Indie Shuffle » female vocalist

Katy B – Katy On a Mission (Captain Planet Remix)

Dwayne — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:40 +0000

Sounds like: Ed Solo, Deekline, Fat Freddy's Drop

Song: Katy B - Katy On a Mission (Captain Planet Remix) [download here]

What's so good?

A reggae or bashment remix of a pop classic is always a nice recipe for summer parties and festivals, perfectly walking the fine line between mass appeal and actually worth listening to.

Los Angeles producer Captain Planet‘s version of Katy B’s “Katy On a Mission” is a perfect recipe for summer. Sticking Katy B’s ubiquitous vocals over a horn assisted reggae beat creates a sound that will perfectly soundtrack any barbecue or yard party this summer!

Grab a copy free here.

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1. Original post: Katy B – Katy On a Mission (Captain Planet Remix)

2. Posted in: female vocalist, pop, reggae, dub, charli xcx

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Kelsea Little – Blue Feather

Christiana Bartolini — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:37:53 +0000

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Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Joanna Newsom, She & Him

Song: Kelsea Little - Blue Feather [download here]

What's so good?

Here’s a nice little gem for all you folk pop lovers. Kelsea Little’s single “Blue Feather” is honest and clever while maintaining a beautiful instrumental arrangement.

The song starts off sweet and acoustic, and soon thereafter, Kelsea’s powerful vocals come in with the accompaniment of what sounds like a sizeable and very talented orchestra. While the set up may be traditional, their style is quite the opposite. There’s a slight off-kilter feel to this song at times, and then at other times you’re swarmed with luscious strings. “Blue Feather” has some very unique qualities to it indeed.

You should hear the rest of Kelsea Little’s album, Personal Myth, if you’re jonesing for some new and refreshing sophisticated folk pop.

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1. Original post: Kelsea Little – Blue Feather

2. Posted in: female vocalist, folk, acoustic, folk-pop, indie folk

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Py. – Polyethers

Rachel Skotarczyk — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:39:20 +0000

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Sounds like: Moloko, Portishead, Sinead Harnett, SBTRKT

Song: Py - Polyethers [download here]

What's so good?

Bringing back warm memories of Moloko with a touch of Portishead, London-based vocalist Py puts a new swing on those trip-hop vibes with “Polyethers.”

I’m going to agree with other press she’s been receiving and say, yes, Py does show massive promise, but the foundation beneath the careful steps of “Polyethers” really fails to break any new ground. The deep garage bass production by Jimmy Edgar is a good compliment to Py’s soulful stylings, and although the lyrical message begs to be taken seriously, and the fuzzed out synth excites the mood here and there, I’m still left feeling a bit bored.

That being said, it’s a solid track, albeit being a bit safe, and if this is the first delivery from Py in almost a year, I’d be willing to bet she’s got some power-packed musical gems in her creative reserve tank.

Available June 30 via Champion Records, “Polyethers” will make it impact despite my subjective jargon, but to each his own and all that. Follow Py via Facebook and explore it for yourself!

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1. Original post: Py. – Polyethers

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, house, trip hop, SBTRKT

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Shady Elders – In the Waves

Rhett Flowers — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:11:52 +0000

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Sounds like: Warpaint, Asobi Seksu, Best Coast

Song: Shady Elders - In the Waves [download here]

What's so good?

I get a bunch of music submissions sent to me on a daily basis, and I try to comb through them all to find some gems. Well, that definitely worked out for me today, because I came across this great band Shady Elders. They described their sound as dream pop and shoegaze, and they definitely deliver.

After listening to their single “In the Waves,” I was very impressed with the scope of their sound. It’s dense and has a lot of harmonies, which makes for a smooth, luscious listen.

Check out more from Shady Elders on SoundCloud and BandCamp

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1. Original post: Shady Elders – In the Waves

2. Posted in: female vocalist, indie, dream pop, dreamwave, shoegaze

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Monophona – Give Up

Jason Grishkoff — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:23:27 +0000

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Song: Monophona - Give up [download here]

What's so good?

Saturday is a great day for some downtempo trip-hop. So when Luxembourg-based duo Monphona popped up my radar today, it didn’t take much to convince me they deserved a spot as Song of the Day.

