You might’ve heard of the indie rock scene in the U.S., but what about the rest of the world? Indie and alt-rock bands are growing faster than ever, and there are plenty of new music releases to keep up with.
Have you ever been at a party or event and wanted to play some music but had no idea what to play? Or maybe you’re trying to find new music that fits your taste but don’t want to spend hours searching through YouTube or SoundCloud. Well, with this playlist of new releases from our favourite independent artists, we’ve got you covered!
The Indie Rock Scene is a thriving community of artists, bands, and music fans who are dedicated to the support of independent music.
Whether you’re looking for a new playlist to listen to or want to get your hands on some great new releases by independent artists, we have you covered.
The following playlist contains some of the best indie rock and alt-pop rock music released by independent artists. This list represents the best of what our community has to offer this year—from fresh takes on classic genres to brand-new sounds that will take your breath away.
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) J. I. GASSEN – Banana Yellow Clouds
J. I. Gassen is a singer-songwriter from Spokane, Washington. He’s part of the alt-folk scene and also has a taste for psychedelic sounds.
As a multi-instrumentalist creating music as a means of processing emotion in uncertain times, J. Gassen is a multi-instrumentalist creating music as a means of processing emotion in uncertain times through the use of his own instruments.
When it comes to bedroom indie music, psychedelic pop music, and other genres, he takes a thoughtful approach to writing, engineering, and producing his music.
“Banana yellow clouds” is the artist’s latest release. The track is based around what Gassen describes as the “theme of looking to the universe for answers when I found that my individual wisdom was seemingly far inferior,” Gassen explains.
“I found peace in the joy of going on long walks, kicking around creative ideas, vibing with squirrels, and soaking in the natural world and trying to listen for what struck me in my experience of it.”
If you’re interested in checking out more of ‘s music, visit his website, or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
2) JOE BYGRAVES – Someone Else
If you’re looking for a new artist to add to your playlist, look no further than Joe Bygraves. His single Someone Else has the perfect mix of indie pop and rock that will be sure to catch on in no time.
The 27-year-old singer-songwriter Joe Bygraves is originally from Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom. On the local music scene, he has established himself as one of the most promising artists due to his soft guitar style and catchy lyrics.
There is something magical about the new single, “Someone Else”. The track combines anthemic guitar and soaring vocals to create a moody, yet memorable ballad. In addition to BBC Introducing East, the track has already seen some preview airtime on Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing West.
You can tell by listening to his music that he has a lot of soul behind it—it’s not just something he puts out there just because he likes it. He’s got something real going on here, so check out his website or follow him on Spotify if you want more!
3) DELTAWELLE – Repetition
DELTAWELLE is a new wave, funk, groove-infused rock pop band from Germany. The group has been making waves in the music scene across Europe and the United States with their energetic songs and high-quality production.
The song “Repetition” is a great introduction to DELTAWELLE’s sound: it combines the catchiest synth lines with DELTAWELLE’s signature smooth vocals and funky beats. Their single also showcases their ability to write infectious music that’s going to get stuck in your head for days on end.
The vocals are strong and powerful but also soothing at times as well as soulful; this adds to the overall vibe of the song which makes it more enjoyable as well as interesting to listen to over and over again!
If you’re looking for an indie rock band with a funky groove sound then DEWELLE might just be what you’re looking for! Check them out on Spotify or visit their website!
4) CEILI RAIN – Crash This Gate
When it comes to the music of Ceili Rain, you can’t miss it. The Syracuse-based indie rock band has been making headlines in the indie music scene.
Their newest album, Crash This Gate, is a powerhouse of folk rock, classic rock, and melodic pop rock that will keep you coming back for more.
The leader/singer/songwriter Bob Halligan Jr has written over 1,100 songs, over 200 of which have been recorded by celebrities such as Cher, Michael Bolton, KISS, Judas Priest, Joan Jett, Blue Oyster Cult, Night Ranger, Kathy Mattea and many others, with over 30 million units sold and 9 records that have gone GOLD or PLATINUM.
With its upbeat mix of Beatles-style rock and Celtic flavours, Ceili Rain’s 9th studio album is an upbeat mix of pop-rock and jazz. Children from the age of three to elder at age 93 can have fun with this song.
I highly recommend checking out her website for more info about the artist and links to buy their music or follow her Spotify.
5) RYAN PALMA – Bedroom Noise
Ryan Palma is an independent artist from San Jose, California. His most recent single, “Bedroom Noise,” has been receiving amazing reviews from critics and fans alike. We think this song is the perfect blend of indie pop and rock with a dash of emo
The smooth vocals of Ryan Palma are showcased on “Bedroom Noise” as they effortlessly weave their way through the instrumentation, creating a memorable and hypnotic experience for the listener.
As each release gains him more recognition and praise, the young artist’s unique sound and style continue to make waves in the music scene, with each release gaining him more recognition and praise from the music community.
