Author: Marcus Adetola

Kingfishr’s name has been on the lips of those who keep an eye on Ireland’s indie scene for a while now. With over 35 million streams under their belt and a series of performances on The Independent’s live music sessions, they’ve carved a place for themselves by blending their folk heritage with cinematic grandeur. From their early days in Limerick, crafting songs in between engineering studies, Eddie, McGoo, and Fitz have built a catalogue defined by atmospheric soundscapes, textured with banjo twangs and guitar riffs that echo through mountains. But with their latest release, I Cried, I Wept,  Kingfishr steps into something even bigger—a…

“You told me that you were attracted to safe drivers, made me nervous, nearly crashed into another car.” And just like that, philine pulls you into the awkwardness of love’s early stages—where every glance and touch feels like a test you weren’t prepared for. In confused,  she paints those moments we’ve all been in: when a crush throws you off balance so hard you forget how to exist for a second. Philine’s voice is like a comforting whisper on a late-night drive. It’s soft, yet there’s a crackle in it, a tension that makes the sweetness bittersweet. Her vocals drift over clean,…

Lately, I’ve found myself deep in the labyrinth of YouTube, where one video leads to another, and suddenly you’re watching something you didn’t even know you were looking for. That’s how I stumbled upon Procol Harum’s live performance of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” at Ledreborg Castle, Denmark, in 2006. It’s not just any performance—it’s with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and choir, a setting that adds layers of grandeur to an already iconic song. As I watched Gary Brooker, his voice still powerful and evocative, I was struck by a realisation: I’ve known this song for years, but its…

SOPHIE’s “Exhilarate” is an adrenaline-fuelled fever dream, a sonic amusement park ride where every loop feels like it could throw you into the stratosphere. The beat is your seatbelt, Bibi Bourelly’s voice the disembodied guide reminding you to keep your hands inside the ride at all times—or don’t, because SOPHIE never really cared for rules. This isn’t the kind of posthumous release where the edges are smoothed and the rough spots polished away. No, “Exhilarate” is a jolt to the system, a final love letter scrawled in neon ink, loud, messy, and unapologetically alive. SOPHIE’s music has always been a…

Destroy Lonely has been making serious waves in the hip-hop scene, and his latest drop, “Doubt It,” released on 30 August 2024, showcases exactly why he’s on the rise. As the 11th track on his album LOVE LASTS FOREVER, “Doubt It” combines sharp production with introspective lyrics, highlighting Lonely’s unique style and perspective. Who Is Destroy Lonely? If you haven’t been paying attention to Destroy Lonely, now’s the time. An Atlanta rapper with a distinctive sound, he’s been blending elements of trap, electronic beats, and more to create something fresh. His music often delves into the pressures of success, self-doubt, and…

Catharsis often eludes us, its timing erratic and unpredictable, yet occasionally it erupts with a bewildering surge of primal, visceral force. Charli XCX’s “So I” encapsulates such a moment, where grief collides with self-reproach, resulting in a piece that is raw, haunting, and unflinchingly honest. This track, from her 6th studio album BRAT, is less a song and more a profound reckoning—a dialogue with the past that Charli never had the chance to complete. The Distance That Defined a Bond The lyrics of “So I” are steeped in regret, a confession of the emotional distance that characterised Charli XCX’s relationship with…

I’ve never played a song to dwell on the murky depths of addiction. I’ve never hit repeat because I wanted to sit with the quiet chaos of self-doubt. But music often has a way of pulling you into spaces you’d rather avoid, and that’s exactly where MOTHICA’s Another High takes you—right into the heart of those battles we fight with ourselves. Another High plunges you into the cyclical nature of our worst habits. The bassline is heavy, almost oppressive, but it’s the kind of weight you carry willingly because it’s familiar. MOTHICA’s voice cuts through the darkness with a clarity…

Kalisway’s latest track, Sugar, has all the makings of a feel-good anthem—funky basslines, groovy rhythms, and a vibe that instantly lifts your spirits. But don’t be fooled by its playful exterior. There’s a bit more going on beneath the surface, a subtle twist that adds a touch of mischief to this sugary tune. The moment the bass kicks in, you’re drawn into a danceable groove that feels as effortless as it is infectious. It’s the kind of beat that gets your head nodding before you even realise it. But then Kalisway’s vocals slide in, and there’s a glimmer of something…

Imagine stumbling across a crumpled love letter tucked inside an old library book. That’s the feeling Lila Holler’s Not Mad evokes—a private moment of vulnerability accidentally made public. This dreamy folk-pop tale of first love unfolds like a secret whispered between best friends at a sleepover. Holler’s vocals floats above a gentle guitar and the faintest whisper of harmonica. The simplicity of the arrangement only amplifies the raw emotion in her lyrics. “I recognised him the moment I saw him,” she confesses, capturing that heart-stopping instant when you realise your life is about to change. The song paints snapshots of…

Liv Miraldi’s Unfinished Business is like a half-written letter found years after its intended recipient has passed. The lyrics unfold as if Miraldi is reading aloud each line, her voice carrying the weight of words that will never reach their destination. This track embraces the messy aftermath of loss; instead, wading into the murky waters of grief, where closure remains stubbornly out of reach. The song’s sparse arrangement mirrors the stark reality of absence. Miraldi’s vocals, backed by a lone guitar, create an intimate atmosphere that draws listeners into her personal struggle with unresolved emotions. As she revisits 2019, the…