Nashville-based singer-songwriter Molly Svrcina – aka SVRCINA – shares the wonderful Bree Marie Fish-directed visuals for ‘Flowers’, ahead of her debut full-length album release.
Having scored her first publishing deal ten years ago (she is only 23 years old!), this talented artist has blossomed and blossomed with her sparkling, yet vulnerable take on sync-ready synth-pop.
Speaking about the song, SVRCINA explains,
“‘Flowers’ is about the beauty that can be seen and created in every circumstance. It’s about clinging to an anchored hope that nothing in and from our lives will be wasted – even the worst, most painful aspects,” she admits. “The truth is that pain and suffering in life are unavoidable. Choosing to search for beauty in everything doesn’t ignore reality, but it believes and resolves that our spirits won’t be eternally crushed or blemished by the valleys we walk through.”
Ambient grunge-pop band Crush will be your latest just that.
Their latest single, ‘All My Plants Are Dead’ exhales Millenial dilemmas, of struggling to look after your houseplants, and yourselves in a bittersweet yet discordant offering.
Alt-pop band Sarpa Salpa always strive to create upbeat, danceable tracks with unexpected changes and hidden meanings. The new video for their single ‘Lost Time’ aptly features a selection of tour clips showing this.
With support from Jack Saunders and Bombay Bicycle Club, definitely tune into these guys.
Sounds like: Island Club, Larkins, FEET, Two Door Cinema Club
Very much up to date with indie-pop trends, UK based trio Cassia, shares latest jam, ‘Do Right’, which talks about waking up to what’s happening in the world and making a conscious decision of wanting to make a positive change.
The video is set in sunny isolation. We love their all round positivity and sun drenched calypso sound.
Sounds like: Dancing on Tables, Vampire Weekend, Bombay Bicycle Club, Still Woozy
R&B artist Chloe Tang shares her latest single, offering a less rosy-colored side of love and youth.
Full of angst, she tells us how it is in ‘Fanning The Flame’. This isn’t a romantic gesture, this is a slow burn about knowing you’re trapped in a bad romance and knowing you’re powerless to escape it.
Magnus Bechmann‘s new release, ‘What Do You Know’ is the first single out from his upcoming album, which chronicles nine awkward situations from everyday life.
Considering a situation where you find yourself in a relationship that is better to get out of than to stay in, this is glistening indie pop that marks a bright new chapter in Magnus’ career.
Sounds like: Two Door Cinema Club, Bombay Bicycle Club
We know very little about experimental pop newcomer, This Boy from Denmark.
The duo’s first single, ‘Heart Is Broken’ drops just a few weeks ahead of their debut album – an unusual and bold move in a single release-dominated pop landscape.
Runrummer – I Like Getting High (But Not All The Time)
Whilt growing up, 25-year old East London-based singer-songwriter Runrummer (real name Livi Morris) faced a struggle to find herself as she came to terms with her sexuality and gender identity.
Addressing serious issues in the juxtaposed context of upbeat, electronic-pop anthems, she aims to inspire and strives to work with other creators in the LGBTQ+ space.
Younger Hunger is making waves with new single ‘Second Best’.
Inspired by 90’s indie-rock guitars, chart-topping pop hooks, and emo lyricism, their sound is quite difficult to pin down, especially when they refuse to make the same song twice.
Musically sitting somewhere between APRE and Sea Girls, the Orange Country-based upstarts present us with a perfect contradiction.
Blog-house promoter Urchin (aka London-based producer Leo Appleyard) shares his new single, ‘Without No Fear’, out now on BonFire Records.
‘Without No Fear’ is the third track from the jazz-turned-indietronica musician’s sophomore EP, due out in January 2020, and features luxurious R&B vocals from Black Rose.
Sounds like: Kudu Blue, Kllo, Two Door Cinema Club, Von Sell, Ratatat
Jazz and neo-soul musician Birthh (real name Alice Bisi) was raised in Florence on a diet of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.
