The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - 10 Of The Best (Part Five)

These songs didn’t make it onto the blog. They should have as these are some of the best indie songs of 2015 so prepare to have your socks knocked off in this New Year special!

1.   Bloc Party – The Love Within

And now a little bit of what's going down in London. The Bloc Party are indie rock legends with widespread popularity (3 million in sales and counting). Hymns (Jan'16) is their fifth album and has already hit two boundaries. The Love Within  (Oct'15) is the first of  the two cracking singles and is screamingly original. Fucking synths, as seen far to often these days, but quite a rocking melody with it. Proper quirky.

 

 



2.   Grizfolk – Trouble Maker

Grizfolk are a Los Angeles alternative rock band with a debut album out in January (Waking Up The Giants) followed by a national tour. Troublemaker (Nov'15) is a rollicking number with impassioned vocals about nothing much really.

 

3.   Colyer – Out For You

Colyer fights out of Los Angeles by way of the mid-east and is a multi instrumentalist and singer songwriter. His facebook page reckons he has an "edgy raw rock'n'roll sound and a dynamic R&B groove". Out For You (Oct'15) has some shit-kicking strut and a grimy desert rock vibe.

4. Beck - Dreams

Dudes been making music since like forever (1985) and is an absurdly popular genre hopper from fucking Los Angeles. Yeah, again. Dreams (June'15) is a stand alone single and it has made Beck relevant again, twenty years after he peaked, with a bouncy indie tune, fat beats from the rhythm section and some spacey lyrics.

 

 

5.   Yacht – I Wanna Fuck You Till I'm Dead


Here comes the fun. An indie dance rock band from Portland, Oregon but based in Los Angeles (I shit you not) Yacht released their sixth album, I Thought The Future Would Be Cooler, in October. I Wanna Fuck You Till I'm Dead (Oct'15)  has a bit of a dirty rock guitar sound to accompany the kooky vocals, synth and big bounce. Dimes to dollars it'll put a smile on your dial. 

 

 

6. Electric Six – Kids Are Evil

A comedy rock band from Detroit, Michigan, hallelujah! Electric Six have eleven long players in the vault and Kids Are Evil (Oct'15) is off the last, Bitch Don't Let Me Die (Oct'15). The tune sounds like a Rocky Horror Picture Show song, the rhythm guitar brings the heat, filthy as a street sleeping geriatric hobos dick cheese and grinding harder than a Thai lap dancer on a rainy week night.

 

7.   Dead Sara – Something Good

A rock band from Los Angeles, I couldn't make this shit up, Something Good (May'15) comes screaming off their second album Pleased To Meet You (2015). It sounds like Stevie Nicks joined Led Zeppelin and rocks as hard as a cunt punt from Ronda Rousey while being, in parts, as smooth as a baby's bottom. One of the best songs of 2015.

 

 

  8. Matt Rock – Gimme A Sign

 

A reclusive indie rocker from London, England, Matt Rock has a debut album Get Blank (Oct'15) out and Gimme A Sign (Sept'15) is the debut single. The message is universal, a search for meaning, and some hand clap rhythm with great guitar propels this infectious tune forward. Make more music. That's your sign Matt.

 

 

 

9. Family Of The Year – Facepaint

 

Of course this band are from Los Angeles. Why wouldn't they be? An indie rock band Facepaint (Aug'15) is from their third self-titled album and marries sweet wafting indie with righteous rock. Better than a kick in the teeth.

 

 

 

 

10. Whitey – Thank You For Letting Me Down

 

Whitey is a musical prodigy from London and a genre hopper. Check out the piano in this track. Thank You For Letting Me Down (March'15) is off his mini album Seven (2015). This is why I listen to indie music. Varied, introspective, emotive and talent up the wazoo.

 

 

 





The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - 10 Of The Best (Part Four)

These songs didn’t make it onto the blog. They should have as these are some of the best indie songs of 2015 so prepare to have your socks knocked off in this New Year special!

1.   Beirut – No No No

The title track from their fourth album No No No (Sept’15). Beirut  are an indie folk rock band with a side of world music and No No No (June’15) is a cool gin and tonic with lime as you lounge on a yacht skipping over the water on a blue sky summers day. Mellow yet upbeat.

 

 

2.   Teen Men – Hiding Records (So Dangerous)

 

Teen Men are an electronic pop band from Delaware. Hiding Records (So Dangerous)(Nov’13) is the lead single from their debut album Teen Men (June’15) that obviously got a delayed release. It’s got a timeless, ethereal, vocal flow over a big ass bass and guitar groove and able assistance from the synths. It’ll make you feel dangerous.

