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The term ‘indie’ in the music industry has become so ambiguous it has practically become as subjective as the meaning of life. Whichever way it is defined, it is still a massive part of the music industry in the UK and across the globe.

Originally, indie referred to how an artist distributed their music. Over the decades, it became a catch-all term for artists sharing the same sonic off-kilter edge; and, of course, the same moody yet inexplicably cool aesthetic. Indie, as a genre, only came around as the result of experimental artists in the 70s wanting to bring a new sound to the airwaves; instead of solely hoping for commercial success after appeasing one of the major record labels.

Indie artists adopted punk ethos they started to push the boundaries of pop. Instead of commercialising their sound, they pushed it into post-punk, shoegaze, synthpop, Britpop, avant-garde, noise rock and dream pop arenas. For all that separates bands such as Sonic Youth, the Cure, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Elliott Smith and Radiohead, there is still so much that ties them together, namely their attitudes and the loud discordant style.

Along with the bands, iconic venues such as the 100 Club in London, the Hacienda in Manchester, and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow had a pivotal part to play in the traction of independent artists and music. New Indie labels, such as Rough Trade and Factory Records, were amongst the first record labels to truly embrace and encourage experimentalism and authenticity in the artists they scouted and signed – taking New Order and Joy Division as a prime example.

It may have been a while since there was an indie breakthrough act as successful as the Arctic Monkeys, but indie music has far from lost its resonance. Besides, Monkeys won over 42 awards and sold over 20 million records, so that’s going to take some beating, and they’re certainly not the only indie artists currently thriving.

The Welsh indie rock icons, the Manic Street Preachers, celebrated their first number 1 album in 23 years with the release of Ultra Vivid Lament in 2021. The Tarantino-Esque Liverpool outfit, Red Rum Club, released their debut album in 2019, and got to number 14 in the official album sales chart with their album, How to Steal the World, in 2021. Perhaps most impressively, the world’s first CryptoPunk rapper, Spottie Wifi, made just under $200k in album NFT sales in 90 seconds this year.

lullaby pushed the boundaries of sound design with ‘despairing boy aspiring poet’

Posted on 15 January 2025

For their latest release, the 18-year-old Belgian producer lullaby (Sana) sculpted an immersive 35-minute auditory odyssey which offers a seamless plunge into introspection. despairing boy aspiring poet begins with an ambient trip-hop atmosphere that immediately sets a reflective and transcendent tone; as the release evolves, glitch-wave textures creep in, wrapping around the psyche before the calm is shattered by bass surges that arrive without warning, only to fade just as quickly.

The distorted, autotuned vocals amplify the emotive intensity as they caress the semi-lucid motifs that dominate the record which isn’t content to sit comfortably in one genre; evidenced by the post-hardcore instrumentals which disrupt the ambience, only to give way once more to sublime serenity.

Drawing inspiration from ambient music’s emotional depth and the raw energy of dubstep, lullaby juxtaposes atmospheric textures with evocative melodies, crafting tracks that resonate both cerebrally and viscerally. Their self-taught production skills are wholly exhibited as they push the boundaries of sound design, orchestrating contrasting textures into a wholly unique sonic identity.

With curveball after curveball, lullaby ensures the audience is never static, constantly shifting between serenity and chaos.

Stream despairing boy aspiring poet on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dreams of Zephyrus synthesised the chill of disconnection with their alt indietronica release, Stone Cold

Posted on 13 January 2025

With their latest single, Stone Cold, the indie experimentalist Dreams of Zephyrus tore down genre confines until there was nothing left but rubble and an opportunity to explore a brand-new intersection of ethereal indietronica.

With wavy indie dream pop textures building around the vocal lines that reach out like a melancholic clarion call atop the saturated-in-effects polyphonic keys and interstellar motifs, Stone Cold is firmly rooted in Avant-Garde territory while simultaneously reaching out to listeners with the affecting songwriting and lyrical delivery style of Phoebe Bridgers and Angel Olsen.

The juxtaposition between the playfully warm instrumental layers, which seem to suspend you in the animation of the melodies, and the piercing ache of the harmonies reaches the epitome of haunting. Exploring the heart-wrenching experience of feeling someone withdraw affection and feeling the temperature drop, the single builds a sanctuary for anyone looking to steal back some affection into their soul.

Stone Cold was officially released on January 9th; stream the single on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alex Crick’s ‘Beltane’ Radiates Serotonin and Sidmouth Sunshine

Posted on 12 January 2025

With his latest instrumental single, Beltane, guitar virtuoso Alex Crick channelled the lazy warmth of a Devon summer into a masterfully rejuvenating acoustic performance.

Filmed in the picturesque coastal town of Sidmouth, where red cliffs meet serene shores, the music video accompanying the composition celebrates the laid-back, sun-soaked charm of British seaside life. Crick’s cultivated command of the guitar strings does more than simply display technical chops; in Beltane, he transforms notes into vivid strokes of colour that spill warmth and colour into every corner of the psyche.

