Every week the team individually pick tracks that make up the listening post but there are always “ones that got away”.

These are the alternative picks and some words by our moderators on each one. You can find the tracks in one playlist here.

The picks this week:

RIBBONS
NIAMH O’LEARY
IRIS HARLEY
ROWAN FLACK
PRODBEAR
TIM EVELEIGH
SWELT
SIXTY6
NTHN
SOCALLOUS
CRAWL TOWN
I PREFER THEIR EARLY STUFF
GENE MADOC
GEORGIA SHACKLETON
WILDERNESS STATES

ALAN DREEZER:

RIBBONS – Noble Heart

This jazz infused laid back track from the newly formed duo is dreamy. Great cover art too!

NIAMH O’LEARY – Revenge

This mix of Synth heavy Pop & EDM really caught my attention. This girl has a bright future!

DEL OSEI-OWUSU/PLATINUMMIND:

IRIS HARLEY – Twilight Street

Iris’s voice for me has a strong range, she sounds classic, and would be the kind of artist you’d want to have as your muse when recording because she’s versatile – I’d love to hear a drum n bass remix of this track, as well as being used as part of a hip hop track, kind of in the vein of The Roots. This is a jazz track with a house flavour.

ROWAN FLACK – Make Me Whole

Another jazz number, this is one of my favourites of the year so far. You could see Rowan at Ronnie Scott’s with this, beautiful work!

GRUBBY:

PRODBEAR – You Gotta Work

Some amazing sound choices and great energy. Reminds me of Flat Eric crossed with Yello. A really unique sound, and a cool, funky bass line

TIM EVELEIGH – Drowning

Fragile, characterful vocals create a mellow vibe with a quirky, home-made charm. Some nice melodic touches too.

JOHN MICHIE

SWELT – Astray

An intimate, atmospheric track built around beautifully layers whether brass, trumpet, hypnotic drums or weaving guitar lines. It slowly grows more engrossing and dissonant, pulling you deeper as it unfolds. Psychedelic, understated, and quietly adventurous.

SIXTY6 – Higher

A sleek drum and bass track that feels like it has been smuggled from the 1990s but totally rewired. Skittering beats, glossy… lush.

NEIL MARCH:

NTHN – Circles

NHTN has been on my radar for some time and Circles grabbed me straight away. The drone bass and dark, daunting atmosphere provide the perfect late night backstreet aura in which he can set out his stall, slightly paranoid perhaps but dishing it out to fairweather friends and allies in his husky, almost monotonic style. Striking and impactful.

SOCALLOUS – Inside Edition (prod. by Krish)

US artist Socallous often sails close to the wind in how he expresses himself lyrically but his talent has never been in doubt and Inside Edition shows he can be reflective, rueful and analytical while also delivering his polyrhythmic rap style in his distinctive drawl. The ghostly musical backdrop adds to the vibe.

PAUL KERR:

CRAWL TOWN – Call It Out

Call It Out from Nottingham indie punk trio Crawl Town sounds like Pavement got drunk on corner-shop lager, woke up in Sleaford Mods’ rehearsal room, and decided to yell at the town council. Crunchy guitars slice through slacker grooves while the lyrics call out creeps everyone pretends don’t exist. Sharp, urgent, and deliciously jagged like a serrated blade cutting through excuses for bad behaviour. It’s messy, caffeinated, and painfully, gloriously alive.

I PREFER THEIR EARLY STUFF – Ode

Ode from the mysterious I Prefer Their Early Stuff is a Scottish indie séance: an electronic pulse, a beautiful Scottish lilt listing Scottish bands including Arab Strap, Aberfeldy, The Associates, Orange Juice etc layered with a swooning Belle & Sebastian-esque chorus, “Dreamers of the Dreams.” Playful, absurd, and oddly touching, it’s a digital shrine to indie ghosts, half-laughing, half-swooning, entirely irresistible.

SHERRY SAHAYARAJ:

GENE MADOC – Brand new life

The track feels emotional and raw. The unique vocals give a sense of sadness and a longing feel to the track.

ALPINE SKIES – By Your Side

This track has a fantasy like cinematic vibe with strong vocals that stand out. The dynamic switch keeps the song interesting throughout the end.

TONY HARDY:

GEORGIA SHACKLETON – The Seahorse

In “The Seahorse”, East of England singer, musician and songwriter Georgia Shackleton celebrates the fascination and wonder of the tiny, perfectly formed ocean creatures. Presenting a contemporary song with the feel of a traditional ballad that you might associate with the sea, Georgia’s pure vocal tone employs some delicious modulations alongside an entirely complementary violin accompaniment.

WILDERNESS STATES – Black White Red

Oxford five piece alt-rock band, Wilderness States, brings its bold, brash sound to bear on “Black White Red” while contemplating escape from what appears to be past generational trauma. Fronted by Shauna Reed’s expressively emotive vocal, the measured verses are nicely balanced instrumentally by rocky choruses and a full-on bridge.