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Underground Sound Indie Brit Boys For Your Indie Brit Blues
Callum’s got the ultimate sad sack playlist for you: mournful sad indie boys with sad songs.
King Krule’s new album, ‘The OOZ’, dropped the other day, seemingly just in time for the start of the ‘melancholy music’ time of year. It just seems like when the lights get dimmer, street lights get brighter and the long and brutally cold bus journeys hit, an indie brit boy is there to provide the soundtrack. So, here is a list of my favourite; and soon to be your new favourite selection of (and get ready for it…) ‘underground sound Indie brit boys for your indie brit blues’…
In order of the amount of content to delve into:
King Krule
As mentioned above. Archy Marshall aka King Krule aka Zoo Kid aka DJ JD Sports aka Edgar the Beatmaker aka Edgar the Breathtaker aka The Return of Pimp Shrimp, is always dropping new music that looks to explore a mind full of depression, heartbreak and feelings of being trapped. From the lucid guitar chords to his slow and rough delivery of lyrics, everything about his music, under whatever alias it gets released under, really does leave the listener with feelings of angst.
Ghostpoet
All four of Ghostpoet’s albums will provide you with the perfect long journey on a rainy night bus music. His deep voice and sometimes at best lazy delivery, layered on top of dark electric instrumentals, will surely leave you with images of an urban landscape streaming through your head. *’See ‘Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam’ for the best example of this. Ghostpoet is my, and soon to be yours, instant go-to when rain is in the forecast.
Mount Kimbie
Mount Kimbie provides me with all of the indie instrumentals that I need. With tracks that quickly diverge from electronica dance to loosely explored indie rock, I’m never left with an emotion unexplored. Their latest album, ‘Love What Survives’, features fellow indie boys like James Blake and King Krule; and let me be the first to tell you, their features will not let you down.
Rex Orange County
Rex’s debut tape, ‘bcos u will never b free’, is perfect for this list (if you couldn’t already tell by the way he decided to spell the album title). Similar to a lot of Rex’s peers, his music is full of self-loathing lyrics that look to dive into themes of a lack of self-confidence. His rich guitar and keyboard induced instrumentals are laced with lyrics of heartbreak that are sure to make you reminisce about what could’ve been and those good old days (even though, like Rex, you’re probably still a teenager yourself).
Jamie Isaac
Any lover of dark electric instrumentals mixed with lyrics of heartbreak, needs to listen to Jamie Isaac. The London native, captures the essence of those everyday urban relationship blues. With a great singing voice and ear for production, you will surely find yourself experiencing feelings that you didn’t come to the genre for. Jamie’s music is perfect for a chilled night in, whilst also being perfect to begin your night out. Whatever you decide to do, let Jamie provide the soundtrack.
Loyle Carner
Unlike everyone else on this list, Carner doesn’t really fit into the typical ‘indie boy’ sound box. His alternative and definitely intuitive raps, touch on feelings of loss and loosely touches on themes of alcoholism. Carner will provide you with a loose flow necessary to kick back and unwind.
Yellow Days
Perhaps best suited to the summer months, Yellow days will leave you feeling light and bubbly. The soft and almost angelic backing vocals featured throughout their music will no doubt make you indie lovers smile. Their debut EP, ‘Harmless Melodies’, in short is one for the lovers. Your love and appreciation for life and all of its short comings, will become amplified. To all you ‘single heads’ out there, seeking the feeling of love and loss all at once (and I know you’re out there), perhaps this may be that perfect winter soundtrack for you.
Cosmo Pyke
Often described as the next King Krule, mainly due to his choice of guitar chords, is Cosmo. A relatively new artist who seems to be developing by the song. Cosmo packages his music with vintage visuals and aesthetics perfect for your months of solitude.
Wildhood
Main vocalist and writer Jordan Stephens aka one half of Rizzle Kicks aka Al, the Native, explores themes of addiction and mental health in his only project release with Wildhood, ‘Vert’. ‘Vert’ features a plethora of sub-genres that leave me feeling alone yet fulfilled at the same time. Each song will seemingly leave you with a complimentary emotion to carry onto the next.
Jerkcurb
With only a very small amount of songs to delve into, I had to put Jerkcurb at the bottom of my list. Jerkcurb’s music is filled with guitar chords similar to Mac Demarco. The Californian guitar riffs will supply you with everything needed for a relaxed evening in. The lack of content will leave you wanting more, so for that I will leave you in the very capable hands of the previously mentioned Mac Demarco.
You can now listen to my playlist full of songs and projects by these artists on Spotify! Just search ‘Underground Sound Indie Brit Boys for your Indie Brit Blues’. I will be updating the playlist regularly – might even chuck in some honourable mentions…
Add your own recommendations in the comments. Or talk to us on Twitter @rifemag
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About the author
Callum Gundry-White
Callum is an 18-year-old photographer/videographer, writer and poet from Bristol, who is currently studying at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College. He aspires to connect with creatives who strive for a better future. Callum wishes to do this through, ‘SocialShepards’, an up-and-coming organisation that looks to showcase creative thought. Callum creates zines that touch on societal issues of the time. He enjoys creating anything that will spark discussion within social groups and strives to diminish stereotypes and push cultural generalisations forward. If he sees a problem, he will most probably create content and raise awareness about the issue; Power to the people essentially. Alongside constantly giving his opinion on every single subject matter, Callum enjoys listening to music obsessively on a dairy-free, rain-soaked afternoon full of melancholy melodies and spoken word.
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