 

 



 

 

3.   The Amazons – Ultraviolet

We’re back to guitar rock, British indie style, with The Amazons. A big vital sound for an anthemic track from the band from Reading, England. Ultraviolet (Oct’15) comes charging off their debut short player Don’t You Wanna? (Oct’15) and will have chests pounding and vaginas gushing all over England.

 

 

4.   Priory – Mother Mary

The title is a tip off but this really is a soulful, spiritual, exhortation for peace of mind and builds the musical textures layer by layer to a handclap beat. Beautiful. Mother Mary (April’15) flies off the Portland, Oregon indie electronic pop band’s second album Need To Know (April’15). This song is a piece of under appreciated genius and will bring a tear to any eye.

 

 

5.   COIN – Holy Ghost

Back with some fluffy middle-of-the-road indie pop nonsense. Amusing to follow a song called Mother Mary with one called Holy Ghost but, religious conotations aside, that’s where the similairities end.  COIN are an indie pop rock band with the ever present synths and Holy Ghost (July’15) plays like that song you like on your playlist but forget the name. Fun but. From the Nashville, Tenessessee band’s debut album COIN (June’15).

 



6.   Nonaphoenix – Already Gone

Indie pop from Cleveland,Ohio. From the EP Alive (June'15). Already Gone (June'15) is more paint-by-numbers indie pop that you'd never admit to liking in a crowd... but you know you do... a guilty pleasure.

 

 

7.   Panic Is Perfect – The Mailman

 

More middle of the road indie pop with girly man vocals and synths. This time the band have are from San Francisco, The Mailman (Jan’15)  is from their debut short player  Behind Your Eyelids and is as jaunty as a man the morning after a threesome.

 

 

 

 

8. Joywave – Somebody New

 

From Rochester, New York, Joywave's debut album How Do You Feel Now? (April'15) featured four singles and shot the indie rock band into fame and fortune. Somebody New (Feb'15) was the second single and it is a belter with a lashing of industrial electronica to keep you honest.

 

 

 

 

9. Harriet – Irish Margaritas

 

More synth madness from Los Angeles indie electronic band Harriet. Irish Magaritas (May'15) is the lead single from their second self-titled EP. Quirky synths, girly man vocals, you know the drill... now get marching...

 

 

 

 

 10.   Gregory Pepper and His Problems – Welcome To The Dullhouse

 

Welcome To The Dullhouse (July'15) bounces off the Toronto indie rock man's seventh album Chorus! Chorus! Chorus! (Aug'15) and sounds like a lost Weezer song. Fucking brilliant. Rocks as hard as a prison rapists shit pipe plunger. End of story.

 

 

 

 



The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - 10 Of The Best (Part Three)

These songs didn’t make it onto the blog. They should have as these are some of the best indie songs of 2015 so prepare to have your socks knocked off in this end of year special!

1.   Twenty One Pilots – Tear In My Heart

The hugely popular indie hip hop/ pop duo from Columbus, Ohio, released Tear In My Heart (April’15) as the second single off their fourth long player Blurry Face (May’15).  It’s a piano led indie pop rocker that you’d have to be dead inside not to enjoy.
 

 

2.   Hippo Campus – Close To Gold

An indie rock band from St. Paul, Minnesota, Hippo Campus released just their second EP this year South (Oct’15). On it is this little nugget, Close To Gold (Sept'15), with a ‘sermon from the mountain on fire’ style of vocal delivery and a massed choir in support. Not just ‘close’.

 

3.   Marsicans – Gone In A Second

An indie pop band from Leeds, England, with a few short players under their belt, this band has built a solid reputation for upbeat melodies and a driving rhythm section. Gone In A Second (April’15) will shimmer it’s way into your heart.

 

 

 



4.   New Politics – 50 Feet Tall/Girl Crush

Yeah, there’s no excuse for these two. Utterly banal indie rock pretenders New Politics from Copenhagen, Denmark, have provided two of the most disposable indie rock songs to ever blacken the airways. From their third album Vikings (Aug’15) these two tracks are pure fuckin nonsense...  and lovely for it ... Clash references and all... This might be just radio playlist filler but join in the fun and get some of 50 Feet Tall (July'15) and Girl Crush (Dec'15).

 

 

 

 

5.   The Stereophonics – C’est La Vie

Welsh alternative rock legends The Stereophonics bring some punk snarl and attitude to this bouncy little 50’s style rocker. Check out the lyrics, there’s some urine extraction going on in C’est La Vie (May’15), the first single from their ninth album Keep The Village Alive (Sept’15).



 

6.   Waters – What’s Real

 

The title track to their second album What's Real (May'15) is a reminder of all that's good about indie rock. Earnest, emotive communication of the important messages lifes experiences have to offer. The San Francisco band have created another legit anthem in this 'run to the finish line' indie rocker.

