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.
September’s roundup features a diverse range of musical styles and influences by exceptional genre-blending artists, including Kelsey Montanez, Oliver Pinder, Grace Angelique, Kallai, Chords of Indigo and MatAre. Continue reading below to learn more about the talented artists who landed on this month’s edition of On Repeat.
River of Light – Kelsey Montanez
“After spending the last few years rolling out her debut record one single at a time and earning recognition for its genre‐bending eclecticism, Montanez pivots to a new chapter with a track that feels at once timeless and of the moment.”
Excerpt from Kelsey Montanez’s press material for “River of Light”
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Kelsey Montanez has become a familiar face on this site, and for good reason. We’ve featured her on multiple occasions, spotlighting everything from the gritty urgency of “Kick the Habit” to the disco-infused swagger of “Everly” and most recently the radiant pop rock of “All There Is.” Each release reinforces her exceptional ability to defy easy categorization, leaning into her genre-weaving instincts with a finesse few can match.
Her latest single, “River of Light”, picks up right where she left off, this time steering into her edgier side with a fast-paced angular instrumental that tips its hat to The Strokes while borrowing a dash of St. Vincent’s art-rock polish. Shimmering guitar tones sparkle through the verses while a buoyant, high-register bass line locks everything into motion. Multiple guitars unfold across the stereo field, culminating in a duelling solo finale that is nothing short of climactic, injecting an energetic dose of grit. Yet even with all that sonic firepower, the track leaves room for Montanez’s commanding vocal presence to shine—most notably in the chorus, where her hook-rich delivery and natural falsetto soar.
Blending the bite of ’90s alt rock with the bright infectiousness of modern pop, “River of Light” is another testament to Montanez’s eclectic artistry. Having just been named Chicago’s best pop artist and best singer-songwriter by the Chicago Reader, and with this first post-album single pointing the way forward, it’s clear she’s blazing down the city’s Magnificent Mile with no shortage of momentum. And as “River of Light” makes clear, Kelsey Montanez’s future is every bit as luminous as the title suggests. My Music Mixtape
love of my life – Oliver Pinder
“Blending raw lyricism with widescreen alternative energy, ‘love of my life‘ draws comparisons to the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Sam Fender, and Ben Howard, and cements Pinder’s place in the wave of UK artists redefining emotional indie rock.”
Excerpt from Oliver Pinder’s press material for “love of my life”
Singer-songwriter Oliver Pinder has a knack for turning raw emotion into something both cinematic and cathartic. We were first introduced to the UK-based artist with the guitar-driven anthem “Haunted,” a track that compelled us to do a musical double take thanks to its striking quality. Pinder now returns with “love of my life,” a track that feels at once tender and explosive. Where “Haunted” leaned on grit and grandeur, his latest release strips things back before letting it all erupt, pulling listeners into a world that’s as vulnerable as it is anthemic.
Opening with acoustic guitar and subtle piano, the song’s folk-inspired warmth sets the stage for Pinder’s soulful vocal delivery. The intimacy is captivating, particularly as he sings, “I looked in a thousand eyes and I could just see you.” However, just as the song feels like it’s settling into a hushed ballad, it shape-shifts, suddenly bursting with gritty guitar work and alt-rock energy that recalls both Sam Fender’s storytelling and Fontaines D.C.’s edge. It’s this duality—soothing serenade on one hand, soaring ‘90s alt-rock inspired anthem on the other—that makes Pinder’s songwriting so magnetic.
What anchors it all is the touching story behind the song, inspired by a conversation with his grandmother, who revealed why she never remarried after losing her husband. A single phrase, “he was the love of my life”, becomes the song’s emotional core, written in just 20 minutes yet carrying the weight of a lifetime. The result is deeply nostalgic, the kind of track that plays in your head like a movie scene complete with rain, streetlights, and memories of a long lost love. “love of my life” is the soundtrack to this movie, a striking release that offers a glimpse into his upcoming EP, too late to tell you, and one that highlights why BBC Introducing already named him “indie’s next great storyteller”. My Music Mixtape
The Girl Next Door – Grace Angelique
“[‘The Girl Next Door’] showcases her distinctive style, heartfelt lyricism, and emotive vocal delivery. This song is a deeply personal ode to anyone who has ever been underestimated or overlooked, inspired by Grace’s own experiences navigating societal expectations”
Excerpt from Grace Angelique press material for “The Girl Next Door”
UK singer-songwriter Grace Angelique has long proven she has a knack for crafting hooks that stick. Her gritty rock anthems “Out Of This World” and “Bird of Prey”, both of which we featured on this site, are prime examples. With her first release of the year, “The Girl Next Door,” she leans into a 90s alt rock-inspired sound, delivering a track that is both bright and undeniably infectious. Notably, this is the first song she’s written on guitar rather than piano, and the first she tracked in her own bedroom rather than in a studio, showcasing a fresh approach to her songwriting and willingness to grow.
