A selection of new and/or relevant INDIE tracks from AUGUST 2026 that have recently left an impression on us. For the full playlist, click here.
Dan Webb – “Things Rise and Fall”
Dan Webb presents a different perspective on the concept of change on his new single “Things Rise And Fall,” the second single from his upcoming album Lion Dance. He was inspired by Taoist philosophy while creating the ditty that challenges the idea that moving backwards automatically means failing.
This song comes from a transitional period in Daniel’s life after he moved from Melbourne to Singapore. The entire song is instrumental, with a hasty pace with a lot of things happening at the same time. It’s a sonic reflection of the stress of moving countries when a lot of things happen rapidly and you are only left to cope with those. The drums are fast, the synth crafts the main hook and the bass work gives the track dynamics.
With contributions from bassist Logan Kane, drummer Clive Deamer, string arranger Stevie Blacke, and percussionist Nate Werth, the track reflects the acumen of all musicians coming together creating beautiful harmonies in sync.
Life doesn’t always move upward, and that’s okay. Sometimes you’re growing, sometimes you’re falling, and sometimes you’re simply figuring things out. Webb makes peace with the whole cycle in this track.
Throes NYC – “Always, Baby”
THROES NYC opens their new EP The Wires Out with “Always, Baby,” a dark alt-pop track that feels perfectly suited to a 2 a.m. walk when your brain suddenly decides it’s time to overthink everything.
The song creates its soundscape by amalgamating trip-hop rhythms, electronic textures, and melodic pop. It’s slow but steady, the vocals are melancholic but full of grit and attitude. There’s a clear connection to New York’s 90s and 2000s music scene, but modern production keeps the track feeling fresh. The production gradually becomes more spacious and atmospheric.
If you love artists like Lana Del Rey, you’ll love this song. Distorted guitars add more personality to the track.
At its core, the song is about loyalty and choosing to stick around when relationships get complicated. What starts as a relatively direct pop song slowly opens up into something darker and moodier. It’s romantic, slightly mysterious, and definitely worth adding to your late-night rotation.
Lee Miller Matsos – “Love Came Home to Stay”
Lee Miller Matsos gives grief a new colour and a melody on new single “Love Came Home to Stay, “ from his EP Metamorphosis, Pt. 3. Written during the lonely early days of the pandemic, the song deals with loss. However, his perspective is rather positive and not completely rooted in sadness.
A firm opening beat, gentle acoustic guitar, and soft piano create the foundation of the soundscape, while Matsos’s rich vocals add depth and dynamics. His natural vibrato is a noteworthy element and adds character to every line, making the performance feel intimate and not robotic.
The lyrics talk about mundane moments and also the heavier reality of losing someone, but in a hopeful way. Matsos suggests that carrying your own pain can eventually help you understand and support someone else’s, in other words, empathy. This thoughtful idea gives the song more depth than a straightforward heartbreak ballad.
Layered backing vocals, shimmering cymbals, and fuzzy guitars gradually add energy without drowning out the intimacy. The song is a reminder that although grief changes us, love has a stubborn way of sticking around.
Teanko – “Between Two Selves”
Teanko’s “Between Two Selves,” is a classic rock song about a major life change suddenly upturning your entire world. And then you are left to figure out who you are when the constant chase finally stops. The song was inspired by the artist’s transition into retirement, the track looks back at old photographs, music, and past ambitions. It oozes nostalgia but also remains hopeful.
The lyrics are thoughtful and relatable. Teanko doesn’t romanticize his past but sees every version of him throughout his life as part of the same journey. The line, “But this is where I’m exactly meant to be,” captures that feeling perfectly.
The soundscape is simple yet punchy, letting the words take precedence.The song is starting a fresh chapter. You can move forward without constantly rushing toward the next thing, and sometimes knowing where you are is enough.
