The Big Indie Playlist. (Credits: Far Out Magazine)
Another week has come and gone and brought along with it tens of thousands of new songs. It would be literally impossible to keep up to date unless you wanted to dedicate the rest of the month to only listening to the tunes released in the last seven days. So, to keep you moving with the times, The Big Indie Playlist is here to make sure no greatness slips through the cracks.
This week was a big week for the up-and-comers. Big names seemed to be relatively quiet while new artists made some incredible noise, rightfully pulling attention their way. Pem stunned with another beautiful track, while ELLiS-D unleashed more electrifying art rock into the world. Piri & Tommy have this weekend’s party soundtrack ready or get in your feels with new work from Piglet or Wonderbug.
In the world of established artists, however, this week saw many comebacks. Celeste made her return with a cinematic ballad. Elbow and Doves brought their bands into 2024 with two big rock tracks. There was even a Christmas track, as Stevie Nicks was the first to ring the sleigh bells and announce that the festive season officially opened.
If you’re looking for a new favourite album, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart for the best of this week’s long plays. But right here, we’re serving up a quick fix of the best new hits, all in one place, so all you have to do is press play.
The best new music of the week:
(Credits: Far Out / PEM)
Track of the week:
Pem – ‘Ellipsis’: After the release of her flawlessly beautiful EP Cloud Work at the start of the year, Pem continues the gold standard she set with her new stand-alone single ‘Ellipsis’. Realistically, Pem could sing anything, and it would be stunning. With such a uniquely captivating voice with its emotive folk warble, she could be singing her shopping list or even hurling a whole bunch of insults right at you, and it would still be stunning. So the fact that she’s also a thoughtful and interesting lyricist too makes it all the better.
As a cherry on top, the track comes with another gorgeous music video. It’s clear that the visuals in Pem’s world are an essential piece of the puzzle, so hit play on this track via its official video and soak up the song along with the choreographed visuals to accompany it. [4.5/5]
Instant Classics – The biggest releases of the week
Stevie Nicks and Jason Kelce – ‘Maybe This Christmas’: This week, Far Out HQ had a debate about when it’s time to turn the Christmas music on. Well, Stevie Nicks is saying now is the moment with the release of one of this year’s earliest Christmas offerings alongside Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce, who has a surprisingly lovely voice. [3/5]
Jason Kelce - Stevie Nicks - 2024. (Credits: New Heights via Instagram)
Celeste – ‘This Is Who I Am’: Celeste made her return this week with a new single for the The Day Of The Jackel soundtrack. Her soulful, jazzy voice is a welcome addition to any playlist and with the tense drama of the track, this release is a stunning one. [4/5]
Doves – ‘Renegade’: Doves returned too with their first single in over four years. To announce a new album coming in February, the 2000s rock legends make a solid bid for renewed glory with this cinematic track. [3/5]
Elbow – ‘Adriana Again’: Big week for the old rock bands as Elbow also shared a new song. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a solid song that will no doubt sound massive live. [3/5]
Alice Phoebe Lou – ‘Better’: Alice Phoebe Lou has one of those voices that seems to put the world to rights and instantly lighten the mood, which is exactly what we need right now. So ‘Better’ is a very welcome release. [3.5/5]
ANOTR – ‘Set It On Fire’: Got some rage to get out after this week’s news? This rumbling tune would be a great one to take to the gym and take it all out on a punching bag. [3.5/5]
On the rise – New releases to note this week
ELLiS·D – ‘Shakedown’ – We’re major ELLiS-D fans. His set at Brighton’s Homegrown festival remains a live highlight of the year, with ‘Shakedown’ providing an electrifying moment. Now, that energy is captured on tape with another gripping track from the artist. [4.5/5]
Piri & Tommy – ‘Yoyo’: Got a party this weekend? Piri & Tommy just dropped the soundtrack. While the duo might be best known for their viral hit ‘Soft Spot’, their recent tracks on their new EP About Dancing are better, more interesting and carving a clear path into their future as two of the UK’s most exciting composers for club culture. [4/5]
Szou – ‘My Hands’: An unapologetic song about women’s pleasure by one of London’s finest up-and-comers. With a sound now pivoting towards a more indie-pop direction and away from the electro-synth sounds that Zoe Kent first began with as a solo artist, this track is a perfect bridge between those early days and the band’s future. [3/5]
Girl Scout – ‘I’m So Sorry’: Swedish indie troupe Girl Scout present a perfect arms-in-the-air, swaying rock tune that’s deserving of the label ‘anthemic’. [4/5]
Man/Woman/Chainsaw – ‘Sports Day’: A staple on the London live scene, Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s new EP Eazy Peazy captures the potential that countless crowds around the city have scene, with this tune being a standout. [3.5/5]
Somebody’s Child – ‘Time Of My Life’: Imagine if Bruce Springsteen was a 20-something-year-old from Dublin who also loved The 1975 Sam Fender. The result is Somebody’s Child and a perfect indie-rock tune called ‘Time Of My Life’. [3.5/5]
Freak Slug – ‘Witch’: Taking the crown for the best song on her new album I Blow Out Big Candles, ‘Witch’ offers something different and exciting with a jazzy undertone. [4/5]
Freak Slug - 2024 - El Hardwick. (Credits: Far Out / El Hardwick)
Wonderbug – ‘Answers’: The entirety of Wonderbug’s new EP Scrap is worthy of a listen, but this track is a real golden moment that could soundtrack the most beautiful coming-of-age indie flick. [4/5]
Piglet – ‘The Square’: It was a strong week for Irish talent as Piglet also released a beautiful EP titled For Frank Forever. Once again, the entirety is worthy of a listen, but the closing remarks of this song is a gorgeous moment in the project. [3.5/5]
First Spin – Debut single of the week
Nell Tiger Free – ‘Do I Just Keep Making Things Worse?’: Best known for playing Myrcella Baratheon on Game of Thrones, Nell Tiger Free has finally united with the form she calls her first love as she shares her debut single.
It’s a gorgeous tune, dipping between poetry and punchy, straight-talking lines that somehow hold just as much emotion. In the same sonic world as Lana Del Rey, Ethel Cain, Mitski and all the other tender yet punchy female artists dominating at the moment, it seems that this new star is primed to join them. [4/5]
Off The Beaten Track – Left field sounds
Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra – ‘Tension’: A stylish, cinematic Afro jazz anthem. The combination of the Ethiopian jazz pioneer and the middle-eastern funk collective is astounding, and might just be one of Astatke’s finest efforts in years. [4.5/5]
La Descarga – ‘Cumbia de Corazón’: The endlessly optimistic, celebratory melodies of cumbia have a pretty timeless appeal, as shown by the prevalence of modern cumbia groups like La Descaraga and this typically euphoric new offering. [4/5]
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – ‘Dey ft Damian Marley (Gaudi & Don Letts Remix)’: The bass-heavy, dub reggae remix of Kuti and Marley’s track is just as infectious as the original, but with an entirely new layer of grooving rhythm. [3.5/5]
