On Repeat is a monthly roundup of My Music Mixtape’s favourite tracks featured on our ‘Radio Friendly Indie Rock and Alt Pop‘ Spotify playlist.
March includes a slice of edgy pop rock by Grace Angelique, a melody-infused indie rock song by Iris Blue, an epic guitar banger by OCEXNS, a provocative protest song by Teddy Clarke, an electrifying sonic journey by King In Yellow and a nostalgia-fuelled rollercoaster by Mayhill. Continue reading below to learn more about the artists who landed on this month’s edition of On Repeat.
Bird of Prey – Grace Angelique
“Grace’s indie rock power anthem, “Bird of Prey”, narrates the thrill and danger of succumbing to temptation on a night out. Soon after its release, the track grabbed the attention of BBC Solent presenter Fern Buckley, who said the song made her feel ‘like a Bad B!’”
Excerpt from Grace Angelique’s press release for “Bird of Prey”
“Bird of Prey” exemplifies the phrase “don’t bore us, get to the chorus”. Grace Angelique wastes no time in delivering the infectious hooks that characterize this track. Her edgy vocals set against a grungy guitar backdrop culminate into an anthemic slice of pop rock with attitude. The song captures the allure of temptation and how easy it is to become powerless when you encounter it. It paints this picture vividly through the story of a night out, with Angelique’s lyrics highlighting the battle to resist temptation, such as “I shouldn’t be dancing baby, I should make my way home alone”, but ultimately evolving into something more fateful and decided: “I don’t want to go home alone”. This evolution from resisting to yielding is what keeps listeners engaged, like a series of mini tension-fuelled cliffhangers wrapped into three minutes of guitar licks. Like the forbidden apple itself, we have a feeling you’ll want to take a bite out of “Bird of Prey”. My Music Mixtape
Match the Tonic – Iris Blue
“We both went through a lot of change this year. Both of us ended long-term relationships and the EP reflects that. This song is about being in a relationship or situation where you know you should leave but it’s just comfortable enough to stay.”
Excerpt from Iris Blue press release for “Match the Tonic”
The vibrant bass and drum instrumental that kicks off “Match the Tonic” immediately perked our ears and set the tone for what becomes an epic, melody-infused track by Chicago-based indie rock band Iris Blue. The bright, shimmering guitars and the swift tempo of the rhythm and percussion come together to shape a compelling instrumental that simply commands your attention. There is also singer Quinn Pokora’s impeccable vocal delivery, which includes a hook in the chorus that will have you singing the line “staring at the door” in your head when you least expect it. His vocals are full of the emotion and passion needed in a song about former relationships, also a point of inspiration for their 2022 EP, It’s Entertainment Now. It’s not the first time we’ve featured Iris Blue. Their previous single, “Evergreen”, also ended up on our playlist for all the same reasons that make “Match the Tonic” so special: falsetto-laden vocals, driving percussion and soaring guitars. The bottom line is Iris Blue is a band to watch with their unique ability to infuse melancholic melodies into energetic bangers. My Music Mixtape
Headstrong – OCEXNS
With ‘Headstrong,’ OCEXNS delves into the theme of a narcissistic partner who is consumed by their own desires. The song explores the struggles of being in a relationship with someone who constantly craves more, driven by overwhelming insecurities. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of the complexities of love and self-discovery.
Excerpt from OCEXNS press release for “Headstrong”
“Headstrong” will beg you to turn up the volume and roll down the windows so the whole world can hear you sing along. This hook-heavy banger by Scottish indie rock band OCEXNS will have you doing the musical version of a double take. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself asking, “did they just do that?” while listening. The prominent bass line offers the perfect anchor and foundation on which the exceptional guitar work can shine – and there’s no shortage of it. Harmonic squeals, epic solos and endless licks, combined with various crunch and distortion tones are bound to impress. Lyrically, “Headstrong” delves into the challenges of navigating a relationship with a partner consumed with profound insecurities – and there’s an emotional honesty in these lyrics that is brought to life with singer Ross Mitchell’s captivating vocal delivery. For example, the irresistible vocal hook in the chorus when Mitchell sings “living without you” and “breathing without you” at the top of his lungs will pull you in and actually make you feel as though you have escaped the burden of such a relationship. Bottom line: “Headstrong” is laden with guitar skill and proficiency, but not at the expense of the emotional magnitude of the song’s storytelling and performance. It’s simply a fantastic song by a band that knows exactly how to write music that resonates. My Music Mixtape
Rethink – Teddy Clarke
“I’d been in a bit of a rut, and hadn’t been writing anything I was feeling particularly connected with. But as soon as I saw/heard the transphobic comments Rishi Sunak was making I instantly felt compelled to write, and the song kind of wrote itself pretty quickly.”
Teddy Clarke
Teddy Clarke doesn’t hold back any punches in this fast-paced, attitude-fueled rock n’ roll rollercoaster. Right from the adrenaline-inducing opening drum fill, Clarke takes aim at UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s transphobic comments with an unapologetic demand to “rethink” his beliefs. The song’s undeniably infectious chorus captures this sentiment: “They’re standing at the corner store, getting torn apart cos they’re not who you want to see…The man in charge just speaks his mind, no account is held for the left behind, fighting to be seen, fighting just to breathe.” Clarke’s vocal delivery is flawless here, somehow managing to express all the emotion and passion required for a politically-charged song like “Rethink”, but with the cool demeanor of someone in complete control. The brilliance of this track, however, extends far beyond its poignant lyrics and chorus. Clarke seamlessly weaves and blends new wave, retro guitar rock and alternative rock, successfully shaping it into a fresh, hard-hitting rock anthem for the modern era. He cites The Smiths, Radiohead and David Bowie among his many influences – and the link to these iconic artists becomes clear as you listen to this provocative track, both musically and lyrically. Having already received accolades from the likes of BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, there’s no doubt we’re going to hear more from this rising star. My Music Mixtape
Modern Dance – King In Yellow
“We’re four lifelong friends who have been playing music together for the last 15 years. In 2020 me (Kyle) and Nick decided we wanted to create something new. We started deep diving into what makes the music we love so great and dissecting it to its bare bones and rebuilding in our own voice. ‘Modern Dance’ was one of the first songs we wrote together.”
King In Yellow
“Modern Dance” left its mark on us with its flawless combination of vintage new wave and contemporary indie rock. On one hand, the track is reminiscent of The Smiths, especially Kyle McDonough’s alluring vocals, but simultaneously armed with all of the melodic, guitar-driven indie sounds that reminds us of The Strokes. The seamless blend of these two styles results in an absolute must-listen for any music fan. The track features a shoegaze vibe with washed-out guitar tones that help shape an instrumental full of warmth and texture. Case in point is the chorus, which features a gritty guitar layer that pins the melodic riffs that hover above it. The raw and edgy percussion helps the song soar at an electrifying pace, while the quiet-loud variation in dynamic throughout the song keeps listeners engaged. Bottom line is this: avoid putting King In Yellow in a box or category. Just sit back and enjoy their original and beautiful sonic landscape on “Modern Dance”. One tip, though – it’s meant to be played loud. My Music Mixtape
Telescopes – Mayhill
“An instant dreamy atmosphere offering you to float along with its wistful yearning, building to a cathartic sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs release. We want to get it in the ears of listeners who can relate and find a sense of connection with the piece. Their go-to cry song, midnight driving queue, or happy memory soundtrack.”
Mayhill
“Telescopes” is a nostalgia-fuelled emotional rollercoaster. Texas-based indie band Mayhill take you on a magnificent musical journey through the ebbs and flows of this enchanting song, filled with dreamy guitar tones, rich vocal harmonies and sonic surprises that are sure to delight any listener. The best part about this song is you cannot predict where you will end up on this adventure; you just float along, encountering a seamless building of layers and an epic climax that is guaranteed to stir up a few emotions. It acts as a soundtrack to life and the transformation we all go through over time, much like the dynamic and instrumental changes we experience listening to this song. The lyrics are just as beautiful as the music that brings them to life, including, “Still I wonder if the look in your eyes, is just a reflection of the light?” and “I’ve been living in a daydream, is this not the way it seems?”. These words are just a glimpse into the nearly six minutes of catharsis offered by “Telescopes” – so enjoy the ride. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material.
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