Feeling Behind the Music Trends? Here are Five Indie Artists to Tune Into
By Tasia Kuznichenko
Again, and again, Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist just doesn’t satiate my need for new music that hits that sweet spot. Don’t get me wrong, I love revisiting a classic indie bop from my high school days, but sometimes you just need something a little more matched to where you are in life. So, here are five ingeniously, fresh alternative artists to expand your listening repertoire!
1. DJO:
Okay, I bet you didn’t know that the swoon-worthy Steve Harrington from Stranger Things A.K.A. Joe Keery had a psychedelic solo project named ‘DJO’ (whatever that stands for, your guess is as good as mine).
Keery’s music is equally as engaging as seeing him on screen. Originally part of ‘Post Animal’ – a similarly psychedelic exploration of rock, ‘Twenty Twenty’ is DJO’S first debut album and is a dreamier, more experimental exploration. It covers everything from dream interpretation to the emotional turmoil of love and trying to keep up with a partner who’s way ahead of you. A perfect listen for when you want to fall down a rabbit-hole of introspection, as colourful, trippy and mesmerising as Alice in Wonderland itself.
Must listen tracks: Roddy, Personal Lies, Mortal Projections
2. Aldous Harding
I think it’s an absolute must to find an ethereal songstress who can soundtrack those days of your life where you feel like waltzing around your home – dressed head to toe in all black. Rising out of the embers with comparisons to Kate Bush, Nico and Cate Le Bon, it’s clear that the New Zealand singer-songwriter is drawing a transcendental sketch of her own, distinct place in music. Her recent two albums; ‘Designer’ and ‘Party’, are a collection of heartbreakingly hollow pastiches about “growing up, being in love and trying to figure out what the hell it is that you want”, mixed with some numbers that just make you want to jive a little! Harding’s velvety smooth, alto voice dances with bright saxophones in some songs, and more simply in others, with just an acoustic guitar. Either way – it’s pretty damn good.
Must listen tracks: Imagining My Man, Treasure, Zoo Eyes
3. Still Woozy
As Autumn descends into Winter, it feels so easy to let your mood become icier too. To halt those chilly blues in their tracks, ‘Still Woozy’s’ peppy, fairy floss wrapped electronic pop is the way to go. More soulful than what meets the eye, Sven Gamsky, the genius behind ‘Still Woozy’ spreads music just like crunchy peanut butter on a piece of toast – smooth, but with an unexpectedness that’s hard to predict. This includes nods to hip-hop and RnB and his inspirations including: Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy and “crunchy old blues”. I can guarantee that after a few listens, the intimate world of ‘Still Woozy’ gets pretty addictive. (Also he has a really cute dog, which features on his Instagram: @still_woozy – a bonus!!)
Must listen tracks: Vacation, Lucy, Goodie Bag
4. The Marías
Like the perfect blend of notes in a fine, red wine; orange zest, clove and smoky oak, ‘The Marías’ skilfully stir together elements of heritage, genre and language in their music. Puerto Rican-bred María Reál and her partner Josh Conway, from Los Angeles, infuse a Latin smoothness that in a second transports you to a red-velvet jazz lounge, with psychedelic guitars, reminiscent of a more futuristic aesthetic. It’s the perfect soundtrack to study to – chill yet funky. Just beware that their cruisy riffs may get stuck on you – just like a waterfall of oozing honey.
Must listen tracks: Ruthless, I don’t know you, Basta Ya
5. The Murlocs
This one goes out to all my ‘King Gizz’ fans who have burnt through their whole discography, (is that even possible with so many albums?) I give to you ‘The Murlocs’! Both bands share members, yet ‘The Murlocs’ is what ‘King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’ would be if they were set in an Aussie seaside town, (still smoking blunts, of course). These surfy blues, with a touch of garage rock, a wicked harmonica and a crooning lead vocal, will get you tapping your foot without even realising it.
Must listen tracks: Space Cadet, Snake in the Grass, Rolling On