A collaboration between DJ and Producer Philippe Schirrer and singer-songwriter Claudine Muno, Monophona recently released their first album The Spy, which you can listen to and purchase on Bandcamp. The highlight for me has to be this gentle track “Give Up,” which strikes a beautiful balance between electronic and acoustic elements.

If you’re curious to hear more, there’s also a great downtempo cover of Morrisey’s “Everyday Is Like Sunday.”

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1. Original post: Monophona – Give Up

2. Posted in: female vocalist, trip hop, bonobo, emancipator, emiliana torrini

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Live in Oakland – Of Monsters and Men

Hannah Simon — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:21:40 +0000

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Sounds like: The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart, Mumford & Sons

Song: Of Monsters and Men - From Finner [download here]

What's so good?

I’ve been to a lot of live shows, but no band has ever exuded as much pure joy as Of Monsters and Men. I don’t think anyone can listen to or watch them without smiling, it’s simply impossible. They’ve mastered the secret sauce that every artist wants to get their hands on: wildly infectious songs and an attitude that inspires more audience participation than any other show I’ve attended.

They took the stage last night at the Fox in Oakland with only one album in their arsenal, and although some critics claim that it’s not enough for a 15-song set, I beg to differ. Their energetic, playful performance had the sold-out crowd jumping, clapping, whistling, and shouting — even on the quieter songs like “Slow and Steady.” Clear stand-outs were “From Finner,” “Mountain Sound,” and, of course, “Little Talks.” We also got to hear a snippet of new material, the trumpet-fueled “Beneath My Bed,” as well as a cover of Yeah Yeah Yeahs which you can listen to here. Plus, the three-song encore included a “remix” of “Little Talks,” which was more of a dark pop cover that sounded a little bit like The xx, in my opinion — it was awesome.

Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdottir and Ragnar Porhallsson might not have the wild chemistry of other male/female vocalists on stage, but you can tell their friendship runs deep — same goes for the rest of the band, who frequently switched instruments, waltzed around the stage, and prompted much hand-clapping from the audience.

All in all, this was the perfect way to spend my birthday. I can’t wait until we hear more new material from this Icelandic folk rock group — it can’t come soon enough!

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1. Original post: Live in Oakland – Of Monsters and Men

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, folk, folk-pop, indie folk

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Lana Del Rey – Queen of Disaster

Jason Grishkoff — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:48:45 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Song: Lana Del Rey - Queen Of Disaster [download here]

What's so good?

I’ve got to hand it to Lana Del Rey: she’s stuck around real good, certainly outliving the expectations of those who panned her Saturday Night Live performance.

The best example of this is probably her success as part of The Great Gatsby soundtrack — while I haven’t seen the movie, rumor has it her song “Young And Beautiful” makes an appearance ~5 times throughout the film.

We’re not entirely sure where this upbeat new single “Queen Of Disaster” is coming from. Is it a leak of new material? Is it an older demo? Doesn’t really matter — we’re digging the tempo either way.

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1. Original post: Lana Del Rey – Queen of Disaster

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, florence + the machine, lana del rey, Lana Dey Rey

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Minnie and Aya – Caught Inside

Christiana Bartolini — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:09:21 +0000

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Sounds like: Dirty Projectors, Little Tybee

Song: Minnie and Aya - Caught Inside [download here]

What's so good?

Brooklyn’s own Minnie and Aya caught my ears with their single “Caught Inside,” which I think will fit in perfectly in the Indie Shuffle community.

This track is filled with all the eclectic indie folk pop that one could want nowadays. Intricate acoustic guitar, absolutely gorgeous vocals, and calming harmonies accompanied by a soft, shuffling beat. With the impending summer season, I urge you to add this song to your quintessential summer playlist!

If you can’t get enough of Minnie and Aya, don’t forget to get their album, Bella Canto!

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1. Original post: Minnie and Aya – Caught Inside

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, dream pop, folk-pop

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Pikelet – Pressure Cooker

hmcclure — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:44:50 +0000

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Sounds like: Chairlift, POLIÇA, Nite Jewel, Ava Luna

Song: Pikelet - Pressure Cooker [download here]

What's so good?

