Our Indie Kids playlist celebrates everything on the indie spectrum, whether that’s rock, folk or pop, because we firmly believe in taking a little walk off the beaten track every once in a while.
Chloe Star continues her meteoric rise with ‘you say’, a high-voltage alt-pop anthem that transforms betrayal into a rock-leaning roar. Moving past the initial sting of being ghosted, Chloe channels her Indigenous and Persian roots into a performance defined by rockstar energy and raw clarity. The driving production mirrors the frustration of empty promises, perfectly capturing the disconnect between words and actions. It’s a fierce, relatable middle finger to the unreliable, solidified by Chloe Star’s gritty, emotive delivery. As she heads toward her 2026 tour dates, ‘you say’ cements her status as a vital, defiant voice for the queer community and outsiders everywhere.
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Folding Pacific Northwest imagery into soft-focus indie pop, ‘Atmospheric River’ is the drifting and emotive new single from Vansire. The duo’s melodic instincts, shaped by Beach Fossils and Toro y Moi, remain intact, but there’s a new clarity here. Featured artist Eliza McLamb’s harmonies add weight and grace, grounding lyrics that balance quiet dread with stubborn tenderness. It’s less hazy escapism, more intentional comfort. As part of Taking Solace, the track puts forward the idea that connection can be resistance, and softness can still endure the storm. In its restraint, it quietly expands Vansire’s palette, proving subtlety can linger longer than spectacle ever could.
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With his latest single and EP, Put On A Record Tommy, Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith delivers a high-octane manifesto of indie-rock ambition. The title track is an electrifying standout, blending 80s-inspired synth-pop with a theatrical edge that introduces us to the euphoric, yet slightly surreal world of Tommy’s Dance Place. Aided by a powerhouse guest appearance from Manchester legend Rowetta, the song pulses with infectious hooks and a driving rhythm that demands a dancefloor. At just 22, Tom balances grit and vulnerability, proving he is a formidable songwriter capable of bridging nostalgic soul with contemporary indie energy. It’s a bold, celebratory anthem.
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Hailing from San Luis Obispo, Carbon City Lights blend warm, reverb-drenched guitars with a laid-back indie groove reminiscent of Bahamas. Now, they’re steeping up the game again with latest single ‘Certain Things Matter’. Fronted by The Voice alumnus Michael Venia, his vocals shift effortlessly from grounded honesty to a soaring falsetto. Drawing on his Middle Eastern roots, the songwriting explores the art of shedding overwhelm with poetic vulnerability. It’s a sophisticated slice of indie-alt-rock that feels both intimate and expansive. ‘Certain Things Matter’ is a perfect companion for a long coastal drive or a reflective evening.
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On ‘asslesschaps.biz’, J’cuuzi turn digital-age body horror into a sweat-soaked electro-punk spectacle. The track lurches between jagged guitars, industrial beats, and chants that feel half runway show, half meltdown. Their lyrics skewer algorithmic consumerism, cosmetic desperation, and doomscrolling with grotesque humor: “the whole world in your pocket, but it feels more like a cyst” lands like a slogan scraped off a dying billboard. Even the absurd references from snail mucin to Ozempic to Hot Cheetos sound poisoned and glamorous at once. Like their theatrical live performances, the single is chaotic, stylish and overstimulating, daring listeners to recoil or dance harder.
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‘TINY TSHIRTS’ is a glitter-drenched release of pent-up emotion, turning post-breakup spirals into something loud, communal, and strangely liberating. Driven by punchy guitars and sharp, pop-rock hooks, Rosalie Chilvers’ track captures the chaos of being pulled back into old wounds, then choosing to dance through it anyway. Rosalie’s vocal delivery is equal parts grit and attitude, selling every sarcastic jab and late-night epiphany. It’s messy, dramatic and self-aware in the best way. ‘TINY TSHIRTS’ transforms heartbreak into healing under neon lights.
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Built on bright hooks, bouncing rhythms and a carefree energy, ‘Spark The Gasoline’ feels like the soundtrack to a late-night drive with nowhere to be. Beneath the sugary melodies and danceable pulse, Gianni Ferraro sneaks in a sly sense of chaos that keeps the song unpredictable and strangely addictive. Raised in Toronto’s legendary Cameron House music scene, Gianni channels that lived-in rock spirit into something fresh and playful. Bursting with the restless charm of an artist embracing reinvention, ‘Spark The Gasoline’ is the kind of song that demands repeat listens.
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Following the success of their debut ‘Sweet Thing’, Raleigh-based outfit Cherry Motel doubles down on their signature sound with the high-energy single ‘Money’. Drawing clear inspiration from the shimmering guitar work of Alvvays and the punchy, melodic sensibilities of Flipturn, the track is a vibrant explosion of indie-pop craftsmanship. ‘Money’ balances catchy, sun-soaked hooks with an underlying grit, perfect for late-night drives or crowded DIY spaces. With its driving rhythm and honest storytelling, the song solidifies Cherry Motel as a rising force in the North Carolina scene, as well as the broader indie-rock universe.
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On ‘Corpus Callosum’, Lou Monroe transforms neurological anguish into something strangely transcendent. The single unfolds in three distinct movements, shifting from intimate vulnerability to experimental tension before erupting into a towering finale that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. Lou treats the brain as both tormentor and companion, exploring chronic pain, depression and fractured identity with startling clarity. The song’s philosophical core gives it an unnerving emotional weight. Dense yet vulnerable, ‘Corpus Callosum’ balances alt-pop melody with theatrical ambition, ultimately sounding like a conversation between consciousness, flesh, and survival itself.
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Blending indie-pop sensibility with hazy electronica textures, Labrador lean into contrast with warm analog synths set against delicate, organic instrumentation in newest track ‘Paths’. There’s a lived-in quality to the production, mirroring lyrics that treat the body as a map of experience. Rather than building to a dramatic peak, ‘Paths’ unfolds gently, inviting reflection over reaction. It’s restrained but resonant, prioritizing emotional honesty over polish. In that subtlety, Labrador finds its strength, crafting something intimate that lingers like a half-remembered feeling.
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PURPLE MELON 