With so much music in the Provo music scene, it’s easy to get sucked in and start listening to music in a bubble. It’s always great to see what awaits you in the broader world of sonic textures, and to find new recommendations that can inspire you to make music differently than you did before.
Here are five songs from indie artists across the country. Hopefully something here can help spark something new for you.
Adeline V. Lopez – “icarus”
The vocals on display here are incredibly pure. Adeline V. Lopez has an approach that is endearingly delicate. The first half of the song is sparse and simple and, to be honest, wouldn’t hit so hard if her voice wasn’t so good. She carries that first half on the back of her vocals alone.
That being said, she’s also a really smart songwriter and arranger. The vocal production when the song hits its climax is stacked to the max, but not in an overly polished way. It feels rough around the edges and never loses its folksy charm. Subtle, swirly synths underneath it all – as well as the added guitar textures – are tasteful and well executed. And the rhythmic stops at 1:45? Stellar. I love this track.
Hazy Day Parade – “PLAY IT BACKWARDS”
This is the lead single from HAZY DAY PARADE’s 2024 debut Big Feat. For anyone craving some feelgood nostalgia injected into your brain via straightforward rock n’ roll, this might scratch the itch. The vocal production is perfect for the band’s lazy-edgy sound; the melody is catchy; and the bass is fuzzier than fleece. This track has everything: planned unison cuts and drops; thick harmonies; dynamic variation; and a unique and fearless sound. This one has been on repeat.
Sarah Biddick – “January”
This is an incredibly emotive indie ballad – the kind you could hear playing in a medical drama or on the latest season of Love Is Blind – and Sarah Biddick has just the voice for it. The piano begins in an appropriately simple and sparse fashion, but the added piano flourishes after the first chorus really kick things up a notch. The string texture is a nice touch as well, and really helped fill out the piece and dig into the gritty sadness on display here. This song is beautiful in its simplicity.
This is the second song from Sarah’s upcoming EP. She’s showing immense promise as a young artist. She’s someone who can really immerse listeners in a melancholic, introspective atmosphere. This song is for anyone confronting the painful reality of false love.
Thea the Band – “Whiskey Revival”
HOT DANG. This mix is GREAT. It’s nothing flashy, but it does its job and it does it well. The drums sit subdued in the pocket while the gritty rhythm guitars deliver some smooth mids in the left speaker and the lead guitar lets out delightful high end squeals. There’s also a super subtle guitar in the right ear playing sustained chords with a delicious tremolo that would be easy to overlook, but adds so much to the vibe.
This song wastes no time pouring out the soul in the opening instrumental, but the lead vocals that follow are magical. The vocal performance is simultaneously reminiscent of both Carrie Underwood and 00s MySpace indie darling Kate Voegele. It’s a really great mix of styles: raw blues, outlaw country, and soul-folk.
Casey Frazier– “The Shelf”
Wow. This song is great. It’s short and sweet and it needs to be getting more attention! I love the twang in Casey’s voice. His voice sounds like he has been through some stuff and you ought to listen to his advice. It’s a nice reminder that it is never too late to abandon a self destructive lifestyle and put your “bullsh*t on the shelf.” Casey Frazier has slowly become a favorite of ours and we can’t wait to hear more of his music. This one was an instant favorite.