Melbourne’s Pikelet are a creation of Evelyn Morris, who, back in 2006, debuted as a solo project. While still on her own, she opened for the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Jens Lekman after releasing her first album in 2007. Now a four-piece, Pikelet are soon to release a third LP — a follow up to their critically acclaimed 2010 album Stems.

The first tease of the album has just hit the Internet with “Pressure Cooker,” a taste of what’s to come. Psych-pop would be a prudent way to describe this band; Morris leads the way with her somewhat shadowy vocal renderings. The celestial landscape is finished to perfection with psychedelic key and guitar layers and a slightly hazy finish to the production. It’s got a terrific dark-beauty to it.

Calluses will be out in August this year via Chapter Music.

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1. Original post: Pikelet – Pressure Cooker

2. Posted in: female vocalist, synth-pop, Australia, psychedelic, lo-fi

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Janet LaBelle – Wide Awake Dreaming

Christiana Bartolini — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:42:48 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Brenda Lee, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside

Song: Janet Labelle - Wide Awake Dreaming [download here]

What's so good?

I’m so pleased to be able to present to you Janet LaBelle’s video for her new single “Wide Awake Dreaming.”

The usually rocked-out retro pop queen has taken it down a few notches with this track. With this change of scene, she still maintains her creative integrity and undeniable talent through and through. The video is visually gorgeous and laden with scenes of spring horticulture and wistful shots of Janet laying in a field of green while serenading her captivated listeners.

This is a classic love song that spans across many decades, truly standing the test of time. Janet has a vintage sound and executes it in a modern and tasteful way while not compromising the integrity of genres past. That’s true talent! Stay tuned for Janet LaBelle’s upcoming fourth album, soon to be announced!

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1. Original post: Janet LaBelle – Wide Awake Dreaming

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, singer-songwriter, piano, orchestral pop

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Savages – Husbands

Eric Shapiro — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:51:42 +0000

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Sounds like: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Sleater-Kinney

Song: Savages - Husbands [download here]

What's so good?

Much has been written about Savages’ post-punk aesthetic and commitment to the long-forgotten principles of complete sonic immersion. Putting aside the fact that the band members would prefer not to gaze out at a sea of iPhones and cameras while they’re performing, the some questions remain: Are they any good? Does their music live up to their ideology and aesthetic?

Refreshingly, the answer is a resounding yes. Debut LP Silence Yourself is a jagged slice of ballsy post-punk with just enough of a modern touch to make them more than a retro throwback. The band’s sound is for the most part studiously spare, with just enough syncopated beats, driving bass and artfully placed shards of noisy guitar to complement singer Jehnny Beth’s nuanced vocal performance.

Although every band member contributes something essential to the mix, Beth is the highlight. On lead single “Husbands,” she demonstrates considerable versatility, communicating as much with a foreboding whisper as a bracing shriek. The chorus, if you can call it that, encapsulates Savages’ songwriting approach quite well, conveying an amalgam of conflicting emotions in a minimalist fashion. You can feel Beth straining against the shackles of heteronormativity (for all of you gender studies majors out there) with every repetition of the song’s title.

Yet, there is also an accompanying sense of fear and vulnerability. The song’s protagonist is not simply dismissing a cultural institution out of rebelliousness or apathy. She seems to be wrestling with a real emotional dilemma, one that is growing increasingly common in a time where some of feminism’s core ideals about independence are coming into conflict with the allure of a traditional family structure.

In this way, Savages transcend the often bloodless sloganeering prominent among Riot Grrl bands that addressed similar subject matter with less nuance. While it would be reductive to draw blanket conclusions about a subject as complex and multifaceted as feminism from one song, Jehnny Beth’s lyrics, and those of similarly-minded bands, seem to suggest that feminist musicians have grown sufficiently comfortable in their own skin to admit that, decades after second-wave feminism transformed the way we think about gender roles, the question of how to reconcile some of its core doctrines with the potential benefits and trappings of a traditional relationship is a highly individual affair that no theoretical doctrine can entirely address.

