Albums of 2022

 2022 - What a year it was / still is.  This isn't the place for a news retrospective, this is all about the music.  Specifically the music released on albums from the independent scene over the last 12 months.  I've agonised with the order (a bit - not too much) for a chart style countdown. These are my arbitrary rankings on the day I hit publish and I’m not expecting anyone to agree with my choices or rankings.  (You can bloody well write your own blog if you disagree). Have a read below, nod at the ones you know, and maybe discover something new.  As always support the underground scene, play them, follow them, share their music and catch them at a gig if you can. 

I’ve attached a Spotify playlist for this blog with a favourite song from each album. But Bandcamp is where most of these artists will see a benefit so I've included links for digital or physical copies if you can afford to purchase something for your collection. 

#30 The New Nostalgia - Bleed & Bloom. 

Bleed & Bloom is the debut album from Amsterdam’s The New Nostalgia. Modern Rock N Roll is rarely this angry and humorous, at the same time.  It’s bouncy, smart, and full of dirty riffs. 

Favourite song: Ibis Budget 

Twitter: @newnostalgiauk

Bandcamp: https://thenewnostalgia.bandcamp.com/album/bleed-bloom-2

#29 Holy Coves - Druids & Bards

Creeping through the mists off the Isle of Anglesey comes the dark brooding alternative rock beasts known as Holy Coves. These songs build up until the listener is ensnared in their  B.R.M.C by The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Come Down by Dandy Warhols are good reference points for the sound of this album.  They are continuing their UK tour in February 2023 after main man Scott sustained an injury.  They have also been championing new music and giving up and coming bands a leg up which is what we love to see in this new music community.   

Favourite song: The Hurt Within 

Twitter: @holycoves

Bandcamp: https://holycovesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/druids-and-bards

#28 Hey Calamity - Desperation 

All your South Australian dream pop and shoegaze needs are catered for here.  Swathes of synths wash over you and soaring guitars ring out.  It has a big sound that I've been digging lately.  The songs deal with emotions and gets as gothic as The Cure in the early 80's in many places, especially on the songs Running In Circles, and Words Don't Mean A Thing. 

Favourite song:  Ocean In Between Us   

Twitter: @heycalamity22

Bandcamp: https://heycalamity.bandcamp.com/album/desperation

#27 Chris Boddington - Dirty Bit

An album that will take you back to the 90s with 8 banging tunes influenced by artists such as Prodigy, Orbital, Propellerheads, Death In Vegas, Roni Size, 2 Bad Mice, SL2, and The Chemical Brothers.  The beats are big, and the sounds are a bit dirty.  Chris has also just released a second album of the year called Can't Complain which delves into funkier upbeat territory.

Favourite banger: Phoenix 

Twitter: @chrisbodmusic  

Bandcamp: https://chrisboddington.bandcamp.com/album/dirty-bit-album-2-2022

#26 Professor Yaffle - Let There Be Light 

Liverpool's Professor Yaffle have created yet another sublime trippy album. I love the Andy Warhol smoking Cyberman cover art and you can get carried away with this excellent album that runs for an impressive 66 minutes.  Within you will find everything from electronic noodling, swathes of organ, jazzy horns and the deftest touches on the percussion front. It's got the inventiveness of early Boo Radleys under the influence of Nick Drake.

Favourite song: Wandering Star, Pt 3 

Twitter: @ToffeeYaffle

Album Link: https://www.professoryaffle.co.uk/product/let-there-be-light/

#25 Kevin Robertson - Teaspoon Of Time

Second solo album from Kevin Robertson, front man of Aberdeen’s The Vapour Trails. An album of light psychedelic pop ear-worms reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian. 

