The Big Indie Playlist: the best new music of the week (2024)

August is here, and we are officially at the peak of the summer. The sun is out sporadically, the dirty beaches are full of pasty legs, and the city centres are annoyingly busy. It has certainly been challenging to keep those summer spirits high this week during a particularly tumultuous time on this sceptred isle, but thankfully, the music world has been on hand to provide some form of relief. So, sit back, soak up the last of the sunshine, and blast the Big Indie Playlist on your stereo.

In fact, this week has been exceptionally productive for the music world; there has certainly been no shortage of excellent new music to keep your heads, hearts, and ears happy. Established icons like Adrianne Lenker, The Smile, and everybody’s favourite post-punk poster boys, Fontaines D.C. have unveiled new works this week. Truthfully, though, it has been a week of rising stars, with cult artists like Thank, Billiam, and Cumgirl8 dangerously at risk of breaking through into the musical mainstream.

Despite its reputation, summer is not always the happiest of months, so it is refreshing to hear some more downbeat, melancholic, and self-reflective tracks hitting the airwaves this week. Lenker and The Smile, predictably, are pretty heartfelt and sombre in their offerings this week, which feels particularly affecting given the horrific scenes we have witnessed across the nation over the past seven days.

As the world of independent music becomes increasingly diversified, this week’s playlist visits various different genres, styles, and nationalities. Everything from the moody synthpop of Molchat Doma to the euphoric jazz of Esperanza Spalding is represented here. If you are looking for a longer listening experience, head over to the Alternative Album Chart for the best long-form releases of the week. Otherwise, join us on our weekly journey through the musical cosmos.

The best new music of the week:

Track of the week

Adrianne Lenker – ‘Once A Bunch’: Originally recorded during the sessions for Lenker’s recent record Bright Future, this scrapped track has finally received its own release. Lenker’s voice is as tender and captivating as always, with the melancholic country-inspired instrumentation acting as a perfect accompaniment. The lo-fi production and Lenker’s performance imbue the song with spontaneity, making it incredibly endearing.

Speaking to the broad range of influences taken on by the Big Thief singer, ‘Once A Bunch’ could easily be mistaken as a forgotten John Prine track. Prine’s impact is virtually inseparable from the track, down to the backing vocals, which sound eerily similar to Prine’s unique delivery. Much like the album it was – bizarrely – cut from, the song showcases the adaptability and infallible beauty of Lenker’s timeless voice. [4.5/5]

Instant Classics – The biggest new releases of the week

Fontaines D.C. – ‘Here’s The Thing’: Unless you have been residing under a rock for the past few months, you are probably aware of the fantastic run of singles unveiled by Dubin post-punk stars Fontaines D.C. recently. ‘Here’s The Thing’ carries on that impressive run, seeing the group take on a more pop-centric sound while retaining their punk credibility. [4/5]

The Smile – ‘Don’t Get Me Started’: An expectedly mellow track from the Radiohead side project, which sees a brooding electronic beat joined by the stripped-back vocals of Thom Yorke. At six minutes long, it is something of a sonic journey, but one which is worth embarking upon. [4/5]

Warmduscher – ‘Staying Alive’: Initially, this newly unveiled track by London’s premier electro-garage rock outfit feels fairly subdued and mellow in comparison to their previous tracks, but do not be fooled. Frontman Clams Baker Jr. lulls the listener into a false sense of security, all the while building the tension for the chaos which engulfs the song towards the end. [4/5]

Cumgirl8 – ‘Karma Police’: Rising stars in the New York post-punk scene, cumgirl8 have been making waves worldwide in recent months, and ‘Karma Police’ is a perfect example of why. Energetic, infectious, danceable, and with an endearing sense of humour to boot, it is difficult not to enjoy this song. [4/5]

Molchat Doma – ‘Belaya Polosa’: Unveiling the titular track of their upcoming album, Belarusian dark wave masters Molchat Doma return with this cinematic track, confirming their unwavering ability to create captivatingly dark records imbued with a strange sense of retroism. [3.5/5]

The Dare – ‘You’re Invited’: The Dare has been inspiring something of a resurgence in indie sleaze as of late, and this new track continues that quest. Although the lyrics are pretty unimaginative, and the song sounds like a rejected LCD Soundsystem b-side, its unavoidable groove is a good soundtrack for a summer boogie. [3/5]

