UK-based artist-producer duo Telemarkk (aka Max Berg and Asad Siddiqui) know how to write an indietronica jam – case in point, “Bloom.” Full of groovy bassline funk, gauzy synth swells, and a driving dancefloor beat – “Bloom” encapsulates the retro bombast of the 80s while still sounding distinctly 2021. Fans of Daft Punk or Tame Impala are gonna eat this one up. Check it out – “Bloom” is available via Soundcloud. Telemarkk · Bloom
Tried-and-true 90s kid and failed hipster (his words, not ours) Brett Newski has been all around the world playing his brand of brash indie rock… Fun fact: his band is allegedly the first documented band to ever be thrown out of a Wal Mart for playing an unlicensed show. That should tell you all you need to know about his music. His latest, “Life Underwater,” is distinctly 90s influenced with overblown acoustic guitars and just-barely-peaking vocal deliveries. It’s a definite jam, and for what it’s worth, we think Newski’s personality shines through on this. Check it out first via YouTube below – then swing by Spotify to find Brett’s entire discog.
Dolorous is up to something, we just know it. The mysterious multimedia artist (perhaps best known for his music) knows how to hide a unique tale inside of an otherwise innocuous bedroom-pop song. “Arson” sounds like it could be a love song with it’s lovelorn falsetto crooning and Casio-tone clavi-esque backbone… But it’s actually a story about a serial arsonist. We love the juxtaposition of catchy lo-fi indie pop and sinister lyrics and we think you will too – fans of Porches, Still Woozy, and Say Hi should enjoy this a lot. Check out “Arson” below – you can also find Dolorous’ entire catalog on Spotify. Dolorous · Arson
We’ve recently been jamming on this glam rock/folk punk bop from NY-based duo Women of the Night. Reminiscent of Wilco or Son Volt, “Lonesome Love” feels sincere and bedroomy while still embodying a uniquely appropriate “wild-west” alt-country vibe. Besides a healthy dose of swagger, “Love” also features a bunch of tasteful slide guitars and great lyrical storytelling. Check out “Lonesome Love” below – you can also find it on Bandcamp and Spotify. Women of the Night · Lonesome Love
Seattle’s Fixtures are an angular math rock act creating music in the vein of the Dischord Records sound – think Metz, Bear vs. Shark, or Pile. Our latest recommendation, “Never Rest,” twists and turns with twangy guitar stabs and gravel-voiced vocals soaked with angst and emotion. As with most math-based music, the nuances here are best heard for yourself to be appreciated fully – check it out below. You can check out “Never Rest” below via Soundcloud – Fixtures’ debut LP, Life In Retreat, (upon which “Never Rest” resides) can be found on Spotify. Fixtures · Never Rest
El Quixotic snagged our attention with this groovy slow-jam called “[Your Heart] Is Long Gone.” Part vaporwave, part bedroom-pop, “Heart” pulses with synth swells; reverb-soaked breathy vocals; and a perfectly chill drum presence. Our recommendation – lay back, close your eyes, and let this one take you to a place far, far away. You can find “[Your Heart] Is Long Gone” on YouTube below, or swing by Spotify for some streaming action.
Here’s some great EDM-flavored indie-pop all the way from Sweden’s. On “On My Own,” Ben Phipps injects infectious dancefloor elements – think a driving beat and a warm, synth backbone – into an otherwise relaxing and soothing song. Our favorite part: Phipps chops a vocal melody into an earworm made of indistinguishable noises… Gibberish or not, it’s the work of a master producer. We loved this one – listen below to see if you agree. It’s also on Spotify if that’s more your speed. Ben Phipps · On My Own
We’ve featured both Kent Odessa and BRAIN TAN before – Kent’s tune “Palms Motel” and BRAIN TAN’s singles “Moth” and “New Light” all had us captivated for their excellent production work and hypnotic grooves. Needless to say, we’re super jazzed on “Comatose” which finds the duo collabing together into another monster tune. With just enough 2021 warble to keep it fresh, “Comatose” has all the excellent production and hooky vocals we’ve come to expect from these two… It’s certainly the best of both worlds (and we think you’ll agree). Check it out via Soundcloud below, or add it to your favorite Spotify playlist. Kent Odessa · Comatose
There’s just something about this Austrian synthwave collab between Leitstrahl and Nicole Jaey. Their creation, “Chevrolée,” is a certified dancefloor banger that ticks all of our boxes – danceable beat? Check. Nostalgic feel with modern production? Check. Big vocal melodies and a catchy chorus? Check and check. The 80s-esque dance production from Litstrahl is just a perfect vehicle (pun intended) for Jaey’s vocal presence… We’re here for it. There’s no way this one won’t get you moving. Hold on tight while you check it out via YouTube below or Spotify for streaming.
