10 TOP INDIE SONGS TO CURE YOUR ELECTION HANGOVER

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Been a quiet few days, hasn’t it? LOL. Jokes aside, while it’s looking like this political nightmare is almost over, I have to admit there’s one thing I’ll miss about the recent election coverage: Mr. John King, everybody.

fuck it john king fancam for the timeline pic.twitter.com/iCjSNTjW2S

— (@REIGNONROLLINS) November 6, 2020

Anyways. Between simping for CNN correspondents, you’ll be pleased to hear I did manage to compile this week’s edition of We Are: The Guard’s Top Indie Songs. Featuring Sega Bodega & Låpsley, BENEE, Oscar Lang, and seven other favorites, this playlist is guaranteed to cure any Election Hangover.

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SEGA BODEGA & LÅPSLEY – MAKE U STAY

They recently collaborated on a cover of Gwen Stefani's “Cool,” and today, Sega Bodega and Låpsley return with “Make U Stay.” Written and recorded in Låpsley’s home studio, it’s an equal parts decadent and disconcerting piece of trance music, with James Bond-esque strings meeting basement club electronics for this ode to unchecked envy.

BENEE – HAPPEN TO ME

Ahead of the release of Hey u x on Friday, BENEE has shared the album’s opening song. “Happen To Me” is a nervy, anxiety-riddled cut that hears the TikTok sensation breaking down her fears for all to see, with BENEE’s irrational thoughts coming swept up in a Radiohead-esque gust of loose, looping guitars and shuffling beats.

OSCAR LANG – ANTIDOTE TO BEING BORED

It’s not possible to go to the rock show right now, but Oscar Lang is bringing the rock show to us on “Antidote To Being Bored.” “I wrote ‘Antidote To Being Bored’ to be an absolute blow-the-roof-off stadium banger and I think it lives up to that,” writes the Dirty Hit signee of the blitzkrieg bop, which will leave the ground beneath you quaking.

JAWNY – FOR ABBY

Having recently made his breakthrough on TikTok with “Honeypie,” JAWNY continues his meteoric rise this Monday with “For Abby.” Lifted from his recent mixtape of the same name, it’s a drowsy dream of a listen about falling head over heels for a girl, with the California indie act vying for his lover’s attention over a bed of smeary guitars.

ARCADE FIRE – GENERATION A (LIVE)

Arcade Fire are back, baby. Just over three years on from the release of Everything Now, the Canadian act return this November with “Generation A.” Debuted during Stephen Colbert’s Election Night Special, it’s a rousing rallying cry to the kids, with Win Butler and company’s chest-splitting synth-pop sounding more urgent than ever before.

JADE BIRD – HEADSTART

With a voice like Krakatoa, it’s hard to believe British singer-songwriter Jade Bird could ever struggle to get someone’s attention. That’s exactly the case, however, on her latest single “Headstart.” “Why’s it so hard?/I’ve given you a headstart,” sings Jade on the ode to failed advances, which places her eruptive howl front and center.

PEACHCURLS – BORN WITHOUT YOU

Introducing Peachcurls, the Ohio artist making it feel like summer in November on “Born Without You.” Featured on his recent album Meadow, it’s a sun-bleached blend of indie and hip-hop flavors, with Tame Impala-esque electronics meeting Bone Thugs-N-Harmony harmonic references for a genre-blending bop like no other.

BABY QUEEN – WANT ME

French author Michel de Montaigne once said: “Obsession is the wellspring of genius and madness.” Baby Queen’s Bella Latham understands this more than most on her latest single “Want Me.” Written about a love so unattainable, it drives you to insanity, “Want Me” is a shimmering rock-and-roll ripper that sounds like Charli XCX on steroids.

ELA MINUS – DOMINIQUE

Ela Minus is exploring artistic solitude on “dominique.” “Today I woke up at 7 p.m./My brain feels like it’s going to break/I haven’t seen anyone in a couple of days/I am afraid I forgot how to talk/To anyone else that’s not myself,” sings Ela on the inky, oscillating ode to isolation, which bears extra weight in these times of quarantine.

MASTER PEACE – LOVE BITES

It feels like there’s been a dark cloud hanging over us for the last few weeks, but Master Peace is bringing some much-needed sunshine on “Love Bites.” Featured on the British act’s recent EP of the same name, it’s a joyous piece of indie-pop goodness, with chorus guitars backing Master Peace as he sings of life after unrequited love. Glorious.

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Jess Grant is a frustrated writer hailing from London, England. When she isn't tasked with disentangling her thoughts from her brain and putting them on paper, Jess can generally be found listening to The Beatles, or cooking vegetarian food.