Top Tracks: FOXTRAX – Underwater

These New York natives may have written their debut EP in a remote cabin in the woods, but despite the creative isolation they have kept their finger on the pulse. The band’s lead single ‘Underwater’ features some bright indie guitar work that many more established bands would be envious of. Having only been together as a band for a short while they have made remarkable progress, both musically and with their ever growing fanbase. Many indie bands struggle to make music of this calibre and yet here we find FOXTRAX have managed to capture the magic between just the three of them. The band have set their ambitions high and have clearly made a great start on their winding, fox-trodden path to greatness. Unlike the pesky mirages that plague frontman Ben Schneid in their desert roaming music video, this power trio certainly aren’t going to fade away any time soon.

Top Tracks: Maggie Szabo – Gold

This Canadian alternative pop artist is on top form with her latest single. Now based in LA, Maggie Szabo has blended together a range of styles to create an intriguing hit. The heavy blues stomp of the intro, the deliberate piano driven tempo, the soulful backing vocals, the in-your-face attitude and the overarching pop mentality bringing all the disparate elements together create something quite unlike anything else around. With ‘Gold’ being the latest in a long line of soul infused pop hits under her belt, including the brilliant ‘Tidal Waves and Hurricanes’,  it’s no surprise that she has already gathered a massive fanbase.

Top Tracks: CAPTIONS. – Bearfights

There’s just something so fitting about hazy, genre bending rock that makes it the perfect soundtrack for those long summer nights. The kind of nights filled with all the adventures of youth and trying to find your place in the world. The latest single from Californian band CAPTIONS. is just such a song, equally suited for both exciting escapades and quiet reflection. The nostalgia tinged ‘Bearfights’, the first single from the band’s upcoming debut album ITERATIONS, blends together a hint of 90s alternative with bright indie riffs and harmonies, all set within a billowing cloud of dream pop soundscapes. If the rest of their debut lives up to the standard set by this first track then it’s release will certainly be something to look forward to.

Top Tracks: Jake Davis – Saying it Right

Having caught the attention of music fans across the globe thanks to his stunning cover of Hozier’s ‘Work Song’, multi-instrumentalist Jake Davis is set to follow with his first EP The Valley. Lead single ‘Saying it Right’ is a perfect summer anthem. It plays around with the addictive electro pop mentality, an infectious R&B rhythm and ends on a high with a striking indie pop guitar solo. It’s the kind of airy and upbeat pop that can almost summon a glorious blue sky with it’s catching carefree energy. However beneath the light hearted melodies the lyrics deal with insecurity and struggling to connect, albeit in a cool and collected way. ‘Saying it Right’ displays a level of production and musicianship above what you would expect for such a shamelessly addictive pop song.

The Maccabees are breaking up

London based indie band The Maccabees have announced that they are breaking up after 4 albums and 14 years together. They were one of the most prominent bands in London’s indie scene and earned a nomination for the 2012 Mercury Prize for their album Given to the Wild. In the band’s parting message to their fans they stated that they were parting on good terms and that there would be farewell shows in the near future.

maccabees break up