Faux Canada is a SF-based indie pop band whose “Stockton” grabbed our attention. The group is heavily inspired by the early 00s (and also 90s shoegaze and grunge) and that all comes out on this peppy single. Full of upbeat riffage, bouncing basslines, and relatable lyrics, “Stockton” is a good time all the way through for any indie rocker – turns out we’re all just “shitty kids from shitty cities” after all!
Lately, we’ve been digging the ethereal indie rock from Austin singer/songwriter Tiny Dolphin. We recommend starting with “Come Apart,” a piano and synth driven banger that brings to mind other reverb-soaked crooners like Coldplay, Copeland, or Tame Impala. Fans of pop, rock, electronica, or acoustic music will all find something to like in Tiny Dolphin’s offerings – check it out via the widget below.
Washington, DC act Mystery Friends are a dancy indie pop band whose “See Right Through” caught our ears. Their latest offering, “See Right Through,” pairs powerful vocals with buzzy synth tones and plunky guitars and bass. This one is sure to get your head bobbing – fans of Alvvays, Charly Bliss, or CHVRCHES will dig Mystery Friends’ vibes. Past & Future Self by Mystery Friends
Nerdiest or coolest band name ever? Either way, “Wizard Daughter” from Brooklyn act Teen Girl Scientist Monthly is a fun indie-jangle jam set off by delightfully squiggly keyboard accents. If you like what you hear via the widget below, be sure to swing over to their Bandcamp page – they just came out with a new album. Fans of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Motion City Soundtrack, or Diet Cig will dig this one.
If you are looking for a rowdy aural pick-me-up, check out the latest from UK funk-punkers The Bugles. “Give Up” is an absolute rager, pairing nimble basslines with ska-flavored guitar upstrokes and a distinct UK vibe. Fans of Kasabian, Bloc Party, or Vampire Weekend will find something to like here. Be sure to add it to your Spotify playlist.
Harlan is the moniker of TN native Harlan Hutton. We’re smitten with her latest offering, “Fingertips;” it’s full of thick chorus-laden guitars and lilting vocals from the promising 21 year old. Her new self-titled album is available now (check it out on Bandcamp) – be sure to get acquainted with “Fingertips” if you’re already a fan of TOPS, Alvvays, or Crumb
Paris synth-pop duo Their Names have crafted a deeply groovy sound, most evident on their latest single, “Closer.” The duo revels in warbly synths and disco-esque rhythms, giving this song a very tight, retro feel. Beyond the subtle tambourine and synth hits, the smooth vocals are what really makes “Closer” such a jam. Check it out below – “Closer” is out now on Cookie Records.
Canadian quintet The Drug Rugs charmed us with the upbeat indie pop of “Sandbar.” Full of deep swirly chorus tones and an upbeat, jangly demeanor, this fresh faced crew mixes elements of pop, psych, and indie rock. If anything, “Sandbar” is certainly indicative that these musicians are destined for good things. Fans of Best Coast, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer, or Alvvays. Sandbar (Single) by The Drug Rugs
LA three piece The Haunts subscribe to the less-is-more ethos, aka “minimum members, maximum sound.” They manage to sound huge on their post-punky garage-pop single, “Proverbs,” a guitar-driven, reverb-soaked jam that is reminiscent of early to mid-aughts heroes like The Thermals or even the White Stripes. Be sure to stick around for the “woo” laden chorus.
Boston based indie rocker Gatch writes paradoxically sad beach music – case in point his catchy new jam, “Time Goes On.” Gatch backs up his simple vox with squiggly keyboards and a drum loop that brings early 90s pop music to mind. It’s a summery song with a retro feel that gave us that beachy feeling while still plucking on our heartstrings a bit – give it a listen below.
If you’re a fan of mad flow and breakneck beats, we recommend the latest from Costa Coast. The New Jersey native caught our ears with “Hereditary” – Costa’s aggressive style and nimble rhymes propel this one forward at maximum intensity. Be sure to stick around for the earworm “da na na na na” (and ras and las) in his choruses.
Sleepy Soul is a mysterious duo who mixes a bit of soul, a bit of funk, and a touch of indie into their electronic jams. We’ve been jamming on “Still Can’t Dance,” which is a really cool song on its own (think Sylvan Esso or Phantogram), but it’s truly set off by its inspirational music video… It’s a familiar story, one where a young man learns to dance like a true champion. Stick around till the end for a surprise twist.
Montreal act Bodywash slid their washy brand of indie rock directly into our inboxes… And it worked out for them. “Reverie” starts out with a Radiohead-esque riff layered thick with synth pads but quickly adds a buoyant bass riff and tight drums to give it a feel of their own. This one is a happy juxtaposition of indie pop and mesmerizing soundscape – check it out below or give them some support via Bandcamp.
Jejune Stars ain’t just a Bright Eyes song anymore – it’s actually a gauzy, shoegazy indie rock act from San Antonio, whose “Concrete Bedsheets” has been rubbing us in all the right ways. Pair off-in-the-distance vocals with warbly, swirly guitars; washy drums; a smattering of keyboard; and an omnipresent bass thump. The vaguely lo-fi approach here is what really sends this one into the stratosphere – check it out via Bandcamp. Jejune Stars by Jejune Stars
Indie electropop is the bees knees – especially when it plays with funky time signatures. Halfloves is a quintet from Iowa, and their latest jam, “Small Hours,” kicks right off with a 10 beat rhythm. Beyond that ear-catching switch up in feel, the song is a pulsating, indie rock/synth pop hybrid, pairing a hooky chorus with lots of juicy and crunchy synth tones. The best part – they jam it all in beneath the three minute mark. Check it out below.