The Big Indie Playlist: A Comprehensive Roundup of the Week’s Best New Music

Highlights:

• Over 400 Canadian artists unite against alarming anti-trans legislation in a powerful open letter.
• An eclectic mix of new tracks spanning indie, rock, folk, blues, and beyond.
• Lorde’s electrifying cover of Talking Heads’ ‘Take Me To The River’ sets the tone as Track of the Week.
• Instant classics and standout tracks from artists like Beyoncé, Vampire Weekend, and Pond.
• On The Rise: Ones to watch including Mary In The Junkyard, Sweet Unrest, and Margot Liotta.
• First Spin: The best debut single of the week by Signs Following.
• Off The Beaten Track: Global sounds and left-field cuts featuring Mdou Moctar, GOFISH, and Loic April.

This Easter weekend, the music industry experiences a resurrection with another stellar lineup of new music. Like a bunny leaving chocolate eggs or fresh spring flowers popping up, these new tracks are just as much of a treat.

With hundreds of thousands of new songs released every week, it’s hard to keep up. There can be too much of a good thing, like a sweets-induced tummy ache, as you try to listen to all the new releases for fear of missing out on greatness. That’s where we come in. Doing the hard work for you and cutting through the noise every week, we’ve spanned the breadth and depths of this week’s offerings and delivered a must-hear play of the best tracks across indie, rock, folk, blues, and beyond. Whether they’re coming from huge, established artists like Beyoncé, Pond, and St Vincent, or even a debut single from a total newbie, we’ve got the best of the best right there.

The Best New Music of the Week:

Track of the Week: Lorde – ‘Take Me To The River’: Lorde’s maximalist cover of the Talking Heads classic is electric with love and dedication. With its strange, psychedelic production, this rendition could be a preview of the new music surely soon to come from Lorde. Her distinctive vocals sound better than ever, delivering a sense of coolness that captivates listeners. [5/5]

Instant Classics – The Biggest New Tracks of the Week:

• Blondshell + Bully – ‘Docket’: Blondshell returns with another witty, grunge-inspired indie track featuring the perfect addition of Bully’s vocals. [4/5]
• Beyoncé – ‘BLACKBIIRD’: On her landmark new record, Beyoncé takes on the Beatles classic with incredible effect, delivering a truly transcendent experience. [4.5/5]
• Vampire Weekend – ‘Mary Boone’: Vampire Weekend strikes a balance between high art and coolness with their ode to the art dealer. [3.5/5]
• St Vincent – ‘Flea’: St Vincent’s latest track feels endlessly adventurous and cohesive, merging seduction, gothic energy, and headbanging drops. [4/5]
• Pond – ‘(I’m) Stung’: Pond proves they’re still out for big things with this anthemic track, announcing their tenth studio album. [4/5]

On The Rise – Ones to Watch:

• Ellie Bleach – ‘Hottest Man Alive 1995’: Ellie Bleach’s track from her new EP is obsessive and witty, immersing listeners in its storytelling. [4/5]
• Mary In The Junkyard – ‘Marble Arch’: Undoubtedly one of the most exciting acts in London right now, Mary In The Junkyard mesmerizes with this hypnotic new cut. [4/5]
• Lip Filler – ‘Follow Up’: An impatient track about impatience, fizzing with tension and a blend of 2000s influences. [3/5]
• Tiny Habits – ‘Flicker’: Tiny Habits harmonizes with incredible naturalness and instinct, delivering an angelic listening experience. [3/5]
• Karin Ann – ‘False God’: Karin Ann balances pop maximalism with indie sentiment to perfection in this alt-pop gem. [3.5/5]

First Spin – The Best Debut Single of the Week:

Signs Following – ‘The Last Great Mystery’: A promising introduction from Signs Following, with a distinctive modern indie streak reminiscent of Father John Misty. [3.5/5]

Off The Beaten Track – Global Sounds and Left-Field Cuts:

• Mdou Moctar – ‘Imouhar’: The Nigerien quartet returns with a vibrant and exciting piece bursting to vivid life. [4/5]
• GOFISH – ‘真顔’: Playing out of Aichi in Japan, GOFISH offers infectious indie with a cheerful disposition. [3.5/5]
• Loic April – ‘Mes Wrangles Et Moi’: Loic April channels the energy of The Strokes with French Canadian flair, delivering an excellent track. [4/5]

For the complete Big Indie Playlist experience and to discover your new favorite tracks, head to our weekly Alternative Album Chart. But for a quick fix of the best new hits, simply click play on our Big Indie Playlist.