My expertise is in classical music, yet I aim to convey my enthusiasm for indie music, and suggest some starting points for your own exploration from an unusual perspective. I'm experimenting with including sound samples in this round up to aid this process.
25 Top Albums
Critical opinion to this debut album released via Pledge Music has been mixed, yet I love it for taking risks. Becky Jones has a distinctive and powerful soprano voice, sounding ethereal. The mood is often dark, most notably in the stand out This Ain't No Hymn. The texture layered with extensive use of minimalist repetition and electronics.
Frank Ocean's New Orleans R&B balances the strong representation of folk in this list, yet he shares a gift for melody. His voice is charismatic, and the 10 minute long Pyramids epitomises his willingness to experiment. It's an album bursting with imagination, such as the use of synths and moody drum patterns, full of moody reverb. This is great music regardless of genre and an excellent place to start expanding your horizons.
The British but Florida based Ju Kovacevich's gorgeous EP is available on Bandcamp as a 'name your price' download. As this interview explains, it's a break-up record, melancholy in feel with prominent piano, but far from angry. Influences include Neil Young and Sigur Ros, but I'm reminded of the classical minimalist Philip Glass and Beach House. I love his falsetto, and the percussion contrasts with its serenity.
An appropriate title for this delightful album, which doesn't break new ground but is imbued with American optimism. My favourite Aimee Mann is the Magnolia soundtrack, but this feels fresh and vibrant, and of course benefits from the instantly recognisable vocals. I love its feeling of natural, easy inevitability.
A gloriously introspective and understated creation, the London trio avoid a sophomore slump after their Mercury winning début. The sound is sparse, stripped back to tender emotions about love with overlapping vocals. Some may find it soporific, but it gradually weaves its way into your subconsciousness.
This 8 piece band from New Jersey is a must for lovers of Americana. I love the acoustic instruments, including bass, cello and banjo, and the rootsy harmonies, but it's not entirely backward looking. The sparseness of the last of 14 the tracks doesn't quite work for me, but the sense of collaboration and camaraderie makes me want to see them live.
This is Jack Tatum's second album, and like Gemini is influenced by the 80's, with plenty of synth as well as acoustic guitar in the mix. It's laid back in feel, and the reverb soaked atmosphere washes over you smoothly. However, it isn't lacking emotional engagement, and I've found it wears well, despite its apparent simplicity. Paradise is my highlight.
This anonymous Manchester artist produces what some describe as 'witch house'. It's sad, slow music, using stretched out garage beats and pitch shifted vocals. This description might sound miserable, but in fact I find it exceptionally beautiful, even mesmerising. I can't wait to experience the atmosphere of the live show in October.
The debut album from Portland is subtle and atmospheric, being conceived as a coherent whole. It's been compared to The Antlers' Hospice, and will fuel your imagination with its quiet melancholy. You can stream in its entirety on Bandcamp, where you can appreciate the graceful horn and trumpet. To say that it lacks variety is to miss the point; this is music to dream to.
Album available to stream on NPR for a limited period
This high profile collaboration needs little endorsement from me, but its funky feel is refreshingly quirky. Brass instruments, specifically horns, sound jaunty, and it was inspired by Walt Whitman's Song of Myself. The interplay of the characterful voices is delightful, and the energy here is infectious.
An all too brief 4 tracks, this EP is available for a 'name your price' download from Bandcamp. It feels gentle, with largely acoustic instruments, and the two musicians behind this beautiful creation are from Ireland. It's self-produced, so sounds honestly simple, but the extended closing song rewards the listener's patience as it builds to a rousing climax.
San Francisco's Tidelands is one of the friendliest indie bands you'll come across, and deserve much wider recognition. This is their second album, and if you enjoyed the first, this is similarly refreshing 'orchestral indie'. The whole album can be streamed at Bandcamp: my favourite track for its rhythmic energy is The New Black. I love the use of layered acoustic instruments along with Gabriel Leis' electric guitar and Mie Araki's committed percussion playing. A truly beautiful experience, sincerely felt.
This is one of several contemplative, subtle albums on this list, this time from Toronto. It has a personal intensity, and lead Jonas Bonnetta gives an illuminating track by track analysis here, talking movingly about grief from his father's death. It's most touching, yet is also a collective effort, including members of Timber Timbre and The Wooden Sky. A beautiful, cathartic experience.
I've had two memorable live encounters with Two Door Cinema Club recently, and following front man Alex Trimble's appearance at the London Olympic Opening Ceremony, their profile is sky high in the UK. Yes, this is mainstream pop, making heavy use of hooks and repetition, but I value its uplifting quality. It's a little more polished than their début Tourist History, but doesn't represent a significant departure in style. Some will regret that they've played safe, but given their current success this is understandable. To appreciate the album fully though, you really need to go to one of their shows.
