In Case You Missed It: September 2023
Written by: Brooke Eboule and Aura Romero
Finding new music isn’t always easy. When you’re lucky, great bands and artists will come up on your FYP, but the best stuff often slips through the cracks of the algorithm. So, if you want to discover more than trending sounds on a regular basis, let us do the hard work so you don’t have to!
We are Brooke and Aura – millennials with day jobs who have an internet radio show for the love of music. We created In Case You Missed It to help the indie music we love reach new ears. Based in Canada and Chile, respectively, we met on stan Twitter and bonded over our mutual love of Louis Tomlinson and independent artists, especially from the UK scene.
Every month we source and listen to hundreds of new releases from English-speaking artists all over the world. Now, we’re excited to bring you a monthly playlist of 25 hand-picked independent bangers for you to discover. Sadly, we don’t have space to talk about every single song and why we love it, but read on to learn more about our top 10 favorite tracks from September, and the artists who made them.
#10: ‘The Wave’ - Tijuana Bibles
Tijuana Bibles are just fun to listen to! Every song is a layered concoction of musical influences and styles underpinned by an ever-present hard-rock swagger. ‘The Wave’ is another refreshing gust of creative energy that has us both excited about the new album, which has apparently long been in the works. We’re also both big fans of the band’s name. Fair warning: If this is something you want to Google on your own time, just bear in mind there are aspects of it that are NSFW.
Bite-size bio: Formed in 2013, Tijuana Bibles is a four-piece band from Coatbridge, Scotland that blends blues-infused rock, post-punk energy, brooding intensity, and a dash of hypnotic psychedelia. They have an album, Free Milk, due out on December 8.
YMLTIYL: Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Keys
Keep listening: ‘Pariah’, ‘Ghost Dance’
#9: ‘100 to 1 (Saturday Night)’ - Declan Welsh and the Decadent West
This is a quirky song that Aura thinks would have been perfect for the Trainspotting original soundtrack. There’s something vaguely chaotic about the way the drums and guitars are woven together that dovetails really well with this cautionary tale about living for the weekend. The band said on Twitter that the lyrics started as a joke, but we note that they are imbued with a dark humor that also goes to a pretty deep place – “He was a product of a time where we still test the measure of a man by the force of his hand.”
Bite-size bio: A fresh and thought-provoking voice, the Scottish quartet bring a measure of punk to the world of indie rock with impactful and catchy songs and often poetic lyrics packed with sharp wit and keen observations. The authenticity and integrity of the band’s social consciousness is reinforced by frontman Declan’s outspokenness on social media. Their second album, “2”, was released on October 27.
YMLTIYL: Iggy Pop, Pulp, The Ramones
Keep listening: ‘King of My Head’, ‘New Me And You’
#8: ‘Another Movie’- The Avenues
This is a rollicking tune that is plenty enjoyable at the surface level and offers a lot of depth to connect to as well, with great use of figurative language to capture complex and challenging feelings like realizing you’re not where you expected to be in life or feeling directionless. One of our favorite moments is when, after building up tension with a really punchy, frantic pace, the drums fall off, the guitar drops to a gentle strum, and the vocal softens to match lyrics about finding a brief moment of calm. Brooke doesn’t think she’s ever come across a more poignant example of the writer’s maxim “show, don’t tell” in music form.
Bite-size bio: This quartet has been playing together since 2018, but some of them have known each other since they were in primary school. They’re looking forward to a big hometown show in Hull, UK on November 11.
YMLTIYL: Arctic Monkeys, Catfish & The Bottlemen, The Cribs
Keep listening: ‘Part of the Problem’, ‘Haven’t Got A Prayer’
#7: ‘Minds a Riot’ - Lissy Taylor
Recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, this is a song Lissy says captures the chaotic energy of life and those moments when your brain works against you in the form of negative thoughts, people pleasing, etc. Brooke got a preview of it when she saw Lissy open for Skylights in London in August and couldn’t wait for it to be officially released. A great songwriter with undeniable talent and stage presence, Lissy is also a powerhouse vocalist with a charming bluesy quality, and to use her own words, she’s a stunner!
Bite-size bio: Originally from Stoke, UK, Lissy has a songwriting degree and pipes for days! She formed her band in 2018 while living in Manchester. Lissy made her debut at the Isle of Wight festival earlier this year and will next take to the stage as support for The View in Liverpool on November 3.
YMLTIYL: Arctic Monkeys, Alanis Morissette, Wolf Alice
Keep listening: ‘Feel For Me’, ‘She’s a Stunner’
#6: ‘Aliens’ - The Great Leslie
Biting social commentary that is ferociously fun and exceedingly danceable? Yes, please! Fueled by outrage over racism and bigotry related to immigration and asylum, this song is the third single from The Great Leslie’s September EP, 21st Century Problems. As the name implies, the EP tackles a number of topics that truly matter – and does so without negating an iota of entertainment value. This is one of our common favorite bands, and we appreciate both that they are a true DIY band and that they bring an undefinable *something* that, in our opinions, has been missing in the broader music universe for a while.
Bite-size bio: “Dapper, delightfully defiant, and dripping with talent, the London-based four-piece consistently delivers bangers that hearken back to an era when the music scene was rife with exciting new formula-breaking artists creating and combining entirely new genres and styles” (from the band’s feature/interview in our September issue). The band plans to release 3 new EPs in 2024. But first, they’ll close out this year with a show at the Moth Club in London on December 1.
