The wonderful Izzy Bizu returns with her first single of 2020 called ‘Faded’.
Written in the aftermath of an exhausting fall-out that left her feeling drained, ‘Faded’ marks a strong new return for the acclaimed British singer.
Lashings of sway-inducing licks and subtle disco-pop, Izzy says of the song,
“It’s one of those weird feelings; when you’re with them you feel faded but when you’re without them you feel faded in another way; and you can’t decide if you want them in or out of your life.”
Sounds like: JONES, Zak Abel, Ella Eyre, RAY BLK, Gabrielle Aplin, Lady Gaga, Solange
The music of British-born singer/songwriter Ella M has a satirical message throughout, with a bold tendency to call out any haters and wannabes out there.
Now residing in Los Angeles, her new single ‘Too Cool’ speaks about exactly that – being left behind by a friend and replaced by a more interesting group of peers.
Joshua Worden recently hit a deeply introspective period and his new selection of releases shows this.
With an educational background in Jazz Guitar and English Literature, his music is stripped back and takes a slower pace these days, dabbling in R&B, pop, trip-hop, and chillwave. Listen to ‘Easy To Say’ featuring Casey Harper.
The Mexican dream-pop scene is bubbling away like a reactive volcano.
JunĂpero is the project of JoĂĄn Melendrez and Janelle Saucedo, who enjoy experimenting with transcendent thunderous and melodic sounds. Listen to their debut single ‘New Beginnings’ below.
Far West is, as you’ve guessed it, from the West Coast of the US, in California.
They have a unique take on bellowing indie/synthpop, reminiscent of the early ’00s. The new single ‘Can’t Let Go’ has big synth leads with a poppy vibe, and is written about trying to let go of something that isnât good for you.
Australian electronic duo Night Tales – aka amaliza (Australian-born Kamaliza Salamba, formerly of Olympic Ayres) and Third Floor (UK-born/Aussie-based Aaron Bannie) drop their 3rd single of 2020 titled ‘Feel Nothing.’
It’s a positively-led dance number with a tender touch, written about a relationship that is emotionally spent.
The heartbeat of her new single is a minimalistic down-tempo electro track with ethereal vocals and driving rhythm, which soon goes off-kilter as the ‘fear’ takes over.
First Bronze Whale are walking, next they are stopping.
Stripped right back, the minimal electronic track features fellow label mate and longtime friend, Poles. It’s about being dragged back into a relationship even when you know it’s toxic. Needing to see it through regardless of what it takes from you.
Rising Japanese star Nao Yoshioka is showcasing her modern R&B and soul.
Born in Japan, now living in the US, Nao has been perfecting her craft and working alongside legendary musicians in the scene to create an authentic & powerful new album ‘Undeniable’, out now. Listen to her slow and sensual single, ‘Up And Away’ featuring PHER.
Songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Hoddle – aka Mona Vale – has created an altogether chilled track called ‘All This Time’.
Starting in the pop realms and soon developing into an indie form of ambient electronica, the song is about the early stages of a relationship, setting nostalgic emotions on fire.
Swiss artist Melyz shares her provactive new single ‘Bad Together’.
with a hint of R&B club vibes, the song takes a darker approach than previous releases, as it considers how toxic and destructive a relationship can become when it gets too passionate.
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 – Thatâs 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 couldnât listen to any other song. Just this over and over. And itâs 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 Watersâ 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 SundfĂžr, Lykke Li, RALPH, Vera Blue, BANKS, Washed Out
Tessa Dixson oozes determination in a chic and playful manner. Her music is often hypnotising and mournful, yet strong.
We had a quick chat with Tessa to find out some more about how she got into music and those visuals.
Describe your sound in three words. Melancholic. Tauting. Honest.
How did you get into music?
Music has always been a part of my life growing up. I started dancing lessons when I was very young, music would play in our house all year round playing all sorts of different genres and opening my ear to music more and more, I took piano classes as well at a young age then taught myself to play the guitar and shortly after that took singing classes to work on my craft. I always knew I was going to end up making music.
Your music visuals are always exciting and interesting, do you put a lot of effort into planning these?
Absolutely, the visual aspect of Tessa Dixson is as important as the music for me. They go hand in hand. I have surrounded myself with the right people to put my ideas in place and to be honest I wouldn’t say I put a lot of “effort” in the visuals, usually when a song is created I already know how I want it to look and how I want to transcribe it visually.
What was it like winning this year’s De Nieuwe Lichting prize?