Favourite song: Misty Dew Soaked Mountains

Twitter: @Kevinrol17521365

Bandcamp: https://kevinrobertson.bandcamp.com/album/teaspoon-of-time

#24 Triangle Rain Club - Triangle Rain Club

Harking back to the scuzzy alternative rock scene of the late 80s and early 90s, Chicago’s Triangle Rain Club is heavily influenced by The Cure, Sugar, Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, and most prominently The Jesus and Mary Chain on the gruff vocal delivery. This debut album contains 10 short melodic songs drenched in feedback and is easily digestible with a running length of 27 minutes. Play on repeat!

Favourite song: In My Head   

Twitter: @RainClubBand

Bandcamp: https://trianglerainclub.bandcamp.com/album/triangle-rain-club

#23 Thousand Yard Stare - Earthanasia

Formed in 1988, Thousand Yard Stare were a band I had heard of and I loved 0-0 a.e.t. but I didn't get into them until their previous album.  Then Earthanasia came along and blew me away with the quality of the tunes.  It is a varied album and a joy to listen to.  Released on their own fantastically named Stiffed Aardvark label in October.       

Favourite song: Square Peg Round Hole 

Twitter: @wearetys  

Bandcamp: Earthanasia LP | Thousand Yard Stare (bandcamp.com)

#22 Lines of Flight - Signs of Life 

10 songs recorded in isolation using ipads and whatever they had about the house.  Helen and Matthew are both from Leeds and they met online and created this album together / apart. Lines of Flight released a song per month during 2021 so the album is already familiar.  But now they are collected together on a beautiful sky blue vinyl that allows you to wallow in the ethereal vocals and dark gothic pop.  

Favourite song: Birthing Bell

Twitter: @linesof_flight

Bandcamp: Signs Of Life | Lines of Flight (bandcamp.com)

#21 Voldo - Melting Pot 

Choons straight out the Banger Wardrobe, delivered in a melting pot of genres and styles.  Great songwriting accompanied by beats, samples, guitars, banjos, piano, in fact, anything that fits the mode. A modern day trip hop Odelay. 

Favourite song: Caley Line 

Twitter: @voldomusic

Bandcamp: https://nunnyboy.bandcamp.com/album/melting-pot-album

#20 The Lazy Eyes - Songbook

Sydney's psychadelic pop band mix the late 1960's with the early 2020's combining The Beatles with Tame Impala to create an immersive album that will have you grooving and grinning in equal measure.     

Favourite song: Fuzz Jam

Twitter:@TheLazyEyesBand

Available from: Official Site - The Lazy Eyes

#19 Lossline - When I Look Out I See No Stars

If you’re looking for sad bleak delicate songs set to ethereal soundscapes interspersed with upbeat sad bleak sing-a-longs that make you question the point in existence, then look no further than the Manchester’s Lossline. An excellent album from the most unhappy-go-lucky band in the Northeast. 

Favourite song: Death Masks 

Twitter: @losslines

Bandcamp: https://lossline.bandcamp.com/album/when-i-look-out-i-see-no-stars 

#18 Jay Tennant - Forever Roses

An album of indie guitar anthems containing seven previous singles to soundtrack the night.  Poker Polka sounds like Shed Seven hitting the casino disco,  Spectre is the new music scene’s alternative Bond theme, full of menace and espionage imagery.  Jay hasn’t stopped releasing new music and has already released another four new songs likely to appear on the follow up album in 2023.

Favourite song: Spectre 

Twitter: @jaytennant_

Bandcamp: https://jaytennant1.bandcamp.com/album/forever-roses

#17 The Finest Drops - To Live Between The Worlds

An album of gothic jangle psychedelic shoegaze that was the soundtrack to my two days of covid fever.  I rediscovered it when compiling this list and it’s a great album regardless of your rapid antigen test results. The Finest Drops hail from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and this album is available on CD or pay what you want for a digital download on Bandcamp. 

Favourite song: For Another Time   

Twitter:  @MrStuRobson & @DavidNHewitt

Bandcamp: https://thefinestdrops.bandcamp.com/album/to-live-between-the-worlds

#16 Andrew Johnson - Sunrise Empire

My favourite of Andy’s new albums this year. Full of breezy indie pop nuggets embracing a range of instruments, styles, and influences.  