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1. Original post: Savages – Husbands

2. Posted in: indie rock, female vocalist, experimental, post-punk, punk

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Solange – Looks Good With Trouble Ft. Kendrick Lamar

sweeneykovar — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:58:45 +0000

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Sounds like: Sonnymoon, Knxwledge, Empress Of, Kendrick Lamar

Song: Solange - Looks Good With Trouble Ft. Kendrick Lamar [download here]

What's so good?

Though I’m definitely late to the Solange party, I would say she is my favorite Knowles. I’m no Bey hater, I recognize her importance in the pop culture continuum and all that jazz, but to be frank I can’t listen to her. Beyonce’s songs always make me extremely self-conscious, and by the time she’s telling me to “put a ring on it,” I’m painfully aware I probably can’t afford that ring. Solange, on the other hand, is a more enjoyable listening experience for me.

Her TRUE EP was awesome; pop with substance, sweet but weighty. From the fantastically dapper trans-continental video for “Losing You” to the bittersweet shuffle of “Some Things Never Seem To Fucking Work,” the project was teenage summer love encapsulated. I can almost swear I feel a warm breeze when some of those synths hit.

As an added treat to recently announcing the formation of her new label, SAINT Records, she also released a new version of “Looks Good With Trouble” from the TRUE EP, now featuring 100% more rhymes from Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar.

The West Coast MC sounds more like Andre than usual as he details a lovelorn trip to London, stuck on a tour bus watching old Hollywood classics, wishing a certain someone was along for the ride. While I’m obviously being a bit of a dick (though not without reason), the two certainly have a musical chemistry that makes me wonder what more collaboration would sound like.

Don’t sleep on Solange (like I did) — she’s ill.

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1. Original post: Solange – Looks Good With Trouble Ft. Kendrick Lamar

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, hip-hop, electro pop, soul

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Maya Jane Coles – Everything (Ft. Karin Park)

Rachel Skotarczyk — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:02:39 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Andre Crom, Storm Queen, HNQO, DEVolution, Gorgon City

Song: Maya Jane Coles - Everything (Ft. Karin Park) [download here]

What's so good?

Here’s a release worth getting excited about! Sounding both like a deep house version of The Knife and if Tegan and Sara had made a GOOD dance album, Maya Jane Coles teams with Swedish wonderchild Karin Park for “Everything” — the first single off her forthcoming album, Comfort.

For those of you just tuning into Maya, she’s probably the raddest and the baddest chick in deep house. Her productions have consistently been spot-on and her mixes, as well as her live show, never miss a beat. With her latest album, not only did she produce and mix the whole thing, but she apparently designed the artwork as well. In the spirit of Destiny’s Child, “all the women who are independent, throw your hands up at me,” because you know it’s not easy being that awesome in a male-dominated industry.

The track carries lyrical sensitivity: ”It must be my heart you are after, it must be my lungs you are breathing from. We are not the winner or the losers, baby we are the fight” — yet there’s nothing timid about “Everything.” Rather, it’s about as decisive and determined as a 50-foot plunge below sea level. “Everything” wraps you in the cool dark of an emotion that inevitably requires a strong and assertive assent to the surface of feeling — it’s like, heart-core house ya’ll. Also, it comes with this nifty video.

Maya’s single, “Everything,” is currently available via iTunes, but look out for the full album release June 28, and if you’re curious about the track-listing visit Stoney Roads for the down low.

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1. Original post: Maya Jane Coles – Everything (Ft. Karin Park)

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, house, deep house, techno

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

The Naked and Famous & Kids of 88 – A Source Of Light

Philip Friedman — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:53:15 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: LCD Soundsystem, The xx, Flight Facilities

Song: The Naked and Famous & Kids of 88 - A Source Of Light [download here]

What's so good?

It’s been a long time since The Naked and Famous released their smash hit album Passive Me, Aggressive You. While the New Zealanders have not announced any plans for a new album, they are in the process of releasing a collection of remixes and B-sides due out on May 20. One of the tracks set to be on the release is a collaboration with fellow New Zealanders Kids of 88.

