelash promises not only a reflection of our own shadows but a journey through the spectral realms of indie post-punk with every chord and verse.

Dark Shadow was officially released on March 26th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Super Love – Tell Me: An Alt-Rock Rebellion of Societal Oblivion

Posted on 29 March 2024

Super Love, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, has unleashed ‘Tell Me’, a single that picks up where Le Tigre left off by blending lo-fi synthetics with complex time signatures and brashly protestive indie rock guitars. It defies convention and expectation, inviting listeners into a perception-shifting atmosphere which vindicates anyone trying to find meaning in a post-truth society.

The song’s unusual 7/4 time signature, combined with classic rock instrumentation and synths, creates a unique earworm which will pull you into the unapologetic rebellion time and time again. The dual vocal lines add a layer of dynamism to the track. While Jared’s imploring tones seek sanctity in these tumultuous times, Constance brings fire and frustration, painting a lyrical vignette of our contemporary search for salvation and optimism amidst fears of collective oblivion.

‘Tell Me’ is a rare feat – a single that not only ticks all the sonic boxes but also connects profoundly on a lyrical level. Super Love’s ingenuity shines through in this release; their ‘autonomous indie’ style, influenced by the local vibes of New York City, incorporates elements from various sub-genres, including punk and jazz, while never attempting to stay within the confines of any style or sound.

Tell Me was officially released on March 29th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tim Miscavage ethereally distorted grungy indie rock in his latest standout single, All the Work

Posted on 17 December 2023

Tim Miscavage’s latest single, All the Work, is an intoxicating foray into the realm of introspective rock, where Miscavage not only writes and performs every element but also infuses his music with a raw, authentic energy.

The single begins with a hauntingly ethereal distortion which brings swathes of quiescence to Korn’s iconic Freak on a Leash basslines. However, Miscavage takes this inspiration and transforms it, weaving ambience and contemplation into the song’s fabric. The result is a piece that is both reflective and lamenting, yet undeniably gripping.

What sets All the Work apart is its ability to gently persuade the listener, drawing them into its depths without overwhelming force. This subtlety is the antithesis of the rock tracks that have evidently inspired Miscavage, yet it’s this very contrast that makes the song so affecting. The track doesn’t just play; it breathes and evolves, taking the listener through its layered composition.

His vocals, too, are a standout feature. They convey a sense of earnestness and vulnerability that is rare in today’s music scene, further enhancing the introspective nature of the track. The production is equally commendable. It strikes a perfect balance between clarity and distortion, allowing each element to be appreciated without losing the raw, unpolished edge that gives the track its character.

All the Work was officially released on December 5th; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get your teenage kicks from Sweetboy’s latest indie power-pop installation of nostalgia, Day in the Park

Posted on 14 October 2023

If you are looking for a new indie-pop outfit to get your teenage kicks from, or reminisce from kicks from yesteryear, get ready for the impact of Sweetboy’s latest single, Day in the Park.

After finding each other on Craigslist in 2018, the founding members, Anna Barnett and Jon Flores, put momentum into their dream of pursuing a music career; armed with classical piano training and a background in English Literature respectively, Sweetboy took the NYC scene by storm when they started to tour the live circuit and amass more members.

With the demureness of Debbie Harry, the vocal lines will draw you right into the nostalgic gravity of the release, which bolsters itself with soaring riffs between the cutting angular guitars and a solid backbeat that feeds you all the power pop furore you could ask for.

A Day in the Park is the first single to be released from the debut LP of the same title; if you like your vibrato vocals to be affecting and instrumentals infectious in their sticky-sweet retro glamour, save a space on your radar.

Day in the Park was officially released on September 22; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Deadpan indie rock icons in the making, Hairpin, walk ‘The Line’ in their latest earworm

Posted on 16 December 2022

Fans of deadpan indie in the same vein as John Grant, Spector and Jack Ladder will be just as hooked on the sardonic candour in Hairpin’s earworm of a sophomore single, The Line.

With a funk-riding indie disco beat as the backbone to the track that allows angular guitar melodies and gravelly post-punk-Esque basslines to form arrestive progressions under the magnetic indie drawling vocals as they lament the frustrations of contemporary connections, it is all too easy to succumb to the grip of the snappy, swanky hit.

The NYC independent five-piece, fronted by Nate Pozin, self-produces all their material, allowing it to retain its autonomy, which has seen the up-and-coming outfit make short work out of making their mark in the industry.

So far, they have sold out every show in New York by word of mouth alone. In a time where alt-indie rock success stories are tragically few and far between, it speaks volumes of their revolutionary capacity to win over a crowd and forge playlist staples from their home studio.

The Line is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rebel Kicks takes the existential weight off with their indie pop-rock track, ‘Floating’.

Posted on 14 April 2021

There’s no better breeding ground for power pop than NYC, as proven by the latest release, ‘Floating’, by Rebel Kicks. With similarities to evocative pop-rock outfits such as The Calling and Lifehouse, the brother-fronted duo welcomes you into a familiar soundscape before setting themselves apart with their angular indie jangle-pop guitar notes and the sincerity in their optimism.

Rebel Kicks’ tour plans may have been crushed by the pandemic, but they still endeavoured to lead their listeners to a brighter perspective after recognising the dangers of internal reflection. In short, Floating is an invitation to cut through the noise and reserve energy for positivity. It’s an invitation that you don’t get much of an option in accepting thanks to the infectious positivity.

Floating is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ry sends us post-covid inspiration with real ”Talking To Myself”

Posted on 28 July 2020

Ry Lee is an artist-producer from Binghamton in the United States. He dances his way onto the floor with ”Talking To Myself”. This is an 80’s inspired journey from soul, funk back to electronica.

The mysterious producer and engineer from NY is here with a brand new song that spikes our interest in earth travelling waves. Ry has a style that is a truly intriguing edm song that fills our speakers and marshal’s a return to the dance floor. Soon. In the meantime we can play this loud and send it to many a friend.

”Talking To Myself” is a fabulous release from Ry who is a fantastic young artist who is on the way to fitting heights with his smooth edm style. This is a well-done song that has been playing in my ears again and again. This artist has reached the end of the line with lockdown and is starting to get tired of being at home. He misses the conversations of real humans.

Stream this new covid inspired song here on Soundcloud.

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Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Gooseberry’s latest single “The Protagonist” becomes a new contender for the catchiest Alt Indie track of the year.

Posted on 5 July 2020

NYC Alt Rock artist Gooseberry has returned with their unique infusion of Rock, Blues and Indie with their latest single “The Protagonist”. You could listen to the radio all day and still not encounter a catchier track.

With Courtney Barnett included in Gooseberry’s lyrical influences and Foo Fighters lending instrumental inspiration, The Protagonist is a gritty deftly stylised anthemic hit. It’s rare that we can say that the melodic hooks are just as sharp as the lyrical wit.

You’ll find the whole tonal palette served up in The Protagonist. From hazy warm Psych Pop tones to overdriven grinding guitar licks. The only constant in the dynamic hit is the magnetic accordance from the vocals which verse the highly relatable lyrics. I think we can all get behind the sentiment “The TV is all that’s real” after 3 months in lockdown.

You can check out Gooseberry’s single The Protagonist by heading over to Spotify.

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Review by Amelia Vandergast