It’s Friday, which can only mean one thing – new music! Here’s our round-up of the best of the week for you to get your teeth (ears) into…
BRETT COPELAND – YOUR PARADISE
Writer and producer Brett Copeland, from Los Angeles, dropped his fourth single Your Paradise today. For me, it’s as if Brandon Flowers met Muse on a wild night out, full of twists and turns and interesting surprises along the way. It’s anthemic and hard-hitting, making for a really big sound that could fill a stadium. Well, if Muse can do it…
GIYA – BLOOD
Brighton-based songwriter GIYA second single Blood is a beat-laden pop frenzy, with Alessia Cara vibes all over it – trust me, that’s a good thing! Blood is chilled and beat-driven in equal measure, telling a story about fractured relationships and heavy consciences. It’s thought-provoking, casual and cements GIYA’s presence among top pop songwriters in the country.
JAY BLANES – I’M SORRY
London songwriter Jay Blanes has produced a banger here, in the form of pop ballad I’m Sorry. The lead single of his 5-track EP, I’m Sorry features an incredible string section, powdered by Jay’s strong vocals – it makes for a really powerful track, quite similar to the songwriting we saw from the likes of Keane and Snow Patrol in the noughties.
ROADKEEPER – DOWNS
If Tame Impala was fronted by Liam Fray, you’d probably end up with a band somewhere around the mark of Texas’ Roadkeeper. The synths are coupled really nicely with the acoustic guitar, making for an indie anthem that has the potential to blow up. It takes about a minute to get into properly, but that’s the beauty of it – it’s a really well orchestrated piece of music and could quite easily be belted out at festivals around the world.
SONNY WINNEBAGO – LITTLE SUN
A song about finding his way in life, Little Sun, produced by R.E.M. engineer Charlie Francis, is Sonny Winnebago’s debut release on Phwoar & Peace. It’s a bright and breezy, uplifting acoustic-pop tune that delivers a brighter tomorrow, all accompanied by a brass section too – what’s not to like? We just need some Sun now…
SWIIMS – FILL ME UP
Dream-pop direct from Toronto, Fill Me Up by four-piece SWIIMS is an ambient, mystical ascent into their colourful world. Over in the UK, they remind me of bands like Wild Front and Spinn – it’s really well polished indie music, topped by gentle, mesmerising vocals from lead singer Mai Diaz Langou.
THE DAYLIGHT ORANGE – SALT WATER
Moody alt-pop band The Daylight Orange, from Exeter, cite 80’s influences alongside experimental bands like Spiritualized and Soulwax. Salt Water is an amalgamation of all the bands they love – genre-jumping, synth-waving – perfect for late night drives with your mates and having the summer of your life.
WANT SOME MORE? Check out the full Hot New Indie playlist here…
