Happy New Music Friday to all those who celebrate! Though there weren’t many major label releases, this was a big week for indie music. From Dayglow to Hozier and Gracie Abrams to Kali Uchis, there is so much incredible music that lies below the surface. 

Let’s get into this week’s best releases:

“CROCODILE TEARS” by easy life

“MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE…” is the best indie pop album to be released in quite some time. British-based easy life has a woozy, soulful sound that is so individual to them that it cannot be replicated. “CROCODILE TEARS” is a highlight on the already great album, teeming with trumpet flairs and piano riffs. 

“Mixy” by Quavo & Takeoff feat. Summer Walker

Quavo and Takeoff’s joint album “Only Built For Infinity Links” officially dropped this week, and it’s hit after hit. We know from previous Quavo tracks that he knows how to lay a raging beat, and Takeoff raps with an almost inhuman agility. Listen to “Mixy” for their combined starpower, plus a R&B-infused Summer Walker feature. 

“No More Drama” by Charlie Puth

The king of being horny on main has officially dropped his album. Yes, there’s new Charlie Puth music, filled with that ultraclean pop sound. It’s easy to look down upon that, to see it as bland. From another angle, though, it’s a skill. Nobody is making radio pop like Charlie Puth. 

“The Loneliest Time” by Carly Rae Jepsen feat. Rufus Wainwright

We here at V are sitting on our hands waiting for the new Carly Rae Jepsen album, eating up each single she drops. “The Loneliest Time,” which is also the title-track of her forthcoming album, proves Carly Rae Jepsen to be the master of silly pop. There’s no sense of joy like hearing her scream out “I’m coming back for you!”

“How Do You Know?” by Dayglow

“People In Motion,” Dayglow’s new album, is a masterclass in that happy-boy pop sound. With synthisizer abound and foot-tapping drumbeats, Dayglow makes music for the main characters in all of our lives. “How Do You Know?” is the 80s rom-com closing credits song of your dreams. 

“Swan Upon Leda” by Hozier

Hozier is one of the best storytellers of his generation. It should be noted, his sound has softened out to a point that may not be for everyone. It’s mellow, it’s muted, but those lyrics behind it are strikingly beautiful: “The gateway to the world / The gun in a trembling hand / Where nature unmakes the boundary / The pillar of myth still stands.”

“Difficult” by Gracie Abrams

Sad-girl bangers are a hot commodity. It seems that, when an artist wants their music to reflect a horrible pain, they intrinsically slow the song down. Gracie Abrams actively moves away from this trope, writing stinging lyrics and yet laying them over an uptempo melody. It’s a fascinating creative choice and, in the case of “Difficult,” it holds up well. 

“La Unica” by Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis is one of the most insightful music-makers out there. “La Unica” is fun, it’s danceable, but more than anything it’s a study in all that music can be. With a rhythm punctuated by banging on garbage cans and scraping sounds, Uchis plays with instrumentals in a way that’s unique to her and her sound. 

“THE LONELIEST” by Måneskin

If you only know Måneskin for their TikTok-hit “Beggin’,” you’re missing so much incredible music. “THE LONELIEST,” their newest single, calls back to ‘80s rock sounds with its raging guitars and raspy sorrowful vocals. Rock revival is in the air, and Måneskin is leading the charge. 

“All That I’m Craving” by Aidan Bissett

For those of you missing that fun 2010s indie-pop sound, Aidan Bissett is here to save the day. “All That I’m Craving” is utterly infectious, making you want to stand up and jump around. It’s pure fun, pure joy. Keep your eye on Aidan Bissett – more is certainly to come.