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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.

Never Get Another One: Radiant Chicago RnB artist Vesta shines beautifully on ‘Personality’

Posted on 12 September 2021

Taken off the latest thirteen-track album named ‘Hydra‘, Vesta lets it be known that we have only one ‘Personality‘ so its best to use it wisely and be yourself always.

Vesta is a Los Angeles, California-born, San Francisco-raised, Chicago-based, queer indie RnB/soul singer-songwriter. Music with a purpose is the mission here, as there is a classy vibe that has been created to assist others in being themselves no matter what.

”Vesta’s interest in music production began after listening to Daft Punk’s Alive 2007, as began their mixing skill with Ableton Live. Progressing from house to a more relaxed style akin to that of Sade or Raveena, Vesta slowly began to incorporate their own writing and voice into their music.” ~ Vesta

There is much to love from an underground artist of this quality, with a true story that so many of us seem to easily forget. With so many people trying to copy bad role models daily, this is the kind of refreshing correction the youth need to digest and never forget the taste of.

‘Personality‘ from the highly creative Chicago-based indie RnB/soul artist Vesta, is the message that should reverberate about our hungry-for-realness hearts and adds an extra glow of love to proceedings. The vocals are crystal and pure, created with a dazzling display of that intriguing goodness. which is much-needed in this at-times selfish world.

This is the type of peachy track to put on when you need reminding – that you should always be yourself no matter what – and express yourself to be fully understood in this treasured life of ours.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Bryan Donoghue leaves us in a Summer Haze with his Britpop-rock hit.

Posted on 12 September 2021
Bryan Donoghue

Edinburgh-born, Ireland-based alt-rock solo artist Bryan Donoghue is set to release his debut album Nowhere Never, Somewhere Always, which features the standout single, Summer Haze.

If you hold the 90s as an era as dearly as you hold summer as a season, you couldn’t ask for a better playlist staple. Summer Haze comes swathed in summer pop rock tones and laced with lucid 90s Britpop nostalgia. The Manchester sound resounds in the psychedelically tinged instrumentals, while vocally, Donoghue will strike a chord with any James Dean Bradfield or Paul Draper fans.

His debut album will be available to stream and download on all major platforms in September 2021.

Checkout Bryan Donoghue on Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Crashing Down: Manhattan’s Atira drops dreamy debut single ‘Somebody Else’

Posted on 12 September 2021

As she tosses and turns in bed worrying about something she can’t control, Atira worries that her true love is actually thinking about ‘Somebody Else‘.

Atira is a new Manhattan, New York-based indie RnB/pop artist who after pushing herself and having the support of those close, has launched her music career and couldn’t be happier with the decision.

”I’ve always had a dream of being an artist. My parents told me as a little girl I had a karaoke mic that I always held onto- and would provide my family with unlimited music and performances in our living room (even when they did not ask for it).” ~ Atira

Sung with a lovely blend of smooth honey-tipped vocals which gives you a calming taste in your hungry-for-love soul – she performs with a true love feel – that is truly worried about losing someone so special.

Everything we hear seems to genuinely effortless and ocean breeze-like, as the beautiful background soundscape takes you into her story that has her worried that someone else might lure her special human, away from her when she is sleeping.

”She writes songs that resonate with her experiences growing up across four countries and dealing with constant change, struggles in relationships and love, and overcoming challenges with identity/self-discovery.” ~ Atira

‘Somebody Else‘ from the Manhattan, New York-based indie RnB/pop solo artist Atira, is the true story about thinking so deeply about something it actually happens in your dreams. You are so concerned that your lover could be with someone else, when actually they could just be thinking about you. This is that hold-me-tight type of track when you need some reassurance, that things are actually going well despite what your over-stimulated mind is picturing.

Sometimes you just need to hear their voice, just to work out if all is still the way that it should be.

Hear this fresh new track on Spotify and see more news on her IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Blood On The Ground: Buenos Aires band Los Cozmatics are quite brilliant on ‘Tears’

Posted on 11 September 2021
https://soundcloud.com/john-acosta-781066061/tears

Made in busy Buenos Aires with a true love, Los Cozmatics are in scintillating form with their new single which will have you shedding a few ‘Tears‘.

