Indie Pop music has become one of my favorite genres over the last couple of years. There are so many different forms of this genre, and awesome new artists are emerging every day. One interesting Indie Pop artist I recently came across whom I have been enjoying a lot is MICHELLE. MICHELLE is a New York-based music collective consisting of six members, whose names are Julian, Charlie, Emma, Layla, James, and Sofia. They make music that is extremely eclectic and unique. It is tough to put MICHELLE into a category of genre because they take elements of so many types of music and put them into their own distinct sound. Michelle first started making music in 2018, when members Julian and Charlie decided to gather other musicians in their area to make an EP dedicated to their love of New York City. This EP, HEATWAVE, was supposed to be a stand-alone project, but it received so much praise online that the group decided to keep making music together. Over the next couple of years, the group released some stand-alone singles, all of which were beloved by critics and indie music fans alike. These singles cemented MICHELLE as one of the newest and most exciting emerging acts in Indie Pop. MICHELLE rode this wave of hype into 2022 when they put out their debut album AFTER DINNER WE TALK DREAMS. This record was critically acclaimed, furthering the sentiment that MICHELLE is an awesome artist that needs to be paid attention to. MICHELLE is a group that stays working hard, as they recently returned with a new EP called GLOW. Here is how I feel about this new EP from one of Indie Pop’s emerging stars. Please let me know in the comments below what you think of GLOW, and also comment on how you feel about it as a whole.
MICHELLE starts this EP with the glorious-sounding title track. ‘GLOW’ is a song with a decidedly pleasant and retro sound. This single was actually released back in October. I wish I had heard it then because it would probably have been on my best songs of 2023 list. When I first listened to this track, I immediately thought of Hall & Oates. It has the kind of charming melody that is reminiscent of their signature Philadelphia Soul sound. The song is driven by a bubbly and colorful piano riff that is complemented by a groovy bassline, clean synths, and a breezy guitar riff. This melody is put over an upbeat and light drum pattern that matches the energy of the melody nicely. The vocals on ‘GLOW’ are understated yet great. They go so well with the easy-going feeling of the instrumental and add to the gratifying feeling of the track. On ‘GLOW,’ MICHELLE is singing about having doubts about a new relationship. Although this person does make them feel good, they do not know if things can work out long-term. MICHELLE slows things down and smooths things out with ‘DNR.’ This is a calm and light Funky Pop track with a very warm feeling. The song is driven by a funky bassline that is complemented by a balmy guitar riff and various synths that sort of sound like horns. I enjoy the synths that complement this melody so much, as it gives the song a very full and rich feeling. The beat for ‘DNR’ is slow yet punchy. Its tempo goes so nicely with the melody, giving this track the feeling of driving around with the top down on a hot summer day. The vocals on ‘DNR’ are excellent and stand out majorly. I especially love the layering of the vocals that comes in and out of the track, as it gives it so much texture. On ‘DNR,’ MICHELLE is singing about falling in love. They are stating that this new relationship literally feels like heaven, and they want nothing to pull them out of this bliss.
‘ON THE LINE’ is even slower and softer than the song that precedes it. This track goes in a different direction than the more Funk-driven sound we got on the last two tracks. There is still an element of Funk in the bass line and in the beat, but this one takes on elements of Alternative Folk and Adult Contemporary music. The melody for this one feels like a combination of 1970s Folk or Blues music and 1990s Adult Alternative music. I can hear the influence of artists like The Allman Brothers Band, but I can also hear the influence of artists like Sixpence None The Richer. The instrumental for ‘ON THE LINE’ is simple and powerful. The melody feels melancholy and hopeful at the same time, and the beat is soothing. The vocals on this project seem to be getting better and better as it goes on. I really love the range in which the members of MICHELLE sing with in ‘ON THE LINE,’ as this range adds emotion to the track and makes it hit the soul. In ‘ON THE LINE,’ MICHELLE is singing about being on the phone with someone they are infatuated with and not wanting them to hang up, as this phone conversation makes them feel less lonely. ‘AGNOSTIC’ was the second single released in anticipation of this project, having come out at the same time as ‘GLOW’ back in October. This one does not stick with me as much as ‘GLOW,’ but I can still appreciate it for being a solid track. Sonically, this song does not differ a ton from the last track. It is another one that feels like a merger of Folk music and 1990s Adult Alternative. The Folk music element of ‘AGNOSTIC’ feels a bit more modern, though. Instead of sounding inspired by the 1970s, I can hear elements of 2000s artists like KT Tunstall or Duffy. ‘AGNOSTIC’ is definitely the most downtrodden song on the record to this point. It still has a somewhat bright element to the melody, but the guitar riff that drives this melody is a lot more somber than anything that comes before it. ‘AGNOSTIC’ has a more quick and emphasized beat than the last two tracks. I would even say that the beat on this one hits a bit harder than the one on ‘GLOW,’ although this track is a lot less danceable. ‘AGNOSTIC’ has a more faint and airy vocal performance than any of the songs before it. This vocal performance leans into the more pensive feeling of the instrumental, making the track a bit emotional. On ‘AGNOSTIC,’ MICHELLE is singing about remembering a past relationship that they are fond of. The songwriter seems to miss this person a lot and wants to bring this person back into their life, even if they probably should not do so. MICHELLE closes things out on a sweeter note with the song ‘NEVER AGAIN.’ This was the third single released from this project, having come out near the beginning of this year. This is a song with a lovely and floaty Yacht Rock sound. The melody of this song is so cheerful and vivid. I enjoy the guitar riff and bassline that drive this melody, as they have such a vibrant and welcoming sound. The beat for ‘NEVER AGAIN’ is very slow and subdued. This beat makes the melody feel so all-encompassing and poignant. The vocal performance on ‘NEVER AGAIN’ might be the best on the project, which is saying a lot. The vocals on this track are so dynamic and whole, adding to the embracing feeling of the track. On ‘NEVER AGAIN,’ MICHELLE sings of a failed relationship, reflecting on the things that went wrong and stating that it will be tough for them to let someone in the same way after being hurt in this manner. ‘NEVER AGAIN’ is a powerful way to end the project, and it sends GLOW off on an eloquent note.
As I stated in the introduction, Indie Pop music is in such a great place right now. There are so many artists popping up constantly that are pushing the genre forward in riveting ways, and it feels like there is a new Indie Pop artist for any kind of music fan. I am really glad that I came across MICHELLE recently because I enjoy GLOW a ton. GLOW does not push any boundaries or raise the bar necessarily in any way. This project has a pretty safe and relatable sound, and it stays in pretty well-established lanes as far as its sound. This is okay, though, because GLOW is very good for what it is. This is a compact EP with fun, laid-back music that is accessible to older and younger music fans alike. Overall, GLOW is just fun to listen to, even if it does not reinvent the wheel or extend any limits. GLOW is a cool project from an up-and-coming group I have come to appreciate a lot, and it makes me excited to see what MICHELLE does next.
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