today’s indie picks are all about the introspection, atmosphere and personality that great indie needs. we’ve got cinematic pop, acoustic reinterpretation and raw alternative songwriting. so let’s get right into it.
goodbyes & goodtimes – leaone
leaone returns with a sharp and deeply reflective indie stunner full of grit and hip hop heart
goodbyes & goodtimes drifts in on synth bass, a big indie groove, understated melodies and a vocal performance that feels really standout. the best indie has some kind of groove, whether it’s robotic or more flowy, and this single is a great example. it’s got pretty tasty and subtle hip-hop influence running beneath the surface, with maybe a touch of tv radio to it. it’s great.
leaone wrote and produced the track during a difficult period spent isolated in suffolk, uk following personal upheaval and financial instability. shaped by reflection and resilience, the release balances dark humour with vulnerability while pushing his sound further into cinematic alternative territory without losing its rawness. it’s a brilliant, unique single and we’ll be keeping an eye on this artist.
thank u for making this leaone 🖤
jo le taxi – mediante
mediante reimagine a french pop classic with complete elegance, warmth and rich musicianship
jo le taxi transforms the familiar pop melody into an intimate acoustic experience built around a new and unexpected arrangement built around accordion textures, soft vocal phrasing and delicate instrumental interplay. it’s tasteful, refined and spacious throughout, balancing the right amount of folk and jazz influences while keeping the emotional pull of the original fully intact. the playing is fantastically dynamic, and production is great too.
latvian duo mediante bring years of live performance experience into this release, drawing from classical training while embracing modern acoustic interpretation. alongside guitarist janis rolmanis, the pair use this cover as the starting point for a wider international push, introducing their chamber-inspired sound to audiences far beyond their home country. a great single.
thank u for making this mediante ❤️
big boy drawers – juice tha black beethoven
juice tha black beethoven blends humour, soul and a whole lotta blues into a standout performance
big boy drawers rides through honky-tonk piano grooves, soulful vocals and great harmonies with effortless personality. the track keeps its late night storytelling front and centre, building playful tension through the impressive rhythm work, harmonica flourishes and a performance full of charisma and timing.
born in new orleans and raised in cleveland, juice tha black beethoven brings decades of musical experience into his current blues-focused work. a trained pianist, songwriter and educator, he leans into classic blues humour and narrative craft here while still carrying the warmth and musicianship shaped by gospel, r&b and jazz traditions. this is loads of fun, and you can join the ride below.
thank u for making this juice tha black beethoven 🎹
inside this song – casey x. waits
casey x.waits creates a stunning, emotionally charged moment shaped by genre-nostic vulnerability
casey x. waits blends compelling rhythms, smoky jazz textures and a wonderfully atmospheric vocal into a sound that feels deeply personal and atmospheric. there’s a whole lot of emotional weight here, melodic sensibilities, and what’s most impressive is the sharp lyrical detail at the heart of the song. it’s not often we turn up stuff like this in our magical mystery musicbag, and this is definitely one of our faves this month.
the son of tom waits, casey x. waits carves out his own lane through music centred around recovery, resilience and emotional honesty. his work speaks directly to outsiders and survivors, turning pain and uncertainty into immersive storytelling while avoiding easy clichés or polished excess. it’s meaningful stuff, and we really love this one.
thank u for making this casey x. waits 🌒
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