Blurring the lines between classical reverence and new wave innovation, Beltane showcases Crick’s unique sonic fingerprint. The intricate fingerpicking evokes comparisons to Don Ross and Andy McKee, yet the romantic flourishes and light percussive fills add a modern twist. The result is a sparse yet satisfying orchestration, refusing to overwhelm but consistently delighting as it sweeps listeners into its panorama of serenity and bliss.

Drawing from a career that spans decades of teaching and performing across the UK, China, and Canada, Crick’s broad stylistic palette shines through. From heavy rock riffs to cinematic violin compositions, he’s no stranger to experimenting with dynamic soundscapes. Yet Beltane distils his melodic storytelling into pure acoustic joy—a testament to his ability to craft pieces that are as accessible as they are evocative.

The official music video for Beltane is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lena Lovelace – Nameless: an otherworldly lullaby of gothic grandeur

Posted on 11 January 2025

The hauntingly ethereal installation of Avant-Garde aural cinema, Nameless, from alternative artist Lena Lovelace resonates with a gothic baroque atmosphere that cradles her Soprano arcane harbingering vocals. As she paints a sci-fi vignette of an alien which appears to eight people in different guises, listeners are compelled to acknowledge how no one appears in the same form to two people; we’re all alien abstractions attempting to cultivate a sense of familiarity in each new connection. Against the unsettling backdrop, Lovelace remains a fearlessly unique artist whose messages challenge you to perceive reality from new angles.

The Cambridgeshire-hailing, Norwich-based artist has been writing and recording for over a decade. Her sound—shaped by an indie/alternative vibe reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Sister—often draws on the traits of fictional characters that stir her imagination. This latest track was inspired by a dream in which an alien landed on Earth and fell in love with eight people.

The result is an otherworldly lullaby of gothic grandeur that soars above ordinary parameters, offering a glimpse into Lovelace’s dedication to forging new aural paths and ensuring no listener leaves without a shift in perspective.

Nameless was officially released on November 2nd and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Isiah & the New People became the defining voice in modern folk with ‘Did You Run?’

Posted on 11 January 2025

‘Did You Run?’ by Isiah & The New People opens with Isiah’s natural finesse as a rhythmatist, his skill on the fretboard drawing you in before the Western psych melodies begin to swell and pirouette with the kind of synergy that only comes from a collective with a shared artistic pulse. The union between the instrumental energy and vocal emotion is undeniable; it’s a back-and-forth exchange that feels both intimate and uncontainable.

With some of the most affecting vocals heard from Isiah & The New People so far, the trembled timbres of vibrato are flawlessly pitched, amplifying the bittersweet poignancy of the questioning narrative. The affection that drives every progression offers a moving undercurrent, even amidst the uncertainty that saturates the vignette.

Following the success of their debut EP Boxes, which set a strong tone for 2024, Isiah & The New People have gone from strength to herculean strength. ‘Did You Run?’ is another clear step in their rise, demonstrating their ability to merge heartfelt storytelling with immeasurably talented artistry.

As we tentatively step into 2025, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Isiah & The New People are gearing up to be one of the most promising breakthrough acts of the year.

Did You Run hit the airwaves on December 28th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

STREAMER tempered society with the indietronica alchemy in ‘Interlude – Hold On (Part 2)’

Posted on 10 January 2025

With their latest single, ‘Interlude – Hold On (Part 2)’ the UK indietronica breakthrough artist, STREAMER broke the sound barrier with a lyrical underpinning that is as affecting as the atmospheric alchemy that oscillates throughout the single – if Editors released this track, it would be their best work since An End Has a Start.

Through a similar sense of tender reflection that refracts through Paul Banks’ melancholic timbre, STREAMER occupies a sacred ground in the industry with their ability to go beyond painting by numbers to provoke your emotive impulses.

The evocative intensity builds with every minor key note which juxtaposes the dizzying waves of oscillating electronica, by the time you reach the trance-y outro that is seared with white-hot hyper-sonic motifs, you’ll be left enamoured by everything STREAMER stands for.

In Interlude – Hold On (Part 2), the three-piece outfit merges guitars, drums, and electronica to deliver a resounding plea for political restraint and peaceful solutions. As an extension of Interlude (Part 1)—a mostly instrumental introduction—this release reinforces its purpose: a fervent call to rein in war rhetoric and champion diplomacy.

STREAMER’s fans have already witnessed their non-stop, adrenaline-spiking shows, where their music, lauded by BBC Introducing, resonates across generations. Notably, everything is in place for 2025 to be STREAMER’s breakthrough year.

