The online indie rock music scene is booming with the release of new albums, singles, and artists almost every day. So, we’ve broken it down a little bit to wake up your ears.
Staying on top of everything can be tough, but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We present our discoveries and you have the freedom to choose. This is why we love indie rock: we love rock, we love freedom, so we love music with the freedom to explore creativity, which is why we bring you fresh new music every day.
We know that music taste is different for each of us, but let’s be honest, music is medicine. What better way to start your day than to infuse your eardrums with some must-hear indie rock bangers?
Let me just say, the indie rock music industry is ever-changing and continuously pumping out artist after artist, some of them are worth more of our attention!
Today we’ll be reviewing some indie rock singles, EPs and a couple of albums that have been released in the past months by independent artists. If you’re looking for some new music to wake up your ears, that’s okay, we’ll guide you with this set of upbeat songs.
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) CHAPELL – Gold
Chapell is an indie rock band based in New York. Their latest single, Gold, is a classic rock song with 80s vibes. It’s got a great beat and will get you dancing—even if you don’t usually listen to this type of music.
The vocals are soft and soothing, but they have an edge that makes them more interesting than most other songs in this genre. The lead singer’s voice is reminiscent of some of the outstanding singers from the 80s, but he’s definitely got his own style and flair.
The song Gold itself has a classic sound that will remind you of your favourite bands from back then (and make you feel like maybe we haven’t lost it after all).
One thing I always comment on with regard to indie rock is that it is actually a genre that will never die. In times of saturation, the market is able to renew itself and also reintroduce older music styles back into the scene, which is exactly what we love about it. Thanks, Chappell!
If you’re interested in listening to more of Chapell’s awesome music, we recommend you check out their Spotify page! Make sure you also watch their music video and follow the band so you don’t miss anything.
2) BEL-LA – Nothing’s Gonna Get You Back
When it comes to retro pop, there are few artists who can do the job like Bel-La. The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter is a master at merging classic rock with contemporary alt-rock, resulting in a pleasing sound with soft rock influences, a sound that’s as fresh as it is nostalgic.
The single “Nothing’s Gonna Get You Back” is the perfect example of that. With its retro guitar riffs and Bel-La’s signature dreamy vocals, this track is bound to become an instant classic.
I can say it has a classic sound that’s reminiscent of British influences and classic rock bands like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles. The song has a retro pop feel with female vocals and, as mentioned, retro guitar riffs that’ll transport you to another time and place.
This is her first single on Spotify, so let’s support her. Watch her music video, check it out for yourself on Spotify and follow Bel-La to keep up with her latest releases!
3) PAUL MAGED – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
If you’re looking for a new music experience, look no further than PAUL MAGED‘s single Everything’s Gonna Be Alright. This is the kind of song that will make you feel like you’re having a blast at a party—but even better than that, it’ll make you feel like it’s your party. It’s got an anthem-like quality, with classic rock influences and US heavy metal influences.
The song is sung by Paul himself, who has a rich and powerful voice that will blow you away. He combines this with lyrics that are both personal and universal—so while they may seem like they’re just about him, they’ll also resonate with anyone who listens to them. The result is a song that sounds like something you’ve heard before but feels fresh and new at the same time.
If this song doesn’t get stuck in your head for days on end—or if it does get stuck there but doesn’t make you feel good about it—we’d be shocked. If rock, this will suit your playlist for sure. Check it out and follow the artist on Spotify.
4) ZACH CHURCHILL – Surrender
ZACH CHURCHILL is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. His new single, “Surrender,” is an easy listening, indie rock song with soft rock and pop influences.
The song opens with a smooth guitar melody that builds into a classic rock sound. It’s got a bit of an 80’s feel to it, but it’s not dated—it feels like it could have been released yesterday.
The lyric is simple, about sentiment and illusion, not cheesy at all. The song seems to be about someone who has had enough of their partner’s bad behaviour and wants to break up.
Churchill sings in a soft tone that makes the lyrics seem vulnerable and honest, which suggests that he is tired of fighting for his relationship—he just wants out. Check it out and follow the artist on Spotify!
5) ROY SHAKKED – Throwback
Throwback by Roy Shakked is an album that will make you feel like you’re at a dance party in the ’60s. The artist has an ear for catchy melodies and an ability to draw the listener in with his voice and guitar playing.
Roy Shakked’s Throwback is a journey through the sounds of classic rock, with influences ranging from soul rock to power pop. The album opens with “Pay On” which instantly sets the tone for what’s to come: catchy beats, groovy guitar riffs, and Roy’s smooth vocals.
The next track is “Emotional” a song about our decision to stop and fade away, or get emotional and feel alive, “maybe that’s what I’m missing” the singer says. It features an amazing division of voices and a great love song melody that is touching.