It was great. I had the opportunity to meet amazing new people and talents and it’s given me a big boost in my career. I am very grateful!
What are your plans for the rest of 2019?
Performing a lot! This summer will be my first festival season so I’m really looking forward to that because I know it’s a totally different vibe than playing indoors. And really just living my best life, working on music, going out with friends, profiting of my youth and perfecting my craft.
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
(A lot of what I’m listening to is not new but stuff I’ve just recently liked)
Tyler the Creator – Earthquake
Leon Bridges – Shy
Peggy Gou – Starry Night
Doja Cat – Juicy
Sunni colon – Mornin Dew
Solange – Weary
Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
Her new single ‘Ignited’ is out now on {PIAS} Belgium.
Sounds like: The xx, Kllo, Grace Carter, Lorde, Billie Eilish
We do like a good festival, and after hearing that NOS Alive in Lisbon, Portugal is up there as one the world’s best music festivals, we decided to plan a trip in July to find out what all the fuss is about!
In the mean time, buckle up and check out our ones to watch within the indietronica genres (looks like we’ll mainly see you at the Sagres Stage then!).
THURSDAY 12 JULY
Friendly Fires, Sagres Stage
Energetic Brit boys Friendly Fires return to the festival circuit after a hiatus.
Having already had massive success with hits such as ‘Paris’, ‘Jump In The Pool’ and ‘Skeleton Boy’, their new single ‘Love Like Waves’ doesn’t disappoint and continues the theme of tropical-tinged synth sounds.
Expect a highly fun and bold performance at NOS Alive.
Jain is a multi-cultural singer/songwriter and self confessed beat-maker, originally from France, but who has also spent time in Dubai and The Congo.
Jain means achieving liberation of the soul, and that’s exactly what this music embodies with its flecked sounds of African rhythms with simple, yet vibrant vocals.
Watch the video for highly recognised song ‘Makeba’ below and catch Jain at the Sagres Stage on Thursday.
One artist we are super stoked to check out live is Khalid.
The American singer/songwriter originally started writing music during his college years, where he was also declared prom king. Amalgamating an array of sounds from classical, pop to hip hop, Khalid shows a real sense of urgency in his music.
We can’t get enough of his track with Billie Eilish, and can’t wait to see him perform at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, James Blake, Billie Eilish
Sampha is to be one of the UK’s best musical exports in 2018.
He has a knack for writing songs with deep and personal lyrics of pain and reflection, some of which have unfortunately has stemmed from health hardships suffered with his family at home, and we can’t help but think we are supporting him on this journey.
Truly thought-provoking stuff, definitely worthy of a slot at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Frank Ocean, Solange, Moses Sumney, James Blake, Chet Faker, SBTRKT, Dallas Green
Future Islands‘ front man Samuel T Herring’s dancing is reason enough to go watch these guys at NOS Alive. And of course, the US synthpop band are wildly brilliant in as many unique, refreshing and inspiration ways possible.
Feisty feminist attitudes and catchy lyrics is what CHVRCHES brings to the table.
Lauren Mayberry has faced her fair share of trolls online, but to her testament, the Scottish trio continue to go from strength to strength. We are very much looking forward to this show!
Kicking off Saturday’s ones to watch are Lisbon natives, Lotus Fever.
They fit somewhere in-between Alt-J and Pink Floyd and it’s really refreshing to hear. We are expecting a super tight performance, thanks to their longstanding stint together since 2011 and it being their local city.
Their music has tendencies to sway in the 60’s, psychedelic market – imagine riding on a surfboard in space. However, we expect their set at NOS Alive to be a relaxed affair, where you can chill out and have a cider…or ride a surfboard in space, whatever takes your fancy!
Less under the radar than the counterparts in this piece, but still worthy of a slot on one’s to watch at this year’s NOS Alive. The mighty MGMT!
The eclectic US-based duo are known for their otherworldly take on modern indie rock music, often combining psychedelic synths, crunchy guitars and stodgy vocals with fun videos.
Sounds like: Empire of the Sun, Foster the People, Tame Impala, Portugal. The Man
Covering topics such as sexual abuse, suicide and alcohol abuse, Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) is one such musical role model we want to be more involved with.
His music represents such struggles and recoveries in a camp but delightfully magnificent way.
Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Kate Bush, M83, David Bowie, Future Islands, Fever Ray
With a warming lo-fi sound, Brooklyn-based dream team, Real Estate is our last act to consider watching at NOS Alive.
