Big, 80s vibes from this upbeat jam by BESTMAN. “August” was practically made for late-night drives with the top down. We love that this one unashamedly pairs a driving synthy bass line with an excellent, 2020 mix treatment. With 80s flavor and flourishes all over the place, this one would sit as comfortably on a shelf next to Eddie Money as it would with M83. Check it out below, but BESTMAN has lots more to offer – check them out on Spotify. August by BESTMAN
Just in time for summer – here’s a fun one from Brooklyn’s The Rad Trads. “99 in October” is a horn-tinged indie rocker that could sit comfortably on a shelf next to any modern rock radio act. Big la-da-da chants accompany tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a neverending summer fling (that extends into… you guessed it… October). Either way, this is a sunny summer jam for fans of Young the Giant, Grouplove, or Hollerado – check it out below The Rad Trads · 99 in October
Connecticut quintet Similar Kind have written an eerily relatable indie popper here with “Too Happy.” With squiggly and airy music reminiscent of Alvvays or TOPS, “Happy” attacks the dichotomy of either being way too happy or way too sad – but never really hitting that coveted balance. We love the juxtaposition of cripplingly sad lyrics with the sunny, swirly indie pop backbone. Check this one out below and be sure to support via Bandcamp if you’re digging it. Too Happy by Similar Kind
Silverbacks nailed it on this latest, groovy jam, “Muted Gold.” This Irish quintet wrote a real slapper – “Muted Gold” is a simmering indie rocker with a shuffling (but urgent) drum beat, a big groovy bassline, spastic guitar flourishes, and great male/female vocals. We’re especially fond of their “behind-the-scenes” style video, which showcases the five-piece having lots of fun to the tune of their own music. “Muted Gold” is a journey that evolves across its four-and-a-half minute runtime; we think fans of Foals, Beck, or Bombay Bicycle Club will love this – check it out below or at any of the helpful links here.
Digging this pretty little ditty from The Racer – this Hudson Valley, NY trio excels at tight but cinematic indie rock, evidenced by this latest jam, “The Return.” Utilizing a jittery drum beat with upbeat bass riffage and swirly guitar ambiance, “The Return” owes as much to indie pop melody as it does to post-punk moodiness. If you like what you hear, give them a follow on IG and check out their newest EP, Bang Bang Bang, out now.
Loving this lo-fi bedroom jam from Californian solo act Kyle Alexander Reid. “The Hill” combines a buzzy synth with chuggy acoustic guitar and Reid’s endearing vocals. There’s something to be said about the sincerity in this one; “Hill” feels vaguely nostalgic and heart-on-your-sleeve all at once. We think you’ll dig this fresh new jam – check out Reid’s entire album over on Bandcamp or swing by his Spotify page. Avenida by Kyle Alexander Reid
The Jerry Cans released an absolutely anthemic one here with “Swell (My Brother).” Lyrically, the song is touching, dealing with the tragic loss of a brother. It’s done so with powerfully plodding repetition, catchy even in its somberness, fleshed out even further by a poignant violin. A perfect song for fans of orchestral-tinged indie rock like Manchester Orchestra, Arcade Fire, or even The National. This video is worth watching – filmed in some really beautiful (and seemingly remote) areas of Canada. Otherwise, swing by Spotify and add it to your playlist.
There’s something transcendent about this latest jam from KennyHoopla – “Plastic Door//” feels nostalgic but in-the-moment – it’s a song with a distinctly bedroom-pop approach but has a perfect, lo-fi mix. Even Kenny’s lyrics feel vague but personal. Is this dream pop? Is this indie rock? Warning: all of these supremely nebulous qualities are going to suck you in for listen after listen. Check out the trippy video below before you swing over to Spotify and add this one to your playlist.
Montclair, NJ quintet lkffct got us jazzed on their quasi-dancy, punky jam they’ve titled “Death Reign.” Between the heavy bass, psychedelic-tinged guitars, and general sense of apocalyptic energy, this one is full of raucous and noisy energy that is sure to get you amped. We think fans of The Growlers or The Rapture are gonna love this… Check out “Death Reign” below and if you’re feeling it, pick it up via Bandcamp. lkffct · Death Reign
The oxymoronically-named Joy Downer just put out a new banger called “A Song You’d Never Want to Hear.” Combining elements of nu-disco and bouncy indie rock, “Song” feels fresh and bubbly without straying too far into sunny, wholesome territory. Instead we get a timeless-sounding jam that we think fans of Rilo Kiley or Jay Som are going to love. Keep your eyes open for Joy’s debut LP, due out June 5th. Until then, get down to “Song” via the YouTube widget below.
“I’ll take it boring, I like my simplicity” – powerful words in this latest collab between Kansas-based Jordana and Melvv. This ode to introverts explores the many benefits of staying in and staying warm in a tight, bedroom-y pop song with an anxious, I-don’t-want-to-be-at-this-party feel. This simmering track feels chill and neurotic simultaneously; Jordana’s soothing and airy vocal performance works flawlessly with Melvv’s influence. Like what you hear? Swing by Bandcamp and pick it up. Jordana · I’ll Take It Boring
Dreamy, gauzy, chill af – all great descriptors for this latest jam from Max Gowan. We think fans of (Sandy) Alex G or late-era Pavement are gonna love “My Kind.” This one is catchy but mysterious; mathy but digestible; and contemporary but with that intangible 90s-rock appeal. Dig into the mind-expanding ooh-ooh-oohs and reverb-drenched guitars of this bedroomy indie rock below before you add it to your Spotify playlist. Keep your eyes peeled for Max’s album – due out June 5.
This one is a complicated, but compelling listen – falling somewhere on the spectrum between math rock and sweet, 90s-tinged indie rock, Missouri’s Jailbox’s has us captivated with their latest jam, “Over and Over Again.” This one is literally composed of snippets of songs dating all the way back to 2010 – it’s been cut-and-pasted into an amazing amalgam, in this case, better heard than read-about. Check it out below and be sure to swing by their Spotify. Over & Over Again by Jailbox
We’ve been digging this collaboration between Australian acts rxsebvnk and Threebeds. “Accident Prone” sounds like an M83 song with tasteful bedroom-pop production, full of low-key vocal hooks and splashes of synth and guitar ambiance. Where a lot of this genre is icy and polished to death, “Prone” feels like a warm, synthesized blanket. Check it out below and if you dig it, add it to your Spotify playlist.
We’ve been digging this melodic indie rocker from Canadian act KNIFEY. “Ask You” is an energetic ode to love with a fun raucous chorus that ponders if “I’m cool enough for you.” This one has the catchy elements of pop punk without straying too far out of the clout from noisy indie rockers like JAPANDROIDS. This one is best heard for yourself – check it out below and add it to your Spotify if you’re feeling it!