We’ve tried to offer a bit of “something for everyone” in this article. So check out some sick indie rock music you might have missed if you’re an underground music fan.
Summer is almost over, and a new school year is on the horizon. As we buckle down to finish our last few weeks of freedom before classes start, it’s only natural that we should look back on all the great music that inspired us during the summer.
As a music lover, finding great music released by independent artists is like stumbling across a gold mine. It’s also like hunting down diamonds in the rough — and I love that feeling.
Choosing which indie rock bands to feature wasn’t easy, but we eventually broke it down to these ten for your enjoyment.
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 – Beyond The Blue Sky
The latest single from the indie rock band CHAPELL, “Beyond The Blue Sky,” is a perfect example of how good music can come from anywhere, what I just love is the mix of cultures and genres.
The band is based in New York, but they have a sound that’s so distinctly ’80s rock. It’s got that classic sound that you’d expect to hear on the radio stations of yesteryear—but it’s also got some ’90s vibes that bring it into modern times, making it perfect for anyone who’s looking for a nostalgic throwback with a modern twist.
It’s a pop rock by nature, so if you’re looking for an artist who can take you back to what music used to be like, CHAPELL will make sure you get exactly what you want. Check it out, visit their website and follow them on Spotify!
2) THE FREIGHT – Overrated
It’s been a while since I’ve heard an indie rock song as catchy and upbeat as “Overrated”, by The Freight. The song “Overrated” is a classic anthem in the vein of Smashing Pumpkins or Live, with an alt-rock sound that’s sure to get you grooving.
The track has that classic sound but also a modern feel that I love so much—a rich bass line, an anthemic chorus, and heavy guitar riffs. It’s the perfect track to put on when you’re feeling down in the dumps because it will make you feel better instantly, besides a little melancholy in the lyrics.
The Freight is a band from Pembroke, United States. They have been around for some years and their portfolio is worth your attention.
If you like what you hear on Spotify, follow the band and check out The Freight’s website for more information about them and their music!
3) THE MOTOR TRADE – Sometimes EP
It’s no secret that the UK is a hotbed of indie rock talent. The Motor Trade is just one of many bands pushing the boundaries of what we expect from alternative music.
In their new EP, Sometimes, The Motor Trade combines elements of alt-rock, indie melodic pop rock and singer-songwriter styles to create a sound that is as unique as it is catchy.
Their lead singer’s voice is rich and emotive, and his lyrics are thoughtful and introspective. We thought his voice was amazing, we just loved it! This track called We Are Floating is a good sample of what they do.
Listening to this song makes you feel like you’re listening to something special like they’re singing for you. You should check it out and follow them on Spotify!
4) SLAY POSITIVE – Mind Control
SLAY POSITIVE‘s new single, Mind Control, is a hard-hitting rock n’ roll track that will get you moving. The band is based in Atlanta, and this song is the perfect blend of alternative rock and grunge with a splash of noise rock and rap.
Mind Control has an industrial metal feel that makes you want to turn it up as loud as possible—but if you’re at work or around people who aren’t into your music tastes, we suggest you listen to it in your headphones while walking around town, as this one is pure industrial noise!
The vocals are really repetitive on this track; they’re deep and melodic but also angry enough to keep things interesting.
If you enjoy grunge and noise rock, we recommend checking out SLAY POSITIVE, watching their music video and following them on Spotify!
5) EVERYTHING BUT THE EVERYTHING – A & B Sides Vol 1
If you’ve been waiting for a new album from your favourite ’80s rock band, then you’re in luck. The Oakland-based band EVERYTHING BUT THE EVERYTHING has just released their first EP: A & B Sides Vol 1.
The EP is a partnership with Adam Brookes and contains two tracks, “Open Your Mind” and “We Want More”. Both songs are reminiscent of the pop music that dominated radio waves during the 1980s, with an updated sound that will keep you dancing all night long.
There’s also something for everyone here—whether you’re a fan of pop or alternative rock, you’ll find something to love on this album.
Now that they’ve finally released their EP, we can’t wait to see what else they have in store. Check it out, visit their website and follow the artists on Spotify!
6) THE DEAD BLUES CLUB – Vol. 1
If you’re looking for an album that’s got just the right balance of rock, post-punk, psych, and blues, look no further than The Dead Blues Club‘s new album, Vol. 1. It’s a must-listen project, for sure!
The nine-track album features songs like “The Bridge” which has a slow-moving rhythm and blues vibe that’s perfect for relaxing after a long day.