Los Cozmatics was formed by The Bronx-born John Acosta, who is an indie trip-hop/pop singer-songwriter and music producer.

Featuring Argentine-singer Daira Robin, guitarist/producer Ezekiel “Zeke” Vallejo, Pablo Guarnieri on drums, and Laura Corrazina on the bass with this incredible project, this is a stunning effort with so much soul.

She sings with such mesmerizing beauty and real class, with a caring soundscape which feels like you are being lifted into a rather sad story of mystery. There is blood on the floor and there are lots of people are looking, as you just wish that life was back to normal again.

This is a fine track with so much tranquilizing and striking atmosphere, which has your mind floating into a new world of intrigue. You are transported into an air of introspection throughout, as you turn up the volume to soak each word into your engrossed mind.

‘Tears‘ from the Buenos Aires, Argentina-based indie pop/trip-hop music project Los Cozmatics, is the story about looking away from the darkness and bringing in the light again. After a sad time, the healing needs to happen so that peace and love may return.

Sung with a true grace and featuring an assortment of clearly quality artists who seem to have that world class ability flowing through their souls, this is a real gem of an underground track to turn up and truly embrace.

Hear this new single on Soundcloud and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Hide Our Thoughts: Chicago alt-pop artist Chandler Poe wonders about the state of existence in this world on the poetic debut ‘No One’

Posted on 11 September 2021
https://soundcloud.com/chandlerpoe/no-one

With a poet-like style that changes up your current mindset to thinking more thoughtful, Chandler Poe is in inspired form via his brand new single all about this weird life called ‘No One‘.

Chandler Poe is a twenty-one-years-young alt-pop artist from Chicago, Illinois. He is a true underground poet, who puts on a stunning display with a performance which will have you listening twice and telling your friends about.

This is the message of looking a bit deeper as no one is the same at all – as you look to find something truly meaningful to hold onto – in this rather odd world full of misdirection and loneliness. He sounds ready to project his thoughts in his own way, which ultimately is the best way to do things.

With so many lazy copycats and fake posers lurking at every corner, this is an inspired effort from an artist with an abundance of creative energy just waiting to burst open and cure us from all the heartbreak around.

‘No One‘ from the Chicago-based alt-pop solo artist Chandler Poe, is the story about thinking deeply about this man-made alternate world which we currently live in. With so many people watching and listening to our every move, the power of hiding your thoughts and actions has never been more important.

Featuring a deep tone, introspective lyrics and an authentic beat that seems to end before flourishing rather quickly again, is one of the more fascinating debut tracks you will hear all year.

Hear this new track on Soundcloud and see more via his IG music channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Riding For The Team: Coventry hip-hop duo El Dorado bring us their scriptures with ‘New Religion Pack’

Posted on 11 September 2021

After keeping it straight-up real with ‘Honestly‘ from earlier on this year, El Dorado rise up with their world class bars on a story about grinding hard for the team and feeling like its time to move up a few notches on ‘New Religion Pack‘.

El Dorado is a Coventry, UK-based indie hip-hop/rap duo. They fuse that underground vibe to make it sound real live for modern day ears, who has been unfortunately swamped by so much of the putrid sludge that has been played to the youngsters of this new world.

This is the story about keeping that grind charging 24/7 so that the team may eat properly – in a harsh world that is full of fake sharks who pretend to be leaders but actually aren’t – as you look to be the next true role models who take the time educate others, on the proper way to do things.

Rapped with a real vigor and a hardcore element, there is so much smokey eloquence here that really has you feeling like there is something different on display here. The production is tight and full of that pure voltage that sparks up the energy, busting through the atmosphere and giving you something rather special to immerse inside for once.

‘New Religion Pack‘ from the Coventry, UK-based indie hip-hop/rap duo El Dorado, is a powerfully performed track that features a pulsating beat that smashes all the windows in the neighborhood. With gritty rhymes that seems to flow effortlessly onto the awaiting mic, it feels like you are listening to two artists from a different era who have come back to teach the youth. This is real hip-hop made with that excellent lyrically-advanced effort, this is up there with the best releases of 2021.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Shorty What You Needs: Cuse speeds up the party with the smoked up ‘DWP’

Posted on 11 September 2021

With his highly-anticipated second album on the way in late November, Cuse shoots the three point basket on his latest go-with-the-fresh-vibes new single all about letting everyone know that you are always ready to bring the night alive with ‘DWP‘.

