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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.

Starleen cinematically exhibited what it means to be human in her debut art-pop LP, To Give In

Posted on 16 November 2022

After making her art-pop debut in 2020 with her beguilingly dark EP, Life is Strange, Starleen came into her cinematically ethereal own through the unveiling of her ceremonially humanistic LP, To Give In.

To Give In explores our desires to succumb to the forces keeping us on our knees while celebrating our unwavering determination to endeavour the myriad of storms that our chaotic world unleashes upon us. With soundscapes that spill a jarring sense of unease around the assuredly celestial vocals that moodily paint the imperfection of the human experience around the pulsating indietronica rhythms, anyone who accepts the idiosyncratic beauty of the human experience will find a wealth of resonance across the seven soundscapes.

All too often, lyricism paints humanity, as a collective, as what we wish we were, what we aim for; an endless series of pretences held up by scarcely anyone for any enduring length of time before perfectionism becomes a crushing weight. Starleen breaks the mould by upholding the truth behind the facades. Paired with the cathartically artful structuring of the soundscapes, her bold daringness to encapsulate the most harrowing facets of the human psyche in To Give In unleashes a wealth of emotion.

For me, the highlight of the LP came in the form of the penultimate single, Out of Touch, which efficaciously reflects the multi-sensory nature of disassociation. Before the album concludes on the tranquility of the reverb-drenched melodies in From Myself. Any fans of London Grammar and Chelsea Wolfe won’t want to skip it. Actually, that goes for the entire LP. It’s officially in my collection of sad girl playlist staples.

“With this project, I knew I wanted to create a dark world. The message I try to convey is that in life, we have choices. Although going back may tempting, we have to move forward. People and their strength to overcome life’s battles always has been an inspiration to me.

Lyrically I have always gravitated towards artists like Nina Simone, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen because they talk about what it truly means to be human. And that is something I try to bring in my music.”

To Give In is available to stream on Spotify.

Keep up to date with new releases via TikTok and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The 80s legends, The Immaculate Crows, exude pure soul in their psych-tinged indie single, Another Day Gone By

Posted on 15 November 2022

Surrender to the pure soul in The Immaculate Crows’ latest impeccably impassioned single, Another Day Gone By, which features Jessica Shipley on lead vocals and Daphne Mae as the backing harmonist.

The melodically caressing single was written by The Immaculate Crows founder, songwriter, guitarist and producer Bruce Neilsen, when he was priming for an eagerly anticipated comeback after their phenomenal success in the early 80s.

Sharing similar lyrical propensities as Lou Reed’s Perfect Day, the mellifluous indie single gives you a ravenous appetite for life by reminding you how sweet it can be when you embrace the most beautiful facets of existence, such as the incandescently sweet piano score against the psych-tinged guitars in Another Day Gone By. Remaining lucid while this perfectly poised score is in motion is easier said than done. You can’t help drifting away with the compassionate soul.

Another Day Gone By is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

New Day: NIXX survives the demons on the incredible new single Wash It Away

Posted on 15 November 2022

Stirring us awake with a truly inspirational release to drench those fears away, NIXX is in prime form and this is a must-listen for anyone who needs to know that a cleanse changes everything on Wash It Away.

NIXX is a south New Jersey-born Baltimore County, Maryland-based indie hip hop artist who assembles those raw tracks to really bite your teeth into.

”He’s been developing his craft for over a decade and records and mixes his own music and films and edits his own visuals. NIXX is a strong believer in a positive mindset and manifestation and is on his way to manifesting his career in the music industry.” ~ NIXX

Showing mental fortitude and remarkable levels of peerless skill, the fearless warrior NIXX is the role model for change the world needed. After digging himself out of the trenches and displaying an exceptional temperament to ease all the pain, we find a comeback story which deserves a movie.

Wash It Away from Maryland-based indie hip hop artist NIXX is a fine effort which has been made with so much real-life insight and true understanding. With lyrically intense bars to batter down those inner self-doubts, this is a raise-your-perspective-upwards soundtrack to the path many know needs to be travelled.

We can’t change the past, but we can change tomorrow with the right attitude.

