If you don’t know, indie music is in its own category from the mainstream, and most of the songs in this category will surprise you.

It’s typically fewer bands that don’t have millions of dollars of funding, but what they lack in funding and publicity, they make up for with awesome music and higher levels of talent.

Since my last list was Tuneful Indie Rock Songs Playlist to Add To Your Spotify, I thought I would switch it up for a mix of seasons by making this list a larger approach to indie music.

These are 10 indie rock bands (in no particular order) with new songs being released and albums hitting the shelves that you should listen to so you can keep current with what’s happening in the indie music scene.

There are some fantastic rock bands in the indie scene that deserve to be more well known. Being in an indie band and playing music independently is a tough gig, with fame always being just out of reach and available only to those who play it safe and jump on the major label bandwagon.

There is though a loyal group of fans who are dedicated and supportive of Indie music. These loyal followers are the kind of fans who will go to every show of their favourite band’s tour, buy every album as soon as it comes out, and just generally support their favourite bands financially (and emotionally).

So what if I told you that there are ten great rock bands you should be listening to right now? You can listen to our full playlist, or listen to each artist individually by scrolling down the page.

1) HEADFURY – Hideaway (feat. Nicola Mcleod)

It’s always a treat when you find an artist that has the ability to make you feel nostalgic, even though you’ve never heard their music before.

That’s what happened when I discovered Headfury, an alt-rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa. The lead singer’s voice is reminiscent of the classic “emo rock” genre that was popular in the 2000s—but with a fresh twist. It’s hard to place exactly where this band fits into the current music scene—they have elements of emo rock and hard rock, with strong female and male vocals and catchy choruses, but also have a bit of a retro vibe that makes them stand out from other bands in the independent music industry today.

The single Hideaway (featuring Nicola McLeod) is my favourite track on their new album Rebirth, which was released earlier this year. The song starts off with a simple melody on guitar and vocals that build up into something more powerful as it progresses into heavy guitars and drums at its end.

Do you know Evanescence? So they are better than that. It’s definitely one song I would love to listen to on the radio, and I can’t deny that here, at MW3.biz in the UK, the producers keep coming back to it over and over again. Now check it out and follow the band on Spotify.

2) PIZZA CRUNCH – Young Excitement

I’m a big fan of alternative rock and garage rock, so when I heard about PIZZA CRUNCH, a new band based in Glasgow that plays melodic pop-rock with a new wave influence, I was excited to listen.

The first thing that struck me about this band is how much fun they sound like they’re having. The singer has a great voice and he’s clearly having a blast belting out the lyrics. The guitar riffs are tight, and there’s lots of energy in the production.

When we started listening, we felt it was like something we heard before. Then we were hit with a wave of 80s nostalgia as the Scottish band sang about the thrill of being young. This song is reminiscent of The Smiths, but with more modern production and a little bit of surf rock thrown in.

If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting to add to your collection, check out Young Excitement by PIZZA CRUNCH and follow the band on Spotify!

3) RIVAL KARMA – Minds of the Many

RIVAL KARMA, a band based in London, UK, has just released a new single called “Minds of the Many.” It’s definitely worth checking out.

The group’s sound is hard to describe—it’s a little bit alternative rock, a little bit blues, and a little bit grunge—but there’s also something about it that feels very nostalgic. It’s like you’re listening to an old album that you haven’t heard for years but still remember every word of. If you’re into bands like Smashing Pumpkins or Stone Temple Pilots, this might be your jam.

The song itself is very fast-paced, but it doesn’t sacrifice melody—you can dance around to this one while still getting lost in its hypnotic guitar riffs. It’s almost like classic rock meets modern dance music!

And if you like this song, follow Rival Karma on Spotify so you can keep up with their releases!

4) JESSE GROSSI – Push the Hate Aside

Jesse Grossoi is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He’s currently working on his second album and has released a single called “Push the Hate Aside”, which is available on Spotify. His style has been described as alt-rock, indie melodic pop-rock, and alternative pop, and we can say it is featuring great male vocals.

The song starts off with some synth effects intro that builds up to a chorus of Jesse singing over a guitar riff. He has a strong voice that shines through even when he’s singing softly, so it’s nice to see him let loose during the chorus later in the song.

The lyrics are about pushing aside negative thoughts to focus on the good things in life, and they’re delivered by Jesse’s smooth voice in a way that feels very genuine. The production is clean and modern but not overly polished—it sounds like something that could be playing on a mainstream radio station right now.

Overall this track is worth listening to if you’re into indie rock music or want something new for your playlist!

5) THE VONICS – Hypnotic

This one is for all you alt-rockers and rock n rollers out there. Remember that time you were at a party, and the DJ played that song that everyone was dancing to? The one you couldn’t get out of your head for weeks?

That’s what we felt like when we heard “Hypnotic,” the latest single from British indie rock band THE VONICS. We’re not even going to try to describe it for you. Just listen for yourself—you’ll know what we mean.

The Vonics is sure to be right up your alley. The song, “Hypnotic”, has a classic sound that’s reminiscent of bands like The Rolling Stones. What a rocker voice this lead singer has. Seriously… Wow!

The singer from Dudley has a voice that’s as smooth as silk, backed by a band that knows how to rock out in all the right places. If you’re looking for some new music to listen to this week, check out “Hypnotic” on Spotify!