Here’s an excellent song all the way from Oslo, Norway – Veps caught our ears/eyes with their latest offering, “Ecstasy.” Between bites of lollipops; mangling cakes with their hands; and lots of air-guitar/karaoke madness, this quartet hit us hard with their excellent brand of emotional indie rock. Forlorn piano and guitar lines mix with interesting lyrics, all delivered with a number of irresistible hooks. Fans of HAIM, Warpaint, and Beach Bunny will find lots to love here – check out the fun, DIY-flavored video below. Looking for ways to enjoy Veps’ music? Check out their SmartURL for lots of options.
Here’s some ultra-smooth electropop from Australian acts BOO SEEKA and Golding. “Don’t Waste Your Love” has a throbbing bass presence, super-polished production, and ear worm falsetto whispers – this was absolutely tailor-made for the dancefloor (yes, even if the dancefloor is just your living room). The song makes you want to move, but isn’t without it’s depth – it also touches on the struggles of mental health without ever losing its pop sparkle. We think this one is a shoo-in for your playlists – check it out below before adding it to your Spotify playlists. BOO SEEKA · Boo Seeka x Golding – Don’t Waste Your Love
Denton, TX quartet Dome Dwellers are about to blow your mind with their latest offering… “Way It Goes” starts mesmerizing you immediately – a seemingly impossible guitar creation comes out of nowhere. As if that wasn’t enough, they eventually move into faerie dust synth splashes and mind-numbing math rock tapping. It’s ultra creative and the perfect amount spastic; we can’t say we’ve ever heard anything quite like it. Fans of Maps & Atlases, Minus the Bear, and early Portugal. the Man are gonna eat this one up. Check it out below – Dome Dwellers are also on Spotify.
Pittsburgh-based trio Calyx have to be experienced to truly understand… Part post-punk, part raw emo, part math rock, we couldn’t help but be hypnotized by their latest offering “Noseeums.” Rolling drumbeats, twisting guitars, blistering bass riffing, and heartfelt vocals propel this enigma forth – not to mention the chainsaw-art music video that comes along with it. Most importantly – “Noseeums” feels both explosive and sincerely hurt… And we absolutely love that from-the-heart feel. Check out the video for “Noseeums” below – they’ve got a Linktree for other ways to listen/support too.
Last time we checked in with Norwegian indie rocker Kristian Grostad, we were feeling the upbeat vibes of his single, “Feels Lighter.” He’s back again with the same brand of irresistible indie rock, this time with a song called “Summer is Over.” Springy leads, sunshine melodies, and drums that sound like they’re in the same room as you… Plus a super unique chorus that sets it all off. What more could you ask for? Check out “Summer” on Soundcloud – you can catch Grostad’s entire discog on Spotify too. Kristian Grostad · Summer is Over
Loving this little indie-pop gem all the way from Germany. “Cherry” by Bosom (aka singer/songwriter Tom Verbeeck) is carefully crafted with all the best aspects of dreampop; electronica; and indie. It’s full of whirring synths, surprisingly nimble drumbeats, swirly guitars, and Tom’s ultra-soothing vocals. Fans of Cocteau Twins, The War On Drugs, and Boards of Canada will find much to love here. Check out “Cherry” via YouTube below – you can also find it on Spotify.