Words by Keira Knox
Summer 2024 has been a treat for music fans across the globe. With iconic release such as Charli XCX’s ‘BRAT’ or Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short ‘n’ Sweet’. However, I want to highlight some of the incredible indie releases that we have been fortunate enough to have. Tracks that have created memories to last a lifetime.
‘The Patch Where Nothing Grows’ – The Royston Club : The track ‘The Patch Where Nothing Grows,’ with its lively, invigorating guitar lines, gritty vocals, and Strokes-like vibe, embodies the essence of indie music flawlessly. The Royston Club consistently produces amazing music with their tracks, never missing a beat. This charming indie summertime track has been a constant favourite on my playlist during the summer months.
‘Favourite’ – Fontaines D.C. : The melody of this tune seems very contemporary and nostalgic all at once, yet it has a timeless character. The glistening guitar chords add even more to the track’s dreamlike mood. Its powerful percussion beats and charming bass tones flawlessly embody a lot of post-punk clichés. By combining the traditional 90s indie vibe with their own post-punk style, ‘Favourite’ creates something truly remarkable. To top it all off, witnessing this live this summer was a profoundly transformative event.
‘Gary’ – Blossoms : Perfecting their 80s-inspired indie sound one track at a time. The track ‘Gary’ is incredibly infectious and distinctly Blossoms. The lyrical storytelling in this song is expertly used to take listeners on a journey. Taken from their latest album under the same name, ‘Gary’ has taken a Gorilla statue up and down the country this summer, even being brought out on stage at the band’s biggest headline show to date at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park.
‘Rain’ – Wunderhorse : Along with some of Slater’s best vocal performances, ‘Rain’ includes some of his brightest musical compositions. This song truly shines in the middle when it builds to an amazing crescendo, thanks to the hard work of guitarist Harry Fowler, drummer Jamie Staples, and bassist Pete Woodin. ‘Midas’ has treated us too some of Wunderhorse’s best work this summer, but for me ‘Rain’ tops it all.
‘Sun Kiss’ – Lock-In : Lock-In will undoubtedly unleash a memorable summers hit, that much is certain. Lock-In has something unique in store for you every summer. The “feels of summer” are aptly captured in this song. The track is instantly memorable due to its purposeful balancing act between melodic flow and musical force. This lively song sums up summers well, reminding me of long, carefree days spent in beer gardens, sunny afternoons, and the excitement of music festivals.
‘Glasgow’ – Pale Waves : Pale Waves, who will play a headline set at Manchester’s NBHD festival in the autumn, have already had a hugely successful summer in advance of the release of their new album, ‘Smitten.’ A majestic indie hit that will undoubtedly make Pale Waves climb to notoriety much easier. ‘Glasgow’ blends elements of modern indie music with melodies evocative of The Cure and The Cranberries, promising to take you back to the 90s rock era.
‘Sugarcoated’ – Nieve Ella : Nieve’s amazing vocal range is perfectly complemented by the song’s throbbing drumming and pounding guitar rhythms, which fill the entire space. Nieve Ella expertly demonstrates her ability to blend the various components of her unique indie-pop sound with strong choruses .The singer’s summer has been incredibly successful thanks to ‘Sugarcoated,’ which has given her nearly weekly festival gigs and a significant supporting role alongside Girl in Red.
‘Mr & Mrs Human Race’ – Seb Lowe : Seb Lowe’s sound is a complex tapestry sewn with a multiplicity of diverse sounds from an extensive variety of inspirations, and ‘Mr & Mrs Human Race’ is a wonderful illustration of this. Seb Lowe has already established himself as one of Britain’s brightest talents through his combination of catchy tunes and political humour. Another performer who has had great success this summer playing at esteemed events like Glastonbury and R&L.
‘The World’s Biggest Pavement Slab’ – English Teacher : The powerful introductory bass lines and post-punk vibe of ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’ confirm why English Teacher was a deserving recipient of this year’s Mercury Prize. It’s the most popular song from ‘This Could Be Texas,’ their debut album. Front woman Lily Fontaine is amazing; this song amply demonstrates her creative flexibility and potent lyricism, which are unmatched throughout this record.
‘Lungs’ – Siobhán Winifred : Due to her honesty, Siobhán is able to communicate with her audience on a personal level and accurately portray her feelings. ‘Lungs’ exudes a subdued intensity as Siobhán attempts to express her feelings of anxiousness and breathlessness. The melody’s exquisitely crafted curl appears to intensify the lyric’s powerful emotion. Her debut EP, ‘Don’t Do Well Alone,’ will be available on the 27th of September.
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