 

 





7.   Torres – Sprinter

Torres is Mackenzie Scott an indie folk rocker from Nashville, Tennessee. Sprinter (April’15) is the title track from her second album Sprinter (May’15) and reminds of 90’s grunge anthems. Strong as a taint punt and noisy quiet like The Pixies or Nirvana. Superlative.
 

 

 



8.   Twin River – Bend To Brake

A garage rock band that on first listen sounds like two minutes of simple fury but on later listens reveals more. Bend To Brake (Feb’15) is from the Vancouver band's first album Should The Light Go Out (Feb’15). A band that toured the east coast this year with old school punks The Damned, Bend To Brake ain’t got no time for wusses...

 



9.   Titus Andronicus – Fatal Flaw

    
Legendary New Jersey punk band Titus Andronicus released a triple album (double CD) concept album The Most Lamentable Tragedy (July’15) with a string of fucking goodies on it. Fatal Flaw (Jun’15) has a deeper rock groove and Springsteen feel. It bounces. It’s pure unadulterated genius and as addictive as horse, this is a pearl from one of the only bands that matter.

 10.   The Eiffels – I'm Ready

This tune is heavily indebted to 80’s pop but obviously better because, well, the eighties...  I'm Ready (May'15) is all synths and bubble and pop and grows on you like crotch rot in the jungle. The Eiffels are an indie pop band from Los Angeles ... because of course they are ... and this is from their debut self-titled short player The Eiffels. Superb driving music.

 

 

The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - 10 Of The Best (Part Two)

These songs didn’t make it onto the blog. They should have as these are some of the best indie songs of 2015 so prepare to have your socks knocked off in this New Year special!

1.   Itchy Poopkidz - Dancing In The Sun

Itchy Poopkidz are a punk rock band from Germany. Dancing In The Sun (Feb’15) wears it’s political message of environmental concern and equality on it’s sleeve and plays like The Red Hot Chili Peppers back when they were good, the Uplift Mofio Party Plan/Mother’s Milk/Blood Sugar Sex Magik days... but y’know... intelligent... from the bands sixth album Six (April'15).

 

 

 

2.   The Very Best – Makes A King

 

The Very Best are a duo from Sweden and Malawi who make African influenced indie pop. Makes A King (May'15) is the title track from their second album (April’15) and sounds like cultural blending at it’s magical best and without the cultural cringe or queasiness that usually occurs...

 



 

3.   Clean Cut Kid – Vitamin C

 

Bursting out of Liverpool with their debut single are indie pop band Clean Cut Kid. Vitamin C bubbles with bass and cuddly quirks and shot them straight to fame and fortune. Get yours...

 

 

 



4.   Greg Holden – Hold On Tight

 

Fighting out of New York City by way of Aberdeen, Scotland, Greg Holden is a popular folk/pop singer. Hold On Tight (Feb’15) is a rousey, foot stomping, folky piece of ‘be yourself’ and does the trick perfect.

 

 

 



5.   The Maccabees – Something Like Happiness

 

The Maccabees are an English indie pop/rock band that hail from London. Something Like Happiness (Jun’15) is their stroke of genius, the best thing they have done. A choral opening gives it a religious feel and that feeling ain’t going nowhere. Like hearing The Smiths when they meant something or The Courteeners at their best... occasionally music transcends this mortal coil...

 



 

 

6.   Best Coast – Feeling O.K.

Best Coast are indie rockers from Los Angeles and have an under-stated surf vibe. Feeling O.K (July’15) surges off their third album and combines fucking steaming walls of guitar with a soaring, dreamy female voice and variations thereof ...

 
    7. Jungle Giants – Every Kind Of Way

Coming from Brisbane, Australia, The Jungle Giants had a big 2015 releasing their second album Speakerzoid (Aug’15) to massive acclaim. Every Kind Of Way (April’15) was one of two killer singles that sashayed off it and has a funky, kooky, Beck, vibe to it.

8.   Kurt Vile – Pretty Pimpin

Kurt Vile is an indie rocker/folker  who rolls out of Philadelphia. From his sixth album B’lieve I’m Goin Down (Sept’15) was the lead single Pretty Pimpin (July’15). It is. A slow rolling, southern sounding, slip sliding wonder.

9.   El Vy – I’m The Man To Be

El Vy is a two man collaboration between the singer for popular indie rock band The National and a past member of indie rock band Monomena. I’m The Man To Be (Sept’15) struts off their debut album Return To The Moon (Oct’15) wearing fuck me boots and a salacious grin.  

 

10.   Wavves – Flamezez

Indie surf rock band Wavves come rampaging out of San Diego and on their fifth album V (Oct’15) they go park with this fucking screamer Flamezesz (July’15). A punk gem.