INDIE POP MUSIC - WEEK 46 PART 1 2014

I know you’re probably freaking out because you have nothing to listen to now that Taylor Swift pulled her music off of Spotify (just suck it up and buy it already! Buying music feels good, I promise), but that’s where we here at BitCandy swoop in to save the day! We have some seriously catchy tracks from new artists like Olivver The Kid, Darren Jackson, and Lvther, as well as the latest from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj (yup you guessed it— it features both Drake and Lil Wayne—everybody wins!). So kick back and read on to experience part 1 of the best indie pop tracks of the week!

KENDRICK LAMAR - I

Today we’re starting things off on a funky note with Kendrick Lamar’s latest track, “I.” It's a mellow, uplifting track that’s packed with electric guitar, keys, and a chorus that repeats the line, “I love myself.” The song oozes positivity -- So what’s not to enjoy about that?

OLIVVER THE KID - FREAK

Turns out this is what Bryan Sammis has been up to since leaving The Neighbourhood— Going by the stage name, Olivver The Kid, he just released a super catchy electropop track simply titled, “Freak.” Packed with sparkling synths, wobbly bass, and his pleasantly soft vocals, you’ll be singing along with chorus as he sings, “I remember the time I drove around with you.” It’s simply a cute song that you can’t help but love.

NICKI MINAJ - ONLY FEAT. DRAKE, LIL WAYNE, AND CHRIS BROWN

Following the awesome mess that was “Anaconda” (pssh…don’t act like you didn’t watch the video at least 3 times), Nicki gets down to business and shuts down any negative feedback with her next single, “Only.” Featuring an all-star cast of Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown, this low-key track is packed with tons of quotable lyrics just waiting to be tweeted.

MAGIC! - LET YOUR HAIR DOWN

Because its not the 90s’ and no one really cares about 311 anymore, pop-reggae band Magic! is here to fill the void. If you’re anything like me and hope you never have to hear the song “Rude” again, then check out their latest single, “Let Your Hair Down” for a mellow change that's quite catchy.

DIRTY SOUTH - WITH YOU FEAT. FMLYBND

Serbian DJ/producer, Dirty South, is here to take you on a dramatic journey with his latest track, “With You.” Featuring atmospheric electronic elements, like shimmering, swelling synths and a subtle beat, this track will hit you right in the feels. And if you’re wondering why the video looks so movie-like, that’s because it’s actually also a trailer for his upcoming short film of the same name.

DARREN JACKSON - MIDWESTSIDE FEAT. CHRIS GRINDZ

Up and coming St. Louis rapper, Darren Jackson, will put you in a feel-good mood with his super catchy single, “MidWestSide.” Featuring Chris Grindz, the track is a laid back ode to the Midwest with a super catchy, sing-along chorus that makes it quite radio-friendly.

ZIBRA - HEARTACHE

Out of London comes new band, Zibra, with their latest track, “Heartache.” Featuring moody guitars and equally brooding vocals, this dark and dancey track will get stuck in your head in no time. The synths bring a lot of energy to the track, and I totally love the guitar work that kicks off the breakdown at the 1:55 mark.

DILLON FRANCIS - WE ARE IMPOSSIBLE FEAT. THE PRESETS

Off of his buzz-worthy debut album that’s awesomely titled, Money Sucks, Friends Rule, comes his latest single “We Are Impossible.” Featuring 80s-inspired synths, a drum machine beat, and a funky, space-age sounding chorus where he sings “we are impossible/ in a messed up way,” (aren’t we all?), you can’t help but feel good while listening to this track.

LVTHER - ONE LOOK (FEAT. MAMMALS) 

Spelling things with a “v” instead of a “u” does actually look a lot cooler (Chvvrches knows what I’m talking about). Mysterious producer, LVTHER, is here with one of my personal faves of the week, “One Look.” Featuring hazy synths, breathy vocals, and a simply amazing chorus that hits after the 1:20 mark, I think it just might turn into one of your favorites as well.

HOPIUM - DREAMERS FEAT. PHOEBE LOU (JAMIE KUSE REMIX)

And last but not least, Hopium’s gorgeously moody track, “Dreamers,” gets an upbeat makeover with Jamie Kuse’s remix. I totally loved the original, so I’m happy to now experience the track in a new way with the addition of bubbly electronic elements, claps, and vocal edits that create a dreamy, poppy vibe. It's one remix you definitely wont want to pass up!

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And there you have it— the best indie pop songs of the week! See you next time. 

About Erin Crider

Erin Crider eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. If you have a question about a one-hit wonder from the ‘90s or need help remembering lines from a SNL skit, she’s your girl. When she isn’t lurking the internet, she's either going to a show or hanging out at Disneyland. Erin lives in Southern California and has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Cal State Long Beach.