Indie bands come in all forms, with each possessing its own sound. Tame Impala adds psychedelic influences into alternative indie rock while Vampire Weekend blends classical influences with pop music.
Automatic’s sparse post-punk melodies offer an old school charm while Kyle Thomas of King Tuff offers glamorous rock.
1. Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice first emerged onto the scene through blogs and radio hype in 2015 with their debut album My Love is Cool, earning them their debut Mercury Prize and becoming one of the UK’s leading bands. Two albums later they achieved even greater heights with Visions of a Life showing further development and potential, cementing themselves as one of guitar music’s bright future.
Wolf Alice are not simply known for their quirky wordplay; their name encapsulates their distinctive sound. Comprised of Ellie Rowsell (vocals and guitar), Joff Oddie (guitar), Joel Amey (drums), and Theo Ellis (bass), Wolf Alice offer an unforgettable sound that defies easy categorisation – ranging from alternative rock, folk, grunge with classic rock influences as well as Casio choir addition for added drama on “Feeling Myself”, to Nirvana-esque explosive guitar riffs on “You’re A Germ”.
Rowsell is an unparalleled vocal chameleon; she can switch effortlessly between high notes and screaming her heart out to create an unforgettable sound, instantly recognisable to fans yet hard to emulate.
Wolf Alice create a sound that’s as captivating live as it is on record, in a genre often defined by two extremes – festival headliners who try to test audiences while heritage acts lean on back catalogue. They guarantee singalong fun at any show they perform, with its confident swagger making it one of the most exciting live acts around and producer Markus Dravs adding depth and weight to songs which have already become hits.
2. The Strokes
The Strokes have long been recognized as pioneers of an exciting new era in rock, and as successors of Velvet Underground. When they arrived on the scene with their signature sound of effortless cool, Is This It was their debut record. Delivering catchy urban adolescence songs that anyone could relate to, their unique sound combined classic influences as well as contemporary influences for something unlike anything before it. Now with their fifth record The New Abnormal they have managed to come through once more; many still find this an outstanding release!
The album features a great flow; all the songs share a similar soundscape but each have their own individual charm. High peaks and riveting lows create an engaging listening experience and the guitar riffs are more intense than before, complementing Julian Casablancas’ high pitched falsetto nicely.
Lyrically, The Strokes seem to have matured as artists; their lyrics no longer shy away from dark and humorous themes which makes this album all the more enjoyable. Their themes are pretty universal so almost anyone should be able to connect with these songs, further adding to its enjoyment. Overall this album from The Strokes is outstanding – possibly their finest since First Impressions of Truth; I highly recommend it for fans of alternative indie.
3. The War on Drugs
Adam Granduciel’s band’s 2017 Grammy-winner A Deeper Understanding is an extraordinary and daring release. While The War on Drugs may fit the rock ‘n’ roll stereotype with their flailing locks and plaid shirts, they never succumb to its trappings – nor are they retromaniac evil geniuses plotting an assault on stadium circuits; rather they simply know how to play rock music well and enjoy doing it!
The War on Drugs have made a smart move by releasing two live albums so quickly after 2017’s A Deeper Understanding, reinforcing their group identity while also drawing attention to interlocking rhythms that contribute to their swooning Heartland core songs. Granduciel’s solos no longer feel like minute-long shred sessions but rather build tension through sixteenth note guitar strumming and syncopated bass drumming before ending in an instantly memorable hooky keyboard line drenched in reverb.
This approach gives the band the added benefit of showcasing its extraordinary range. Even during more delicate moments like “Living Proof,” their sound cannot help but resonate. Their live shows have always been magnificent, and this performance at O2 didn’t disappoint either despite post-show torrential downpours which failed to dampen crowd enthusiasm. While A Deeper Understanding material dominated much of their set list it still proved an impactful performance!
4. Red Weather
Alternative indie music tends to be less commercially driven and more experimental, drawing inspiration from 1980s punk sensibilities of do-it-yourself (DIY). Many bands that label themselves indie don’t perform on mainstream radio, the standard pinnacle of success for most artists; this has allowed indie bands to gain loyal followings via word of mouth while still earning critical acclaim from critics despite not receiving radio play. Indie artists tend to look for authentic creative expression.
Although indie music has come to be associated with jangly guitars and folk-influenced vocals, its diversity lies within. Since 2010, indie has demonstrated this with acts like The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons performing folk/country, electronic musicians like Four Tet, Caribou, Jamie X and Kendrick Lamar as well as hip-hop acts such as Frank Ocean. Many indie artists also contribute to emo movements which combine elements of rock/pop with an emotional undercurrent.
Indie music has long been known for experimenting with various styles and sounds. Post-punk bands like Lush and My Bloody Valentine were pioneering post-punk acts experimenting with their sound; while indie-pop artists such as Bon Iver, The Vaccines, and Camera Obscura are known for creating mesmerizing melodies and dreamlike lyrics.
Alternative and indie music share many similarities, yet both genres possess distinct traits that set them apart from mainstream music. Indie’s rising popularity demonstrates this; many young people today desire an artform free from commercialization restrictions and seeking authentic artistic expression through this form.
5. Nation of Language
Nation of Language are masters at creating sounds reminiscent of the ’80s, offering both nostalgic and melancholic sounds in their albums ‘Introduction, Presence’ and ‘A Way Forward.’ But with their third record ‘Strange Disciple,’ produced by Nick Millhiser who also worked with LCD Soundsystem and Holy Ghost!, Nation have expanded their vision yet further by merging old with new.
Synth-heavy tracks like ‘Friend Machine’ and ‘Sole Obsession’ capture the feel of an audio time capsule without succumbing to pastiche. Aidan Noell’s spine-tingling synth solos add the perfect dose of nostalgia while Alex MacKay’s jittery basslines give Nation of Language its signature modern sound.
But their most outstanding achievement lies in combining nostalgic appeal with an understanding of today’s problems. Songs like ‘The Grey Commute’ and ‘A Glittering Ode to Conflicted Ambition’ serve as warnings against unbridled capitalism without being overtly preachy or condemnatory.
Nation of Language have achieved unprecedented success thanks to a relentless touring schedule and their new material, becoming one of the must-see live acts. They continue to draw crowds worldwide at concerts and festivals alike; whether you want to celebrate, mourn, find yourself or lose yourself; their music provides the space and opportunity for just that – just sit back, crank up ‘Strange Disciple’, and embark on your own musical adventure – you won’t be sorry!