Andy is a favourite of mine, my most streamed artist of the last few years, and one of the most prolific songwriters around.  Subscribe to him on Bandcamp and you will get exclusive albums and singles throughout the year (digitally and through your letterbox). Honestly you will never need to tweet “I need new music” ever again. 

Favourite song: Oversquared 

Twitter: @itmustbeandy

Bandcamp: https://andrewjohnson1.bandcamp.com/album/sunrise-empire

#15 Cigarillo - Deodorant 

Nearly two years after I first heard RTL2 / Everyone Loves Janet, the debut album Deoderant is released to great joy amongst those lucky enough to dip into Cigarillo’s take on Britpop.  The songs are varied, inventive, smart and each gives a few knowing winks to your favourite bands of the 90’s. Expect more from Adelaide’s End of The Pier record label next year, as they have several albums in the pipeline.

Favourite song: The Forecast Was Wrong

Twitter: @eotprecords & @BenTOGM  

Bandcamp: https://cigarillo.bandcamp.com/album/deodorant

#14 Gabriel’s Dawn - Gabriel’s Dawn

Midlanders Gabriel’s Dawn released three brilliant singles back in 2021 all are included on this melodic summery jangle pop album.  Sweet melancholy female vocals cuts through the chipper tunes giving it a Belle and Sebastian vibe.  Ten songs of love, hope, despair, stalking and defiance.  Gorgeous jangle pop of the highest order.

Favourite song: I Don’t Believe (In The Summer Of Love)

Twitter: @GabrielsDawn

Bandcamp: https://gabrielsdawn.bandcamp.com/album/gabriels-dawn

#13 Shader - Everything Is Connected

The debut album from Stoke-on-Trent band Shader. Roughly two-third of songs were previously released as singles over the last few years. So as a follower of the band it is instantly familiar to my ears and the new songs are also brilliant making this a very strong collection of indie guitar anthems. Favourite song: Time Is Right 

Twitter: @SHADERUK  

Available from: Shader - Official Store (tmstor.es)

#12 Skylights - What You Are

York band Skylights have filled their debut album with indie anthems that have been blasting out of stadium tanoys over the last couple of years.  Y.R.A., Enemies, Outlaw and Britannia are examples of epic sounding terrace singalongs perfect for ramping up the tension.  Elsewhere Darkness Falls and Driving Me Away are delivered as acoustic versions with Julia Violinista providing the strings. A monster of a debut and you sense they will take things even higher in the near future. 

Favourite song: Y.R.A.

Twitter: @SkylightsYRA

Available from: Shop - 42's Records (musicglue.com)

#11 Shoes On Now - Deadhead

A punk rock concept album about gardening.  My teenage self would shudder with embarrassment at this idea.  But as a middle aged dad losing the battle with Mother Nature each weekend trying to make my scrubby sandy patch of land resemble a garden, this tickles me.  It is very funny, frantic, and strangely addictive.  There are some great song titles such as Pockets Full Of Poo Bags, and Rats In The Compost.  My highlight is the touching punk opus No One Can Help Me, which is an expose on father-son relationships, stubborn male pride, and the desire to leave a legacy.  "Shoes On Now" has also become a phase I've taught my dog this year, to alert him a walk is iminent.     

Favourite song: No One Can Help Me 

Twitter: @shoes_on_now

Bandcamp: https://shoesonnow.bandcamp.com/album/deadhead

#10 Sunzoom - Sunzoom

Sunzoom's album opens with a hippy chant reminisicient of 60's throwbacks The Cosmic Rough Riders.  Elsewhere a former Beta Band member plays on Pour Me Another Wine.  The songwriting is of a high order demonstrated through the vivid imagery on Anytime Soon based on the experiences of a D-Day Veteron, and his personal family experiences on The Place Where The Long Shadows Grow.  There are beautiful Beatlesque harmonies, and string arrangements, and whether you soak it up on your headphones or blast it out loud, it's clear Greg is very happy experimenting in the studio and it's mind blowing for a debut album.  As Palpatine said to Anakin, "We will watch your career with great interest..."   

