Sun-soaked hooks, throat singing, heart-on-sleeve confessions, and mysterious waves collide in this edition of indie/rock review. For full playlist, click here.
Ghost of Panama – “The Lift”
With “The Lift,” Ghost of Panama have very literally lifted off. The lyrics are simple, straight from the heart, no wasted words, no need for metaphor to hide behind.
The duo experiment with ambience, pace, and time signatures so well, and the bass and drums come in clutch every single time, holding the song together even as it shifts shape.
The vocals are toned beautifully, almost wise in their restraint, carrying a unique depth and a refined sense of finality that lingers well after the track ends.
Reetoxa – “You Deserve Better Than Me”
We recently reviewed ReetoxA’s “War Killer,” and we’re pleasantly surprised to see him pull up with an emotional, heart-on-the-sleeve track, “You Deserve Better Than Me.”
ReetoxA retains his signature songwriting on this one while doing a complete 180 on the style and tone of the track, sinc-er-ely killing it either way.
His self-awareness on this track adds another layer to the honest self-reflection that runs through so much of his music. It’s sincere even when he comes off as a “massive jerk,” and well, that’s kind of the point of the song.
The Sunmills – “The World Lights Up for You”
No matter how crappy your day has been, go out in the sun for a few minutes and like magic, you’ve never felt better. That feeling is exactly what The Sunmills have captured in “The World Lights Up For You.”
A beautiful, beautiful chorus that sonically nails that exact feeling of sun in your eyes. It sits right on the upbeat, happy end of whatever Jacob Collier’s “The Sun Is in Your Eyes” does to you, and honestly, it’s incredible.
Take this as your sign to seek the sun with your headphones on.
Nate Todd – “Shores of Galicia”
Nate Todd’s “Shores of Galicia” is structured so immaculately tight that it’s almost hard to review, because it sinks you straight into its world. On this track, the synths move like waves hitting the shore on a cloudy day, relentlessly consistent and, in their own way, inevitably peaceful.
Todd takes his time unpacking the emotion through the music. The track is meticulously layered with different VSTs and a few almost string-like piano presets that add a tinge of mystery to the whole thing.
Billy Caveman – “Ariel Cyclone”
Billy Caveman’s “Ariel Cyclone” has everything: drones, throat singing, and alternative vocal techniques, mashed together with a cool, punk, old-school rock energy into a track that effortlessly erases genre boundaries and lands squarely in resistance-forward indie territory.
With extremely commanding vocal control, Billy keeps the rhythm playful and fun, and you find yourself opening up to the basso profondo and the Indian classical tanpura drone out of sheer curiosity alone.
A delightful listen overall. 10/10, recommend.
For our previous indie/rock review, click here.
