Here are the seven up and coming indie artists that we can’t stop listening to right now!
Props
Props is a London-based artist/producer who began making upbeat electro-indie-pop tunes from his South London bedroom during lockdown in 2020.
Quickly, his music received support from the likes of BBC Introducing, Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Amazing Radio’s Charlie Ashcroft who fell in love with his combination of bright melodies and socio-political narratives.
His latest track ‘What You’re Made Of’ is about scrolling through social media and seeing negative content and feeling miserable about it.
It addresses the climate crisis and how individualistic and “save yourself” attitudes aren’t going to do humanity any favours.
“I feel like I spend half my time doomscrolling through depressing climate statistics and the rest writing happy little bops to counteract the misery’ says props.
Combining his distinctive tone and honest lyrics with funky drum grooves and addictive melodies, props has created another brilliant track that is both thought-provoking and joyful.
To keep up to date with the latest news from props, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter. To listen to their latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Faith Low
After being part of a number of bands as a teenager, Faith Low decided to go it alone and start working on their solo endeavours.
Their new track ‘Junkie Luv’ means a lot to them as it was written during an emotionally intense period of hopelessness, addiction and a failing relationship.
It was recorded in Faith Low’s bedroom and then they worked virtually with the sound engineer Harper James to bring their vision of guitar licks, melodies and lyrics to life.
The song is about being in love with someone or at least thinking that you are. At one point maybe you were in love but the addiction has become so destructive and all you want is to stop and go back to who you once were.
There is a moment of realisation that the girl will always choose the drugs and that love just isn’t enough. You yourself can’t cope so begin to spiral and it’s just a recipe for disaster.
The swirling electric guitar lines, driving beats and moody vocals create a powerful track that deals with a heavy topic with sensitivity and honesty.
To keep up to date with the latest news from Faith Low, you can follow them on Twitter and Instagram. To listen to their latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Mothé
Mothé were originally called Moth Wings and formed in Houston TX. After Moth Wings split in 2019, Spencer Fort and Luke Gonzales moved to LA, formed Mothé and began creating 70s, 80s and 90s inspired music with a modern twist.
The band have just shared their new single ‘Dancing On An Empty Floor’ ahead of their debut album I don’t want you to worry anymore which will be released later this year.
The track was created at Sonic Ranch, an inspirational studio that has vintage analogue equipment and instruments and is set in the middle of a 3000 acre pecan farm with the US/Mexico border wall visible from the studio.
This is a seriously catchy song that incorporates orchestral sounds and swirling synths to bring a unique arrangement with cool pop vocals sitting over the top.
To keep up to date with the latest news from Mothé, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To listen to their latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Kaylyn Marie
Kaylyn Marie is a multi-genre music maker and performer. Her work has led to becoming an alumna of Joe’s Pub’s WG, an Amish witch on Lifetime TV, a protest singer in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Post’, and a finalist on American Idol.
She has just released ‘Finally’, the last single off her EP Forget Me Not which chronicles a personal journey out of an abusive relationship and into self-love. It will be shared in its entirety later this month.
It describes that feeling of surprise when friends or family describe you positively to others and you are taken aback because you’d never describe yourself with that much enthusiasm or admiration.
‘Finally’ embodies that first moment you catch a glimpse of yourself through the eyes of your loved ones, “Finally, I believe I can see her. She’s the one looking back at me in the mirror.”
“My hope is that people who may recognise their journey in this record find encouragement toward healing – toward self-love. It’s so damn hard and entirely “easier said than done” but absolutely better “done” than simply said.” says Kaylyn.
It is a beautiful and empowering track that provides a gentle reminder to be kinder to ourselves. Kaylyn’s authenticity, smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics make you feel as though you are in the presence of a close friend, having a transformative heart to heart conversation.
To keep up to date with the latest news from Kaylyn Marie, you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To listen to her latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Fauna
Alt-indie-rock band Fauna – made up of Danny Williams (vocals/guitar), Adam Williams (guitar), Charlie Howarth (bass) and Tom Pine (drums) – have just released their fourth single ‘Didn’t Wanna’.
“It was written over lockdown, when all we wanted to do was go for a pint, we tried to cheer ourselves up by writing a song about the times you do go out and it never quite lives up to expectations. The feeling of standing in the middle of a room surrounded by people and wanting nothing more than to go home,” says the band.
The band even brewed their own beer “Didn’t Wanna IPA” to co-inside with the release and for everyone to enjoy whilst listening to the track!
The soundscape draws influence from the likes of Kings of Leon, Black Keys and Foals and is full of infectious hooks and soaring melodies, making it a perfect, upbeat anthem for the nights out that don’t go to plan.
To keep up to date with the latest news from Fauna, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To listen to their latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Fox Evades
Fox Evades is the solo project of self-taught musician, songwriter and bedroom producer, Jordan Mae. Born in Manchester, she learned to play the guitar using a CD-ROM and a computer from the age of seven and went on to study music technology at college.
In 2020, she wrote, recorded, produced and self-released her debut single ‘The Heart That Drowned’ in her bedroom studio and now one year on, Fox Evades has shared her fourth single ‘Someday’.
In an interview with Summaya Mughal on BBC Radio, Jordan said “The gist of the song is about not being afraid of being different. I think individuality is very much needed in the world and it’s so upsetting to see any discrimination of any kind really, in this day and age.”
“I really hope that people will listen to the song and feel less alone with it. It really does speak to people who have ever been made to feel like they can’t be themselves.”
Fox Evades also shared a music video for the track which was directed and produced by Hans Peter Schepp. It follows the story of transgender individual who is beginning to transition from a male to a female and accepts help from a friend during the process.
The song and video convey a very powerful and poignant message and one which I am sure will touch all those who discover it.
To keep up to date with the latest news from Fox Evades, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To listen to their latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Bitter Trick
Bitter Trick are an electronic indie-pop duo from the UK. Their music soundtracks tales of growing pains and navigating life as a 20-something in the 2020s.
The duo have recently shared ‘The Journey’, the final of three singles to be released in anticipation for their EP Climb.
The track is about living in the moment and enjoying your life as it is today. It can be easy to obsess about goals you have set and forget about all the amazing experiences you have on the way to reaching them, “wishing your life away, waiting for things to change”.
After the year that we have had, this feel-good track is the perfect reminder to look for the good in every day and to embrace the long nights, the boring days and the hard times because we’ll miss it when it’s gone.
This song has brought me so much joy. It has an infectious energy that makes you want to raise your arms in the air, dance around and love your life!
To keep up to date with the latest news from Bitter Trick, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To listen to their latest releases, head to YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
Follow Up&Coming’s Indie List Playlist to listen to all the tracks!
by Eveline Vouillemin ©