DISCOVER JULY 2025’s MUST-LISTEN INDIE SONGS: PART TWO

Plug in or pair up your favorite headphones and join us as we remember the days when record stores were common, and they all had displays, booths, and/or counters where you can sample new music called, The Listening Stations. They also had communal headphones that we shiny and oily from the constant use of others. This is our version of those stations, but in playlist form, and minus the used headphones. We start off the month with 10-songs, with 20 more coming later in the month.

PART TWO OF FOUR
In this second part of this ginormous 40 song playlist for the July 2025 playlist, we continue with this second 10-song set of new music by new musicians that you should have on your radar or better yet, have on your playlists. All month long we are sitting at the Listening Station, listening to good music by talented musicians. In this second part you have NEW TO EYP musicians such as Calum Foad, Gabi Besel and Garbarge. (Yes, that Garbage!) You also have returning artists such as Jessica Morale, Sophia Urista, Whenzdaze, Modern Love Child, Louis Metric, and Golden Cats. Also, in this playlist we have EYP STAPLE ARTIST Mar Lamar, (Marissa Lamar), who is from the band Highland Kites. This is her solo debut.



THE OTHER PARTS OF PLAYLIST #33


PART FOUR COMING SUNDAY JULY 27TH, 2025





Note: Gold box color denotes first time Bands / Artists on E.Y.P.

Note: Blue box color denotes artists who have been featured on EYP for more than 10 times. These are our “EYP Staple Artists”.



PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
“Night Walks” (2025)
“Colors” (2025)

Golden Cats is a rising indie music group known for their dreamy, nostalgic sound and heartfelt lyrics. They describe themselves as “best friends making music,” and that vibe definitely comes through in their work. Their music blends indie pop with lo-fi and bedroom pop aesthetics. Think mellow beats, emotional lyrics, and a touch of youthful wonder. With tracks already featured such as “Night Walks” and “Colors”, we feature one of their latest songs, “Jaded”.




Calum Foad is a UK-based synth-pop artist from Reading, known for his infectious hooks and retro-inspired sound. He’s been singing and playing guitar since childhood, and his music channels a strong 1980s vibe with modern pop sensibilities. Calum has worked with producers on both sides of the Atlantic, including Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Nina Nesbitt) and Grammy-nominated Marc McClusky (Weezer, Motion City Soundtrack).

His tracks often feature synth-driven melodies, energetic rhythms, and emotionally resonant lyrics. Songs like “You & I”, Rollercoaster, and “Hope” showcase his blend of upbeat production with introspective themes.




PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
“Everything Sux” (2021)
“Salt” (2021)
“Sabado” (2021)
“Pie” (2021)
“Under Your Control” (2024)

Louis Metric is a genre-blending artist from Los Angeles whose music fuses contemporary hip hop with elements of pop, electronic, and indie. He’s known for his emotionally charged lyrics, dynamic production, and a fearless approach to pushing sonic boundaries. We have featured his music since 2021. He returns to EYP with his latest track, “Sunflower”.




PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
(with Highland Kites)
“Nothing To Say” (2018)
“I Didn’t Belong” (2018)
“Not Your Hero” (2018)
“Better Off” (2018)
“Friday I’m In Love” (2018)
“The Inside” (2019)
“Acting” (2019)
“Two Halves” (2019)
“What Love Is” (2020)
“Everyone You Know” (2020)
“Break Through This” (2020)
“Fences” (2021)
“Delicate Strings” (2021)
“Strength” (2023)
“Bombs”(2023)
“Still Trying” (2023)
“We Both Know It” (2023)
“This Ship” (2024)
“Human Nature” (2024)

Marissa Lamar is a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles, who now resides and makes her music in Nashville, TN. She is known for her introspective lyrics and indie sound. Marissa is the frontwoman of the band Highland Kites, where she contributes vocals, keyboards, and songwriting. Their music blends atmospheric rock with poetic lyricism. It is with the music of Highland Kites that makes Marissa an EYP Staple Artist with around 20 songs featured on our playlists since 2018.

Marissa, in a bold creative shift, launched her solo project Mar Lamar with the debut single “Someone to Blame”. This track is described as a playful yet poignant indie anthem, born from a creative rebirth following motherhood. The solo work under Mar Lamar features whimsical production paired with self-aware lyricism, celebrating imperfection with unapologetic joy. Her music often explores themes of vulnerability, self-discovery, and emotional resilience. Her music always has a home here on Expand Your Playlist.




PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
“Diet Cokes” (2023)
“Doing It All” (2024)

Modern Love Child is the musical moniker of Jonny Shane Jr., a singer-songwriter, producer, and designer originally from Connecticut who now calls Miami home. His sound blends indie-pop and surf-rock with a dreamy, California vibe—think shimmering melodies perfect for a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.

His journey began with a cross-country move to Los Angeles, inspired by a promise to a childhood friend and a deep love for music. After fronting a local band called Blue Blazer, Jonny launched Modern Love Child as a more personal, autobiographical project. His debut album, MLC, released in 2019, explores themes of love, loss, and identity, with standout tracks like “West,” “Golden Brown,” and “Ali”. He returns to EYP this year with his latest single, “When I’m Sad”.




Gabi Besel is a bilingual singer-songwriter known for her emotionally rich lyrics and indie-pop sensibilities. Born and raised in Los Angeles and currently based in Buenos Aires, she writes and performs in both English and Spanish, often blending the two to create a unique lyrical style.

Her discography includes albums like mejor., Nostalgia, and Life Bites Sometimes, with standout singles such as “soltar,” “¿puedo contar con vos?”, and “Florence Lullaby”. She’s also known for her ambitious “52 songs” project, releasing one song per week throughout the year—each track offering a glimpse into her evolving artistry.

Gabi’s cover of “Aerials” by System of a Down is a bold and unexpected twist from her usual indie pop style. Released in 2025, this reinterpretation showcases her versatility and deep musical roots, while making the song her own and keep true to the original at the same time.




Garbage is a genre-blending rock band formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its edgy sound and fierce frontwoman, Shirley Manson. The lineup—unchanged since its inception—includes Manson (vocals), Butch Vig (drums, also famed for producing Nirvana’s Nevermind), Duke Erikson (guitar, bass, keyboards), and Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards).

Their music fuses alternative rock, electronic, industrial, and trip-hop, creating a dark yet catchy aesthetic. Their self-titled debut album Garbage (1995) was a massive success, featuring hits like “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains.” It sold over 4 million copies and earned double platinum status in the US, UK, and Australia.

Garbage is back with a vengeance in 2025! Their latest track “R U Happy Now” from the 2025 album “Let All That We Imagine Be The Light” is a fiery, politically charged anthem that pulls no punches. Although they aren’t a new band by any means, they are debuting for the first time here on Expand Your Playlist.




PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
“Fall For You” (2024)
“Everything But You” (2024)

“Let You Down” (2025)



PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
“Take The Power Back” w/ Brass Against (2020)
“Stinkfist” w/ Brass Against (2020)
“The City” (2025)

Sophia Urista is a powerhouse American singer, songwriter, and performer known for her bold stage presence and soulful rock vocals. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she’s carved out a dynamic career that spans music, television, and film. Her vocals were featured in The Matrix Resurrections and she performed in John Wick as part of The Candy Shop Boys.

As well as he solo career, she is the lead vocalist of the politically charged rock collective Brass Against, famous for brass-infused covers of protest songs, who we have featured on past EYP playlists. Sophia’s artistry blends raw emotion with theatrical flair, and she’s known for pushing boundaries both musically and visually. She makes it on our playlist this month with her latest song “Dangerous”.




PREVIOUSLY FEATURED SONGS
“Homesick” (2025)
“All My Loving” (2025)

WHENZDAZE is an energetic alternative punk rock band that’s been making waves in the New England music scene since early 2022. They kicked off their journey in 2021, blending influences from early ’60s rock to modern pop-rock, and have carved out a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. We welcome them back on EYP with their latest single “Time Flies”.




playlist recomMendations

THE LISTENING STATION PLAYLIST: #32 – JUNE 2025

THE LISTENING STATION PLAYLIST: #31 – MAY 2025

THE LISTENING STATION PLAYLIST: #30 – APRIL 2025

THE LISTENING STATION PLAYLIST: #29 – MARCH 2025

THE LISTENING STATION PLAYLIST: #28 – FEBRUARY 2025

THE LISTENING STATION PLAYLIST: #27 – JANUARY 2025

EYP RADIO: THE SONGS OF 2025

SUBMITTED FOR YOU APPROVAL – VOLUME ONE (2024 / 2025)

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Join Ed Gomez as he curates and compiles new and overlooked music from independent and up & coming artists that most stations and outlets are not willing to discover or feature. Musical taste and production should be the top algorithm priority.

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