6) SICKPAY – Pureocracy

SICKPAY‘s EP Pureocracy is a little bit of everything. It has the fun, upbeat ska beats of a pop-punk song, the emotional lyrics and male vocals of alternative rock music, and lo-fi guitar riffs that give it an indie rock feel.

It’s a really diverse album with something for everyone—especially if you’re a fan of emotional music with male vocals. The single Devoid is a very good example, which is my favourite track.

The band – which is basically the composer, who is also a producer, drummer and guitarist – is based in Brooklyn, New York and the lead singer has a very distinct voice that sounds like it could be coming from anywhere—but it’s definitely not from your hometown. The band brings something innovative, is alternative rock with some lo-fi guitar music mixed in for good measure, but there is also a pop-punk influence on a few songs—especially “Sick Pay”

If you’re looking for something new to listen to today, check out the EP Pureocracy by SICKPAY! Follow the band on Spotify.

7) DREAM OF A MAN IN A TOP HAT – All Time Is Borrowed Time

If you’re a fan of alternative rock, art rock, psychedelic and synth music and you’re looking for some new songs to add to your playlist, look no further than Dream of a Man in a Top Hat‘s All Time Is Borrowed Time. The single is dreamy and ethereal, with an intriguing mix of vocals that are both soothing and jarring at times. It has a great driving rhythm with lots of layers that keep the song interesting throughout its four minutes.

The band is based in Boston, Massachusetts and the singer’s voice reminds me of what it might sound like if Johnny Cash had been raised by Jim Morrison. His lyrics are straightforward—they don’t require much interpretation.

He sings about how we live our lives as if we’re borrowing time from ourselves, which is something we all can relate to as we try to balance work and life and family.

The band smashed the SubmitHub top ten charts (Experimental rock), and received many positive reviews for their previously released EP and album.

Divide and Conquer magazine wrote:

“Fans of psychedelic music will have a leg up, but this stuff goes far beyond anything I’ve heard in that genre. This is a wild and unique album… an unpolished classic along the lines of Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica or Music To Eat by the Hampton Grease Band.”

This band is definitely worth checking. Check out more songs from this artist on Spotify!

8) COSMIC RIVER – Do You Know What Time It Is?

If you like Alt-Country, Canadian Rock and Rhythmic Blues, then you’ll love Cosmic River.

The band is based in Canada, Winnipeg. Their new single Do You Know What Time It Is? is a great example of their style: Classic Rock with a Folk-Rock twist.

The singer has a deep, rich voice that really shines when singing the song’s chorus. In my opinion, his vocals are great: he has a classic rock voice that works well with this kind of music. His voice reminds me of some of the best singers from the classic rock and folk era.

“This is a song I wrote back in 2020 in the midst of a lot of political turmoil. At its heart this is a protest song that speaks on many different injustices, with a focus on the injustices done to my people (indigenous folks). It has been tough for me to put it in a genre, but I would say it is rooted in folk music and has a western/psychedelic feel. I hope you enjoy it, thank you for taking the time to listen!”
COSMIC RIVER

If you love indie music and want to discover some new independent bands that are emerging in the industry right now, check out Cosmic River’s new single! Check it out and follow the artist on Spotify!

9) THE LOUD BANGS – New Flavors

The Loud Bangs are an indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. They have just released their new single “New Flavors” on Spotify. The song is the first preview of their previous EP, which was released this year, Introducing The Loud Bangs.

The band’s sound is a delicious blend of shoegaze, dream pop and alternative rock. Their guitar riffs are washed out and their vocals are dreamy and soft. It’s hard to pin them down to one genre because they’re so versatile—it feels like you’re listening to at least three different bands at once!

“Like female shoegaze about mental health? Then this is Pink Floyd meets My Bloody Valentine.”
THE LOUD BANGS

If you love indie rock music and want something new to listen to, check out The Loud Bangs today!

10) HECTOR COTTAM – Now You’ve Gone

HECTOR COTTAM is a singer-songwriter based in London, England. His latest single, “Now You’ve Gone,” is a soft rock song that has the sound of classic ’90s alternative rock. It’s nostalgic, with soulful vocals and guitar riffs that are reminiscent of artists like R.E.M. or The Cranberries.

The lyrics are pretty straightforward: they describe the narrator’s feelings about how we are losing time because of fear of being ourselves.

“I hope you dig it as much as I do. A song that says – ‘go for it, be you – fully’. Some day you’ll be gone and you don’t want to look back and think ‘why was I too scared’ – life is magical! All my love, Hector”
HECTOR COTTAM

Hector states that “Now You’ve Gone” is about being able to let go of fear and live authentically. He explains the origins behind his inspiration for releasing this song, saying it’s lightning bolt of impermanence when you experience a great loss. That realisation of ‘oh wow we really aren’t here for long’.

So the singer is wanting to open up and live more authentically and honestly day by day. Facing those fears within that stop us fully coming alive! He states that it’s a song to encourage himself and others not to be in our last days and think ‘oh I wish I’d just given that a try’.

Also in hindsight, he says that he can hear himself grappling for self-acceptance of his bisexuality, something he only fully realised and came to joyous terms with around the same time this piece came through.

The song is available on Spotify under HECTOR COTTAM’s profile page—check it out, it’s one of the best songs I heard this week!