Indie rock music is all over the place. It’s at the heart of everything many people do today such as casual gaming, socializing, and other forms of expressing themselves.
Indie rock artists these days have differing styles from folk rock to indie pop which allows them to appeal to a variety of tastes. This article will provide details about ten bands whose time deserves to be updated on your playlist.
In my position as an ardent fan of indie rock music, it is my mission to find artists who aren’t receiving the same level of attention from you as mainstream artists are getting from the mass media.
You’re probably wondering why on earth you need to add more songs to your playlist. Surely you’ve already spent enough hours and hours creating the ultimate set of songs that are “just right”.
But wait! How many of those songs are actually from 2022? And which of these 2022 releases has a unique and engaging sound that hints at the breakthrough potential in 2023? The answer is zero because you haven’t updated your playlist since it was last made mandatory for you by the DJ at your local bar.
Wake up and let’s dig the web to find the golden indie rock music. You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) JANE N’ THE JUNGLE METAL GHOST
Jane N’ The Jungle is a new indie rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. They released their debut single “Metal Ghost” last month, and it’s been getting some attention.
They describe their sound as grunge-influenced hard rock, with singer-songwriter elements and classic rock overtones. It’s the kind of music that sounds like it would fit right into an 80s movie soundtrack—with a dash of modern alternative rock mixed in.
The female vocals are particularly impressive: they’re gritty and powerful, but also have an almost angelic quality that makes them catchy and memorable.
If you’re looking for something fresh and different in your playlist (and maybe also a little nostalgic), check out “Metal Ghost” by Jane N’ The Jungle! Visit their website and follow the band on Spotify.
2) GLENARVON – Idle Thrashing
The New York City-based rock band GLENARVON just released their 10-track album Idle Thrashing last month. The album is a mix of alt-rock, pop rock, and soft rock that will have you singing along to the catchy riffs and melodies.
The band’s music draws inspiration from US rock culture, with influences from 90’s bands like RUSH and PEARL JAM. The songs are melodic pop-rock anthems with classic sounds reminiscent of bands like U2.
“Don’t Ask For Too Much, Dear” is one of our favourite tracks, and it reminds me of Red Hot Chili Peppers. It has some rebellious elements musically, but at the same time, it is an emotional song.
If you’re looking for some new music to listen to this fall or winter, check out Idle Thrashing by GLENARVON! Visit their website and follow them on Spotify.
3) HIGGS FIELD – Leader In The Eye
If you’re looking for a new hard rock band to add to your playlist, look no further than HIGGS FIELD.
Their latest single “Leader In The Eye” is an anthemic rock n roll track with a hint of psychedelic influence and an overall feel-good vibe that’s sure to make you want to get up and dance.
The band hails from Mount Gambier, Australia and they’re known for incorporating elements of grunge, stoner rock, metal, post-metal, prog rock and even alternative rock into their sound.
The band’s style is similar to bands like Failure, Queens Of The Stone Age, Soundgarden and Tool.
You can check out their latest single “Leader In The Eye” on Spotify now, visit their website for more information about upcoming shows near you, and follow them!
4) ROBBIE RAPIDS – Rock Ain’t Dead
The ’80s are back and they’re better than ever. That’s right—rock is alive and well, especially when it comes to Robbie Rapids. They’re a classic rock band with a modern twist, and they’re ready to blow the roof off of your house.
Robbie Rapids‘ single “Rock Ain’t Dead” is everything you want in a classic rock song: upbeat guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and an infectious rhythm that will get stuck in your head for days on end.
It’s the perfect song to play while driving down the highway with the windows down and the wind blowing through your hair (also known as blasting it from your car speakers). We really loved it, it’s melodic and at the same time aggressive. But it’s a positive “aggressive”.
The band is from Atlanta, GA, which means they’ve got some southern flair in their sound as well—you can hear their power when Robbie sings “I wanna rock, rock!” which just makes us want to scream along with him even louder than before!
If these guys aren’t on your radar yet, then it’s time for you to get up to speed—check out their YouTube channel and follow them on their Spotify page today!
5) ABANDON THE FALL – Devours You
We’re excited to announce that Abandon The Fall‘s new single, “Devours You,” is a huge hit!
The band has been around for years, it’s a long journey of rock n roll and they have always had a knack for making rock music that is both alternative and heavy.
Their sound has evolved over time, but they’ve always stayed true to their roots. This song is no exception—it’s catchy and melodic in the best way possible. Not to mention the lead singer’s incredible voice. Wow!
If you’re into hard rock or metal music with a nostalgic feel and lots of energy, this song is definitely worth checking out. It’s got all the hallmarks of traditional US rock culture: edgy guitars, male vocals, anthemic lyrics—it’ll transport you back to the early 2000s without fail.
