Katie Macbeth's Portfolio.

Indie is not a genre • 23rd May 2025

Tracks of the Week: For Those I Love, EADES, Suede, Wednesday, Pulp, and More! - Indie is not a genre

Here are some of the IINAG team’s favourite tracks for you to enjoy this Bank Holiday weekend.


For Those I Love – Of The Sorrows


For Those I Love’s ‘Of The Sorrows’ marks a potent return, confronting the pain of forced emigration and the agonising dilemma of leaving home. This first post-debut track delves into the economic realities pushing young people from Ireland, with Balfe’s raw catharsis (“I’ll never leave / I have to leave”) building to an Irish-trad infused climax. Featuring an el...

Stereoboard.com • 19th May 2025

Billy Nomates - Metalhorse (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Photo: Jack Dallas-Chapman

‘Metalhorse’ is the emotionally charged and sonically enriched third album from Billy Nomates, signifying a considerable transformation in Tor Maries’ creative approach. It is her first produced in a studio with a full band and was profoundly influenced by personal challenges, including the recent death of her father and her own diagnosis with MS.

Duly, there is raw emotional depth to the album, offering a sense of catharsis as Maries channels these experiences into...

Indie is not a genre • 15th May 2025

Theo Bleak's Bad Luck Is Two Yellow Flowers: A Study in Melancholic Beauty - Indie is not a genre

Dundee’s enchanting Theo Bleak – voiced compellingly by Katie Lynch – crafts melodies that resonate with a stark, poignant honesty and an arresting, melancholic beauty. Her vocals unfurl like a delicate tapestry, drawing listeners into introspective realms where even the deepest shadows shimmer with flickers of hope. 


Bleak’s newly unveiled EP beckons with five intimate vignettes, each a sonically distinct window into the turbulent inner world of a friend. “Peach Sky” washes over the listener...

Indie is not a genre • 7th May 2025

Manic Street Preachers, Live in Manchester: A Fifteen-Album Feast - Indie is not a genre

The Manic Street Preachers, a true pillar in the music world, have crafted anthems that resonate through generations, their influence particularly profound in the 1990s. Faced with the challenging task of selecting a setlist from their vast collection of fifteen albums, particularly with a new record seeking attention, the Welsh trio, performing the second night of their residency at Manchester’s O2 Apollo, showcased an impressive mastery of their catalogue. The venue, rich in history like the M...

Stereoboard.com • 1st May 2025

Viagra Boys - Viagr Aboys (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Here, Viagra Boys reassert their belief in music’s fundamental purpose by offering an exhilarating journey into visceral enjoyment, infused with their signature sardonic wit. ‘Viagr Aboys’ dissects the band’s idiosyncratic charm and dark humour while delving deeper into their post-punk roots.

Four albums in, Man Made of Meat offers an enthralling, surreal gateway into to the bizarre universe of Viagra Boys for any latecomers. The lyrics, inspired by frontman Sebastian Murphy wandering the endle...

Indie is not a genre • 22nd April 2025

Self Esteem's A Complicated Woman: A Powerful Dive into Identity and Womanhood. - Indie is not a genre

In A Complicated Woman, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, known as Self Esteem, delivers a potent and nuanced exploration of identity, societal expectations, and the multifaceted realities of womanhood. This compelling third studio album showcases her fearless sincerity and remarkable musical versatility, seamlessly weaving together diverse genres to craft an enthralling landscape that powerfully mirrors its central themes. The album’s striking cover, a visual echo of The Handmaid’s Tale, immediately conveys...

Indie is not a genre • 16th April 2025

Heavy Lungs' Caviar: A Chaotic Onslaught - Indie is not a genre

Heavy Lungs’ sophomore album, Caviar, is an intense and bold journey through sonic chaos, merging punk ferocity with industrial grit and grand ambition. This Bristol-based quartet has effectively captured their untamed live energy in a recorded format, although the full force of their sound truly thrives in the sweat-soaked atmosphere of a live venue.

The sonic barrage begins with “Yes Chef,” a sub-two-minute burst of frenetic energy that reflects the high-pressure environment of a restaurant...

Indie is not a genre • 7th April 2025

The Beat of Blondie Falls Silent: Remembering Clem Burke - Indie is not a genre

The rhythmic heartbeat of the legendary band Blondie, Clem Burke, has now stilled at the age of 70. Originally from the vibrant streets of New Jersey, Burke found his place among the colourful outcasts and misfits of New York City by the mid-1970s. This emerging musical talent honed his exceptional drumming skills in various New Jersey cover bands throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, it wasn’t until he moved to the pulsating New York music scene that his brilliance caught the atte...

Indie is not a genre • 3rd April 2025

Djo's 'The Crux': Transcending Expectations - Indie is not a genre

The often-overlooked connection between acting and singing reveals a shared lineage, as both disciplines rely on vocal delivery and narrative expression. While transitioning from singing to acting is viewed as natural, the reverse is often met with skepticism. Joe Keery, known for his role as Steve Harrington on Stranger Things, has developed a distinct musical identity under the name Djo, initially using disguises to ensure his music was judged independently from his acting background. The TikT...

Indie is not a genre • 28th March 2025

Tracks of the Week: CMAT, Self Esteem, Black Country, New Road, Model/Actriz, and More! - Indie is not a genre

IINAG offers a curated selection of sounds to enhance your weekend.


‘Running/Planning’ is a mesmerising introduction to CMAT’s upcoming third album, ‘EURO-COUNTRY, ’ out 29th August. It develops from a calm introduction into an intense and emotive piece, with the repetitive chorus “I keep on running / planning, running / planning” becoming more fractured and frantic, a nod to a woman’s societal pressure to always be thinking about the next step in life. Once again, we’re captivated by CMAT’s...

Indie is not a genre • 27th March 2025

Sam Akpro's Evenfall: Nocturnal Soundscapes of the Modern City. - Indie is not a genre

Sam Akpro’s debut album, Evenfall, cements his identity as a creator of atmospheric urban soundscapes. The South London artist skillfully fuses the ethereal elements of shoegaze with the jagged edges of post-hardcore, resulting in a record that is both carefully crafted and emotionally impactful. The album excels at establishing a tangible atmosphere, portraying the city’s nighttime heartbeat as a character unto itself.


The opening track, “I Can’t See The Sun,” instantly sets the mood with a...

Stereoboard.com • 26th March 2025

Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Throughout Japanese Breakfast’s discography, Michelle Zauner has consistently offered listeners a portal into her inner world. Each album has functioned as a diary, where raw emotion is alchemised into intricate indie-rock explorations. ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)’ continues this tradition, offering a deeply felt exploration of the dizzying heights of love, the sting of yearning, and the weight of sorrow.

Opening the record, Here is Someone is a masterclass in gentle invitation. Its...

Indie is not a genre • 25th March 2025

Somebody's Child's When Youth Fades Away: Youthful Exuberance and a Mature Reflection - Indie is not a genre

The resurgence of Irish music within the indie landscape, marked by pivotal albums from Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, and NewDad, sets the stage for Somebody’s Child’s When Youth Fades Away. This album, a testament to Cian Godfrey’s artistic evolution, distills the raw energy of his formative years supporting Kings of Leon and headlining Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre into a poignant exploration of youth’s complexities and time’s relentless passage, solidifying Somebody’s Child’s potential for...

Indie is not a genre • 21st March 2025

Tracks of the Week: The Moonlandingz, The Pill, Marika Hackman, caroline, and More! - Indie is not a genre

Discover the sounds that will define your weekend, courtesy of IINAG’s curated list.


The second teaser for their new album, No Rocket Required, is set for release next month. The Moonlandingz have launched “Roustabout,” featuring Nadine Shah. Known for her powerful vocals, Shah combines her sound with Johnny Rocket, portrayed by Lias Saoudi, in a narrative about a fallen indie icon facing personal struggles. Described by Rocked as “a fictional re-imagining,” the song explores the complexiti...

Indie is not a genre • 14th March 2025

Tracks of the Week: Matt Berninger, HAIM, Lucy Dacus, Whitehorse, and More! - Indie is not a genre

Get ahead of the curve. IINAG’s curated list delivers the freshest new music just in time to elevate your weekend.


Matt Berninger – Bonnet of Pins


‘Bonnet of Pins’ is the lead single from Matt Berninger’s second album ‘Get Sunk, ’ out 30th May 2025. Never one to sit still, and off the back of two The National albums and a tour that included headlining The Other Stage at Glastonbury, the prolific Berninger has managed to craft a song with wonderful rhythm, lyrics and harmonies that tells a...

Katie Speaks! • 10th March 2025

Lady Gaga's "Mayhem": A Grand Reclamation of Pop's Power

"The category is… dance or die.” That declaration, delivered by a red-leather-clad Lady Gaga in the opening scene of her hit single, “Abracadabra,” resonates profoundly with her career's trajectory. Gaga has consistently defined herself through moments where stage and performance reignite her artistic spirit. Her seventh album, Mayhem, mirrors this dynamic, transcending the conventional album release to become a meticulously crafted intervention, deconstructing the polished facade of contemporary celebrity culture.

Indie is not a genre • 7th March 2025

Tracks of the Week: Black Country, New Road, Panic Shack, Car Seat Headrest, and More! - Indie is not a genre

We’ve done the work, you reap the rewards. IINAG’s curated list delivers the best new music of the week, just in time for the weekend


Black Country, New Road – Happy Birthday


An eccentrically eclectic assortment of strings, piano and woodwind, ‘Happy Birthday’ is Black Country New Road at their most confident. The second single from their upcoming album, ‘Forever Howlong’, ‘Happy Birthday’ is four minutes of Baroque pop, with bassist Tyler Hyde’s’ velvet vocals detailing the inevitability...

Pop Base • 6th March 2025

Before Lady Gaga's MAYHEM, There was ARTPOP

A Misunderstood Masterpiece

Lady Gaga’s third studio album, ARTPOP, originally met with mixed reviews and criticism upon its 2013 release, is now being re-evaluated as a misunderstood work in her discography. Following a serious hip injury that led to the cancellation of her Born This Way world tour, Gaga crafted ARTPOP, exploring themes of fame, vulnerability, and addiction through vibrant EDM and Synth-Pop sounds.

Indie is not a genre • 4th March 2025

Divorce's Drive to Goldenhammer: An Experience to Embrace Wholeheartedly. - Indie is not a genre

Divorce built a fervent following long before the announcement of Drive to Goldenhammer. Sold-out tours, including a mini-residency at Nottingham’s Bodega, and 6Music’s acclaim created high expectations. Could this buzz translate into a debut album? ‘Goldenhammer’ answers with a resounding yes. It’s a sonic road trip, a journey through their eclectic soundscape and raw, unflinching lyrics, igniting their cult following and proving they’re more than worthy of the hype.


‘Goldenhammer’ isn’t sim...

Indie is not a genre • 28th February 2025

Tracks of the Week: Peter Doherty, The Moonlandingz, No Windows, Adore, and More! - Indie is not a genre

As the week draws to a close, a treasure trove of new music awaits. Feeling lost in the sea of releases? The IINAG team has done the digging for you, presenting our curated list of the week’s standout tracks.


Peter Doherty – ‘Calvados’


With the second single from his upcoming album ‘Felt Better Alive’, Peter Doherty poetically presents a tender ode to a seller of Normandy’s beloved brandy of the same name, ‘Calvados’. A warm mix of softly strummed guitar and serenading strings, Doherty’s a...

Stereoboard.com • 21st February 2025

Tate McRae - So Close to What (Album Review) - Stereoboard

‘So Close to What’ is a reflective record. Having broken out musically at just 14 with the viral hit One Day, Tate McRae’s journey has been rapid but remarkably reflective. On 2024’s ‘Think Later’ she delivered a vivid exploration of young womanhood, complete with its attendant themes of self-discovery and resilience, but with ‘So Close to What’ she revisits the challenges of growing up.

There’s palpable excitement woven into the narrative and Miss Possessive, the album’s opener, immediately es...

Indie is not a genre • 21st February 2025

Tracks of the Week: Fontaines D.C., Miso Extra, The Murder Capital, and More! - Indie is not a genre

The world of music has been exceptionally vibrant this week, with a continual stream of new releases vying for our attention. Understandably, such an abundance of choice can also feel overwhelming. To help you navigate these new releases, we’ve carefully curated a selection of releases that have resonated with our team, providing a glimpse into our personal favourites of the week.


Fontaines D.C. – ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’


With ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young,’ Fontaines D.C. have gifted us a t...

Stereoboard.com • 19th February 2025

Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Manic Street Preachers have continually evolved throughout a decades-long career, choosing to step around the pitfalls waiting for bands who are happy to rely on past successes. Duly, their 15th album houses critiques of the modern world while questioning the purpose of art and their own continued relevance.

The Manics’ refusal to stay in their lane is a key aspect of their longevity and ‘Critical Thinking’ continues this trend, moving ever further away from their raw glam-punk origins. The alb...

Indie is not a genre • 18th February 2025

The Murder Capital's Blindness: A Voice of Significance in an Era Craving Authentic Discourse - Indie is not a genre

The Murder Capital’s journey has been marked by constant evolution. The band’s first album, When I Have Fears, offered a raw, intimate glimpse into their vulnerability, while their second, Gigi’s Recovery, charted a course toward healing, its tracks fueled by a palpable sense of optimism.  With their third album, Blindness, The Murder Capital masterfully synthesise the emotional depth of their earlier explorations, weaving the intensity of When I Have Fears with the hopeful undertones of Gigi’s...