The track is called “A Source of Light,” and while it is a little more downtempo than we’ve come to expect from the Naked and Famous, it is still worth a listen. Filled with some haunting piano and interplay of male and female vocals, the song builds up with a catchy back-beat and pops of some bright synths. If this is how The Naked and Famous and Kids of 88 chill out, than I am definitely ready to hang out with them.

Keep an eye out for Remixes + B-Sides, and you can try to get your hands on the vinyl version via this link.

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1. Original post: The Naked and Famous & Kids of 88 – A Source Of Light

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, chillwave, downtempo, the xx

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

MØ – Waste of Time

Aaron Blum — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:37:10 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: MS MR, CHVRCHES

Song: MØ - Waste of Time [download here]

What's so good?

Scandinavian synth-pop outfit MØ absolutely blew up the stage this year at the Indie Shuffle Showcase during SXSW, giving me a whole new appreciation for them. A few months back, we also covered an amazing MS MR remix of MØ’s track “Pilgrim,” which was also a game changer.

Today, MØ has shared a new track called “Waste of Time” that immediately got me and my roommate hooked. Not to mention, our first listen came via their YouTube video (see below), which was quite strage and grotesque. Nevertheless, the singer/songwriter from MØ effortlessly displays her harmonious repertoire backed by catchy beats, hard synths, and golden guitar riffs.

The new track is expected to be released on their album due out later this year.

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1. Original post: MØ – Waste of Time

2. Posted in: Electronic, indie pop, female vocalist, electro pop, synth-pop

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Cherokee Red – Mythomania

Amanda Koellner — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:30:23 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Mazzy Star, Beach House, Camera Obscura

Song: Cherokee Red - Mythomania [download here]

What's so good?

Indie Shuffle’s own Christiana Bartolini comes to us with another gem from her self-described “woozy dream pop” group, Cherokee Red. The five-piece, Wilkes Barre, Pa.-based band cites Mazzy Star, Beach House, and even Fleetwood Mac as influences, and “Mythomania” emulates the former’s hazy comfort.

On this track from the band’s latest self-titled album, Bartolini’s whimsical vocals float over light percussion and a lethargic guitar as she opens the song by singing, “Came and gone but the days were so long/ Only somber songs from the lonesome ride home.” It’s at this minute-mark that she’s declared this, too — a melancholic song for such a drive.

As the song matures, the pace quickens, and Bartolini’s delicate voice soars — but don’t be fooled. “Now I don’t wish for anything again,” she sings, followed by the repeated question: “When will we learn?”

Roll down the windows, hit the road on a warm spring evening and prepare for life contemplation with this musing track.

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1. Original post: Cherokee Red – Mythomania

2. Posted in: female vocalist, indie folk, beach house, camera obscura, wolf alice

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Butch Clancy – Far Away From Me (Ft. Amy K)

Jason Grishkoff — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:51:10 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Adventure Club, Sound Remedy

Song: Butch Clancy - Far Away From Me (Ft. Amy K) [download here]

What's so good?

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written about any dubstep, but I’ve come back to Butch Clancy’s collaboration with Amy K repeatedly over the last few days. It’s got the perfect balance of female vocals, harmonization, womp womp wobble and chord progression.

Released via Dim Mak, “Far Away From Me” has apparently had a couple incarnations on the internet — though (perhaps fortunately), this final version was the first that crossed my ears.

Wompppppppppppp.

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1. Original post: Butch Clancy – Far Away From Me (Ft. Amy K)

2. Posted in: female vocalist, dubstep, adventure club, butch clancy

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Edith Beake – Always In Love

Philip Friedman — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:26:37 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Chvrches, Grimes, MSMR, Superhumanoids

Song: Edith Beake - Always In Love [download here]

What's so good?

There seems to be a huge crop of beautiful synth-pop artists popping up all over the Internet these days. Today I came across one of the newest: Edith Beake.

Edith Beake is a brother-sister duo from Oak Park, Illinois. There isn’t a whole lot of info about them out there; for instance, their SoundCloud profile picture is just a plain black image. No Facebook page, no Twitter account… just a few features on some blogs. However, what they lack in social media, they make up for in musical talent.

