indie underrated

There aren’t a ton of indie pop acts with arena potential, but this sound is massive! “I’ve Had Some Wine” by Emmalee Rainbow sounds like it was made to be performed in front of a few thousand people. The drums are boomy, the guitars are resonant, and the choruses are full and triumphant. We kind of hear it as a cross between the Killers and Olivia Rodrigo; get ready to belt along!

What better way to start your new project than by paying homage to its inspiration? This debut release from Candy as a Nun is a dreamy, modern take on the Velvet Underground classic “Candy Says.” The interpretation stays pretty true to the original in terms of structure and delivery, but it diverges in terms of production. This version moves the track into a wider, more resonant room and the resulting mood is a wistful one. We can’t wait to hear more from this project, and we think fans of Lana Del Rey should keep a close eye on it!

We can be pretty selective about the indie folk we choose to feature on this blog; typically, if it sounds too country, we tend to avoid it. That being said, we’ve made an exception for this new Patrick Sampson single. The instrumental arrangement behind “Lost in Montana” is relatively traditional: stompy rhythm, acoustic guitars, fiddles, etc. What really draws us to it is authenticity. This song is raw, emotional, and pure. And it’s highlighted by Sampson’s stunning vocals. We recommend this one for fans of Noah Kahan or The Avett Brothers.

Fans of artists like Steve Lacy and Dominic Fike will love this new single by Cole Calico. “Strike Out” is an R&B-inspired indie pop jam. The rhythm section stays groovy and the guitars have that percussive, Nile Rodgers thing going on. There are moments in the song where we actually hear a little 1975 influence; primarily in the emotive vocals. So, it’s safe to say that R&B and pop fans alike should dig it.

Hear these on our All New Indie Pop playlist!