From the opening verse, a groove-laced bass line and shimmering tones create a dreamy sonic palette before the chorus erupts with crunchy guitar riffs, a sonic juxtaposition that mirrors the song’s central tension: the sweet innocence of the titular girl next door versus the edgier type the object of affection appears to crave. Angelique’s lyrics sharpen that paradox with vivid imagery—“in denim skirts and platform wedges… maybe she’s even got a tattoo somewhere where no one else can see”—a hook in the opening moments of the song that sticks as much as the melody.
“The Girl Next Door” is an upbeat track loaded with irresistible pop flair, complete with an edgy guitar solo and an introspective bridge that widens its dynamic arc. It would be no surprise to hear this track played across radio networks given its wide appeal musically and lyrically. Angelique blends Orla Gartland’s vulnerable indie pop sound with Wet Leg’s gritty, post-punk identity while carving her own lane focused on sharp storytelling—a fearless step forward that underscores the song’s deeper message: never alter who you are just to fit someone else’s desires. My Music Mixtape
Falling – Kallai
“‘Falling’ claws itself into the crux of the moment when you realize you are falling in love with someone; in a state of complete freefall where you would forsake everything and go any distance for that person.”
Excerpt from Kallai press material for “Falling”
Portland-based indie rock band Kallai deliver something special with their new single “Falling,” a track that feels both dreamy and deeply grounded. From the first wash of shimmering guitars, you’re swept into an atmosphere that’s immersive and textured, where ethereal vocals float over reverb-soaked tones and a brooding bass line. Add in subtle pianos and orchestral layers, and the result is a soundscape that’s rich, expansive, cinematic and full of details that reward repeat listens.
What really makes “Falling” stick is the way it mirrors the rush of emotion behind its title. It’s about that head-spinning moment when you realize you’ve slipped into something bigger than yourself—when love feels like a freefall. The song captures that intensity through its push and pull of fragility and force: lush three-part harmonies that raise goosebumps, dreamy melodies that swirl, and then sudden jolts of gritty guitar that cut through with urgency. It’s a ride that feels both cathartic and haunting, lingering well after the final notes fade.
“Falling” proves Kallai can turn a freefall into liftoff, reimagining shoegaze with a modern spark while keeping its heart intact, and climbing higher with every note. The four-piece is in full command of their craft, balancing atmosphere with grit, and tenderness with power. If this standout single is any indication of what’s to come on their upcoming LP, We Are Forever, we’re strapped in and waiting in suspense. My Music Mixtape
The Thread – Chords of Indigo
“The epic opener to upcoming EP Evelyn and the Evil, ‘The Thread’ is a six-minute rollercoaster through Chords of Indigo’s darker sonic terrain…Narratively, ‘The Thread’ marks the beginning of Evelyn’s descent into The Evil – though it’s the latter’s voice we hear most prominently on this track.”
Excerpt from Chords Of Indigo press material for “The Thread”
UK-based singer-songwriter Lee Hornsby, under the moniker Chords Of Indigo, makes a daring statement with “The Thread,” the epic opening track from his forthcoming EP Evelyn and the Evil. From the first note, the song sets a deeply introspective tone, its nostalgic quality drawing you in while lush harmonies add a fragile shimmer against a foundation of crunchy guitar tones. That balance—vulnerability brushing up against raw edge—becomes the track’s defining tension.
