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.
Fast-rising Utah teenage trio Riff Wood deliver raw, explosive optimism on ‘Beyond A Tree’, the final preview of their sophomore album, Butterfly In Black And White. Recorded with legendary producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Paramore), the alt-rock single channels missing an opportunity and desperately seeking a second chance into a cathartic anthem about finding hope in dark times. Carson Groves, Hyrum Russon and Shredder unleash massive hooks, gritty guitar riffs, and heavy-hitting drums that showcase their undeniable band chemistry. Blending pop-punk energy with modern rock edge, ‘Beyond A Tree’ solidifies Riff Wood as one of the genre’s brightest young acts.
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Los Angeles-via-Kansas indie outfit Hembree return with ‘Options’, a dance-driven comeback single that cuts through the noise of modern life. Sparked by frontman Isaac Flynn’s frustrating experience at a car dealership, the track turns the absurdity of endless upsells and hidden fees into a groovy, synth-fueled anthem about choosing love over consumerist clutter. Built around a pulsing Roland Juno-106 hook, the family-rooted band blends infectious rock energy with nostalgic electro-pop polish. ‘Options’ captures a rejuvenated Hembree at their finest, delivering a tight, vibrant reminder to tune out the daily hustle and get lost in what truly matters.
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‘Dream Life Rotation’ is a warm, nostalgic indie-rock reflection on growing up alongside the person who knows you best. Framed as a decades-long journey through childhood memories, marriage, hardship, and life’s defining moments, the song finds something profound in simply staying together. Its central idea that enduring love eventually stops feeling like magic and becomes something lasting is beautifully understated. Loose Buttons’ melodic approach gives the track an easy emotional pull, balancing wistfulness with genuine affection. Rather than romanticising perfection, this band celebrate loyalty, shared history and showing up when life gets difficult.
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Brooklyn singer-songwriter and producer Renny Conti announces his Mom + Pop signee debut album Split Second with the mesmerizing single ‘Leaving the Zoo’. Originating as a reflection on leaving New York, the track mutates into a poignant meditation on standing at the precipice of the unknown. Those ghostly vocals float above volcanic guitar breaks, surging distortion, and sweeping string arrangements. Channeling personal upheaval, grief, and unmoored transitions into architectural indie rock, Renny crafts a sonic leap of faith. ‘Leaving the Zoo’ stands as a thrilling, cinematic preview of an artist mastering the art of emotional transformation.
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Ziyad Al-Samman hits the ground running with ‘The Top’, an exhilarating burst of indie rock that channels classic Britpop swagger through a distinctly modern lens. Clocking in at under three minutes, the track wastes no time, launching into pounding guitars, infectious melodies and an irresistible sense of forward motion. Its message of fearless ambition and persistence gives the song an uplifting emotional core, turning setbacks into motivation rather than defeat. Ziyad sounds confident and uninhibited, delivering the kind of energetic performance that makes taking risks feel exhilarating. Loud, melodic and joyfully restless, ‘The Top’ is a thrilling preview of ELASTIC and its genre-defying spirit.
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New England indie outfit Stella Starfox delivers a rowdy dose of psychedelic rock with ‘Hammered by a Woman’. Born out of necessity when frontman Ben Gardner broke his wrist, the track blends raw GarageBand demos with polished Cubase production. Drawing inspiration from The Strokes and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the band pairs fuzzy guitars and synth textures with real house-party gang vocals to capture a boozy, high-energy atmosphere. Equating the disorienting rush of intoxication to being completely consumed by a partner, ‘Hammered by a Woman’ serves up a anthemic, feel-good preview of their upcoming debut album, Off Exotica.
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Erika Isaacs makes a welcome return with an emotionally charged indie-rock track that marks an exciting new chapter after a two-year break from releasing music. Blending indie pop, alt-pop, and rock influences, ‘Out Of Options’ carries a distinctly vulnerable atmosphere, reflecting the frustration and sadness that come when every possible path seems exhausted. Erika’s songwriting feels personal yet accessible, allowing the emotional weight to resonate without becoming overly dramatic. Her vocal delivery brings sincerity to the track, while the melodic arrangement gives the song a contemporary edge. ‘Out Of Options’ is a heartfelt comeback that leaves listeners curious about what Isaacs will share next.
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UK singer-songwriter Joshua Hawkes captures the exhilarating thrill of instant chemistry on his vibrant single ‘Eyes Like That’. Produced by Nikhil Shepherd, the track delivers a carefree, high-energy blend of indie-pop and pop-rock designed for late-night sparks. Blending driving 80s-inspired guitars, punchy 808 drums and infectious melodic hooks, Hawkes bottle-up the chaotic rush of falling for someone before knowing their name. His crisp vocals navigate the spontaneous friction between lust and reckless excitement. Fun, bright, and unapologetically playful, ‘Eyes Like That’ serves as a standout, anthemic preview of his forthcoming debut EP.
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With a quietly provocative perspective, the Franco-Australian singer-songwriter Amélie Giardini explores themes of power, vulnerability, control and instinct without offering easy answers. ‘Beast’ is a compelling, introspective release that leans into the darker contradictions of human nature. Her writing feels observant and deliberately ambiguous, allowing tension to build beneath the surface while flashes of dark humour add character. There’s an intriguing sense of restraint to the track, suggesting far more than it openly reveals. As the latest chapter of her Colour Bound project, ‘Beast’ demonstrates an artist unafraid to examine uncomfortable truths.
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British indie duo BirdyHop make a triumphant return after seven years with ‘Empty Pages’, a vibrant single recorded almost entirely in one day at Abbey Road. Brothers Chris and James Goldsmith deliver a melodic, new-wave-infused indie rock anthem that balances driving basslines, jangly guitars and subtle Mellotron textures. Reflecting on memory, loss, and personal transformation, the track gains its power from a deliberately loose, live-in-the-studio feel. Bridging power-pop energy with timeless British songwriting, ‘Empty Pages’ embraces emotional changes without losing its propulsive groove. It is an exhilarating comeback that proves BirdyHop haven’t lost their touch for infectious hooks.
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PURPLE MELON 