Favourite song: Hell No

Twitter: @SunzoomMusic

Album link: https://cargorecordsdirect.co.uk/products/sunzoom-sunzoom

#9 Lyon Tide - Life Pop Bang 

There’s a wonderful combination of mature songwriting and synth pop on the second album from West Midlands band Lyon Tide. From the beat driven opening banger Chemical Burn, through the 1980s singalong of Life Pop Bang, and the minimalist approach taken on Silent Words sung by Julia Faulkes. There is haunting melancholy on album closer One Way Love and previous single Alone, where the vocals take centre stage over the percussion and soft synthetic swirls as the music briefly rises in the middle and then fades away - quality songs. 

Favourite song: Alone  

Twitter: @LyonTide

Bandcamp: https://lyontide.bandcamp.com/album/life-pop-bang

#8  Dean Dovey - Journey To The Sun

A truly outstanding album from the Bard of Birmingham.  The production is awesome transforming the songs into the full HD Widescreen Surround Sound epics.  Dean is an excellent songwriter and there are no weak links in his ten-track debut album featuring previous singles, If Only, Shout, Wishing Well, Journey To The Sun, Borrowed Time, and Loving Heart.  The new album tracks are pure quality as well and I'm constantly changing my mind about a favourite song which shows the strength of this album.  At the time of writing, I'm going with the epic album closer Where The Light Comes In, which ends with a female backing vocalist, a horn section and a big cheeky nod to The Smiths and The Beatles.       

Favourite Song: Where The Light Comes In

Twitter: @deandoveymusic

Bandcamp: Journey To The Sun | Dean Dovey (bandcamp.com)

#7 Sean Buckley (& Friends) - Featuring 

Salford’s Sean Buckley has been collaborating with the cream of the new music scene over the last 18 month’s providing his melodic electronica music as the basis for others to embellish, collaborate, sing on, or just shout “I’m Alright” over the top of it.  It’s a fabulous collection of songs featuring Lewca, 3 Little Wolves, Joe Peacock, Laura Jayne, The Shop Window, Ollie Winder, James Willows, Gomrund, and Leon The Pig Farmer.    

Favourite song: Pull (with James Willows)

Twitter: @Mintball 

Available from: Streaming sites on 30/12/22

#6 Narcissus - A Sense Of Place 

The debut album from Manchester band Narcissus is a slab of ultra cool dark electro bangers with more hooks than a secondhand pirate store. The beats, bleeps, strings, guitars, samples, and vocals combine to create music that is utterly compelling. Guest vocalists Becki Fishwick plays an integral role elevating the songs to the next level in the same way that Denise Johnson lifted Primal Scream. Ten songs - all killer no filler - it’s a riot. 

Favourite song: Friends In High Places

Twitter: @narcissushq @beckifishwick

Available from: Shop - 42's Records (musicglue.com)

#5 Lewca - Friday Night Rockstar 

Friday Night Rockstar is an incredible collection of witty autobiographical songs from the life of my favourite Geezer.  There’s a mixture of genres here, smooth R&B grooves, drum n bass, and hedonistic party music undercut with self-deprecating lyrics.  Lewca and S.O.A.P. have collaborated with some of the cream of the new music scene to create this album which includes contributions from Ben Todd, Ben Samama, John Michie, Orange G, James Willows, Oh! Paulo, Ambre, Mondo Trasho, Zar Acoustic, Victory Flow and Shark Star. What a squad of talent to draw from!   