On the rise – New releases to note this week

Thank – ‘Writing Out A List Of All The Names Of God’: One of the most exciting bands to arise from Leeds’ underground scene in recent years, Thank, returns with a characteristically adrenaline-fueled slice of noise rock-inspired excellence. [4.5/5]

Thus Love – ‘Birthday Song’: Vermont queer post-punk outfit Thus Love has made a name for themselves with their unique brand of guitar-led rock. However, this new song hints at a maturing in the band’s sound, which makes ‘Birthday Song’ both refreshing and promising for the band’s upcoming album. [4/5]

Billiam – ‘Animation Cel’: Billiam has been an integral part of Melbourne’s DIY punk scene for years, but ‘Animation Cel’ marks a significant point in his musical journey. The title track from his newly released album is the product of years spent learning his craft and experimenting with a vast array of sounds; it has certainly paid off. [4/5]

AK/DK feat. Thick Richard – ‘Nobody Shouts’: The first track to be taken from the upcoming Strange Loops, this energetic electronica blends danceable beats with a dirty bassline and sneering vocals provided by alternative poet Thick Richard. [4/5]

The Bug Club – ‘A Bit Like James Bond’: Featuring the distinctive sense of humour that The Bug Club have become known for, this fuzzy DIY rock track is a good summation of their overarching sound. The track has a certain level of playfulness to it, which few groups could hope to replicate. [3.5/5]

Short Porch – ‘Good Times’: Good times are guaranteed with Brooklyn’s premiere slack rockers Short Porch. Quite possibly our favourite emerging band of the year, the band reaffirms that reputation with an unlikely tale of lowkey religious triumphs. [3.5/5]

Freedom – ‘Enchanted Wood’: If you were to stumble upon this song out of the blue, you could easily assume it was released during the latter part of the 1960s rather than 2024. Featuring a skilful take on retro psychedelic rock, ‘Enchanted Wood’ is difficult to dislike. [3.5/5]

Jarrow – ‘Birthmark’: Nothing says summer quite like fuzzy, homemade indie rock, which is perhaps why Melbourne’s Jarrow hits such a sweet spot with the newly released ‘Birthmark’. [3.5/5]

First Day Of Spring – ‘On Monday’: The Southend-on-Sea quintet treat us to a gentle, spaced-out dream-pop track which seems to be a perfect fit for summer evenings and atmospheric car journeys. [3/5]

First spin – Debut single of the week

PTRNS – ‘Magnolia’: The North of Ireland has always fostered a particularly enjoyable music scene, and indie rockers PTRNS are the latest group to establish themselves across the six counties. Reminiscent of that optimistic 2010s indie sound, the track is largely driven by the undeniable vocal talents of lead singer Nicole Smyth. However, the building guitar tones, which culminate in a compelling solo, are equally worth of note. [3.5/5]

Off The Beaten Track – Left-field sounds

Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding – ‘Saudade Dos Aviões Da Panair (Conversando No Bar)’: At long last, Esperanza Spalding had returned, blessing audiences with this beautiful bossa nova-inspired effort alongside Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Milton Nascimento. This collision of jazz geniuses has inspired a truly timeless track which should remain on your radar for years to come. [4.5/5]

Flammer Dance Band – ‘Trenger Ikke Dra’: Blending influences of Latin jazz with old-school funk and their own typically eccentric energy, Oslo’s Flammer Dance Band have returned with what might just be their most funk-ridden, foot-stomping, floor-filling track to date. [4/5]

Thee Marloes – ‘Nona’: Indonesian soul trio Thee Marloes had one of the stand-out album releases of this week, and the previously unheard track ‘Nona’ was a particular highlight of the record. Showcasing their ability to adapt to different tempos and atmospheres seemingly on a sixpence, the song is masterfully performed and constructed. [4/5]

Lollise – ‘Iron Woman’: Botswana-born, New York-based musician and artist Lollise has dropped the second track from her upcoming debut album, which sees her embrace a distorted, high-tempo electronic beat. If you can find a similarly self-reflective, personal, or emotional club banger, then I would love to hear it. [4/5]

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