The new video for her single ‘Yello / Concrete’ was filmed between the Tuscan countryside and Milan and, as the visuals suggest, merge two unconventional sounds
Swedish duo I AM KARATE (aka producer and songwriters, Marta Pettersson and Erika Ahlström) shares new single, ‘Hey Love’.
Speaking about insecurity, the girls explain,
“The song is about insecurity and not feeling sure you’re being honest with your love. Like he’s got a secret world when he’s dreaming that you’re not a part of, and you wonder if it’s more than just dreams.”
Sounds like: Ralph, Say Lou Lou, MIYNT, Doe Paoro, Sirena, Susanne Sundfør, Shura, Kyla La Grange
German born, Los Angeles-based artist NoMBe shares his vibrant new single, ‘Paint California’, the first single from his sophomore breakup album, ‘Chromotopia’.
The leftfield leaning pop single perfectly encapsulates NoMBe’s butter-smooth vocals over the intricately created arrangement.
Sounds like: Du Tonc, Friendly Fires, Jungle, Vampire Weekend, Local Natives
Nottingham-born singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Ronika is back and sounding distinctively disco-noir.
Continuing Ronika’s inclination for all things funk and dream pop, the track features spoken-word contribution from Lee-Ann Curren (a French female pro-surfer and fellow musician) whilst also forming part of Ronika’s latest longer-form project.
Sounds like: ABBA, Chaka Khan, Aeroplane, Breakbot, Ballet School, Ladyhawke, Color War, The Human League, Little Boots, Bananarama, Annie
George Eve‘s music is quite frankly a melting pot of different sounds and rhythms.
From bold, expansive and inventive melodies to candid lyrics touching on love, heartbreak and isolation, it’s clear Eve will be forming his own path in the industry.
He has teamed up with Sam Duckworth as co-producer for the brooding single, ‘One track Mind’.
Canadian singer/songwriter Constance shares her effervescent sophomore single, ‘Work Hard’.
With smooth electronic production and lush vocals, her music continues to shed light through her raw and emotional lyricism exploring heartbreak, love, and loss.
20 year old Berlin-based artist Nina Chuba shares her most vulnerable release to date.
Written about treating herself better and muting those negative voices in her head, ‘Lips Shut’ is another urban leaning pop hymn from the unique artist.
Bristol-born pop three-piece KOKO have a natural wall of energy which they call the “KOKO traingle”.
They’ve just dropped the acoustic version of their debut single, ‘Freak’. Stripping back the electro-tinged original of their debut singl, it’s all about embracing individuality – “It’s a FU to the man!”
Has Gigi Rowe travelled from the 80’s just to release ‘Promises’? We think so.
The bright and eclectic artist brings the retro/futuristic sounds of that decade to life in the new single, as she boldly showcases her hot pink characteristics.
Fiery LGBTQ artist Lauren Sanderson has incredible drive. That’s clear from her music and attitude (not many people can say they’ve given a TED Talk at the age of 18).
Her new single ‘Upset’ flips the issues of the despondent Generation Z on it’s head.
Australian pop artist Phoebe Sinclair is a self-confessed emotional wreck, and this makes for intoxicating music.
Her new single ‘OMG’ is Sinclair taking ownership of her mistakes whilst not letting them define her.
Backed by a four-piece all girl ensemble, oozing confidence and power, and armed with a massive pop vocal, Sinclair smashes out electro pop tunes with an inescapable energy.
British artist Tallsaint releases the highly chic and addictive ‘Model Effect’.
Taking inspiration from early 2000’s tracks as well as a more modern pop culture of now – born from a visual scene in Killing Eve where Villanelle sees Eve in the bathroom for the first time and makes a comment on her hair.
Sounds like: Bat For Lashes, Anna of the North, Stereo Honey, RALPH, St Vincent, Lykke Li
Self-taught musician Beau Diako shares his new single called ‘Flamingo’, taken from his debut EP, ‘Flutter’.