If you’re looking for something to play while hanging out with friends or driving around town, this is it. It’s also great for listening in the background while working on homework or studying for exams.
I would recommend this song if you like indie pop music or emo rock music. You can find more information about the artist on their website or follow them on Spotify so that you don’t miss any updates!
6) SALLY CROSBY – Talk (Let’s Not)
Sally Crosby is a singer-songwriter based in the United Kingdom. Her sound is a classic melodic pop-rock sound that is sure to please even the most discerning of ears.
Despite the fact that she isn’t a prolific writer, she is serious about the music she is making. The dream she has is to be able to support herself financially with the music she makes. This has been her dream for quite some time now. She has been putting out music since 2013 so it has been over a decade.
Her style can be described as acoustic pop rock with strong influences from classic rock and other genres like soft rock and indie melodic pop rock.
Sally Crosby’s music is very accessible and easy to listen to, yet it still has an edge that makes it stand out from other artists in the same genre.
I would describe it as acoustic indie rock with classic influences and female vocals. If you’re looking for something new but familiar, Sally Crosby might just be what you’re looking for!
If you’re looking for some new music that will make you feel good without being too heavy on lyrics or instruments, check out Sally Crosby’s website or follow her on Spotify!
7) CHARLIE STEADY – Hello Are You Ready?/Tragedy And Comedy
The singer-songwriter Charlie Steady is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who’s been performing as a bassist and backing vocalist for multiple bands in his hometown before starting to pursue his solo career with an emphasis on narrative-driven music.
After playing in numerous groups, Charlie Steady started to develop his own style of music.
The sixth and final A/B single from Charlie Steady’s 2nd full-length album, Magpie, is a dynamic and exciting mix of the two songs, “Hello, Are You Ready?” and “Tragedy and Comedy”.
His latest single, “Hello Are You Ready?/Tragedy And Comedy,” is an example of what happens when you have a songwriting talent like Charlie Steady: you get a song that is both dreamy and dramatic.
There is a concept record behind both the single and the subsequent album which tells the story of Magpie, the main character of the album, as he journeys to become a musical star in the city; this is supposed to be the place where all artists’ dreams of fame and fortune come true.
There are very few artists like Charlie Steady. And if you’re looking for something new and different, then check out his website and give him a follow on Spotify!
8) RED BIRD RISING – My Revolution (feat. Taras Kuznetzov)
RED BIRD RISING is a Colombian alternative rock band. They have a sound reminiscent of the classic rock bands of the 70s, but with a modern edge.
In order for a song to be great, it must be motivated by an urgent need, and Diedrich Donald Weis, a musician, songwriter and producer, under the musical alias RED BIRD RISING, was motivated by this urgent need in order to create a song called “My Revolution”.
The song “My Revolution” is both a profound anti-war statement as well as a profound love song. “My Revolution” has been a remarkable undertaking and a community effort that features a wide range of musical instruments and collaborators, including Ukrainian husband and wife Taras Kuznetsov on lead vocals and Ana Pshokina on bass.
“My Revolution” is a super edgy banger with an old-school sound. It has an AOR vibe to it, but it also has some soul rock and classic rock elements that make it really unique. The guitar riff is super catchy, and the vocals are smooth
The band seems to be very active as well—you can follow them on Spotify and check out their YouTube!
9) TEENIEST – Hold On Till Dawn
Teeniest is an alt-pop rock band from New York City. They recently released their single, “Hold On Till Dawn,” and it’s got a classic sound to it.
In spite of its female-fronted indie rock nature, this song is high energy and dynamic in its sonic range, containing equal measures of darkness and triumph, propelled by electric guitars and rousing vocals, all while maintaining an intentionally not overproduced, DIY vibe.
The vocals are smooth and confident—the singer has a great voice for this kind of song. The chorus has some harmony in it, which adds another layer to the sound.
This is an easy listen that will appeal to fans of classic rock as well as those who like softer sounds like pop or alternative rock. It’s also perfect for anyone who wants some new music to put on while driving around town or relaxing at home after work.
If you want more information about this amazing band, visit their official website and follow them on Spotify!
10) AMONG THE MASSES – Wrong Turn
It is no surprise that AMONG THE MASSES hail from Sweden, as they embody the country’s heritage of well-crafted music. In addition to their mutual love for guitar-based bands such as Radiohead, Pink Floyd and Television, the band’s members also shared a love for masters of the darkness such as Depeche Mode and The Cure, and a love of guitar-based bands.
They have released a single called “Wrong Turn”, which is an upbeat electronic pop song that has been described as “catchy” by critics who have listened to the song.
They also combine elements of new wave and rock with nostalgic elements from the Eighties and new wave.
There is no doubt that Andreas Ahlenius, affectionately known as the band’s fifth member, is the band’s secret weapon. He has won gold and platinum awards for his work as a producer.
If you want to hear more songs by Among The Masses, visit their website or follow them on Spotify.