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.
This month’s roundup features a diverse range of musical styles and influences by exceptional genre-blending artists, including The Trusted, Tom Elliot and FÉLIXE. Continue reading below to learn more about the talented artists who landed on August’s edition of On Repeat.
Yellowhammer – The Trusted
“On one hand, this is classic Trusted: cinematic, hook-heavy, built for big crowds. On the other, it’s darker. More charged. A portrait of the numbness that creeps in when the noise of modern life becomes the only thing that feels real…a song for anyone who’s ever stared into the digital void and felt… nothing“
Excerpt from The Trusted press material for “Yellowhammer”
UK-based indie rock band The Trusted return with “Yellowhammer,” a track that grips you instantly with its orchestral motif—a natural hook that rears its head throughout, grounding the song while casting a dark, mysterious shadow. That shadow deepens in the verses, only to be pierced by an anticipatory pre-chorus, driven by a prominent bass line that builds suspense before delivering an epic, arena-ready chorus.
Here, thick, crunchy guitars create a wall of sound, and Tom Cunningham’s spellbinding falsetto soars above it with effortless command. It’s a dynamic interplay—dark, moody verses giving way to edgy, hook-heavy highs, all propelled by enough groove to keep your head nodding while synths swirl to add additional texture. As expected from The Trusted, the hooks are infectious, but this time they’re underscored by a deeper sense of disillusionment and alienation, perfectly mirroring the track’s commentary on the chaos of life in an AI-driven world.
The climactic guitar-forward outro, capped with a rousing solo, leaves an exclamation mark you’ll feel long after the song ends. It’s yet another stadium-worthy anthem in the four-piece’s arsenal, right alongside edgy standouts like “Self Destruct”, which landed on our list of Top Indie Tracks of 2024. With BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing support, 1.5 million streams, and a steadily growing fan base, their ascent is undeniable. We’ve said it from day one: The Trusted are a band to watch—and with “Yellowhammer,” we’re not looking away. My Music Mixtape
Love Is A Dog From Hell – Tom Elliot
“‘Love Is A Dog From Hell’ is about trying and failing to find solace in the midst of a failing relationship. This is the first track Tom Elliot has released since his debut EP in 2024.”
Excerpt from Tom Elliot press material for “Love Is A Dog From Hell”
UK-based singer-songwriter Tom Elliot has been a recurring favourite on this site, and with “Love Is A Dog From Hell”, he once again proves why. His first release since his stellar 2024 debut EP—which featured “Holy Ghost”, one of our top indie tracks of the year—picks up exactly where he left off, delivering a slow-burning, emotionally charged masterclass.
From the first note, Elliot’s unique blend of introspective storytelling and gritty, energetic guitar work pulls you in. Effective panning splits two prominent guitar parts between the left and right channels, widening the stereo field and heightening the track’s melancholic and nostalgic pull. A steady bass line anchors the verses, while subtle textures, including chimes and shimmering effects, unfold to add depth to an indie rock core that flirts with hints of emo and pop punk.
Elliot’s raw, soulful vocal delivery pairs perfectly with an instrumental palette that moves from jangly to crunchy, every tone reinforcing the song’s thematic heart: finding peace in the middle of a failing relationship. The lines, “all I am is scared these days” and “all I am is wrong these days”, are a gut-punch of vulnerability, distilling the essence of the track.
It’s this rare ability—to make you feel nostalgic, melancholic, yet strangely hopeful—that cements Tom Elliot as one of the most compelling artists to appear on our radar. My Music Mixtape
Mount Unzen – FÉLIXE
“I wrote ‘Mount Unzen’ after watching the documentary Fire of Love (National Geographic). I wanted to tell the story of two volcanologists who chose not to have children and to live their dreams to the fullest.”
Excerpt from Félixe press material for “Mount Unzen”
On “Mount Unzen,” Montreal-based singer-songwriter Félixe delivers a track that feels both intimate and expansive, pulling inspiration from the folk traditions of Joni Mitchell and Adrianne Lenker while weaving in nostalgic 90s alt-rock textures. It’s a combination that sets the stage for something that feels comfortingly familiar yet unmistakably new.
The song begins with a lighthearted acoustic guitar melody that instantly catches the ear before slowly unfolding into something more raw and energetic. The folk-inspired, hyper-melodic verses provide space and delicacy before the chorus unfolds with crunchy tones that cut through the mix, striking the perfect balance between grit and grace, and injecting a strong dose of tension that maintains momentum. A steady groove keeps your foot tapping, while subtle percussion propels the track without overshadowing the vocal line.
The vocals truly shine on “Mount Unzen”—Félixe’s soulful delivery takes centre stage, surrounded by lush harmonies that add richness and depth. The refrain, “it’s the overthinking days that drive you crazy,” lands as both infectious hook and universal truth, anchoring the track’s singalong quality. There is no shortage of poignant penmanship on the song: “I don’t want any children, I wanna remain one” and “sure we will die someday, we have lived a little too” stop you in your tracks with bittersweet clarity.
“Mount Unzen” perfectly encapsulates the free-spirited yet introspective energy of Félixe’s new album Hier nuit—a body of work that navigates heartbreak and the search for self in your mid-30s. Fragile and resilient all at once, the song’s climactic release feels like an exclamation mark on a powerful message that lingers long after the final note. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material
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