Plus, we love that Abandon The Fall are proud Texans—they’re based out of Houston! Check it out, visit their YouTube channel and follow the band on Spotify.
6) HANGTIME – Spwn-kill
HANGTIME is an eclectic band that incorporates elements of dark wave, emo-rock, electronic, glitch, industrial, trip-hop and techno. The artist’s latest EP Spwn-kill includes two tracks: “Spwn-Kill” and “Reload Yr Heart”.
The first track, “Spwn-Kill,” opens with a melodic piano riff before building into a super edgy piece of dark-wave music. It’s a song about tripping for sure. It’s a different approach to art rock, and experimental, and works as a soundtrack too.
The second track, “Reload Yr Heart”, is more experimental than the first. It starts off with dry drum n bass beats before moving into an industrial soundscape that builds to an electronic climax. This track explores themes of emotions and feelings through an electronic lens.
This is what we can call a robotic rock, it’s full of electronic effects, so it’s fair to say that it represents the result of a technological experiment that lead to this rock instrument style. So, if you are curious about experimental music, check it out, visit their SoundCloud and follow the band on Spotify.
7) EMMA HUNTER – Love Is Not A Choice
EMMA HUNTER is back with a new single and the accompanying video, Love Is Not A Choice. This track is a perfect example of why we love her music: she’s an alt-rock artist who blends Flamenco, Latin folk and indie rock sounds with cinematic elements and dark wave undertones.
Her voice is truly unique—it’s deep and powerful but also soft and vulnerable in some verses—and she uses it to craft songs that are full of emotion and meaning.
The video for Love Is Not A Choice is also beautiful; it depicts a woman leaving her home behind to follow her heart, which makes sense considering the song’s lyrics which aim to stand up for anyone afraid to be themselves, to stand up for the right to love without fear or judgement. LGBTQIA+ rules!
If you’re looking for something different than pop or hip-hop this summer, like a rocky flamenco, check out EMMA HUNTER on Spotify, follow her and visit her website; she has plenty more songs waiting for you!
8) THE MARGARET HOOLIGANS – Pete And Roger
The Margaret Hooligans are a Philadelphia-based band with a sound that’s hard to pin down. They’re an indie rock group, but they also have elements of alternative rock, garage rock, hard rock, and even a little bit of pop.
They’re not afraid to experiment with their sound, either—their single “Pete And Roger” has an experimental vibe that’s unique to the band and their musical style. The LOFI aspect is present and is part of the plan.
Their songs have a distinctly female vocalist take on pop music, but the rock tunes are usually complemented by a male vocalist. The combination makes for some really interesting music that I lose myself listening to it.
If you’re looking for something more experimental rock to listen to or if you like any of the aspects I mentioned above (or even if you don’t), check out “Pete And Roger” by The Margaret Hooligans right now. You’ll probably end up liking what you hear! Visit their website and follow them on Spotify.
9) DIONNE STURDY-CLOW – No Way
DIONNE STURDY-CLOW is a singer-songwriter from Haywood, United Kingdom. Her single No Way is an acoustic rock song about being in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way about you.
The song has an anthem-like quality to it as if it could be played at a celebration or graduation. The lyrics are relatable and easy to sing along with.
The music video for No Way was shot in North England, giving it a very British feel that leaves us wanting more. Dionne’s style of music is hard to classify because she mixes several genres together: alt-folk, folk pop, folk rock, and acoustic rock.
We really enjoyed the presence of countryside culture, the mix of folk and a modern style, which was a good take on countryside culture. In my opinion, the formula with the music video included worked very well.
Dionne’s voice is strong and clear, making her songs perfect for singing along with—especially this one! We suggest checking out Dionne’s website and following her on Spotify so you don’t miss any new releases!
10) THE DISARMED – What We Leave
The Disarmed is an alt-rock band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The group has released a new album, “What We Leave,” that brings back that classic 90’s rock sound we all love.
The Disarmed is inspired by the era of grunge, hard rock, and metal music that dominated the airwaves in the 1990s. We notice their influences include bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and Nirvana.
Their latest project, an emotional explosive 9-track album, is a perfect example of what makes this band so great: powerful vocals paired with heavy guitar riffs and drums. It’s an anthem for anyone who loves that nostalgic sound! As we listen to their sound, it makes us feel as if we are superheroes.
Live performances by this band must be amazing, so I am eager to see their performance, which I am sure will be filled with a lot of energy, as we can feel the emotion of this amazing lead singer through earphones, so you can imagine what it would be like performing live.
Check out their BandCamp, and follow them on Spotify to keep up with all the latest news about this talented band!
About Author
