Our favourite new indie and alternative tracks on repeat this week, featuring The Lathums, Dry Cleaning, Skullcrusher, The Sherlocks, Nasty Cherry and swim school. Published 14 April 2021.

There's nothing quite like the buzz of falling in love with a new song and obsessively listening on repeat! Here at Blinded by the Floodlights we listen to a lot of new music and are always on the hunt for the best new bangers.

In our new weekly feature, we recommend our favourite new songs released by both established and upcoming artists from the world of indie and alternative.

You can listen below on YouTube and on our weekly updated Spotify playlist.

Skullcrusher - Storm In Summer

Skullcrusher may sound like the name of a Scandanavian metal band, but this solo artist couldn't be further away from that genre if she tried! Skullcrusher (real name Helen Ballentine) is an LA-based singer who has just released her second EP Storm in Summer. It's a fantastic five-track effort which will pull on your heart-strings.

Title track 'Storm in Summer' reveals why the acclaim is necessary. It's an emo meets alt-folk meets shoegaze delight, culminating in a climactic refrain of "I wish you could see me/ start this storm". Banjos have never felt so melancholic, vulnerable and yet so uplifting. I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more from her in the coming months.

The Lathums - Oh My Love

The Lathums has just released their first single of 2021 and it's a brilliant bit of jangle-indie-pop. This year is expected to be a big one for the BBC Sound of 2021 shortlisters. The Wigan band recently announcing an upgraded 21-date UK headline show in the autumn and have a debut album on the way.

This song is inspired by lead singer Alex Moore's life as a 16-year-old when he was going through "deep personal loss". He explained of the song that "it's upbeat and happy; a complete juxtaposition to the starting point of the song when I was a hurting teenager". A beautifully addictive song from one of 2021's most exciting new bands.

The Sherlocks - End of the Earth

The Sherlocks aren't exactly breaking radical ground with new single 'End of the Earth', but sometimes consistency isn't a bad thing when it's done this well. The Yorkshire band have built up a reputation as one of the UK's most exciting live bands, possessing a loyal fanbase to boot (in fact, they were the last band I saw before lockdown at Glasgow's SWG3 venue...). The new single will only increase the excitement so many already have for them.

Singer Kiaran Crook hailed the track as "The Strokes meets Iggy Pop meets Queens of the Stone Age". It's slightly darker and more unpolished than we're used to. Lets hope 2021 brings their third album in similar vein.

Nasty Cherry - Her Body

Stars of 2018 Netflix docuseries I'm With The Band, this Charli XCX formed band have just released their third EP; The Movie. The record features five smooth indie-pop tracks with chilled grooves and immediate hooks.

The highlight of the EP is 'Her Body', a radio-friendly synth-pop tune about a lover's deceit. NME described the track as a "contender for track of the year" and it's hard to disagree. We're loving the vibe.

Dry Cleaning - Scratchcard Lanyard

London-based band Dry Cleaning have released one of the most unique and intriguing albums this year (New Long Leg was released on 2 April). The dry wit of spoken word frontwoman Florence Shaw contrasts with the post-punk charisma of the rest of the band. In turn, we have one of the most unconventional successes of 2021. Opening track 'Scratchcard Lanyard' is easily the highlight of their debut record.

The surreal lyrics and detached vocals are also part of the appeal. There are seemingly random lines like "I think of myself as a hearty banana" and "filter, I love these might oaks, don't you?", before repeating "do everything and feel nothing". It's hard to put my finger on why, but I can't get enough.

swim school - let me inside your head

Swim School are an up and coming band from Edinburgh who only recently entered my radar. They describe their sound as "an amazing combination of indie music from past and present...the perfect mix of bands like The Cure, Slowdive, Foals and Wolf Alice." Definitely fine company to aspire to!

In 2019, they played TRNSMT and a number of other Scottish festivals, also selling out shows months in advance in their hometown. Their new single 'let me inside your head' is an ominous sounding indie tune which will instantly grab your attention.

Our Blinded by the Floodlights indie recommendations playlist is updated every week with the latest releases and songs we have on repeat.