See this dynamic music video on YouTube and see more info on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Call Me Up: Jackson Scott is so happy again on the trust-filled single Save Your Friends

Posted on 14 November 2022

Rolling it up again and sliding swiftly through the roses of life, Jackson Scott is here to help us realize what is actually important on the superlative single we should blare heartily inside our speakers with Save Your Friends.

Jackson Scott is a Pittsburgh native who dropped out of college, as his love for the guitar was too strong to be ignored for any longer.

”His voice, whether pitched up or androgynous, offers a series of still life paintings and snapshots into the predecessor of our contemporary youth culture.” ~ Jackson Scott

Exhibiting so much appreciation for a genuine friendship which is mutually real through everything, Jackson Scott is utterly outstanding on so many levels and needs more love. A hazy air fills the atmosphere at each turn, and there is rarified air to breathe in here with much recklessly planned exuberance.

Save Your Friends from Pittsburgh-based indie singer-songwriter Jackson Scott is a dreamy life altering experience to play at roaring levels of enjoyment. This is pure and projected so brilliantly by an artist in his prime.

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

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Be So Free: Patty Duffey and Amelia Earnshaw cherish that genuine friendship on There

Posted on 14 November 2022

Powered by Performers on the Go and surrounded by so much love and grace, Patty Duffey joins forces with the beautiful vocals of 20-year-old singer songwriter Amelia Earnshaw on the magnificent new single to hold hands with called There.

Patty Duffey is an indie pop artist who loves to collaborate with other artists all over the world and makes those genuine gems to hold on tightly with.

”About the extreme power of friendship, and how best friends can help get you through anything and everything and are forever present through thick and thin. Their doors are always open, and during the highs and lows they somehow know how to make things better at times when it is most needed. They protect all that is said, “every word and motion sacred (verse 1).” ~ Patty Duffey and Performers on the Go

Soaring with so much kindness and a pure care which is so rare to hear these days, Patty Duffey has created a superb song to hug with all day long. Full of life and brimming with a lively energy to feel uplifted by, we find a truly wound-healing song of much importance for the world to feel safer inside.

There from much-loved indie artist Patty Duffey is such a stunning single which washes away the self-doubt and brings in so much loving sunlight. Eternally connected and showing us how that I-have-your-back-forever mentality really is the best, no matter if it’s a good or bad day.

Even if you are used and feel so down, that best friend is always there if you make a call.

Listen up to this terrific single on Spotify and check out the IG page for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

London indie-rock renegades JW Paris shared their lascivious appetite for destruction with ‘She’

Posted on 14 November 2022

The shimmer of wavering Pavement-esque guitars meets the indie anthemics of Blur in the standout single, She, from the London indie trio JW Paris’ debut EP, Stuck in a Video, which implanted off-kilter killer hooks into the airwaves on October 28th.

Reminiscences aside, the band that has sent distinction ricocheting through the underground since their 2017 debut always bring a potent shot of their own renegade indie-rock flavour to their tracks. The critically acclaimed act has a habit of drawing you right into the swaggering melodicism through the lyrics that will smother anyone who has ever felt the odds stack against them with resonance.

Never ones to toy with cliches, JW Paris found a gritty way to pay ode life’s protagonists who sell sanctuary to us amid our appetite for destruction with She. With “she tried to run me over, she blows my mind” written into the lyricism, JW Paris cut to the marrow of the human proclivity to gravitate to modern-day sirens. If you haven’t been there, in the words of Bukowski, what truly horrible lives you must lead.

Stream JW Paris’ debut EP, Stuck in a Video, in full on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Windows Up: Christopher Hurst knows he is the only competition on Picture Me

Posted on 14 November 2022

Blowing smoke to the blues and keeping his motivated attitude, Christopher Hurst is at his gritty best as he steers us through the mentality needed to succeed on Picture Me.

Christopher Hurst is a Phoenix-based Boston-raised indie hip hop artist who keeps things as raw as possible on each of his trailblazing

Thriving with so much intent and guiding us through this cinematic-like story to reminisce with, Christopher Hurst cuts through the past and smiles into the future where all his dreams await. Pulsating throughout and forcing many chills to appear all over our naked spines, we find ourselves meshed inside a proper story stuffed with lessons for us all to learn from.

