As the week draws to a close, a treasure trove of new music awaits. Feeling lost in the sea of releases? The IINAG team has done the digging for you, presenting our curated list of the week’s standout tracks.
Peter Doherty – ‘Calvados’
With the second single from his upcoming album ‘Felt Better Alive’, Peter Doherty poetically presents a tender ode to a seller of Normandy’s beloved brandy of the same name, ‘Calvados’. A warm mix of softly strummed guitar and serenading strings, Doherty’s ability to romanticise the everyday is demonstrated in ‘Calvados’ with unquestionable accuracy. In a similar graceful vein to the album’s eponymous debut single, ‘Calvados’ is clearly a heartfelt tribute to the humble beauty of tradition. The single can aptly be christened as a lilting lullaby that showcases not only Doherty’s elegant lyricism but daily life’s pure and simple joy. – Eliza Guest
The Moonlandingz – ‘Give Me More’
With the announcement of their new album, No Rocket Required, London’s The Moonlandingz have unleashed ‘Give Me More,’ a thrillingly off-kilter single. Lias Saoudi, channeling a kind of warped Prince transported to the Yorkshire moors, presides over a sonic landscape built on jagged, insistent guitar riffs. These aren’t just chords; they’re sonic tremors, propelling the track with a frenetic, almost paranoid energy. The lyrics, laced with Saoudi’s trademark surrealism, add another layer of delicious strangeness, defying easy categorisation. ‘Give Me More’ isn’t content to sit within genre boundaries; it’s a glorious collision of punk, funk, and art-rock, a captivatingly weird brew that demands repeated listens. – Katie Macbeth
No Windows – ‘Return’
No Windows’ new single “Return” is the first track from their upcoming EP The Great Traitor, offering a captivating glimpse of what’s to come. Edinburgh-based duo Verity Slangen and Morgan Morris, who met at ages 14 and 13 in 2019, are impressively advanced in both talent and maturity. The song explores the feeling of inadequacy in a relationship, highlighted by the lyric “mould me into the girl you want to see.” The clean vocal harmonies shine throughout, beautifully contrasting with the haunting, sporadic guitar riffs. With hints of Big Thief and Mazzy Star, this is definitely a band to keep an eye out for. – Henry Dunn
Hector Boys – ‘The Method’
Hector Boys show they are more than just your typical indie-pop boy band with latest single, ‘The Method’. Leading their upcoming EP, which is set to arrive in the summer, this track was a stellar choice, showcasing their versatility. Painfully relatable introspection is driven by the build of the consistent, quite harrowing drumbeat and bassline with distinctive guitar tones intensifying the depth of the track. With each release, they continue to pave their own unique sound in indie rock. Kicking off the year with this tune, the forthcoming EP looks extremely promising; the Aberdeen four-piece have truly hit their stride. – Zoë McCormick
Julien Baker & TORRES – ‘Tuesday’
Julien Baker and TORRES have dropped a new single from their upcoming collaborative album, Send a Prayer My Way. The single, titled “Tuesday,” is steeped in Americana and traditional country music with the modern twist of being from the point of view of a queer woman reflecting on the shame instilled in her by a religious upbringing in the American South. TORRES provides the lead vocals on this track, which ring out starkly and clearly alongside twangy guitars and a driving beat that makes you want to stomp your foot on a wooden porch while wearing your biggest hat. – Rosalie Morris
Adore – ‘Stay Free Old Stranger’
This week saw the latest offering from Irish trio Adore. The gritty ‘Stay Free Old Stranger’ provides a fast-paced, energetic soundtrack for dealing with the fallout of relationships. Although singer Lara Minchen describes the lyrics as ‘juvenile’, they deal with the hard but relatable topic of social anxiety and their pop-punk style, inspired by the likes of The Jam and Le Tigre, ensures a fun and catchy nature, accommodating for the also-present theme of letting go. – Zoë McCormick
Follow our Spotity Playlist for the best indie tracks
Adore, Hector Boys, Julien Baker, Julien Baker & TORRES, No Windows, Peter Doherty, The Moonlandingz, torres
