BEST OF INDIE POP - WEEK 2

Slow start to the year? Yeah … everyone says it takes a while to get the momentum going, but We Are: The Guard is here today to help push you to the edge and take the jump. Our ten indie pop songs will give you the fuel needed to motivate you with whatever you have going for the day. We’re like iHop, except that instead of all you can eat stacks of pancakes, it’s all you can listen to music that will leave you feeling like you’re high up on a giant stack of pancakes. The featured songs below will be like maple syrup dripping all of your senses. I’m getting hungry here so let’s get to the following from Nas, Sharon Van Etten, Lizzo, and more.

LIZZO - JUICE

Lizzo is a queen. This woman empowers other women with the hit of the play button. Embracing herself for who she is and spreading the love about loving yourself just as you are is what 2019 should be about. “Juice” shuts down all misconceptions of how women should look and act. Love thy self and be the badest bestest chick ever … down with the haters.

OLLY MURS - EXCUSES

Olly Murs sings what people in relationships have gone through with his single “Excuses.” It’s the things that go unsaid that hurt the most but it’s unreasonable to expect the other person to open up completely. Expectations are the culprit of failed relationships and stellar songs like “Excuses.” How about instead of expecting people to be a certain way, we just let things flow organically.

SHARON VAN ETTEN - SEVENTEEN

The low - fi backdrop and driving beat of the drums keep things nostalgic in Sharon Van Etten’s “Seventeen.” Reflecting in the shadows of her past, Etten paints New York as the magical place that helped shape who she is today. “Seventeen” is like taking a glimpse at the artist’s diary, it feels personal as she serves up a taste of her upcoming album “Remind Me Tomorrow,” out January 18.

NINA NESBITT - COLDER

We’ve heard the single and now we get the visuals. Wait, what? You have not heard “Colder” by Nina Nesbitt? Hello? Where have you been? You’ve obviously been somewhere else other than keeping your ears locked in here because we’ve been praising Nesbitt’s talent for crafting dreamy pop gems. Blast this one and catch yourself drifting into a spellbound haze of pop perfection.

NAS - ADAM AND EVE

Nas takes listeners into the Big Apple, where adults are preoccupied with their sinning lives as children raise themselves on the streets surrounded by violence. “Adam and Eve” takes a look at lost innocence and the reality of living life in Queensbridge.

ELOHIM - BUCKETS

Elohim continues on in darkness with her new glitch-infused pop single “Buckets.” Co-produced by Skrillex, “Buckets” will have you screaming “Fuck this / Feel it on my cut like fuck it
/ Oh fuck it, I want it / Make a mess one day / Make a ruckus (I'm making a mess) / Suck it (suck it)” Hold on tight to your wigs because according to Elohim, "This piece is an emotional purge, a side of me I've never shared before. I am now ready. Are you?"

LANA DEL REY - HOPE IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING FOR A WOMAN LIKE ME TO HAVE - BUT I HAVE IT

Well, of course, hope is a very dangerous thing for a woman like you to have Lana. You dive heart first into relationships and come out with missing limbs and scratches. You’re a hopeless romantic and we love you for it. Now hurry and give us a date already for your upcoming album Norman F**king Rockwell.

ALEC BENJAMIN - LET ME DOWN SLOWLY (FEAT. ALESSIA CARA)

Though Alec Benjamin’s plea is sincere there is no way to let someone down slowly. Either way you put it break up / let downs are a painful torture that go away with time. The fastest way to get through this process is to face the music sooner rather than later.

GIRLPOOL - WHAT CHAOS IS IMAGINARY

“What Chaos Is Imaginary” feels like it’s meant to drift your tired soul into a better place, but when writing this single, band member Tividad opens up about how it was at his lowest point in life and how this song is about healing and taking building everything he broke back up. Soak this gem up and let it be of good to you.

For the final song this week, we conclude with our Best of Indie Pop Playlist. It’s not just one song, it’s 15 of the freshest beats around this neighborhood. Enjoy it and do me a huge favor by supporting the playlist with a follow on Spotify.

See you all next week with more pop songs. Oh, and if you have a tip feel free to let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. xxxxx

Photo by Trent Szmolnik on Unsplash

Beca Arredondo is easily unamused with all things not related to her interests. On her good days you can catch her avoiding the California sun and glued to her Mac plotting the next big thing. If you happen to run into her on the street and notice her wearing headphones do NOT disturb her. She is not responsible for any possible damage. Aside from the above she's very sweet and perky and responds well to good music and food.