A selection of new and/or relevant indie/rock tracks that have recently left an impression on us. For the full playlist click here.
Michael Wu – “The Other Side”
Michael Wu, a New York-based indie rock artist,’s in-depth rock understanding comes through in his latest single, “The Other Side”.
Being the 4th single release, “The Other Side” explores the discomfort that comes with being part of a race where you’re always behind. Extrapolating the idea onto us – the listeners – Michael reassures us of being in the same damn boat.
Simply put, “The Other Side” succeeds in weaving a complex social identity into a simple rug of thoughts that we’ve all been wrapped in at some point in life, with commendable ease, and that’s worth the listen.
Meelu – “Candlelight”
Meelu’s “Candlelight” reminds me of Dodie’s production style. Light, breezy, layered harmonies and thin, airy vocals almost always work perfectly with imaginative lyrics that transport you into the world they create.
The deeply emotive, intimate lyrics on the fear of losing someone close are balanced by all the technical decisions made on the track. The upbeat tempo, wall of sound mixing, and ambient tones centre everything and nothing at all simultaneously.
Closing with a recovering, hopeful chant of, “Figure it out… Picture it now”, the track fades slowly, with hope and acceptance.
Boilermen – “Curious Thing”
“Curious Thing” from Boilermen’s debut album, A 1000 Words on Sound, is a compact 1:50 seconds piece that says what needs to be said and bows out gracefully. With an identifiable calm-in-chaos approach, the band shies away from sticking to traditional structures and finds its raw flow that’s intriguing and definitely worth listening to.
Following the old-school punk rock sound with laid-back telephone EQ vocals, compressed guitars, and a relentless drumming pattern, “Curious Thing” compels you to jump and sing along.
The best part is, as abrasive and out-of-touch the song starts to sound, the more relatable and human it sounds. And that’s props to the Boilermen for carefully preserving that raw bite in the song.
