THE BEST NEW INDIE POP SONGS FOR THE END OF SUMMER
by Arielle Tindel
8/25/21
Image by Miss Porcelain on Unsplash
Despite it being 90 degrees here in LA, it really does feel like the end of summer is upon us. The nights are getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and I feel less inclined to take a spontaneous road trip. Amongst all of this change, there are two things that we can always count on: 1. That our favorite indie pop artists will continue to create and release absolute bops and 2. That WATG will share our favorites with you all! So let’s get into it (yuh).
SALEM ILESE - BEN & JERRY
Some musicians blow up on TikTok and prove to be one trick ponies… and then there’s salem ilese. With honest and quirky songwriting at the forefront of her music, the formerly mad-at-Disney (haha see what I did there) artist now sings the praises of the only two men she can trust: “Ben & Jerry.” The song is guitar driven and filled with ice cream references. Her clever lyrics are supported by sugary sweet melodies. We can’t get enough (and now we’re also hungry for Ben & Jerry’s)!
BAYLI - 16
New York’s BAYLI continues to evolve her special brand of alt-pop. On 16, she tells a story and paints a vibrant picture of adolescence. In a press release, she shared that “16” was her “first ever attempt at some type of memoir-esque writing.” Her appropriately titled upcoming EP, stories from new york is coming soon, and we can’t wait to hear more.
ISAIA HURON - FALLEN/DGYLA
After catching our attention with “Self!” Isaia Huron continues to put out left-of-center R&B/indie pop songs that impress. The South Carolina native’s vocals are stunning, delivering honest lyrics over a chill, bass guitar driven drack. Almost fell out of my chair when he hit that falsetto.
BINKI - INVISIBLE FENCE
Folks, the time is here- binki’s EP MOTOR FUNCTION has arrived, and with it brings indie pop/rock jam “Invisible Fence.” Genre bending, full of energy, and truth, the song is a slam dunk and simply put, really really cool? Like I feel cool listening to this? Does that make sense?
BROOKE WILLIAMS - CLOSER TO HEAVEN
Brooke Williams continues to prove why she’s an indie pop artist to look out for on her newest single “Closer to Heaven.” Stellar vocals? Check. High quality indie pop production? Check. Clever, relatable songwriting that kind of hits home and hurts, but only a little bit? Check! In her own words, “"Closer to Heaven" is about falling for someone who you know has some darkness but that makes it even more intriguing, euphoric and heavenly.”
STILL WOOZY - WOOF
I’d like to preface this one by saying I could only pick one song from the album to focus on, but you NEED to listen to the whole thing. Still Woozy evokes that instant sunny-day kind of warmth on If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is. The melodies are infectious and the production is stunning. On “Woof,” he opens up about what goes on in his head.
REMI WOLF - QUIET ON SET
Remi Wolf is a ball of energy. Her music is danceable, shocking, and never delivers quite what you’d expect, but offers something even better. “Quiet On Set” is unhinged in the best way possible and is full of fun. The lyrics are nuts (ex. “Eating my ass like the human centipede.”). Lol give it a spin if you’re in a silly, goofy mood.
And on that wild note, this has been another edition of We Are: The Guard’s Best Indie Pop Songs of the week. Come back next week for more, and be sure to check out our Weekly Indie A&R Chart Playlist on Spotify to see what else we’ve been digging.
Arielle Tindel is from Cleveland, Ohio. She recently graduated from Berklee College of Music with degrees in Music Business Marketing and Songwriting. In her free time, Arielle can be found gardening or playing bass.