Featuring neo-soul artist Jordan Rakei, the track is probably his most “pop” song from the EP, which is a glorious fusion of indie, jazz, folk, electronic and soul.
ANDRO may have plenty of experience touring in Jungle‘s band, but now it’s his time to shine.
His debut single, ‘GYMH’ (Give You My Heart) kicks off a new collection of theatrical pop melodies that balance between the ethereal and emotional, perfectly encapsulated by the beautifully shot video below.
Also from Nashville is singer/songwriter/producer John Luke Carter, aka Mokita.
Known for his lyrical and buoyant electronic-based pop, Carter was classically trained in piano in his youth and first started performing in his church. Later, he taught himself to play guitar and eventually transitioned into electronic music production.
His new single ‘Colorbind’ is an attempt to try and describe depression to someone who has never experienced it.
Sounds like: EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND, Nick Anthony, Luna Pines
Named after a harbour road that lead to the sea, unique Welsh songwriter based in London Penniless Cove, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist that writes raw, affecting music drawing from a number of different genres.
The music obsessive shares ‘Too Tight’ – a weird and wonderful array of jazz, blues and folk.
Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Björk, Ibeyi, Alev Lenz, Kate Nash
We love RALPH and her new single, ‘Last Time’ is distinctly addictive.
The track, inspired by a breakup, grooves with a mid-tempo beat and pulsating synths. RALPH says about the inspiration for the track,
“We all know break-ups are brutal. You miss your ex like crazy and spend so much time and energy trying to get over them, regardless of who broke up with whom. But when you inevitably see them at a bar or at a party, you’re suspended in this dreamy moment where the only thing that matters is touching them again and reliving those familiar moments of tenderness and passion. ‘Last Time’ is about ignoring that inner voice saying “don’t do it” because even though you know giving in will make everything more complicated, the temptation is too sweet.”
‘Last Time’ is the third single from RALPH’s upcoming EP titled ‘Fantasies & Flashbacks’, due 13 November.
Introducing Illyin Pipes, a blissed-out pop duo from Toronto.
Their mutual affinity for textured soundscapes, layered harmonies and heavy electronic synths, fully presents itself in their melancholic debut EP, ‘Waking Up’.
We asked Illyin Pipes to put together a playlist for Indietronica to coincide with the EP release.
Little Dragon – Feather Have always loved Little Dragon and Feather feels like a dreamy modern take on 80s synth-pop meets 90s trip-hop. I love a vibey vocal and airy synth over a driving bass line.
Arthur Russel – That’s Us/Wild Combination I heard this song for the first time two years ago and fell deeply in love with it. I had a challenging couple of months shortly after finding it and truly couldn’t listen to any other song. Just this over and over. And it’s still my very top favourite.
Radiohead – House of Cards Everything Thom Yorke touches is a dream to me. His solo releases are beautiful and I love his contemporary dance music videos. House of Cards is on this list because it’s so perfectly vulnerable, and my top pick from “In Rainbow’s” which I come back to all the time.
Brian Eno – The Big Ship I usually listen to Brian Eno’s hour-long tracks, but Big Ship is a cinematic, emotional shorty.
10CC – I’m Not In Love I discovered this song in high school and burned it onto a CD with a bunch of my other favourites at the time. Still playlisting it a decade later! It’s so soft and I love the weird whisper section partway through.
Hundred Waters – Murmurs I love Hundred Waters’ quiet vocals and acoustic piano over bold drum choices/effects.
Solange – Losing You Such a sweet pop song. Dev Hyne’s nails the writing/production.
Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place/Naive Melody David Byrne’s lyrics are amazing and the repetitive bass line makes me want to listen to it forever. The live version from “Stop Making Sense” is so good.
Jon Hopkins – Open Eye Signal This song transports me to a dark club fantasy in my mind. I have closed my eyes and danced to this song many times.