At over six minutes, “The Thread” is a masterclass in pacing and structural control. Hornsby delays the chorus, instead pulling the listener through a range of instrumental passages that mimic a rollercoaster’s rise and fall. By the two-and-a-half-minute mark, built-up tension bursts into a groove-driven release, only to climb even higher in the final stretch before easing back into its reflective roots. Two distinct bridge sections further showcase Hornsby’s grasp of structure and emotional flow.
Production-wise, the mix is immersive: panning guitar layers and background vocals widen the stereo field, an infectious guitar melody dances between left and right in the second verse, and the chorus blooms expansively with soaring dynamics. Through it all, Hornsby’s vocal refrain—“retrace your steps in this barren life, steady your breath just hold my hand”—lands with hypnotic weight, cementing itself as the song’s emotional anchor.
Genre-blending yet melodic at its core, “The Thread” fuses prog rock ambition with alt-rock grit. It’s an exhilarating musical journey that demands reflection while never losing its grip. It’s a striking opener that sets the stage for Evelyn and the Evil and shows Chords Of Indigo as an artist fully in command of his craft. My Music Mixtape
Extinction Burst – MatAre
“Each song on the album tells a story rooted in personal experiences and emotions, reflecting a journey of self- discovery and reflection. With a blend of post-punk, new wave, and alternative rock elements, “Extinction Burst” promises to be a standout release that defies genre boundaries and resonates with audiences on a profound level.”
Excerpt from MatAre press material for “Extinction Burst”
Atlanta-based indie artist MatAre, the moniker of Matthew Rousseau, has always stood out for his ability to defy easy categorization, weaving threads of new wave, post-punk, and alt-rock into something uniquely his own. With Extinction Burst, Rousseau delivers a standout album that is as immersive as it is poignant, with a culmination of singles we’ve been championing over the past year and a record that feels both urgent and timeless.
The opener, “Attach Your Memories”, immediately sets the stage with shimmering indie-pop energy, a transportive single that pulls you into MatAre’s sonic universe. “I Could Kill You But I Love You” follows with an irresistible mix of melancholy and momentum, its title alone hinting at Rousseau’s knack for pairing emotional gravity with danceable grooves. That balance of tension and release carries into “Never Ending,” where hyper-melodic guitars ride atop steady drums and lush synths, creating a blend of post-punk energy and dream-pop shimmer that feels infinite.
On “Learned Helplessness,” MatAre dips into darker waters, a brooding bass line and shadowy textures unfolding into a hypnotic, head-nodding groove. “That’s What People Do” follows suit and underscores the bittersweet awareness of time’s passage through a darkwave-inspired instrumental, while “The Further That They Go” heightens the production stakes with a stereo-panned riff that wastes no time pulling you in and a suspenseful bass pulse that bursts into one of Rousseau’s most melodic vocal lines. Then comes “Slicing Knives,” urgent and edgy, channeling the raw drive of New Order and early Depeche Mode while staking its own ground in gritty alt-rock.
“Forever Light,” the track that first introduced us to MatAre, shines as brightly as ever as a soothing serenade full of subtlety and atmosphere, while “Here’s Where Your Story Begins” offers an introspective counterpoint with delicate vocals and nostalgic hues giving space for reflection. The pace picks up again with “Do What You Can,” a kinetic mix of punchy, raw-sounding drums, lush synths, and bass-led propulsion, before “Revolution” lands with a textured, politically charged pulse, and guitar effects, poignant lyricism and lush background vocals in the chorus evoking echoes of early U2.
The title track “Extinction Burst” closes the album with gravitas, its trance-like immersion in bass and synth cascades punctuated by Rousseau’s shimmering guitar and lyrics that call out modern upheaval while leaving room for hope: “we’ve got to stop rewarding this bad behaviour” and “and if we’re lucky, this will never, ever happen again.” It’s a finale that encapsulates the album’s duality—doom and beauty, despair and forgiveness.
With Francesca Pratt’s dynamic percussion and Gabe Wolf’s (Kurt Vile) lush mix bringing depth and clarity, Extinction Burst emerges as a record that demands full attention. Each song belongs here, each decision purposeful, and together they form a rollercoaster of sound and sentiment. MatAre has crafted a remarkable statement—one that leaves us eager for where his sound will go next. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material
My Music Mixtape 
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