Full review: Old Indie Kid: Lewca - Friday Night Rockstar - Album Review

Favourite song: Friday Night Rockstar 

Twitter:@Lewca

Bandcamp: https://lewca.bandcamp.com/album/friday-night-rockstar  Released 16/12/22

#4 Joe Adhemar - About The Soul

Joe Adhemar’s fifth album of the decade is delivered from an artist at the top of his game. Joe’s production on his synth heavy album is quality here as he tackles different genres with ease. Listen on quality headphones to unlock deeper levels beyond my limited hearing range!  Good Day For Falling (reggae), Georgio (disco), About The Soul (soulful techno), Power Lines (Electro-Waltz). He has found his preferred baritone vocal style which unites this collection despite the variety of styles on each song.  Joe’s songwriting tackles subject matter including relationships with the environment, partners, friends, an electronic music pioneer, longing for return to earlier times, mental health, wealth inequality and err…power lines. (Probably some symbolism that was lost on me there). 

I recorded a show with Joe Adhemar and Moby Tanner where Joe explains his album with us in a track-by-track review. https://www.mixcloud.com/inyourearsmusic/joe-adhemar-about-the-soul-album-introduction-with-old-indie-kid-and-moby-t/

Favourite song: When Our Lungs Are Empty

Twitter: @joeadhemar 

Bandcamp: About The Soul | Joe Adhemar (bandcamp.com)

#3 The Shed Project - The Curious Mind Of A Common Man 

The Rise of  The Sheds continued this year, with the release of the long awaited debut album filled with new music anthems - A Day In The Dam, My Life, Lucky Number, Bedtime, One Shot, Feel My Love, Friend, Modern Way.  It's an album of highs influenced by their heroes The Stone Roses and the Madchester scene. Roy is a legend and top dude on twitter always supportive of others.  He says the next album will blow this one out of the water - hope we get to hear it in 2023.  

My full album review here: Old Indie Kid: The Shed Project Debut Album

Favourite song: Don't Wait For No One 

Twitter: @project_shed

Bandcamp: https://theshedprojectuk.bandcamp.com/album/the-curious-mind-of-a-common-man

#2 The Heavy North - Electric Soul Machine

One of the best bands I discovered during the initial lockdown of 2020 were Liverpool’s The Heavy North. Kenny’s distinctive vocals and the 70s soul infused blues rock sound are a killer combination. It amazes me that they don’t have a residency at Las Vegas already.  Following on from the fabulous Dive Bar Blues EP the Electric Soul Machine album was a long time coming, delayed by vinyl pressing problems but worth the wait when it arrived. It’s already a classic of the 2020s with brilliant songs including Darkness In My Eyes, Awake, Satisfy You, No Good, and As Long As You’re Here With Me. And this legendary band are back in the studio at the moment working on the follow up. 

Favourite song: Satisfy You  

Twitter: @TheHeavyNorth

Bandcamp: https://theheavynorth.bandcamp.com/album/electric-soul-machine

#1 The Shop Window - A 4 Letter Word 

The Maidstone Massive released their second album at the end of November and have taken out top billing with my album of the year. I love this band and also awarded them second place for their debut album last year. The Shoppies have turned the jangle up to eleven and have written a collection of gorgeous indie pop love anthems.  Ten blissful jangle pop songs stepped in a love of the alternative music of the late eighties to mid Nineties. Whilst music can’t be adequately conveyed using words, I tried, and you can read my full review here: Old Indie Kid: The Shop Window A 4 Letter Word

Favourite song: Circles Go Round

Twitter:@theshopwindow1 

Bandcamp: A 4 Letter Word | The Shop Window (bandcamp.com)

So that wraps up another year of awesome independent music.  My partner in broadcasting crime, Moby Tanner and I will be back for a final radio show later in December. We will be counting down the top 100 songs as voted for by the new music twitter community and Louis Tomlinson’s fans. It will be the final ever #indie100cup show (cross my heart and hope to die), on InYourEarsMusic. I hope you can catch that show and see which songs made the final cut. 

Thanks for reading and please share my blog to help raise awareness of the brilliant talent that exists on the underground scene. And check out some of the albums you haven’t heard yet.