It all makes you want to dance with your loved one, but also brings you some seriously soulful vocals that’ll make you feel something inside of yourself—even if it makes you feel down or in love, it plays with your emotions anyway.
The other tracks of the album are great too, you can even find folk rock and country references. This guy is amazing! Check it out and follow them on Spotify.
6) C-BEEM – Warriors
C-BEEM‘s single “Warriors” is a perfect blend of alt-rock, and prog rock with nice 80s vibes. With British heavy metal influences, the track is an anthem which may remind you of something from Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. The vocals are soft and soulful, with a hint of rock ‘n’ roll that makes you want to sing along… “We must be warriors”.
The song starts off slowly with piano and synth guitar riffs that build into a more complex melody. The drums are smooth but get up with voice and other instruments—they’ll grow and get your heart racing as you sing along. The chorus has a catchy melody and will be stuck in your head all day long!
Overall, this song is an excellent choice for anyone who loves alt-rock or prog-rock music blended with soft rock. It’s also great for those who love softer pop music with male vocals! Check it out and follow the artist on Spotify!
7) JOSH ALLEN AND THE WHISKY BROTHERS – Yarden Blues
The first thing that struck me about JOSH ALLEN AND THE WHISKY BROTHERS was the classic blend of country rock and rhythm and blues references. It’s not often that you find those influences combined so seamlessly into one song, but JOSH ALLEN AND THE WHISKY BROTHERS do it with ease in Yarden Blues.
The second thing that caught my attention was the singer-songwriter style of writing employed by Josh Allen. His smooth vocals lend themselves perfectly to both the more upbeat parts of the song and its more reflective moments—and he knows how to use them to his advantage.
He’s not afraid to let his voice soar above the music when he needs it to, but he also knows when it would be more appropriate just to allow himself to sit back in a lower register and let his words speak for themselves. It’s just very relaxing listening to it.
This is an artist who is clearly dedicated to his craft, which means there aren’t many people out there who can create old-school songs as good as these ones! You should definitely check out Josh Allen’s work if you’re looking for something new and fresh in your weekly playlist rotation, and follow the artist on Spotify.
8) COOPER CASTELLE – You Were The One
Cooper Castelle‘s new single, You Were The One, is a breath of fresh air. It’s got all the elements of classic 90s rock n roll—melodic pop with a punk rock edge, and it’s definitely one of those songs that you can’t help but wave your head and dance.
“You Were The One” has a strong 90’s and 2000s vibe to it, with Cooper’s vocals sounding like they could have been lifted straight from any number of bands from that decade, think of The Kinks and Arctic Monkeys. And yet, despite their melodic nature, there’s something about his lyrics that feels more modern than retro.
It’s not all melancholy though—the song is actually kind of hopeful! The chorus is catchy as hell and gets stuck in your head after just one listen, which is why we recommend checking out some of Cooper Castelle’s other songs on Spotify and following the artist.
9) MICHELLES – Can We Get A Smile
Michelles‘ new song “Can We Get A Smile” is a wistful, catchy rock tune that will have you singing along before you even realize it. The song is the perfect blend of indie and 60s alternative rock sounds, with Michelles’ sweetly-sung vocals layered over tuneful guitars and a driving drum beat.
Michelles is based in Chicago, IL and has been making music for some time. He’s an alternative rock artist with a classic sound that feels like it could have come straight out of the ’60s or ’70s.
As a whole, the lyrics of the song are honest, emotional, and not overly sentimental. As a matter of fact, it is basically a love song, a ballad that is not only romantic but also reflexive or inducing down emotions as well.
If you’re looking for some new tunes to listen to while you’re on the go, we highly recommend checking out “Can We Get A Smile” on Spotify and following the artist to support his art!
10) 1ST BASE RUNNER – Light Roars
If you’re looking for some new alternative rock, indie rock, and shoegaze music to add to your Spotify playlist, I have the perfect suggestion for you: Light Roars by 1ST BASE RUNNER.
The 5-track EP is a mixture of post-punk, dream pop, and alt-rock that will leave you feeling dreamy yet energized. The band is from Austin, TX and their sound can be defined as a nostalgic 80’s dark wave, and as defined by the artist, an array of analogue synthesizers to create powerful songs that carry the weight of raw emotion and hard-won wisdom.
The EP kicks off with “In The Beginning”, a track that showcases the band’s ability to blend dreaminess with powerful vocals and guitar riffs without getting too heavy or too soft.
My favourite track is “Dead Wood”, I really enjoy how well they incorporate electronic elements into their music without it sounding too forced or overproduced—it really adds another dimension to their sound, which you should try. Check it out and follow the artist on Spotify!