10 Merseyside tracks you must hear this month

From Indie-Pop to Indie-Rock and some tracks with a little extra spice, no one does the Indie genre quite like Merseyside.

Yes we’re back with your guide to the best local bands and tracks to fall in love with this month. With a focus on the Indie set, our Alex has lined up his top ten listens for the height of summer. All we need now is some decent weather to sit back and enjoy them to.

Get these top ten indie tracks on your playlist for August…

1 – Oya Paya – Nothing Left

It had been a short while since we had heard anything from this quirky, Indie 3-piece but that all changes this month as we are treated to their latest single, Nothing Left. This new track airs on the slightly darker side of the bands sound with overlapping, stabby guitar riffs overlaid with lead singer, Maxime McGowens, dynamic, and almost theatrical, vocal style. That said, Nothing Left still has a huge dollop of fun that makes Oya Paya so appealing.

2 – The Vryll Society – Shadow Of A Wave

It seems as though we can’t stop writing about these guys at the moment, especially as August sees them tackle a headline show at The Magnet off the back of their last release, Shadow Of A Wave. This is the bands most mature release yet and is getting them the attention that they deserve. Whether a new fan, or someone who has been waiting for this to drop, you will not be disappointed as it introduces and develops the sound in equal measure.

3 – Clean Cut Kid – Leave You Behind

After the bands breakthrough hit, Vitamin C, it seemed as if we would be left hanging for another infectious dose of the Clean Cut Kid sound. The wait was  over with the release of  their debut album, Felt, and even more so with this summer anthem, Leave You Behind. The male and female vocal makes it perfect for anyone to sing along to, acting as the perfect antidote to what has been a rather grey summer. Clean Cut Kid were destined for greatness when they burst on to scene, and they certainly won’t be left behind judging by this latest offering.

4 – Gazelle – Mad About You

This is a fresh, quirky piece of Pop with which to finish of the summer. Released by Liverpool label, Mono-Tone, Mad About You showcases Gazelle’s retro vocal as well as her unique style all based around a catchy chorus. The arrangement of the track, coupled with her vocal tone, has more of lounge, almost Jazz feel around it, differentiating it from other Pop singles. We can’t wait to hear what comes next, check out ‘Mad About You’ here.

5 – Seprona – How Much Time

Seprona are relatively new to the local scene, but their sound suggests otherwise. The confident guitar based Indie anthem that is How Much Time showcases a natural talent with polished production behind it packing the extra ‘umph’. If this 4-piece carry on how they have started, then it really won’t be much time until they move on to the national circuit – not much time at all.

6 – Hooton Tennis Club – Jasper

Keeping with the indie theme, we take you to a more retro place with Hooton Tennis Club’s single, Jasper. Everything about this track shouts ‘nostalgia’ at us, from the recording style to the song writing itself, the band have done an amazing job at transporting us back to the golden days, somewhere between the mod sound of the 60s and the birth of indie in the 90s.

7 – The Hummingbirds – Moving On

The Hummingbirds are a staple of the local scene and we’re always excited when they head out on the road or deliver their new tunes to our ears. This month we have a treat for you; 4 new tunes! Their latest EP, Moving On, is a feast for the ears as they deliver a rougher sound than we have been used to in the past, a sound that shows their raw talent and craftsmanship in equal measure. After the resounding success of their set on the It’s Liverpool Stage at LIMF 2017, The Hummingbirds are back with a bang. Have a listen here.

8 – The Sundowners – Find Out For Yourself

The Japanese House are one of the most hyped and promising acts on the national circuit at the moment, having released a chain of EPs an supporting The 1975. The Sundowners are our answer to the wistful, atmospheric Pop, an answer that takes the question and throws it out the window. Yet another track that airs on the trendy side of things, Find Out For Yourself has been on repeat since we heard it. Video Credit: Orezlyrad, YouTube.

9 – Vile Assembly – Suicide Feast

Having started the month performing on Dave Monks BBC Introducing show, Vile Assembly are topping off the summer in style. Although in keeping with this months Indie theme to a degree, Suicide Feast has a more cooky sensibility, something a slightly more unhinged about the whole thing. It reminds us a little of something that could have come out of the Brit-Pop and Grunge drenched 90s and, although not either of those genres, it’s plain to see the influence that the era has had on the track.

10 – Gulf – Talk

Having been championed by Dave Monks on BBC Introducing Merseyside, Gulf grabbed our attention with a sound that is unmistakably 80s. So much so that anyone who was in to this original sound back in the day would be forgiven for feeling like they already know it. And, if you’re coming to this from a millennial point of view, then this sound is undoubtedly current and trendy. That said, don’t let that take away from the fact that no matter what era ears are listening to Talk, it’s a fantastic track.

Although this is the last list of the summer, fear not, because as long as our local talent keeps smashing out new music, we will be back to tell you all about it.

Heard a new artist or band and want to shout about it? Drop us a line, alex@theguideliverpool.com or tweet us @TheGuideLpool and we’ll share the love with Liverpool and beyond.