Cheers Danny @oldindiekid1

 

Mixtape Jan 2021

Happy New Year Music Lovers. 

2020 was a bugger of a year but it still had the best soundtrack and there is no reason to suggest that the quality will dip in 2021 if you know where to look.  

Spoiler Alert - I know where to look. This blog recommends 20 songs - some released in the last few hours and others released way back in 2020.  All are great and I urge you to follow, promote and support the artists. Buy some mechandise, physical or virtual music and when safe to attend gigs go and see them live. Remember to support the band you want to survive. No need to buy any Simply Red T-Shirts at this stage!

Old Indie Kid's Mixtape Jan 2021 Spotify Playlist 

1) Kingpin by A Month Of Sundays 

Rock N Roll from Perthshire Scotland that reached me in Perth Australia and instantly blew me away.  I had to play it on repeat and buy the EP from Bandcamp within minutes of hearing it.  There are 3 songs on Fat Sam’s Grand Slam EP - New track Comes Back Down is like a thrash jangle take on Some Might Say. The debut single Kingpin released in July 2019 is a rocker and We Got Something Outta Nothing previously released on a charity compilation has nods towards poppy Velvet Underground with a Roses outro.  A mix of 60s, Madchester, punk and J&MC influences make A Month Of Sundays one of the most exciting new prospects for 2021.  Here is the link to buy their debut EP https://a-m-o-s.bandcamp.com/album/fat-samsgrand-slam  Follow them on Twitter at @Month_OfSundays

2) MDMA by Jonny Ash

Jonny Ash are based in Wrexham in North Wales who released their debut single in October.  MDMA is the final song from the 4 track Blurry Vision debut EP released a week before Christmas.  This excellent EP includes both Eclipse and Rosies singles and two new songs Brother and MDMA. Phenomenal guitar work here across these four tracks. Follow on Twitter at @jonnyashband

3) Wildfire by Are We Static

I was introduced to the music of Are We Static this week and fell hard for the Wildfire single that came out in October.  Are We Static have been around for a few years having released their debut album in 2017 and the second album Accepting The Universe, in November 2020.  They have an indie space rock vibe.  Wonderful songs reminiscent of Muse or Feeder in their heyday. Follow them on Twitter at @AreWeStatic

4) Everyone Loves Janet by Cigarillo

A Britpop band from Adelaide, who appear on South Australian End of the Pier Records label.  This is their debut single - a double virtual A side with Rtl2.  The sound is somewhere between The Buggles and Supergrass and it’s a fun romp.  

5) Downfall by The Drift

The Drift are a new band from Birmingham and Downfall is the second release.  A follow up to their debut single Going Up.  Downfall isn’t the comedown thankfully and it rocks harder than the debut.  Downfall’s message is to avoid over dependence on social media and chasing the stars who will never save us.  As Noel Gallagher once put it,  “Please don’t put your life in the hands of a rock n roll band who’ll throw it all away”. Follow on Twitter at @theDriftUK

6) Queen of Liverpool by Vela Incident 

A story of a holiday heartbreak on the latest excellent single from Welsh band Vela Incident.  They originally formed in and gigged in the late Nineties but never recorded anything at the time.  During the lockdown they hooked up virtually and began recording their old songs using mobile phone apps.  The band have had to exist in the virtual world and the current lineup hasn’t actually physically met! There is new material coming soon and perhaps an album in 2021. Follow on Twitter at @IncidentVela

7) TV Fantasy by Joe Astley & The Wallgate Band.