Their song “Always In Love,” is an 80s inspired trip into the past. Kicking off with some simple synthesizer and delicate vocals, the track adds layer after juicy layer until it turns into a sultry dream pop anthem. It kind of reminds me of being a teenager in love in the summer, and it would probably sound even better while sitting on the hood of a car. I think it would have been the perfect addition to any of the soundtracks for John Hughes’ classic flicks.

Lucky for us, it still works today. I can’t wait to see what else Edith Beake has in store for us.

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1. Original post: Edith Beake – Always In Love

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, synth-pop, dream pop, grimes

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Banks – Warm Water (Prod. by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)

Philip Friedman — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:37:02 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Fiona Apple, Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Ray

Song: Banks - Warm Water (Prod. by T.E.E.D.) [download here]

What's so good?

Newly introduced indie pop songstress Banks has already started building up some buzz with tracks like “Before I Ever Met You.” Garnering comparisons to the likes of Lana Del Ray and Fiona Apple, it’s no surprise that she is gaining momentum.

The buzz continues with her newest track “Warm Water,” produced by the talented English producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. It’s a sparse electronic midnight rendezvous, centered around Bank’s sultry vocals. Less is definitely more, and this track is the perfect follow-up to her first EP, which you can check out here.

I must warn you though, it just might be love at first listen…

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1. Original post: Banks – Warm Water (Prod. by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, synth-pop, dream pop, ellie goulding

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Eilidh Hadden – Close To Home

Kavit Sumud — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:25:37 +0000

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Sounds like: Ellie Goulding, Fallulah, Florrie

Song: Eilidh Hadden - Close To Home [download here]

What's so good?

I’m someone who works best with a little anger in their veins, which is why I like to have my music help me stare down the barrel of life by getting my fists pumping, my heart boarding a tank, and the bile boiling in the back of my throat. Lately, I’ve been calling that genre bitter power pop.

Carried on the strength of its soaring choruses and anthemic lyricism, this kind of music will make your soul shake down your struggles for their lunch money. And in my book, British newcomer Eilidh Hadden’s “Close to Home” is a perfect encapsulation of that strength.

“Close to Home” opens with spliced shouts laced with fearlessness, and then quickly waves in and out of anxious, tender verses. It ends up creating a confluence of emotion that feels a bit like those times when you’re faced with the insurmountable, and you show the world a darkly, reserved smile but are trembling inside.

This demo was re-recorded on a kitchen table by a member of a band I reviewed last week, Lewis Gardiner from the equally exuberant Prides (check out “Out of the Blue“). As such, it’s an unassuming first taste of great things to come, I’m sure.

Follow Eilidh Hadden and Prides on SoundCloud.

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1. Original post: Eilidh Hadden – Close To Home

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, electro pop, ellie goulding, dark pop

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Club 8 – I’m Not Gonna Grow Old

Justin Lam — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:28:38 +0000

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Sounds like: Little Boots, Kimbra, Saint Etienne

Song: Club 8 - I'm Not Gonna Grow Old [download here]

What's so good?

I’m glad that we can always count on Sweden for the most delectable and elegant indie pop. Club 8 duo Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård are, believe it or not, getting set to release their eighth album, Above The City, having released their debut album back in 1996. As old as they might be, there’s no doubt that they’re still sounding as fresh and modern as ever.

“I’m Not Gonna Grow Old” is the second single from the album, and it is a delightful sentiment. It’s yet another catchy indie pop piece infused with disco strings, anthemic choruses, well timed “oh oh ohs,” and just enough dance sensibility. We’re all going to grow old, but here’s hoping that this track makes you feel that much younger today.

Above The City is out May 21, 2013 through Labrador Records.

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1. Original post: Club 8 – I’m Not Gonna Grow Old

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, dance, indie, nu disco

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Nine Inch Nails – March of the Pigs (Superhumanoids Cover)

Philip Friedman — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:44:37 +0000

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Chvrches, Purity Ring, MSMR

Song: Nine Inch Nails - March of the Pigs (Superhumanoids Cover) [download here]

What's so good?

What do you get when you cross an adrenaline-fueled industrial legend with an R&B, pop-influenced indietronica band? An awesome cover of “March of the Pigs” is what.

