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.
Grace Cummings continues to prove herself one of the most compelling voices in contemporary songwriting on ‘I’m Not Crazy’. Produced by Jonathan Wilson, the track pairs warm analogue textures and dreamy folk-rock atmospherics with lyrics that explore emotional violence and manipulation. Grace’s decision to sing in a softer, more vulnerable register adds another layer of unease, making the song’s central refrain increasingly unsettling as it unfolds. The accompanying animated video, directed by Lucy Dyson, beautifully reflects the tension between beauty and fear that runs through the track. Haunting, intimate and deeply affecting, ‘I’m Not Crazy’ lingers long after it ends.
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‘The Westside’ is Maudlin Strangers’ latest sharp-yet-atmospheric indie-rock track, which seeks to peel back the glossy façade of affluent Los Angeles culture. Driven by moody guitars, polished production, and Jake Hays’ reflective songwriting, the song captures the tension between outward perfection and inner emptiness. Its lyrics question the obsession with status, designer fashion and curated success that defines neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, suggesting that appearances often conceal deeper dissatisfaction. The blend of indie pop accessibility and alternative rock edge makes the message resonate without feeling preachy. ‘The Westside’ is both a catchy anthem and a thoughtful social critique.
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Essy Sparrow’s stunning new single ‘Vinyl Spinning’ acts as a breathtaking prelude to her upcoming EP, Gossip From A Coastal Town. Evolving from a poem written on the Cornish coast, the track is a cinematic indie-folk anthem exploring memory, lost love, and the indelible marks people leave behind. Produced by CJ Pandit, the song cleverly embeds hidden recordings of the sea beneath its instrumentation, grounding its sweeping melodies in a distinct sense of place. Striking the perfect balance between whimsical storytelling and bittersweet nostalgia, it’s a gorgeous, emotionally resonant snapshot that lingers long after the final note.
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Johnny Lloyd’s latest evolution as Band of Revelations hits its stride with ‘After Dark’. Trading the indie grit of TRIBES for a warm, widescreen heartland sound, the track beautifully channels the enduring spirits of Bruce Springsteen and The War on Drugs. Driven by a steady pulse, a feel-good guitar solo, and a nostalgic harmonica sendoff, the production favors raw feeling over glossy polish. Beneath its comforting, lived-in instrumentation lies a poignant thematic core. It’s an honest exploration of heartbreak and doing your best when it’s still not enough. It is timeless, soulful, and deeply resonant.
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‘Gold in California’ is a beautifully understated folk-pop gem that transforms personal hardship into something warm and restorative. Written during a period of isolation, heartbreak and illness, Le Ren’s new song carries an intimacy that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Inspired by a simple-yet-evocative lyric from collaborator Olivia Kaplan, the track unfolds like a quiet road-trip daydream, finding comfort in companionship and silence. Le Ren’s gentle vocals and vivid storytelling create an atmosphere of tenderness and hope, capturing the feeling of emerging from darkness. ‘Gold in California’ shines as a heartfelt meditation on healing, connection and renewal.
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Brilliantly subverting expectations, ‘Scars’ is the vibrant centerpiece of Scott Fisher’s seventh studio album, A Billion Suns. While the title suggests somber reflection and the chorus laments modern emotional heaviness, the track stands out as the record’s most upbeat, joyful offering. It’s an urgent reminder to embrace life lightly. Recorded at Hollywood’s iconic EastWest Studios, the song captures the spontaneous energy of an instinctual jam session. Backed by the powerhouse rhythm section of bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Joey Waronker, the arrangement breathes. Scott layers lush 70s-style strings, warm Wurlitzer electric piano, and a vintage 1956 Martin acoustic guitar into a liberating sonic triumph.
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Built around a laid-back groove and sun-soaked melodies, ‘In My Head’ is an uplifting indie-rock anthem that captures the rare and liberating feeling of mental clarity. With this new track, Carbon City Lights evokes the freedom of driving with the windows down as old worries fade into the distance. Michael Venia’s expressive vocals bring warmth and sincerity to lyrics that reflect personal growth and a renewed outlook on life. The song’s blend of catchy hooks, polished instrumentation, and heartfelt storytelling makes it instantly engaging. ‘In My Head’ showcases Carbon City Lights’ talent for turning introspective moments into vibrant, feel-good indie.
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Stepping out from behind the soundboard for heavy hitters like Halsey and Lovelytheband, NYC songwriter-producer christian medice delivers intimate new single ‘Good Time’. True to his self-proclaimed mission of creating music his dog would enjoy, the track wraps the listener in a cozy blanket of bedroom pop and lo-fi indie rock. christian expertly balances a chill, moody atmosphere with infectious indie-pop sensibilities. The production feels wonderfully organic yet meticulously textured, trading massive radio hooks for a hypnotic, laid-back groove. It is the ultimate soundtrack for rainy afternoons and quiet, introspective late-night drives.
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Haquin captures the quiet weight of emotional exhaustion on ‘Worn Out Smile’, a beautifully understated indie folk offering that finds comfort in life’s small refuges. The Edinburgh musician leans into intimacy, pairing close-mic’d acoustic guitar with ghostly strings that drift through the arrangement like distant memories. Rather than relying on grand gestures, the song thrives on restraint, allowing every breath, pause and subtle harmony to carry emotional significance. Haquin’s vulnerable vocal performance feels disarmingly close, drawing listeners into a reflective space where weariness and hope coexist. Gentle yet affecting, ‘Worn Out Smile’ is a reminder of music’s healing power.
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On a ‘a letter and a lousy memory’, rising songwriter Timing Your Memory has intentionally opted for stripped-back production and subtle arrangements to emphasise the emotional clarity that sits at the core of this single. Originally written on 5,000-rupee (approximately £40) acoustic guitar on a summer’s evening in India, the final result has really retained that sense of vulnerability and intimacy. The other special element here is the esraj, a rare 17th-century Indian bowed string instrument, which adds a haunting, resonant tone that further roots this song in a cultural and history memory. Those acoustic folk strings, emo-tinged vocals and intermittent ersaj tones make an intertwined progress through a narrative of bittersweet, romantic melancholy.
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PURPLE MELON 