Joe’s Anthem for the North was awarded the prestigious #1 position as Best Song of 2020 by myself and @mobytanner in our #Indie100 countdown and we are both convinced there is a bright future ahead for Joe.  Joe Astley's Acceptance Speech

That future starts here with a New Years Day release of his debut single with the Wallgate Band.  TV Fantasy is a blast of Wigan adrenaline to kick start the New Year.  Great lyrics as you’ld always expect from Joe - my only gripe is it fades out too soon.  Perhaps the album version will be longer?  Until then there is always the repeat button and I urge you to use it! Follow on Twitter at @jastleyofficial and @thewallgateband

8) Seeing The Life by The Young

Heavy ominous rock from The Young who hail from Staines.  This is their fourth single and they have been together since 2016 but this is the first I’ve heard of them.  Having just played their previous singles I am now up to speed and following them on the socials. Follow on Twitter at @youngbanduk  

9) All That I’ve Ever Seen by The Institutes

The sixth release from The Institutes - another great band that I only discovered this month.  Spotify tells me I discovered over a thousand new artists in the last 12 months so I am trying to stay on top of new music but there is so much of it.  The rhythm section is really tight here - it opens like a Mid-80’s R.E.M. and ends as a furious singalong anthem.  Follow on Twitter at @theinstitutesUK

10) Take Us Higher by Oh! Paulo

The guitars here sound like they came straight off the Joshua Tree and the lyrics are about the power of music to lift you up. Oh! Paulo is from the Scottish musical hotbed of Aberdeen.  Surely it is time that Aberdeen and Wigan were twinned!  Top bloke - give @OhPauloMusic a follow on Twitter.

11) Revolution Son by Shiva and the Hazards

A mixture of shoegaze and glam rock - perhaps a new genre is born #glamgaze - you heard it here first kids.  Shiva and the Hazards hail from Melbourne and are working on their debut album.  They toured with Cast and Ride in 2019 and Mark Gardener mixed this single.  Follow on Twitter at @shivahazards

12) Shimmer by Macroscope 

Another beautiful song from Macroscope to lose yourself in its intricacies.  A tale of unrequited love told in widescreen with the orchestral soundtrack playing loud and clear.  (Bring tissues). Follow on Twitter at @macroscopeBand

13)  Tears by Little Sparrow 

An amazing song and an unforgettable video - Little Sparrow has been compared to both David Bowie and Kate Bush. Little Sparrow will soon be Massive Sparrow so enjoy the music and spread the word. Follow on Twitter at @uklittlesparrow

14) I Wanna Be Like You by Psychedelic Porn Crumpets 

Perth psychedelic rockers with a cover of the Jungle Book classic song recorded on Triple J’s Like A Version segment.  The lads throw the kitchen sink at this - tremendous fun! Follow them at @porncrumpets

15) Hungry Like The Wolf by Darklove

An indie supergroup containing members of Gorillaz and Moby with their debut release - a cover of Duran Duran.  Thanks again to indie influencer @macaronpurpl for this find. Follow the supergroup at @darkloveband1

16) If Only by Dean Dovey

Dean Dovey released three singles in 2020 and If Only is my favourite of these.  This song has cinematic qualities to it.  Its an emotional tale of regret and reminds me of a Bond theme. Give @dinodill a follow.

17) Weird Fishes by Leanne La Havas

This was recommended to me recently - a haunting cover of a Radiohead song from In Rainbows.  Leanne appears to be a major star with millions of listeners but as I spend my time looking for emerging artists and unsigned indie bands I have no idea what is popular these days.  Sometimes it’s nice to discover international pop stars years after everyone else! 

18) The Less I know The Better by Kamino Royale

Northern Irish singer who has only been publishing music as a creative release since lockdown.  This is a brilliant cover of Tame Impala’s 2015 hit single.   Follow him at @kaminoroyale

19) All Day and Night by The Strifes

A power trio of indie rockers from Southampton with their scorching debut single.  Follow at @theStrifes_

20) Dear Genevieve by The Mariners 

The problem with doing a monthly blog is the fast pace of releases leaves some songs waiting four weeks for a mention.  A touching song written about his relationship with a young daughter.  Backed by two b-sides - Sorry Suzanne and Are We Nearly There Yet? And with a second album is planned for 2021 it’s never too late to #GetOnTheBoat! at @TheMarinersBand