The California-based trio the Superhumanoids have begun to really build a name for themselves, becoming known for their sunny take on electronic music — whether it’s their original tunes or their plethora of remixes, collaborations, and covers that have been popping up all over the blogosphere. On their most recent cover, they take a shot at a Nine Inch Nails classic.

Off the cult-classic album The Downward Spiral, “March of the Pigs” is an all on assault of metal guitars and Trent Reznor’s scream that helped epitomize the Nine Inch Nails sound. But Superhumanoids manage to turn the track into a beautiful synth-pop gem filled with soft vocals and R&B influenced synths.

It’s really hard to believe that this is the same song as it has been completely recreated, but Superhumanoids prove that they can make anything sound pretty.

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1. Original post: Nine Inch Nails – March of the Pigs (Superhumanoids Cover)

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, synth-pop, dream pop, covers

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Mausi – Losing You // Say My Name

Jason Grishkoff — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:44:56 +0000

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Sounds like: Rubies, INK, Poolside

Song: Mausi - Losing You // Say My Name [download here]

What's so good?

Woah, woah, woah. So much woah. First up, blending together two songs by the Knowles sisters? That’s right — Solange’s “Losing You” and Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.”

Second up: can you believe this is a live recording? Turns out Mausi joined Huw Stephens for a BBC Radio 1 session at the start of May, performing this amazing track on the fly. Could have fooled me — the quality and execution is brilliant.

Keep your ears open for more from Mausi: this Newcastle-based quartet is destined to keep making ripples.

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1. Original post: Mausi – Losing You // Say My Name

2. Posted in: indie rock, indie pop, female vocalist, covers, indie dance

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Foxtails Brigade – Little Person

Christiana Bartolini — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:25:18 +0000

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Sounds like: St. Vincent, Feist, Billie Holiday

Song: Foxtails Brigade - Little Person [download here]

What's so good?

I cannot express how excited I was to discover that Foxtails Brigade covered a Jon Brion song. Ever since the movie I Heart Huckabees, I’ve held a soft spot for Jon Brion (who composed the entire movie). Considering that Foxtails Brigade is one of my new favorite bands, I was beyond ecstatic to listen to this song and watch the video, and I was not the least bit disappointed.

The Foxtails Brigade’s video for their version of “Little Person” is simply adorable and sweetly captivating. This animated piece features lead singer, Laura Weinbach, being a lonesome little person lost in the mix of this crazy world, and then discovering a creature who’s just like her. They frolic through the days, going on adventures and picnics and genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

The song itself is thick with orchestral arrangements — it’s truly a modern-day symphony of strings and Laura’s milky vocals. Foxtails Brigade have got such a gorgeous grasp on innovative orchestral folk pop that I have no doubt they are destined for great things. So do yourself a favor and listen to and watch “Little Person.” And what’s even better is that you can download this song for FREE!

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1. Original post: Foxtails Brigade – Little Person

2. Posted in: indie pop, female vocalist, folk, folk-pop, covers

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

Airbird & Napolian – In The Zone

Louisa Ferguson — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:34:51 +0000

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Sounds like: Girrafage, Poolside, Teams

Song: Airbird & Napolian - In The Zone [download here]

What's so good?

Short and sweet, “In The Zone” will take you there (to the zone), but is definitely a bit of a tease. Guest vocalist Erika Spring sounds a bit like Janet Jackson (I think?), and I mean that in only a good way. This track is begging to be mixed into something longer, and I’m sure it will be picked up real quick.

Airbird (who is really Joel Ford of Ford & Lopatin fame) I have loved for a while (particularly the track “Girl“), L.A.’s Napolian is new to me — but, together, their hybridized sound is definitely more than the sum of its parts. The track notes promise a full length “on track for winter” so we’ll just have to sit tight for now. Or like, chill in the zone.

(Don’t call it seapunk. Unless you look at the album art. Then you can call it seapunk, maybe.)

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1. Original post: Airbird & Napolian – In The Zone

2. Posted in: Electronic, female vocalist, electro pop, synth-pop, dreamwave

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.