Picture Me from Phoenix-based Boston-raised indie hip hop artist Christopher Hurst is an introspective track with a heat-filled missile to rocket rather swiftly into. Dusting off the haters and showing us he will survive no matter what, this is an honest song which will strike the heart of many.

Hear this terrific new single on Spotify and check out the IG page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Folk singer-songwriter Steve Andrews reached the pinnacle of feel-good music with ‘Climb Through a Rainbow’

Posted on 14 November 2022
Climb Through A Rainbow by Steve Andrews

When Steve Andrews, AKA the Bard of Ely, isn’t prising our eyes open to the disasters we create in our destructive-by-design lifestyles, playing Glastonbury or being lauded by the NME and Nicky Wire, he’s spilling soul across the airwaves through singles such as Climb Through a Rainbow.

With Pixies-Esque shimmering reverb and birdsong as the backdrop to his ardently animated acoustic guitar and unlimitedly happy vocals that bring alive the song that was inspired and composed in his friend’s nursery in Cardiff, it is impossible not to get swept up in the euphoric energy of the single.

Climb Through a Rainbow definitively proves you’re never too old to benefit from the simple pleasures of authentically feel-good music, which makes no bones about being on the silly side of wild. Honestly, I’ve got happy tears as I write this review. Nothing has touched my soul this much, ironically, since Nicky Wire’s solo album.

Stream and purchase Climb Through a Rainbow on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Be Myself: Ocean’s Avenue just wants to runaway from the past pain on Sick of You

Posted on 13 November 2022

Reminding one of the legends Blink-182 instantly, Ocean’s Avenue grows tired of those ignored calls and constant lies with their new sizzling single to rocket us back into the classic days on Sick of You.

Ocean’s Avenue is an Isle of Man-based indie alt-pop band who makes those reflective tracks which shall stimulate all senses awake like hot chilli sauce.

”Ocean’s Avenue formed in March 2020, just days before COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were implemented. Initially bonding over a mutual love of pop punk music and pizza, they kept in contact through lockdowns and the guys now have a strong friendship.” ~ Ocean’s Avenue

Soaring so high with an elevated mindset and bags full of quality, Ocean’s Avenue has somehow transported us back to a timeless transportation wrapped with vocally charged anthems to salivate over all night. They are raw to the core, with a ravishing track to play loud and with so much joyous intent to be happy again.

Sick of You from the Isle of Man-based indie alt-pop band Ocean’s Avenue is an outstanding single which is seeping with a memorable soundscape to take our minds into a tormented romance. There is a terrifically created ripper which will surely flow right into our soul, filling our hearts with a moment that could change all romantic intensions forever.

When you know you are being messed around, it’s best to leave as soon as possible.

Lace up those shoes and get dancing on Spotify.

Follow the band for more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Sydney-based metal act BESOMORA slices their way in rather viciously on Mass Starvation

Posted on 13 November 2022

Sparking up our attention with a hardcore song which could break down bank vaults, BESOMORA stride through like gigantic Transformers on their massive new single called Mass Starvation.

BESOMORA is a Sydney, Australia-based indie melodic metal band who play as a four-piece and pack a punch that would knock out many heavyweights.

”The name Besomora is derived from Slavic mythology and draws inspiration from dark spirits and demons, which the band deems a direct representation of the imagery they wish to portray and a reflection of their music.” ~ BESOMORA

Forging through the noise with their Eastern European background bonding their heritage together in a united front, BESOMORA is a loud band and might shatter innocent eardrums. They drive through like a Tower Crane and lift us away from the fake and into a world of rip-roaring velocity.

Mass Starvation from Australian-based melodic metal band BESOMORA is rather explosive and might leave some debris behind with a soaring display for the ages. Showing us why they’re one of the most exciting bands around, this is a metal head’s dreamy delight to get the bright lights in our minds flaming alright again.

See this heavy music video on YouTube and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen