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.
July includes an infectious dose of pop rock by Diana Omar, a melodic alt rock gem by The Exhales, an edgy indie rock offering by The Avelons, an EP full of bangers by Baby Said and a fun slice of summer time indie pop by FION. Continue reading below to learn more about the artists who landed on this month’s edition of On Repeat.
matching your energy – Diana Omar
“matching your energy” is Diana Omar’s upbeat summer single. It is the anthem for introverts, a quietly introspective take on interpersonal interactions. Is she too quiet? Not outgoing? No–she’s simply ‘matching your energy’. Seemingly juvenile to the ears, she continues to break barriers in music, touching on societal tendencies and making those unheard feel heard.
Excerpt from Diana Omar press material for “matching your energy”
Diana Omar continues to deliver an infectious blend of indie pop and pop rock songs that are not only memorable musically, but also captivate with a thematic focus on the human condition. We were first introduced to the singer-songwriter on “without a doubt”, an epic electro-rock track that commands your attention. She followed up with “messed up game”, an emotionally-charged alt pop banger and “imagine that”, an atmospheric gem with unforgettable vocals. Omar is back with “matching your energy”, an upbeat and energetic summer single featuring nostalgic hints of 90s rock with a modern twist. The track carries many of the same qualities that perked our ears on her previous singles, namely her ability to seamlessly blend genres with ease, use of catchy pop hooks and introspective lyrics, and of course her emotive vocal style. The track begins with Omar’s soulful voice and a palm-muted guitar riff that helps build suspense ahead of the chorus, where the tension built up until this point is released. Listeners are also treated to an interplay between multiple vocal layers, adding depth and texture to the track. The dynamic grows as the song progresses, perhaps acting as a metaphorical megaphone for introverts and individuals with social insecurities. It is clear on “matching your energy” that Diana Omar’s talent exceeds her years. She’s an artist on the rise, having already built a rich collection of incredible music. We highly recommend you find Diana Omar on your digital streaming platform of choice, hit play, and let it ride – we are confident you will become a big fan. My Music Mixtape
Bouquet – The Exhales
Collaborating with renowned producer Bruce Rintoul, The Exhales have crafted a track that both broadens their distinctive sound and explores new musical territories. “Bouquet” highlights the band’s growth and evolution, providing an immersive listening experience that deeply resonates with its audience.
Excerpt from The Exhales press material for “Bouquet”
The Exhales are back with yet another powerful, melodically-rich gem called “Bouquet”. We previously featured the Scottish alternative rock act for their soaring, goosebump-inducing track “Kick the Chair”, which cemented the four-piece outfit as a band on the rise. “Bouquet” reinforces this, offering many of the same qualities that caught our attention when we first heard their previous single. The chorus in “Bouquet” is nothing short of anthemic, driven by crunchy guitar tones and an infectious vocal melody. The dynamic shifts that occur throughout the song are meticulously crafted, connecting the ebbs and flows of the instrumental to the ups and downs of love, loss and the human experience. Quiet, pensive moments build into epic climaxes bursting with raw energy, taking listeners on a musical journey that connects with them on an emotional level. The Exhales have a knack for creating suspense, building moments of anticipation as the track moves from verse to pre-chorus to chorus; we can only imagine the thrill of seeing them perform live. Once again the production is top-notch and is especially noticeable in the second verse with the left-right panning of two separate guitar parts piercing through on each side, while a rumbling bass line and other synth elements shape a sophisticated sound design. We’re just going to come out and say it: The Exhales are unquestionably one of our favourite acts we have featured here and we promise “Bouquet” will elicit a similar response from anyone that listens to this excellent track. My Music Mixtape
Since Monday – The Avelons
An anthem inspired by an unforgettable encounter with a person who feels destined to be a huge part of your life, “Since Monday” is the soundtrack to moments of pure euphoria and joy. Wrapped up in this buzzy, jangly indie pop tune, it perfectly captures the intoxicating bliss of nights you wish could last forever.
Excerpt from The Avelons press material for “Since Monday”
The hyper-melodic guitar work on The Avelons latest single, “Since Monday”, had us hooked right out of the gate. The UK indie rock outfit are back with the followup to their previous single, “Chit Chat”, an excellent rock and roll rollercoaster we also featured on our playlist. “Since Monday” offers many of the same great characteristics that previously made us do the musical equivalent of a double take. The Avelons’ sound is akin to Sam Fender, but with a little more rock edge. They carry an emotional authenticity that permeates throughout their music, much like Fender, with an endless array of catchy guitar hooks. In “Since Monday”, listeners are treated to a chorus that simply soars, thanks to frontman Jack Oldham’s exceptional vocal delivery. The dynamic shifts that occur between this electrifying chorus and the more atmospheric, subtle verses act as the perfect balance between melody and grit, creating suspense and anticipation along the way. Musically, “Since Monday” simply captures the exciting buzz one feels after a fateful encounter with someone special – the key theme of the song. With every release, The Avelons are adding to an already solid compilation of music that we promise will leave a lasting impression on listeners – and “Since Monday” is no exception, elevating this dynamic foursome to new heights. Having recently performed at the Isle of Wright Festival and earning accolades from BBC Introducing, The Avelons are an act we’re going to keep on our radar – and so should you. My Music Mixtape
WHO GIVES A ROCK – Baby Said
Excerpt from Baby Said press material for WHO GIVES A ROCK
The sisters chose the name “Baby Said,” inspired by their favourite song, “Baby Said” by their favourite band, Måneskin…Their anthems, infused with a potent message of self-belief and unwavering determination, resonate with the hearts of all who have dared to chase their dreams against the backdrop of adversity.
Baby Said’s new EP, Who Gives A Rock, is rife with high energy, hook-laden anthems. The UK-based teenage sister rock duo caught our attention with “Panic Attack”, an edgy alt rock gem featuring gritty guitar work, a blistering tempo and seemingly effortless vocal harmonies. The song immediately grabs your attention and sets the tone for what’s to come – exactly what you want the first track of any EP to accomplish. The crunchy guitar tones and powerful vocal delivery carry through on “Mouth Shut”, an infectious banger that pushes the envelope with its potent blend of alt rock and pop rock, and on “You Killed It”, which features an instantly catchy hi-hat pattern in the chorus and a rumbling, distorted bass line that adds depth and underpins the track. The EP’s closer, “Fight”, packs a punch with its relentless instrumental attack and blunt retaliation against the sisters’ naysayers. Baby Said are quickly rising to new heights after catching the attention of the editorial team at Apple Music and earning placements on several notable playlists. They have also won the praises of BBC Introducing, Radio X and Amazing Radio – and we’re jumping on this bandwagon. Who Gives A Rock offers a high dose of raw, addictive energy that rock fans will unquestionably love, leaving us eagerly awaiting the release of their debut album in September. My Music Mixtape
foreign feelings – FION
This song is about healing from past heartbreak and rediscovering what it feels like to develop romantic feelings & falling in love again; it gives the ethos of rediscovering young, crush-y love again, and the adrenaline rushes of new feelings — perfect for a summery pop song.
Excerpt from FION press material for “foreign feelings”
The infectious, feel-good sounds of “foreign feelings” have arrived just in time for the warmer, summer months – and that’s exactly what caught our attention with this catchy, upbeat track. Based in Canada, singer-songwriter Fion Lam offers a perfectly-timed slice of indie pop fit for road trips with windows rolled down. The tasty blend of bedroom pop, pop rock and alt pop truly gets to the heart of the song’s inspiration: moving on from heartbreak and rediscovering love. “foreign feelings” grows to become more dynamic as if to mimic the adrenaline rushes that take shape with a new crush. It features distinct vocal layers and ethereal instrumentals, which evoke a youthful innocence and adds to the song’s charm. FION reminds us of a more hopeful, less dark version of Billie Eilish, with her characteristic airy vocal style. Interestingly, the song was originally written on piano and recorded as a voice memo, taking inspiration from a very personal place before it was shaped into the energetic summer single it became. It’s not only an anecdotal window into FION’s creative process, but a glimpse into her ability to craft heartfelt songs that resonate with listeners and draw an emotional response. It’s exactly this ability to connect with audiences through music that has resulted FION’s success on TiKTok and on Spotify, where she has already landed on multiple editorial playlists – no easy feat. The best part about this is that FION’s journey is just beginning. If “foreign feelings” is any indication of what’s to come with her upcoming EP, we wait in anticipation and excitement for what this project surely promises to deliver. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material.
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