YMLTIYL: Queen, Smashing Pumpkins, The Happy Monday
Keep listening: ‘Burn Me Drown Me’, ‘Loving and Leaving’
#5: “Weekends and Workdays” - Sea Girls
Once again delivering infectious melodies and introspective lyricism with a sound that is unmistakably theirs, Sea Girls have managed to create an upbeat and encouraging song that decries the relentless pace of the modern world. There’s an earnestness in the repeated message to “keep your head up” that seems to acknowledge how trite those words can be when you’re in the middle of it, and still ultimately provide the motivation one needs to keep going.
Bite-size bio: Named after a misheard lyric from a Nick Cave song, this four-piece from London formed in 2015 and have consistently churned out relatable indie rock anthems ever since. The band recently launched their own record label, alt-records, and are set to open for Louis Tomlinson at the O2 Arena in London on November 17.
YMLTIYL: The 1975, Depeche Mode, Bloc Party
Keep listening: ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’, ‘Daisy, Daisy’
#4 ‘Smile Forever’ - Spangled
Beautiful string and acoustic guitar arrangements coupled with heartfelt vocal delivery make this one a great listen! The lyrics are chef’s kiss, too, reinforcing a hopeful tone despite “the changing weather”. This ballad is actually the B-side of the band’s latest single, “Little Tom”, and showcases a different kind of sound for the experimental rockers, who stand out from the crowd with a psychedelia-tinged repertoire that is hard to define, but easy to love.
Bite-size bio: Clever lyrics, colossal energy, and quirky personas collide in a wildly engaging way for this four-piece from Manchester, UK. Active since 2019, the band is known for having a bouncy, incredibly fun performance style. Next chance to “get f*&%ing spangled” is when the guys headline in their hometown on November 4, with support from The Assist and Ark Ayla.
YMLTIYL: Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, The Doors, Joy Division
Keep listening: ‘Good Life Better’, ‘Stick It To The Man - Demo’
#3 ‘Survived My Early Twenties’ - Isaac Anderson
What a beautiful, vulnerable, and raw song, packed with amazing vocals! Isaac first shared the song via an IG live, and he talked about how he suffered a crisis of confidence this year that pushed him to scrap all the other songs he had planned to release after banging March single ‘Get Me Out Alive’. Not even the best-laid plans can contend with your mind when it turns on you, he said, adding that as cliche as it sounds, this song sort of wrote itself. We suspect that Isaac’s cathartic release will resonate with many.
Bite-size bio: A 28-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Nottingham, UK, Isaac started his music career in the 2010s in the bands In Hindsight and Fast Car to Florence. He’s had a very busy year as a member of Louis Tomlinson’s touring band. When that wraps up in November, he’ll set right back out on the road for his own headlining tour in Europe.
YMLTIYL: Lewis Capaldi, Holly Humberstone, Sam Fender
Keep listening: ‘Mess Me Up’, ‘St. Pancras’
#2 “Never Be Mine” - Shambolics
Another of our shared favorite bands. If you’re not already on the Shambolics hype train, this song is the perfect place to get on board! With lyrics about a situationship and a punk-leaning intensity doused in melodic hooks, “Never Be Mine” is a stellar representation of Shambolics’ twist on rock’n’roll. This is the first single off their forthcoming debut album, and singer Darren has previously shared that they wrote the album with the intention of being uplifting, even when touching on important and weightier topics like social issues and mental health.
Bite-size bio: From Fife and based in Glasgow, these down-to-earth Scots first joined forces in 2018 and have since made waves with their adventurous approach to diverse and fusion-forward rock sounds. They spent October touring the UK with Little Man Tate and will join the View for some Scottish dates in December before releasing their debut album, Dreams, Schemes and Young Teams next February.
YMLTIYL: The Sex Pistols, Pulp, Foo Fighters, Dead Kennedys
Keep listening: “Take It or Leave It”, “Living In Shadows”
#1 “Your Day” - Pastel
A mesmerizing, enjoyable listen, this song comes packed with amazing guitar riffs and powerful drums that produce an urban sound reminiscent of 90’s Manchester music, with a heavy yet youthful tilt to it. Despite very noticeable influences, Pastel manage to have a unique style, and this song is definitely a rallying statement ahead of the band’s much-anticipated debut album: Here they come! Frontman Jack Yates' vocals are a standout feature, with impeccable control typically only found in artists with much more experience.
Bite-size bio: This five-piece from Manchester, UK, has been active since the pandemic days, with steady growth. After wrapping up their sold-out debut UK tour earlier this month, Pastel will end 2023 touring as support for The Twang and release their eagerly-awaited debut album next year.
YMLTIYL: OASIS, Liam Gallagher, Blur, The Verve"
Keep listening: “S.O.H.O”, “Deeper Than Holy”
Honourable mentions
Alright - Overpass
Let Me Give It To You - Andrew Cushin
Magic - Apollo Junction
Sleeping With The Lights On - Vistas
The River - about-faces
Wishing Well - Sundara Karma
(Call Me On My) Drive Back Home - Ten Hands High
Me vs Mother Nature - Megan Black
Late Night- Chasing Kites
Ever Since I Met You - Holler
Take Off The Pressure - Cruz
These Days - The Facades
A Place You Call Home - Fever
Every Last Goodbye - The Native
Lifetime of Wanting - Nieve Ella