Browsing Tag

Indie Folk Dream Pop

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

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

Spotlight Feature: Girl Annual sparked a flicker of folky melancholic serenity with their dream pop debut, Ember

With the single Ember, the enigmatic independent artist Girl Annual steps into the indie scene by setting an exquisitely reflective tone, merging folk-esque lyrical storytelling with the ethereal aesthetics of dream pop. The debut single is a seraphically melancholic invitation to lose yourself in the bitter-sweet chasm of reverie and let Girl Annual’s mournfully sublime vocal lines spellbind as they wash over you and pour raw vulnerability into the sonic atmosphere.

The diaphanous instrumental elements amplify the sense of introspection that flows from the poetic candour within the vocals, building the perfect soundtrack for an intimate autumnal scene. With a commercial appeal reminiscent of First Aid Kit, Girl Annual holds the potential to cut through the static of the oversaturated alt-indie dream pop sphere.

It’s an aural experience of oceanic depth, inviting listeners to drift within the serene textures that cascade and intertwine. This release doesn’t just play out – it envelops, and with each ebb and flow, it gently pulls you further in. All industry eyes should be on Girl Annual, anticipating their next move.

Ember was officially released on September 27; stream it on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast