Following the release of her new EP, Ganbaru , Flex caught up with French artist DORRR to discover what influences her unique indie-rock sound. If you enjoy DORRR's picks, be sure to check out Ganbaru at the end of the article. 1. “Texas Sun” – Khruangbin & Leon Bridges This song is deeply connected to a very personal chapter of my life. I spent several years traveling regularly to Austin, Texas, between 2016 and 2022 while touring with my former band, and over time it beca

Blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has announced a newly recorded 30th anniversary edition of his debut album 'Ledbetter Heights', set for release on May 8. Titled 'Ledbetter Heights (The 30th Anniversary Sessions)', the project revisits the record that first established Shepherd’s career in the mid-1990s. Alongside the announcement, he has shared a reworked version of “Deja Voodoo,” now available on streaming platforms. Originally recorded while Shepherd was still in

If you thought The Songs of Butler & Cupples were impressive with ‘Bad Habits’, their new single ‘What Use Is Peace Without Freedom’ proves they’re just getting started. This isn’t a band in the traditional sense - it’s a creative playground where the song itself is the star, and honestly, that focus really shows. Written by two seasoned songwriters, the project thrives on substance over flash. The new track leans into hypnotic electronic-pop, with bouncy synths, catchy melod

Some records ask for your attention, while others demand your complete surrender. Layla Kaylif’s 'Call of the Yoni' belongs firmly in the latter as an immersive, deeply intentional body of work that unfolds like a passage through something ancient, intimate, and profoundly human. From its opening moments, there’s a sense that you’re stepping into a carefully constructed world where sound, philosophy, and emotion are inseparable. The title piece acts as a threshold, introducin

Photo: Grace Gioiello Some songs feel like memories, while others feel like warnings. And on her newest offering 'The other side of town', Heddy Edwards delivers a slow-burning, surreal narrative that plays out like a midnight drive through a place you recognise, but can’t quite trust. Built on a foundation of brooding guitar work and sweeping, almost orchestral textures, the track immediately establishes a sense of scale. It’s expansive without feeling open, as if the space

There’s a certain glow that surrounds artists on the brink of something bigger, turning even the smallest moments into something magnetic. And on his latest gem 'Weekend With Benny', Bournemouth's Nory-J captures that feeling with striking clarity, delivering a track that feels both effortlessly cool and carefully crafted. From the outset, the song settles into a sleek, modern groove, balancing shimmering pop sensibilities with a subtle indie edge. The production is built on

There’s a particular electricity that only comes from those rare moments where creation simply happens, and on his new single 'Wanna Dance', Joshua Pearlstein taps directly into that current by delivering a track that feels immediate, unfiltered, and alive in a way that can’t be manufactured. From the opening seconds, there’s a sense of propulsion that refuses to sit still. The production pulses with a kinetic energy, built around crisp rhythms and a vibrant palette that feel

Italian-born, London-based artist Gionatan Scali is back with 'Best Self', a grunge-tinged indie anthem that feels like the sound of ten years of life, reflection, and musical growth packed into one track. The single also serves as the title track for his third album, marking a full decade since he made the leap to London. Right from the first riff, 'Best Self' grabs you with punchy, hook-heavy guitars and a deliciously crunchy distortion that somehow feels both raw and caref

Faroese-born, Los Angeles-based artist Marianna Winter has released her new single 'Feels Good To Be Needed', the latest preview of her upcoming debut album 'The More You Know', due May 29 via Tutl Records. Blending indie, folk, and alternative pop influences, the track pairs gritty, drum-led production with intimate vocals and unfiltered lyricism. It captures the emotional pull of being relied upon, exploring how devotion and validation can become both comforting and overwhe

Evan Fong returns with his latest release 'pesos', a high-intensity track that further cements his reputation as a fully independent creative force. Handling writing, production, performance, and visual direction himself, Fong continues to build a project defined by complete artistic control. 'pesos' reflects that vision, delivering a raw, unpredictable sound driven by distorted textures, sharp melodies, and an urgent, almost chaotic energy. At the centre of the track is his

16-year-old singer-songwriter Ava Valianti continues to make her mark with her latest single 'Birthday Cake', a striking indie-pop release that blends raw emotion with sharp, melodic hooks. Hailing from Newbury, Massachusetts, Valianti channels a mix of indie, pop, and pop-rock influences into a sound that feels both intimate and immediate. 'Birthday Cake' leans into that balance, pairing infectious instrumentation with deeply personal storytelling. At its core, the track exp

Photo Credit: Saskia Jo Price Transatlantic duo Outpost Drive return with “Broken Vein,” a strikingly intimate and cinematic release that captures a moment of emotional upheaval and transformation with rare clarity. Written in the aftermath of their wedding, the track trades the romance of a honeymoon for something far more raw, an isolated winter in the English countryside that ultimately shaped the song’s haunting emotional core. At the heart of “Broken Vein” lies a palpabl

There’s a particular weight to songs where every line carries the residue of experience, and every pause says as much as the words themselves. On his newest outing 'Shoebox', Berlin-based singer-songwriter Tony Arthur delivers exactly the kind of piece that is intimate, reflective, and quietly devastating in the way it unfolds. What immediately sets the track apart is its sense of space. Rather than filling every corner, the arrangement leans into restraint, allowing each ins

If you’ve ever felt like music shouldn’t be boxed into one genre, Starspire’s debut album 'What Is Meant For You' is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. London-based Ranj George takes the leap from creative strategist to fully-fledged artist, delivering a 13-track journey that moves effortlessly from hip-hop to country, pop to indie, sometimes all in one record, without ever feeling scattered. The album hits you first with its storytelling. Take the lead single, “Unclai

There’s a moment in every great dance track where control slips and the carefully constructed edges give way to something instinctive. Lana Crow captures that moment with exhilarating clarity on 'In Spirit', a track that feels like it was pulled from somewhere subconscious and reshaped into pure kinetic release. From the first beat, there’s a sense of lift. The production rises, steadily and confidently, building a foundation that feels both nostalgic and immediate. Glitterin

There’s a restless energy at the core of 'MOVEMENT' that signals something internal has reached its breaking point and must now push outward. Under the Valkyrie’s Bard moniker, Sarah Miller delivers a track born from pressure and the weight of experience demanding release. From the outset, 'MOVEMENT' establishes a powerful sense of momentum. The arrangement builds with intention, layering textures that feel both deliberate and instinctive. There’s a structural precision under

Honey Motel are going from stength to strength. With the release of their new EP Motel FM, the quartet have pushed their indie tendencies to new terratories with moments of soulful emotion and others of explosive, distortion fueled energy. The releasse more than signals them as one to watch. We wanted to delve into what inspires the band, so caught up with Fred, Sam, Jack and Lew to hear about some of their favourite tunes of all time: Fred J&L by Medium Build, this guy is a

Heather Ferguson’s “Broken Horned Kudu” opens with a meditative, expansive soundscape that immediately centers her voice, inviting listeners into a world of nuance and reflection. The track gracefully intertwines the improvisational spirit of jazz with the intricate polyrhythms of African musical traditions, producing a sound that is simultaneously rooted and exploratory. Ferguson’s approach to melody—fluid, deliberate, and expressive—places emotional resonance above technic

Katie Dauson’s “The Company We Keep” is a masterclass in bridging eras. Drawing inspiration from the kaleidoscopic textures of 1960s psychedelia, the track manages to feel both nostalgically familiar and refreshingly contemporary. From the opening chords, Dauson invites listeners into a warm, enveloping soundscape that encourages careful listening and repeated returns. Every layer—guitar, synth, and percussion—is deliberately placed, creating a sonic tapestry that feels aliv

Walter Miller’s “Good Morning LA” showcases the artist’s growing command over the rock-pop crossover, blending introspection with expansive musicality. The track begins gently, almost confessional, drawing listeners into an intimate space before exploding into a chorus brimming with energy and emotional resonance. This balance between personal reflection and stadium-ready power creates a dynamic listening experience, rewarding repeated plays as layers of nuance reveal themse