Fans of the eclectic sprawl of Nilüfer Yanya’s 2019 debut album, Miss Universe, may be a little disappointed in her more conventional follow-up; there are no satirical parodies of wellness culture on Painless, and no surprising jazzy sax solos. But if the new record isn’t an advance over its predecessor, its consistency suggests that the […]
Tag: indie pop
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Chicago trio Gosh Diggity sharpen their lo-fi pop sound on Runaway Rocketboy
Chicago trio Gosh Diggity have drawn a bead on the chemistry that gave a hard-to-pin-down magnetism to the solo lo-fi electronics projects—among them Say Hi and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone—that occupied a special place in 2000s indie pop. Gosh Diggity’s early EPs, 2019’s banana brains and 2020’s Bedtime for Bonzos, radiate skinned-knee shambolic glee […]
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Torres writes big happy rock love songs for the end of lockdown
Brooklyn singer-songwriter Mackenzie Scott, aka Torres, is a master of insular, languid indie pop. But after making it through lockdown and finding inspiration in her partner, visual artist Jenna Gribbon, Scott is in an expansive mood. Her new album, Thirstier (Merge), graced with a glam cock-rock cover painted by Gribbon, features a big, snarling, exuberant […]
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Nature’s Neighbor takes its indie-pop experimenting to new lengths on Otherside
Chicagoan Mike Walker has led Nature’s Neighbor for more than a decade, working with a revolving-door cast of musicians who’ve helped him realize his liquid indie-pop sound. But as much as the project is his brainchild, its new album, Otherside (Tai Duo Music), wouldn’t exist without longtime collaborator Terrill Mast. Early last April, Mast texted […]
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Spun Out make their case for Chicago indie-pop canonization
Ne-Hi formed in 2013 and subsequently became one of the most revered Chicago indie-rock bands of the decade. The four-piece called it quits in May 2019, but I imagine their reputation will only keep growing—partly because all four members continue to play in remarkable groups. Jason Balla always juggled a few projects while in Ne-Hi, […]
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Another Sunny Day wrote a theme song for the disillusioned
The late-80s solo project of UK songwriter Harvey Williams still resonates with indie-pop misanthropes.
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On Black Friday, Palehound explore love in the face of anxiety
Update: To help slow the spread of COVID-19, this show has been postponed until a date to be determined. Tickets already purchased will be honored at that time, but contact point of purchase for refund information. On their third full-length, 2019’s Black Friday (Polyvinyl), Boston band Palehound offer candid meditations on love—its many forms and […]
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Local noise-pop group Melkbelly release a video for the brand-new single ‘Middle Of’
In Melkbelly’s new video they’re having all sorts of hangs in their practice space.
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Australia’s Chook Race play shambling indie pop worthy of K Records’ best
Melbourne trio Chook Race make their Chicago debut next Monday, September 19, at a free Empty Bottle show.
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Indie-pop duo Outside World returns home for a couple of shows this weekend
The band is on tour for their self-released, self-titled LP.
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Varsity’s ‘Fall Back on the Arrow You Love’ might at least make today sound warm and summery?
Today’s 12 O’Clock Track is Varsity’s warm and airy “Fall Back on the Arrow You Love,” from their recent self-titled full-length out on Jurassic Pop.
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Listen to a new soulful punk jam from Australia’s Royal Headache
Along with the excellent new track comes the announcement of an American tour.
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Former Chicagoans Outside World release a proggy, mathy new tune
“I Know You” is only the band’s second new song this year, but it’s a good one.
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12 O’Clock Track: ‘Beat the Sky’ is even more summer indie pop by Connections
The Columbus band readies their third LP.
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12 O’Clock Track: The slightly off minimalism of Love Inks’ “Better Alone”
The Austin trio open for the Blow tonight at Lincoln Hall.