But it also has tracks like “FIRE” and “Cosmonaut”, which are more upbeat and energetic, making them perfect for dancing or getting pumped up before a big game or fun night. We crazily loved this second suggestion, but we recommend listening to the full album, all tracks together are what makes it a full experience.
Whether you’re looking for something mellow or more upbeat, The Dead Blues Club has got you covered. Check out their new album, visit their website today and follow the band on Spotify!
7) THE MARGARET HOOLIGANS – Fat Tongue
The Margaret Hooligans are an indie rock band from the United States, Bala Cynwyd, who have just released a single called “Fat Tongue”.
The song is a perfect example of what we like to call “garage rock,” which is basically a catch-all term for any kind of rock music that doesn’t fit into one of the more specific genres. There’s something different about this one because they added a LoFi vibe to it.
The Margaret Hooligans’ sound is grunge-inspired, with crunchy guitar riffs and strong bass lines. But at the same time, they have a punk edge to them—they’re not afraid of making mistakes or just playing whatever comes out at the moment. Their music is raw and real, and it’s refreshing to hear female vocals in this style of music.
Visit their website and check out “Fat Tongue” on Spotify and follow them to stay updated on all things Margaret Hooligans!
8) VOODOO BLOO – The Blessed Ghost
It’s always a good time to get nostalgic for the music of your youth, but VOODOO BLOO just made it easier than ever with their new album The Blessed Ghost.
The 12-track record is a mix of 80’s rock and 90’s grunge, but with a modern twist that makes it sound fresh and exciting. In the first track, The Blessed Ghost (Younger Then), it is even possible for you to hear one of the members declaring the official break through the teen years and into adulthood.
It’s followed by a kind of “continuation song” entitled The Blessed Ghost (Older Now). There are 11 more tracks you’ll have to discover. But they’re all great, and there’s a story behind each track that you can follow together, in the context of the album as a whole. The producers from PopHits.Co described their project as “a work done by boys with old-school rockstar quality”.
The songs are reminiscent of bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains, but also have some post-punk influence, similar to bands like Joy Division. The track Ritalin is a good example of the diversity of genres. It’s got an anthemic feel that will make you want to sing along (or scream) with every track!
If you’re looking for something to soundtrack your next road trip or just want to relive your glory days, this is the album for you, check it out, visit their website and follow the band on Spotify!
9) DOLL RIOT – Doll Riot
DOLL RIOT‘s new EP, entitled Doll Riot is a 3-track trip back to that time in the 90s when grunge and garage bands ruled the airwaves. The band is based in Oceanside, California—so you know they’ve got some serious US rock influences. These girls are the diamond of our playlist, what an incredible sound they delivered.
The EP kicks off with “300 years”, an awesome track with female vocals and a more alternative sound. The second song on the album, “Paresthesia”, has a more hard-hitting punk rock feel to it, while track three, “Fuck You”, slows things down again as it builds up to an epic climax.
If you’re looking for some nostalgia or just want to hear something new from a female-fronted indie rock band that sounds like it is the soundtrack of the most famous TV series—hello Netflix, HBO, Warner Bros, let’s check it out!
Listen to DOLL RIOT’s new EP “Doll Riot”, visit the band’s portfolio, try out their full project and follow them on Spotify to support their amazing work. They really deserve it!
10) IZAMANYA – Next
IZAMANYA’s new EP, Next, is a 4-track journey through alternative rock, hard rock, and heavy metal. The Swiss band is known for their female vocals and the way they seamlessly blend rhythm and blues with rock n roll to create anthemic songs that are sure to get your head banging.
The EP kicks off with “Back To Life”, which starts with a powerful guitar riff before launching into a full-on rock song complete with crunchy guitars and driving drums. Both the lyrics and music are fast-paced but still catchy enough to keep you engaged throughout the whole track.
The second track, “I Still Believe” starts off with an explosive guitar, goes slow but quickly builds up into something much more powerful. This song showcases IZAMANYA’s ability to create hits that will give you goosebumps while still keeping you engaged throughout the entire song. It also features some of the best guitar work on the EP!
Next up and going to the end, there is “Bean Me Over”, which has a very different sound than all of the other tracks on this EP—it’s much slower than anything else on here and has more of an acoustic vibe, like rhythm and blues.
This release was described by the producers from PopHits.Co as “A collection of the best heavy metal tracks from the last month that you will not want to miss!”, which is a confirmation of its quality. We highly recommend you check it out, visit their website and follow the artist on Spotify.
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