Interlude – Hold On (Part 2) was officially released on January 3rd; stream the single on all major platforms, including SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Breaking the Sound Barrier: Eleri Ward’s ‘There You Go’ Spiritually Shatters the Monocultural Mould

Posted on 10 January 2025
Eleri Ward

‘There You Go’ by the Chicago-born, NYC-based spiritual seductress of alt-pop, Eleri Ward enmeshes an arcane aura that breaks through the monocultural mould with baroque beguile in a way that makes Björk sound positively pedestrian.

Every second of ‘There You Go’ is a revelation; as you sink into the scintillation, you’ll find yourself in awe of the singer-songwriter’s expansively seraphic octave range and how her harmonies effortlessly complement the transgressions in sound, which shift you into a state of transcendence.

Teasing dark aesthetics into the syncopated alchemy of the indietronica release, she pairs moody etherealism with crystalline embellishments to immerse you into a session of expression that goes beyond sound. In this labyrinthine soundscape, where each texturally electrifying twist offers a new sonic delight, Ward proves her connection to music runs as deep as her lyricism. She’s a convention-challenging phenomenon in her own right, making no pantheon prestigious enough for her to enter.

There You Go will hit all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, on January 10th.

For more information and more ways to connect with Eleri Ward, visit her official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jeremy Hilliard – Deep Blue Me: A Soulful Submersion into the Reverie of Yearning

Posted on 6 January 2025

Jeremy Hilliard’s standout single, ‘Deep Blue Me’, from his sophomore solo album, Going Back to Where It All Began, carries the weight of a wistful sigh and the warmth of a late autumn sunbeam. Rooted in classic folk songwriting but with a dreamy indie twist, the single doesn’t rely on the laurels of tradition. Instead, it threads introspection through a needle of authenticity, crafting an intimate reverie that gently peels back the layers of the soul.

A songwriter hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Hilliard is best known as the creative force behind PEAK, a rising jam band lighting up stages across the northeastern United States. With more songs than his band could possibly use, Hilliard began releasing collections of home demos before debuting his first solo album, Trouble For Another Day, in 2023. His follow-up, written and recorded at home, sees him joined by collaborators Brendan Hefty (drums), Marshall Norton (keys), Bethany Hilliard (vox), and Josh T. Carter (bass).

In ‘Deep Blue Me,’ the intricate guitar work flows and flourishes, accentuating the lyrical themes of all-consuming passion. Hilliard’s soft yet purposeful vocal delivery melds with the ethereal instrumentation, creating a poetically meta ode to the way desire can consume and transform. With its lush, introspective atmosphere, the track is one you’ll want to revisit each time life feels heavy.

The Going Back to Where It All Began LP is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Natalee Gallo – now it doesn’t matter: Cinematically Ethereal Dream Pop

Posted on 4 January 2025

From the moment ‘now it doesn’t matter’ opens with an ethereal breeze of melancholy, Natalee Gallo demonstrates her cultivated approach to fusing folk sensibilities with a cinematic dream pop aesthetic. This single only gathers visceral steam as the instrumental and vocal hooks ache with conflicted, confessional sincerity, allowing the track to breathe in a raw, human way.

Not only is it an immersive panorama of intensely personal yet universally resonant pain, but it also serves as a powerful testament to Gallo’s authenticity. Rather than simply trailing the trends, Gallo incorporates subtle folky tinges that accentuate the avant-garde balladry, giving her sound a distinctive edge while still retaining a current appeal. It’s a scintillatingly stylised diary entry turned forward-thinking pop piece, brimming with enough soul to stand out on any contemporary playlist.

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gallo has built her emerging indie presence around her sound which reveals her fascination with intertwining pop, synth, and folk elements. In 2025, Gallo intends to share three more singles, potentially culminating in an EP, as she seeks to widen her audience and highlight the eclectic influences driving her project.

now it doesn’t matter is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dissolved Girl – Dirty Tricks: A Sonic Cathedral of Scorned Serenity

Posted on 31 December 2024

With Dirty Tricks, the fourth release from London-based Dissolved Girl, the band chartered new cinematic indietronica territory by carving out a darkly meditative edge that sets it apart from their previous work.

Opening with the evocative toll of a church bell, the track unfurls into a misty, textural soundscape where trip-hop undertones intertwine with seductively measured vocals. As trippy effects cascade around poetic lyricism, the band’s sonic complexity effortlessly lures you into its gravitational pull.

Dissolved Girl’s devotion to raw emotion and sophistication is palpable in every aspect of Dirty Tricks. The juxtaposition of serene delivery with scornful, imagery-rich intensity underscores their ethos that ferocity doesn’t need to be loud to leave its mark.

Produced by Dani Castelar—whose previous credits include two No. 1 albums with Paolo Nutini—and mastered by Matt Colton (Arctic Monkeys, Michael Kiwanuka, Royal Blood), the single showcases their unflinching dedication to being purveyors of beguiling stylised alchemy which is as resonant as it is refined.

Dirty Tricks dropped on December 20; stream it on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast