Three wonderful tracks at the intersection of indie pop and folk music

Elizabeth and the Catapult – “When the Doctor Needs a Doctor”
-This is one of those songs that feels like it is both timeless and incredibly prescient. There’s something about the instrumentation and pacing that reminds me a bit of Fleetwood Mac, yet there’s a contemporary polish on the production that feels quite modern. The whole sound is rewarding, but it’s the lead vocal that cuts through delightfully. The lyrical message is about the doctor needing a doctor, with this pervasive sense that the world doesn’t stop when we need to take a rest. I’m not sure exactly the underlying story here, but when you’re feeling out of control it certainly feels like the world doesn’t slow down. There’s a mysterious quality about the song that I love, all the while having this accessible melody that begs for the listener to sing along. I would say fans of CSNY style pop-tinged folk will enjoy this one a great deal.

Maryn Charlie – “Hit By Lightning”
-If you’re looking for a powerful indie pop anthem to put on your playlist, definitely add Maryn Charlie’s “Hit By Lightning” today. Everything from the synth fills to the upbeat rhythm all feel like quintessential indie pop. The lead vocal has a solid quality that sustains through the recording, carrying a message of perseverance and seizing each moment. If you’re the kind of person who wants to “get the most out of life” you are going to relate to this one for sure. I appreciate that it’s not about one particular moment so much as it is about a philosophy of life. There’s something about the energy of the beat and the repetition in the composition that makes it almost mesmerizing in its style. Fans of indie pop, especially inspiring anthems, are really going to dig this one.

Streetlight Cadence – “Oxygen”
-There’s something about the easy going guitar strums setting up acapella vocals in the opening here that feels like “home” to me. Before we get out of the first verse, I am a fan of this tune. The vocal blending is outstanding. Once the chorus hits, though, this is no longer a gentle folk tune; it feels like a power ballad with chill instrumentation. The vocals soar with this energy that really works well. It builds really nicely, but the swell you feel around the 1:50 mark is so delightfully satisfying that I have to highlight it. The lyrical message is about the ups and downs of life, the challenges that we all face as humans. I hope I’m not stretching too far to say that the moral or message (to the extent there is one) is that we have to be careful not to hyperfocus on the highs and lows, but to remind ourselves that it’s never as bad as we think (and to come back to earth when we soar). Maybe it means something different to you, but the vocals are worth the click regardless of the lyrical message.