Aphex Twin – #3 (Rhubarb) This song is what got me into ambient music. Airy/calming/sweet/meditative. I often listen to it when I’m writing.
Blood Orange – Best to You Feat. Empress Of Another Dev Hynes track but a duet with Empress of. So dancy!
Beach House – Sparks I love the steady shoegaze-y guitar and alto vocals. I’m also a sucker for songs that don’t change chords at the bridge: altering the melody of the vocal for a moment, or going to an interlude is always my songwriting instinct.
Massive Attack – Teardrop The vocals are an inspiration: so close they’re almost whispered, then building dynamically at all the right times.
Washed Out – Feel it All Around Dreamy, lo-fi, psychedelic, synth-pop <3
The Cars – Drive Total 80s heaven. I love the subtle and emotional lyrics. We’ve covered this live a couple of times and it feels really nice to play.
You can listen to the EP below.
Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, Lykke Li, RALPH, Vera Blue, BANKS, Washed Out
Northern Irish four-piece Hunkpapa have been kicking up a storm in their native country, as well as across Europe.
Their new single ‘Cappuccino’ is as addictive and energetic as a caffeine high and encapsulates the band’s personal journey from paths of conventional careers to where they find themselves now.
Expect them to play a town near you in the Autumn.
Her latest single, ‘Stripes + Squares’ has received the remix treatment from producer veteran Penguin Prison (Chris Glover).
Further highlighting Julietta’s independent and spontaneous spirit, the percussive rework from the fellow NYC native injects body-shaking bass and warm tones from marimbas to turn the original rock-influenced bop into a truly anthemic tune.
Sounds like: Sofi Tukker, Ralph, Mating Ritual, Morgan Saint, NVDES
Reintroducing the music world to producer Darragh Nolan (aka Sacred Animals).
As the visuals for his new single, ‘Maya Liminal’ build into an electronic-fused, dream-like state, he draws the listener into an intense world, where one is asked to consider what it means to be a spirit living a human existence.
Expect the forthcoming LP, ‘Odin’s Wain’, out later in the year.
Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Son Lux, Ry X & Chromatics
We don’t usually share EPs on the site, but given the fact, we have already featured most of Noé‘s music on the site, it seems fitting to share the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter’s debut EP ‘ibynoé’.
It’s a proud collection of work that marks an end in Noé’s current musical chapter of dark and quirky indie, electro and R&B. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
London-based three-piece Rumours ply us with some smooth R&B-themed vibes on ‘Lights Down’.
Often running the length between indie pop, indie dance and contemporary R&B, they fluidly move from one genre to the next whilst maintaining their distinct sonic identity.
Nashville-born singer songwriter Michael McQuaid shares his latest track, ‘Alone Lonely’ – a song that stems from bad relationships filled with isolation.
Taking inspiration from blues and soul, the singer singer uses sparse electronics in order to create a smooth yet impactful composition.
20 year old Kean Farrer shares his new single about his current city abode, Berlin.
A talent ahead of his years, Farrar has developed a unique approach to alt-R&B that reflects Berlin, a city mixed in hedonistic nightlife and historical isolation. Seems like he might be on a roll…
Dark mountain pop duo Misty Mtn (pronounced misty mountain) shares new single ‘Drive’, taken from their debut EP ‘Missed Your Call’.
As with the rest of the EP, the song is absorbed with lavish synth-pop productions and effervescent vocals. Using five natural elements – moon, fire, water, mountains, forest – Misty Mtn creates a melancholic soundscape full of reflective storytelling.
Sea Girls is smashing it at the moment, getting bigger and bigger gig slots and playing to larger crowds. But perhaps this was the band’s destiny, following front man Henry Camamile’s fateful decision to start a band and play KOKO in London.
The new single ‘Damage Is Done’ is yet another blazing anthem, and perhaps the new soundtrack for the best night of your life.
Sounds like: The Kooks, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Swimming Tapes, Slow Riot, Two Door Cinema Club
