Hey there, dream pop devotees and indie pop wanderers—imagine cruising down a sun-dappled highway, windows rolled low, synths swirling like cotton candy in the wind, but beneath that glossy vibe, there's a raw ache whispering about the messier side of new motherhood. That's the magic (and the gut-punch) of Geowulf's latest single, "Top Down." If you're knee-deep in the hazy allure of synthpop and indie pop right now, this track is your next obsession. Dropping today via Nettwerk, it's the shimmering lead from her upcoming EP Twinkly Depression (out October 24th), and it's got that perfect push-pull of uplift and unraveling that makes dream pop so damn addictive.
As an Australian indie artist who's been quietly reshaping the genre's emotional landscape, Geowulf—aka Star Kendrick—has always had a knack for wrapping heavy feels in ethereal sounds. Remember her earlier days spinning tales of millennial heartbreak through dreamy indie-pop haze? Yeah, those were gold. But with "Top Down," she's leaning harder into shoegaze-tinged dream pop, blending upbeat rhythms with a gliding chorus that feels like a stylish exhale. It's the kind of song that nods to classic influences like Mazzy Star's wistful glow or Cigarettes After Sex's intimate simmer, all while keeping things fresh and forward-leaning.
What hits hardest is how this track flips devastation into something danceable. Kendrick opens up about its origins in a "devo" moment—Australian slang for utterly heartbreaking—born from her battle with postnatal anxiety. The lyrics? A quiet unraveling, a subtle cry for help amid the chaos of recovery. But then producer and longtime collaborator Duncan Mills steps in, infusing it with unexpected energy. "It's a deeply sad song, but you wouldn’t know that unless you really dug into the lyrics," she shares. And that's the genius: on the surface, it's a breezy banger with synthpop sparkle and indie pop polish, perfect for those endless summer playlists. Dig deeper, though, and it's a testament to resilience, turning personal shadows into sonic light.
This isn't just a standalone gem—it's the gateway to Twinkly Depression, a five-track EP that's all about that "happy-sad" sweet spot. Kendrick cooked up the title from a mood board for a photoshoot, nailing the vibe: heartbreaking core wrapped in hopeful, nostalgic breeziness. "When I began writing for this EP, I wasn’t in the best headspace, but I didn’t want the songs to reflect that," she explains. Instead, it's a lift-out-of-your-head kind of collection, weaving lighter sparks like falling in love with heavier threads of postnatal anxiety and addiction. Produced by Mills with extra magic from Charlie Sinclair and Elliot Heinrich, the EP dives back into Geowulf's shoegaze roots, echoing The Marías' sultry haze and Fleetwood Mac's timeless emotional pull.
To really appreciate "Top Down," you've got to zoom out to Geowulf's arc. Over three albums, Kendrick's journey has been one of evolution—from duo-driven dreamy indie-pop anthems to solo introspection that's profoundly intimate. Her 2023 full-length The Child was a game-changer, penned mostly during pregnancy as she wrestled with the tug-of-war between art and impending motherhood. Tracks like "Dreaming" posed that aching question: "If I could let myself dream, would anybody stop me?" It was vulnerability as power, shaped by life shifts like ending her creative partnership with Toma Banjanin, training as a social worker, and stepping into parenthood. No wonder tastemakers like The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Dork, The Fader, and The Skinny have been all over her, plus that killer COLORS SHOW performance.
In a year where dream pop is exploding—think TikTok virals from artists like Beach House remixes or the resurgence of shoegaze-infused indie pop sets at festivals like Primavera Sound—"Top Down" feels timely as hell. It's part of this broader wave reclaiming mental health narratives in upbeat packaging, proving you don't have to choose between catharsis and catchiness. Geowulf's not just riding the trend; she's deepening it, one twinkly layer at a time.
Pre-save Twinkly Depression now and let it soundtrack your next late-night drive or cozy unwind. If you're an indie pop fan craving that synthpop shimmer with real emotional teeth, this is your cue. What's your take—does the upbeat mask make the sadness hit harder, or is it the perfect escape? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I live for these chats.
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