Cuse is an indie trap/RnB artist from Missouri who is a massive Syracuse Orangemen college basketball supporter.

”This is a single from my second studio album “Senior” which drops this November 30th.” ~ Cuse

With a message all about feeling that he is in that rare zone right now and is on a mission to that consistent paper which will take him to unheard of heights – this is a bounce-packed display of devastating dribbles from a highly self-assured artist – who is only looking for that Championship ring.

‘DWP‘ from the youthful Missouri indie trap/RnB artist Cuse, is a Ferrari-filled story all about showing that you are feeling fresh and ready for whatever the world brings. He sounds in top form and looks ahead for the next step, as he shows us where the real party is at. With a smooth flow and intuitive lyrics mixed with a new school beat that gets the crowd in the mood to get loose, this is a track that will only result in the engines being revved up and get the night peaked to the max.

See this new music video on YouTube and check out more on his IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Glitch Hop Meets Cloud Rap in Trukadi’s Latest Single, Pick and Choose

Posted on 10 September 2021

After his 2019 debut, the Californian alt-pop artist, Trukadi, hasn’t failed to make an impression with his antagonistic lyrics and experimental beats. His latest single, Pick and Choose, is a distortedly electrifying 1:43 minute hit of glitchy cloud rap with hints of Midwest Emo.

The explicit track carries the indie melodicism of a Post Malone single, but Trukadi made sure Pick and Choose hits like no other with instantly magnetic vocals and lo-fi guitars that bring plenty of warmth to the distinct production that marries glitch hop and emo. Love him or hate him, there will be no indifference when it comes to Trukadi’s sound, and there are few greater testaments of talent than that.

Pick and Choose is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ayrton Jimenez introduces us to Downton BA in his debut single.

Posted on 10 September 2021

Up and coming Singer-songwriter Ayrton Jimenez has released his debut single, Downtown BA; if the Doors used Spanish guitars and there was more sugar-coating to Jim Morrison’s vocals, their singles would run in the same psych-pop vein as this sultrily paced acoustic pop earworm.

Debut singles aren’t often as promising as this sweet, sensual and tonally rich single; we’re already eager to hear what Ayrton Jimenez has in store for his sophomore release. His authenticity is only matched by his accessibility. Given the chance, his radio-ready sound will become A-list material.

Downton BA will be available to stream on all major platforms from September 10th; check it out for yourselves on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

My Body Is In Your Head: Russell Leedy (Kings of Carlisle) is getting calls all night with ‘Dirty Little Secret’

Posted on 10 September 2021

After previously performing with his tragically lost best friend Keith who has sadly passed, Russell Leedy (Kings of Carlisle) tells us the story of dealing with someone who can’t get get enough of you with ‘Dirty Little Secret‘.

Russell Leedy is a Pennsylvania-based indie pop solo artist, writer and music producer, who was formally living in California. He performs under the stage name of Kings of Carlisle, and is a well-respected artist who makes music for the love of the art form.

”KOC’s style includes, soul, rock, gospel, & country.” ~ Russell Leedy

There is much to like on this new steamy single from a vocalist on the top of his game, as he sings with such strength and electrifying vocals which streams vividly through your perked-up speakers. He is in the mood to wave goodbye to this mysterious lover but sees their miss calls all the time – as he wonders how to end things – with a confident woman who does as she pleases.

‘Dirty Little Secret‘ from the Pennsylvania-based indie pop artist Russell Leedy (Kings of Carlisle), shows us into the kiss-filled story of being with someone who wants to have you for themselves behind closed doors, when no one else is looking. He is looking for more and wonders why they seem to be so ashamed of being with you, while you are ready to tell the world. Sung with a strong presence from a man who knows what he wants – this is a love struck single full of intrigue and late-night romance you should probably be avoiding – but just can’t get enough of either.

Hear this fine new track on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen