Tag: alt folk

The Get In Her Ears team have put together another mix of eclectic electronic sounds, alternative & shoegaze anthems, punk bangers, indie-folk musings and alt pop tunes for your listening pleasure. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below, and make sure you press play on the playlist at the end of this post.

Follow GIHE on Spotify to hear all of our previous playlists too.

Whitelands – ‘Cheer’
This is one of my favourite songs, taken from one of my favourite albums of 2024, from London-based shoegaze band Whitelands. Their debut record, Night-bound Eyes Are Blind To The Day, is a heady rush of atmospheric reverb-heavy guitars, lush gauzy vocals and poetic lyricism, and I’ve been infatuated with it since its release via Sonic Cathedral. Watch the accompanying video for ‘Cheer’ here.
(Kate Crudgington – Features Editor)

Clinic Stars – ‘Only Hinting’
I am hooked on the shimmering guitars and ethereal vocals on this dreamy offering by Detroit-based duo Clinic Stars. ‘Only Hinting’ is the title track from their upcoming debut album, which is set for release on 20th September via Kranky. (KC)

Kynsy – ‘Stereo Games’
Described as “a wild ride through the chaos of love and self-destruction,” Dublin-raised, London-based artist Kynsy delivers another brooding indie anthem here. Released via Nice Swan Records, it’s full of her distinctive vocals and gritty riffs. (KC)

Hello Mary – ‘0%’
It took me about 10 seconds of listening to ‘0%’ for me to decide that I loved New York trio Hello Mary. It captures their dynamic blend of grungy riffs, considered instrumentation, unpredictable beats and direct vocals perfectly. The band will be releasing their second album, Emita Ox, on 13th September, and they’ll be making their London live debut at The Windmill in Brixton on 5th September. Grab a ticket here. (KC)

Loose Articles – ‘Are You A Welder?’
The new single from Manchester faves Loose Articles, ‘Are You A Welder?’ challenges society’s stereotypical gender roles centered on concepts of masculinity and femininity with a raw punk power and playful energy. Having recently supported Foo Fighters on tour, and being busy playing plenty of festivals this summer, have just released their debut album, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, via Alcopop! Records too.
(Mari Lane – Managing Editor)

pink suits – ‘Are You Gay Yet?’
Taken from their recently released second album Dystopian Hellscape, Margate duo pink suits offer a seething celebration of queerness with ‘Are You Gay Yet?’. Reflecting on numerous interactions that guitarist and vocalist Lennie has had throughout their life when people have questioned or confronted them about their sexuality, it’s an uncompromising reclamation of being confident in who you are. As Lennie says, “People are gay. I am gay. We are gay. You might be gay too… and that is ok.” And pink suits have just shared a wonderfully empowering and joyous new video for the track – check it out here. (ML)

Destroy Boys – ‘Should’ve Been Me’
This raging new single from Sacramento punks Destroy Boys might be less than two minutes long, but it packs a proper punch. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming album, Funeral Soundtrack #4, which is set for release on 9th August via Hopeless Records. (KC)

Soot Sprite – ‘I Went Swimming’
South England-based indie-shoegazers Soot Sprite dropped this tune a back in June via Specialist Subject Records. Full of swirling riffs and urgent vocals, ‘I Went Swimming’ is about proactively ditching a toxic relationship before it drags you down further. (KC)

EFÉ – ‘2000SEVEN’
Irish artist EFÉ is back with this banger of a single. Written when she was 19 but developed over several years, ‘2000SEVEN’ is an homage to 00s rock, but also an ode to recovering from a tough time and finding new friends in the process. (KC)

Lemonade Sin – ‘Keep It Up’
Consisting of members you may recognise from other bands such as BCOS RSNS and Umbrella Heaven, London-via-Devon Lemonade Sin have just released their new album, Deadly Sins. Taken from the album, latest single ‘Keep It Up’ offers a blissful rumination on lust; combining jangly guitar pop with a classic disco groove and lush synth sounds reminiscent of the dreamy soundscapes of Stereolab. (ML)

Los Bitchos – ‘Kiki, You Complete Me’
Based in London, international band Los Bitchos include members from Australia, Uruguay, Sweden and Britain, and are united by a distinct sense of fun. This definitely comes through in their latest, comic-book-inspired new track, ‘Kiki, You Complete Me’. Racing with a swirling energy and colourful rhythms, it’s described by the band as “Batman meets Los Bitchos”. (ML)

The Go! Team – ‘Ladyflash’
Having been a big fan of The Go! Team’s 2004 album, Thunder Lightening Strike, when it came out all of twenty years ago, I then saw them live at Electric Ballroom in 2018, and it was one of the most fun live shows I’ve ever been to – such immense energy and colourful charisma. So, I was very excited to see them again at Deer Shed Festival. I chatted to the band recently about live shows, kids on tour and the challenges of the industry today – have a read here. (ML)

CATBEAR – ‘Rush’
Having previously supported indie legends The Subways and just played Bristol Pride alongside the likes of Ladytron and Human League, synth-pop duo CATBEAR take influence from queer icons like Robyn and Tegan and Sara. New single ‘Rush’ swirls with a colourful, euphoric energy of this track, creating a perfectly danceable summer anthem. (ML)

Julia-Sophie – ‘wishful thinking’
This lush glitch-pop offering from Julia-Sophie is one of many gems on her debut album, forgive too slow. Released via Ba Da Bing Records, the record is a bittersweet reflection on past love, heartbreak and recovery, all tinged with the Anglo-French artist’s distinctive melancholic edge. (KC)

Maria Uzor – ‘What U Need’
The new single from GIHE fave Maria Uzor, ‘What U Need’ showcases all there is to love about the Norwich artist. Propelled by fierce beats as a glitchy electronic soundscape provides the backdrop for Uzor’s soaring vocals, the track pulsates with a deep immersive groove and sparkling playful allure. Reflecting on her recent time away from social media, she says of the track: “(It’s) about how you can lose a sense of who you are if you spend too much on there…” ‘What U Need’ is accompanied by a fun, homemade video in which Uzor has dressed up as characters from some of her previous videos in order to convey a sense of identity being in flux. (ML)

Palindrones – ‘Lemuria’
A dark, hypnotic blend of electronics and glitchy beats, ‘Lemuria’ is the latest single from South London industrial synth-pop duo Palindrones. Taken from their album Chapter One, which they released last year, the single is accompanied by a new music video, which you can watch here. (KC)

Sister Ghost – ‘Dark Matter’
Northern Irish artist Sister Ghost has shared this evocative track, which is lifted from her upcoming debut album, Beyond The Water. Set for release on 31st October via Third Bar Records, ‘Dark Matter’ was inspired by the French film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Sister Ghost explains further: “I really felt it echoed some of my own queer experiences. That’s also why there’s some French in the bridge section of the song, which translates to ‘my love, she glows in the fire’.” (KC)

PostLast – ‘Hollywood Ending’
Another dreamy offering from Irish duo PostLast here, released via VETA Records. Formed of Julie Hough (HAVVK) and Stephen McHale (BARQ), PostLast’s brand of off kilter indie-pop always makes for an charming listen. (KC)

Happy Accidents – ‘Infinite Possibilities’
Their first new music since 2018, ‘Infinite Possibilities’ is the new single from South London duo Happy Accidents. Reflecting on how our brains can play tricks on us, and how there could be infinite ways to interpret what is happening to us, it flows with jangly hooks and emotion-rich twinkling harmonies. The single comes ahead of a new album Edit Undo, due for release on 27th September via Alcopop! Records, and – in the meantime – the band are inviting fans into a load of secret new music and stories behind the songs, as well as access to the album a month early. This can all be accessed by pre-ordering the record here. (ML)

Squirrel Flower – ‘Finally Rain’
One of my most listened to artists over the last couple of years, I was lucky enough to catch Squirrel Flower live at The Lexington last week. From the start, she instantly immersed the sold out venue in a soaring splendour as the raw emotion of her crystalline vocals flowed throughout. Treating us to a set spanning all five of her albums, live she was even more spellbinding than I could have imagined; combining a celestial majesty with a gritty musicality, Squirrel Flower and her band succeed in completely captivating me with each truly exquisite offering. Ending the set with a solo rendition of this closing track from her latest album, Tomorrow’s Fire, ‘Finally Rain’ brings the evening to a close with a perfect heartbreaking grace, evoking in me the kind of emotion that is normally only reserved for Bruce Springsteen. (ML)

Seaker – ‘Lately’
North London-based independent musician Seaker self-produced this track in her home studio. She describes it as “a love song of sorts” that is designed to feel like “a comforting word from a friend”. Her tender vocals and earnest lyricism combine with gentle beats and keys to help soothe the pangs of heartbreak. (KC)

Midwife – ‘Rock N Roll Never Forgets’
The latest single from the elusive Midwife is a bittersweet rumination on memory, and a gentle ode to the transcendent power of music. It’s taken from her upcoming album, No Depression in Heaven, which is set for release on 6th September via The Flenser. I’m a big fan of her “heaven metal” sounds and I can’t wait to hear the record in full. (KC)

Gracie Gray – ‘Burden’
Taken from her new released second album, Magnet, this track by LA born, New York based artist Gracie Gray showcases her innately raw, self-soothing qualities as a songwriter. I had a really lovely chat with Gracie for The Line Of Best Fit, in which we spoke about the importance of solitude, the joy of listening to music in your bedroom, and limiting your time on the internet. Read it here. (KC)

⁠Breymer – ‘Darkness’
Minnesota born artist Breymer is set to release their new album in October; a collection exploring their relationship with gender and identity, they recently changed their artist name – from Sarah Walk to the more androgynous Breymer – to reflect how they feel about themselves after their recent top surgery. ‘Darkness’ was written to comfort their wife when she was going through a tough time, and its rich stirring emotion and lilting musicality is a thing of pure beauty. When I Get Through, the upcoming new album from Breymer, is set for release on 18th October via One Little Independent Records. (ML)

Katie Malco ft. Laura Stevenson – ‘Fatal Attraction’
A disarming reflection on connection, loneliness and infatuation, I love this new track from Katie Malco, featuring American songwriter Laura Stevenson. ‘Fatal Attraction’ is inspired by the classic 90s erotic thriller that it’s named after. Katie comments: “Strangely, I realised that Fatal Attraction might be one of the most relatable movies I’ve ever seen. The scariest and most gripping parts are in the intense rage felt at the hands of selfish and careless behaviour and the self-loathing that comes with it. It almost becomes an analogy of society at large, where the men always seem to get away with it, and nobody else does. Boiling bunnies and stalking aside, you could liken Glen Close’s character to the entire non-male population, fighting to be heard and to be equal.” (KC)

Sunflower Thieves – ‘How Was America’
This is the latest single from Leeds alt-pop duo Sunflower Thieves, taken from their upcoming EP, Same Blood, which is set for release on 30th October via Kartel. ‘How Was America’ is a deceptively soft sounding song that’s underscored by the sharp, lingering pain of being ghosted by a friend. (KC)

Jasmine.4.t – ‘Skin On Skin’
Based in Manchester, trans artist Jasmine.4.t is the first signee to Phoebe Bridgers’ new label Saddest Factory Records and has now shared exquisite new single ‘Skin On Skin’. Produced by Bridgers alongside fellow Boygenius members Julian Baker and Lucy Dacus, it’s as beautifully perfect as you’d expect. Reflecting on both the camaraderie and isolation that can be a part of transfeminine life, it flows with a stirring glistening emotion and twinkling hooks. If you, too, fall in love listening to this track, you can catch Jasmine live at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington on 31st July – nab tickets here. (ML)

Bria Salmena – ‘Bending Over Backwards’
Loving this sultry, upbeat offering from Canadian artist Bria Salmena, released via Sub Pop. Salmena describes this track as “a manic conversation with myself,” with her lush vocals and hazy riffs helping to calm those chaotic thoughts. (KC)

Yaz León – ‘GULLY’
Spanish-Iraqi songwriter Yaz León has just released her new EP, BLEACH, which she produced by herself. It’s a record that documents the songwriters “internal monologue” over the past year, and this track ‘GULLY’ is a tender, slow-building testament to that. (KC)

Lex Amor – ‘A7X’
Having previously played on Later… With Jools Holland and collaborated with the likes of Kojey Radical, North London artist Lex Amor has now worked alongside Luton based rapper BXKS on latest single ‘A7X’. Fusing together genres to create a blissful reflection on everyday life, it oozes a stirring soulful groove. I’m a big fan. (ML)