Run by childhood friends who played in their backyards during the summer months, Real Estate write simple and endearing songs full of luminous guitar riffs and delicate synths.
We envisage this show to be a perfect end to a perfect weekend.
Boston-based Nat Reed is an exciting new R&B artist.
Her ethereal sensuality works magic with the minimal electronic production used in her music, which creates an otherworldly experience for the listener.
San Francisco-based electro pop up-and-comer SUMif sets off 2018 alight with her new EP called ‘Pretty Cage’.
SUMif has already opened for indie and electro-pop darlings such as VĂRITĂ, Lauv, Ella Vos, KuÄka, and Little Boots, and hopefully a headline slot will be hers very shortly.
We don’t hear very much Swiss indietronica, but namaka‘s new song ‘Cellophane’ proves we should be listening to more.
Their music is both feminine and masculine; production both analogical and digital, as the band tackle the conflict of man vs machine in the most delicate and rough ways possible.
Do not be deceived, ‘Strange But True’ by Western Scene is not a Christmas song, despite the countless bells and chimes in the song. Instead, it is a call for decent music.
Formed by front man Tom Pritchard in Los Angeles, Western Scene is an indie rock band through and through, spending years self-producing music that has been written and recorded in bedrooms and studios across the coast.
‘Strange but True’ is out now via Grand Jury Music.
Another Montreal-based band to be included in this week’s SubmitHub gems.
Meet indie folk band, The Franklin Electric, who have shared their video for ‘Burning Flame’, a cinematic showpiece filmed in Toronto.
“This was a spontaneous last minute addition to the record about the fire that feeds us and brings us to do all the things we do, or ignore the things we don’t do but wish we had. A voice inside most of us that can easily be ignored but the burn is a constant reminder. This video was all about the casting! I walked in the day of the shoot and met George, who plays the main role in this music video. He is the most endearing, honest, pure, yet driven 17 year old kid I have ever met. From that moment I was sold on the director’s story & concept. I invite you to meet George for yourself.â
It’s taken from their sophomore album, ‘Blue Ceilings’.
Brooklyn-based singer Ava Raiin may have worked closely with the likes of Blood Orange, Carly Rae Jepsen and Solange, but what we are really interested in is her solo material.
‘Tree’, taken from Ava’s self titled album, has a sentimental R&B sound throughout, with modern vocal libs – a theme that runs throughout the album, and the main reason why she grabbed our attention.
Dreampop husband and wife duo Tennis ramp up the b.p.m on new single, ‘No Exit’.
It’s one of those songs that catches your breath upon first listen – woozy synths and vocals that are just about sensual enough to get you hot under the collar…no more, no less.
Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Stevie Nicks, Alvvays, Beach House
Meet Glassio, the alt-pop project of Sam Rad and Charlie P.
Glassio have put together a playlist for us about the influences behind their recent atmospheric cover of Iggy & The Stooges‘ ‘Search & Destroy’.
You can listen to/find out more below.
“These are 11 songs that played a role in influencing our production of âSearch & Destroy,â and that we still often reference when working on new music.
Individually, there might not be much in common with the cover, but there are elements from each that either exist in the cover or that we had on our mind when working on the track.
Most notably is the idm-electro inspired cover of âThere Is A Light That Never Goes Out,â by German producer Schneider TM –originally performed by The Smiths. That served as a specific influence by taking something from one genre and fitting it into another.
I (Sam) have also been listening to a lot of UK garage and 2-step lately. Sticky is one of my favorite producers in that area, and the song weâve included on here, âWar Rhythmâ played a big part in influencing a portion of the beat in the cover.
Lately, weâve both been digging deep into old Philly soul, MFSB, and then lots of 90s and early 2000s R&B. Thatâs been having a major comeback lately, and you can hear it all over the Chance album. The voices on âSame Drugsâ are particularly uplifting, and we wanted our voices in the gospel section of our cover to resemble the same mood.
âHeartbeatsâ by Joakim and âTransformer Manâ by NeilYoung are both basically singer-songwriter songs performed through vocoders, and that idea was really attractive to us, so we added that very faintly in the vocals on the first verse.
Our cover ends with a BeachBoys-inspired ending, emanating the trapped feeling that the vocals at the end of “âTil I Die” give off.
The playlist also starts off with a song by a former classmate of ours at Clive Davis. We never spoke in person, but his album is pretty fantastic, and definitely removes you from your current headspace with lots of controlled and orchestrated noise-rock. We wanted the ending of our song to have that same feeling.”
