Avalon dives deep into memory and heartbreak on her latest single, “Sydney” — a moody, haunting bedroom pop track that feels both cinematic and painfully intimate.

The song captures the ache of mourning someone who’s still alive, built around steady piano chords that unfold into soft layers of strings, harmonies, and delicate percussion. It’s vulnerable yet composed, cinematic yet deeply personal — the kind of track that belongs on Spotify playlists like Sad Girl Starter Pack, Bedroom Pop, Indie Melancholy, and Late Night Vibes.

Avalon explained how the song was born from real emotion and guilt after growing apart from her childhood best friend, Sydney:

“I began to mourn her. Mourning someone who is still alive is incredibly difficult (especially if they live so close haha). That being said, when I needed her, I would simply drive past her house. On multiple occasions, pathetic to admit, I would be sobbing and talking to nothing saying ‘I am sorry’. I felt very ashamed of myself. To get rid of that guilt, I sat down at my piano and sang it — ‘I drove past your house, crying,’ and that is when verse 1 was born.”

It’s a moment of pure honesty, and that authenticity carries through every lyric. The production rises like waves — reflective and emotional — mirroring the grief that inspired the song.

True to its name, “Sydney” isn’t just a metaphor. Avalon confirmed her childhood friend’s name really is Sydney, making the track an even more tender farewell. She describes it as “an overdue, proper goodbye to someone I will love for the rest of my life.”

For fans of introspective, cinematic pop and artists like Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, or Holly Humberstone, “Sydney”fits perfectly into the world of late-night reflection and emotional honesty.

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New Zealand-born, San Diego-base artist Estella Dawn releases her version of The 1975’s “Somebody Else”.

Estella is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She writes, records, and produces all of her music. Her sound blends singer-songwriter structure with indie and alternative pop elements.

In the past year, her music has reached over 8 million streams and has been featured on Spotify’s New Pop Picks, Young & Free, and The Drip.

“I’ve always loved how vulnerable ‘Somebody Else’ feels—like a wound that hasn’t quite healed,” Estella shares.

“I wanted to lean into that ache, but give it a darker edge, like the moment where sadness turns into self-preservation.”

“It’s not about copying the original—it’s about translating it through my own lens. I kept asking, what does this heartbreak sound like when it’s colder? When it burns slower? That’s what I wanted to capture.”

This version builds on pulsing synths and steady percussion. Estella breaks the song down and rebuilds it through her own process.

This is not just a cover. It is her version. Simple. Clear. Hers.

Zoey Lily is back with a new track in quite some time called The End . I always liked her sad songs. They manage to suck you in which is what a good song suppose to do. Like many artists, The UK singer-songwriter spent time quarantining writing and producing new music. Her debut EP will be released in spring 2021 with singles teasing it from July 2020 onwards. Give it a stream on our indie invaders playlist.

Nashville electro pop artist Stef released two new songs Jane Doe and Allison Wonderland. Many artists are walking down the lonely road and writing melancholic songs but Stef is vibrant and writing and releasing up-tempo energetic songs. To be honest, listening to the 20 year old singer-songwriter is a nice break from hearing the hundreds of artists writing songs about social distancing and live-streaming with face masks. Stream the track on Indie Invaders Playlist and you can stream Jane Doe on Spotify’s Fresh Finds.

LA’s Elizy xo releases the single omw and it’s worth a listen. The track was co-written and produced by Joe Pepe alongside Brooke Daye. The track has hints of R&B and touches upon Lana Del Rey, Miley, and Bea Miller. You can get to know her a little more in an interview with Voyage LA. Give the track a stream on Indie Invaders Playlist.