Indigo De Souza - “Younger & Dumber”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Phoebe Bridgers, Samia, Arlo Parks

If the rest of Indigo De Souza’s third record All of This Will End follows suit of phenomenal single “Younger & Dumber”, this may be ‘the one’ where the already well-rounded artist takes a step towards greatness. It sounds like hyperbole, but this is one of the best songs I’ve heard through this SXSW pre-listening experience and one I know will be in my life-canon a decade-plus from now. There’s an end-of-innocence theme that carries throughout “Younger & Dumber”, but also there is hope there without De Souza outright declaring that things are certain to get better. Musically, it’s one of the more country-leaning tracks in Indigo De Souza’s catalog, taking those traditions and adding a melancholy tone that tends to ride throughout much of her material. Beyond that, De Souza takes on punk, indie rock, and shoegaze lanes on her first couple of records and she rarely misses, finding catchiness in all those forms and playing like a a kick-ass rock band instead of letting nonchalance take hold. She’s taking advantage of SXSW stages this year with three showcases on her dance-card so far, Wendesday at Central Presbyterian for Audiofemme, Friday closing out Mohawk’s festivities, and on Saturday night for Ari’s Take at Half Step. (Kevin McStravick)