A selection of new and/or relevant indie/rock tracks that have recently left an impression on us. For the full playlist click here.
Eleanor Murray – “Just Like This”
Eleanor Murray’s love letter track “Just Like This” is intimate, meditative, and minimal with a McAlpine touch.
Soft-as-butter vocals and syrupy intonations let each sentence land directly into your heart, through a steady rhythm ramp coated with a shimmery guitar tone and a pillowy bass that’s ready to pick up any fallen words.
With a bare-bones production that proves less is more, Eleanor humbly sings to impress everyone that’s listening in, ending the track with silent space to let everything settle in before you move on with a warm feeling in your chest.
Erik Neimeijer – “Green Eyed Soul”
Erik Neimeijer’s “Green Eyed Soul” is a concert-certified banger that’ll have the crowds head-banging non-stop, spilling drinks with no care in the world. Erik’s vocals have a distinct punch that can ripple through stadiums without accompaniments.
The new-age track doesn’t fall short in any aspect – technical or creative, making it a thoroughly enjoyable journey. The arrangement is rich with no time to spare for silence. From 0 to 3:14, “Green Eyed Soul” is in full throttle. No stops. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Zak Coghlan – “Lead Balloon”
Zak Coghlan is back with a second single, “Lead Balloon”, that leaves no doubt about the skills and the musical instinct he carries.
“Lead Balloon” is deeply indie bleeding into pop rock. It is narrative-driven, instinctive, and carries that teenage urgency we’re all familiar with. The pacing gives you a rush that you get watching your favourite pair on TV throw caution in the back seat and drive to someplace where no one else’s rules apply.
The gestures are in the details as Zak’s inner thoughts slip into the lyrics, creating an honest and slightly nostalgic track with a punkish undercurrent.
All in all, “Lead Balloon” is familiar enough to feel like home and alive enough to make you leave it all behind.
Devan – “Wyatt Earp”
Devan found his niche and put a fence around it with “Wyatt Earp”.
The track boasts thick and muscular vocals that have seen some things. The acoustic rings and the crowd shouts belong in the canon of coming-of-age cinema.
Imagine boxing instructor Brad Pitt sauntering in with bandaged knuckles ready for another win. This was the song that was playing in the background. You just didn’t know it yet.
The production makes bold choices with whiny guitars, a sweltering bass, and drums that sit so far back in the mix that they’re practically a rumour.
However, they’re also the rules of Devan’s niche, giving it strong indie credibility and conviction without affecting the swag factor.
Justin Sconza – “What A Beautiful Day”
Justin Sconza throws a surprise party in the first five seconds of “What A Beautiful Day”, somehow already knowing you’ll love every bit of it.
This is a song for lying flat on your back in the park and staring at the sky until you see loopy little dots darting around, with your body fully relaxed to care about anything else.
The arrangement is loopy and fun, and the sonic texture reminds you of an arcade that packed up and moved outdoors, with spiralling video game sounds and dance battles set out in the open grounds with a mountain view and gushing rivers.
It’s a happy feeling. Besides, what else is the point?
Find our previous indie/rock reviews here.
