Alternative indie music is a genre that embraces unconventional ideas. Its distinctive sound is an artistic form.
Silversun Pickups’ mellifluous interplay of layered guitars creates a melodic indie rock anthem with emotional honesty from Phoebe Bridgers about her failed relationship.
You Oughta Know by Jagged Little Pill
Indie music has long been filled with songs about love and heartbreak, yet only a select few truly capture that deep burning anger that ensues following an intimate break-up. Alanis Morissette’s 1995 album Jagged Little Pill and its lead single You Oughta Know revolutionized confessional honesty through hard rock influenced lyrics rebuking former lovers – inspiring generations of female singer-songwriters whose style still endures today.
This song serves as an anthem for reclaiming one’s power after a relationship has come to an end, and has been covered by various bands. PJ Harvey’s signature punk vocal delivery and crushing guitar work give this track its powerful and seductive energy; making it one of the most indie rock tracks ever.
“Lean Into Life” by Delta Spirit may come as a shock, yet its simplicity belies its immense effect on indie music. Delta Spirit’s unique blend of emo and electronica is earnest without becoming maudlin; while its chorus will have you rooting for yourself.
Mac Demarco stands out with an inimitable tone on his guitar that distinguishes him from all others in his field. His ability to evoke feelings such as anger and confusion on songs such as “Kyoto” has become an indie rock anthem, while also providing an example of his skill at using simple melodies and catchy drum beats to make complex subjects accessible for the average listener – an approach characteristic of indie music itself.
Mr. Brightside by The White Stripes
Mr. Brightside stands the test of time as one of the greatest rock songs ever written, featuring lyrics about jealousy. From being used on TikTok or used as meme material to its lengthy chart run (260 non-consecutive weeks since its re-release in 2004), it remains iconic and one of the songs everyone can agree on as timeless classics.
Brandon Flowers of The Killers has explained to Q Magazine that their song, titled ‘This Song Is About…,’ was inspired by a real-life girlfriend he once had who betrayed him at a pub in their hometown of Las Vegas. According to him, he wrote it shortly after she abandoned him when he was 19 or 20. Lead-guitarist Dave Keuning plays arpeggios and full chords alternatingly over the beat for greater depth and texture in this composition.
This track is an exceptional example of how indie music can combine simplicity with complexity to produce something truly distinctive. Beyond offering catchy melodies and dance beats, the band adds another dimension by way of chime noises and synths for depth to their song – something sure to be played at many rock concerts today!
Spoon was originally an offshoot of Pavement’s music, but flourished into their own in the ’00s with their distinct blend of rock and soul rhythms. Their hit I Feel It All perfectly captures their sound: soft guitar distortion combined with gentle tonality create an intimate yet vulnerable atmosphere in their soundscape.
Jesus Christ by Brand New
Brand New’s “Jesus Christ,” an indie rock song that captures youth anxieties and doubts, explores faith and belief systems. Its lyrics draw on classic depictions of Jesus in religious art to examine how aesthetic representations may sway perceptions of spirituality; it addresses its speaker’s lack of faith in traditional religion while conveying their feelings of abandonment and loneliness while calling out for signs that someone understands them.
This track is an exceptional example of indie pop at its finest. With harmonies that recall Mazzy Star and Stone Roses, this song creates a dreamy indie rock song sure to please fans of indie music. Additionally, this track boasts an iconic guitar riff and memorable melodies making this an extremely popular indie track of all time.
With their album opener, the band made clear their intention to elevate their sound. The production is complex yet accessible, while delicate yet powerful vocals shine bright. This song catapulted indie rock onto a global stage.
Mac DeMarco is known for his energetic live shows where he drinks beer and smokes cigarettes with abandon – becoming an internationally recognized name through hard work, this catchy indie rock song and its public radio-friendly indie rock sound, mixed with Mary Chapin Carpenter or Maria McKee-style alt country elements.
Mike Hadreas of Perfume Genius is an indie-pop genius, turning his project into a critically acclaimed indie darling with this deep cut from Perfume Genius. It explores feelings of isolation and anxiety associated with being gay in America before turning them into a powerful anthem of perseverance.
Under the Pressure by The War on Drugs
War on Drugs’ “Under the Pressure” is an iconic example of indie rock’s psychedelic sound. With guitar riffs and synthesizers creating its signature sound, music critics and audiences have both taken notice. Listening to it will allow you to escape into an ocean of dreamy melodies and vocals.
This song explores the relationship between humans and nature. Its lyrics highlight an imbalance of power between humanity and nature – making this an exemplary example of alternative music’s ability to raise awareness for important causes.
My Chemical Romance’s hit “Pretty Pimpin” is another iconic example of alternative indie music. The band draws influence from several indie art forms such as silent films and B-horror movies to craft this catchy track that has quickly become an international favorite among music enthusiasts.
Popular examples of alternative indie music songs include Brand New’s “Jesus Christ,” which utilizes an innovative combination of grunge and pop styles to produce an emotional song about spirituality, relationships, death and the afterlife.
Pavement’s diverse approach to their music made them a beloved indie icon in the ’90s. Their relaxed guitar heroics and comedic vocal delivery makes them appear similar to Kurt Vile; but, they remain their own unique band.
John Leckie of The Fall and Southern Records’ late founder John Loder (The Jesus and Mary Chain, PJ Harvey) have helped shape the sound of alternative indie music by championing bands with more genuine sounds than their mainstream counterparts. Alternative indie is still growing today despite some loss in its initial definition.
New Slang by The Shins
Oh, Inverted World by The Shins was an underrated album when released, but New Slang propelled them into indie stardom. The track found a prominent place in Garden State when Natalie Portman’s character Sam advised Zach Braff that listening to it “will change your life”. From that moment forward, New Slang became the soundtrack for many college romances and The Shins became known worldwide as a result.
This song’s unassuming composition helped ensure its timeless status: Mercer composed New Slang alone in his basement studio before developing it on computer software. However, its success only gained momentum once Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock and Love as Laughter’s Zeke Howard started to spread word of the band through various networks such as Napster users clamoring for its music; Sub Pop Records took note and signed them as part of their Singles Club release program.
At nearly two decades later, “New Slang” remains a fan favourite and this year UK indie pop quartet Porridge Radio released a beautiful rendition for the label’s Singles Club series. Their rendition captures both its earnest spirit and literary depth; furthermore they use offbeat cadences as moments of tension that create an entirely new rendition of this timeless track.
Listen to Porridge Radio’s cover above, or watch their performance at SXSW (including an adorable moment where people were screaming out the name of the song!)