The Brooklyn quartet's album doesn't instantly capture your attention, lacking the immediacy of big tunes, but it gradually seduces you. The highlight is the beautiful Half Gate, and I love the blend of electronic and older instruments. There is a subtle genius underpinning this album, and Sun in Your Eyes makes for a satisfying close. Yet, I'm not sure it has the impact of Veckatimest, and so fear I admire rather than love it.
This Wisconsin group is named after the Neutral Milk Hotel song, although in sound the falsetto vocals are closer to Bon Iver. The warm melodic invention and vocal harmonies are explained by the fact that this EP was inspired by the recovery of lead Johnny Solomon from addiction. I found it most touching and quietly powerful; recommended.
This is the most rootsy album on this list, utterly charming Americana. The Portland duo consists of fiddle player Parks and folk singer Rawling, and happily you can stream it on Bandcamp. It's lyrically beautiful, with lovely harmonies, and thoughtful lyrics. It's not intended to be innovative, but folk lovers will enjoy it greatly.
You can stream a track from this album on Bandcamp
This London based folk band are well established but under the radar; this release is charming, beautiful and meditative. I particularly appreciated instrumental flourishes such as the cello in Step Off The Train. It won't necessarily challenge you, and doesn't break new boundaries, but it will warm your heart.
This is Chan Marshall's ninth album and the slightly opaque mix makes extensive use of electronics. Some times I wonder if she's laboured too long over the sound. The opening Cherokee is downbeat, but the tempo picks up with the title track. This is an album I admire and there's no doubting the sincerity and the bluesy, soul influences, most apparent in the 11 minute Nothin But Time.
There's remarkably little information online about Sun River, although their label's page links to some sample tracks and reveals they are a three piece from Denmark. It's a satisfying discovery, acoustic guitar based contemporary folk, with a laid back, understated bluesy feel. Well worth exploring if you enjoy Fleet Foxes or Midlake.
The core members of Family Band consist of a couple from Brooklyn. Jonny Ollsin is a metal guitarist, and whilst this is largely understated dream folk, his background manifests itself in his riffs. It's bleak, chilly album, with haunting alto vocals from Kim Krans, a visual artists. The effect is undoubtedly powerful and spare.
Mother Mother The Sticks (Indie Rock) 6.5/10
The fourth album from the Western Canadian group follows the well received Eureka, and has a welcome darker rock edge. It would feel almost menacing, were it not for their wit and sense of playfulness. It can seem a little too eclectic and inconsistent, but avoids blandness.
You can download 2 tracks via the Music link on the artists' website
This is contemporary folk music, but initially sounds like early choral music, until your realise there are eastern influences, and a Van Halen cover amongst the tracks. Its unashamedly gloomy, apocalyptically so, but it's such a clever, seamless blend of styles, and always beautiful despite the sadness. A musical byway for the adventurous to explore; I was fascinated.
I was impressed with the last Kyla La Grange show I saw, yet this debut full length has been criticised as formulaic. Live, folk influences are more evident: this pop record is over-produced by Sony, the song Sympathy giving a flavour of unadulterated song. The British singer is in the shadow of Florence, yet on its own terms Ashes is still upbeat and fun.
A clash meant I missed the New York based Brits at Reading Festival. Songs like Crate of Gold are informed by a love of country and folk, but sounds commercial and Brit pop like. They mention My Morning Jacket as an influence, but Kasabian sometimes come to mind. The inspiration sags mid album, and there are a few too similar songs, but the closing Bonfires reminds me of their potential.
25 Also Recommended:
- Animal Collective Centipede 7/10
- Amelia White Beautiful and Wild 7.5/10
- Astronauts Etc. Mystery Colours (single) 8/10
- The Antlers Undersea EP 7/10
- Deerhoof Breakup Song
- Delicate Steve Positive Force 7.5/10
- Easter Island Frightened 7.5/10
- Jessie Ware Devotion 7/10
- Lemolo The Kaleidoscope 7.5/10
- Lianne La Harvas Is Your Love Big Enough 7/10
- Lucy Rose Lines EP 7.5/10
- Mary Epworth Dreamlife 7/10
- Milo Greene 7.5/10
- Minus The Bear Infinity Overhead 7/10
- Mountain Goats Transcendental Youth 6.5/10
- Mount Eerie Ocean Roar 7/10
- The New Old Calvary Carry Me Out This Way 7/10
- Poor Moon 6.5/10
- Purity Ring Shrines 7/10
- Shovels & Rope O' Be Joyful 7.5/10
- Stars The North 7/10
- Stealing Sheep Into The Diamond Sun 6.5/10
- Swans The Seer 6.5/10
- To Kill A King Word of Mouth EP 7/10
- Yeasayer Fragrant World 6.5/10
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