Since its early murmurings in the 1970s, indie has evolved dramatically. It’s a genre, an attitude and an ethos, all coming together as an expression of alternative living; of writing, recording, releasing and performing guitar-led music in ways that defy mainstream culture. Over the last 50 years, indie has splintered into an array of subcultures — and, somewhat ironically, indie’s biggest acts have transformed the landscape of popular music as we know it.
In the mid-1970s, punk rock emerged in defiance of that system: bands like The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Buzzcocks shook things up. With cheaper recording equipment, limited pressings of self-funded vinyl releases and DIY promotions, punk rock spat at the polished feet of major labels and said, “We’ll do it our own way.” It transformed music by creating independent — aka “indie” — ways of thinking and operating.
In 1980, the UK music industry started the official Indie Chart to catalog the scene’s rising popularity, and magazines like the New Music Express, or NME, documented its events. The phrase was then cemented in the music lexicon. Record labels like Rough Trade, Matador, Merge, Sub Pop and Mute emerged with indie principles, giving DIY artists the means to release their original material without middlemen.
From the 1970s and early 1980s England, bands like New Order, My Bloody Valentine and The Smiths made their mark, influencing generations to come. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, in the US, the college radio and gig circuit played an integral role in birthing acts like R.E.M, Nirvana and Sonic Youth. As exemplified throughout these foundational decades, the sound of indie has undergone radical changes in real-time, growing from city-specific scenes into a global phenomenon.
The scuzzy grunge of the Pacific Northwest, the downbeat romance of shoegaze, the swaggering psychedelica of Britpop from the north of England and the oddball balladry of Scottish bands including The Pastels and The Jesus and Mary Chain all remain core references today, even as the sound has spread globally.
Genres like post-punk, emo and hardcore all have their roots in the indie principles and originators, and artists who grew up with both have become indie figureheads themselves: from the folk-inflected indie of Sufjan Stevens, The Shins and Arcade Fire in the 2000s, through to more contemporary acts like Phoebe Bridgers, Arctic Monkeys and Tame Impala.
Today, indie can feel like a borderline contentious term — for artists and fans alike. Is it still fuzzy guitar music made by British and American bands, or is that a thing of the past? Is it even independent, when much of their original DIY mechanics have been absorbed into the very major label ecosystem they sought to defy? Though much has changed over the decades, indie is still a loose blueprint of inspiration for contemporary acts.
From the country-inflected alt rock of North Carolina’s MJ Lenderman and guitar-sampling electronic beats of Flawed Mangoes, to the confessional jams of Rachel Chinouriri and the Greek-inspired indie music of Σtella, indie is a global, evolving force that continues to surprise and innovate. Listen to our collection of indie tracks from this new era, and discover the artists leading the way for the genre.
LISTEN TO 'NEW ERA INDIE' PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
MJ Lenderman, “She’s Leaving You”
Lead track from the breakout album by Asheville’s Lenderman, which was named to plenty of year-end-best lists in 2024. “She’s Leaving You” imagines a hapless middle-aged philanderer who gets caught: “We all got work to do,” Lenderman sings.
Rachel Chinouriri, “Can we talk about Isaac?”
The British vocalist and songwriter, who got her start as a teenager on SoundCloud, released her debut album in 2024 to critical acclaim — and led to nominations for Artist of the Year and Best New Artist at the 2025 BRIT Awards.
Freak Slug, “Killer”
The British indie rocker Xenya Genovese, who goes by Freak Slug, released her debut studio album ‘I Blow Out Big Candles’ in November.
Wishy, “Planet Popstar”
From Indianapolis, this five-piece band was formed by Kevin Krauter, formerly of Hoops, and Nina Pitchkites. Their third EP, ‘Planet Popstar,’ is due in April 2025.
22º Halo, “Bird Sanctuary”
Named for an atmospheric optical phenomenon, this Philadelphia band has been praised for its “casual magic;” slowcore songs with intention, written by bandleader Will Kennedy.
Friko, “Where We’ve Been”
The Chicago-based indie duo released their debut album, ‘Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here,’ in early 2024. “I hope that our music helps everyone feel more deeply,” says Kapetan.
Courting, “Nancy”
Formed in Liverpool, this cheeky post-punk/hyperpop group just released their third album, ‘Lust for Life, Or: ‘How to Thread the Needle and Come Out the Other Side to Tell the Story.’’
Horsegirl, “Frontrunner”
This Chicago trio released ‘Phonetics On and On,’ their second album with Matador Records, in February 2025. Following a batch of more upbeat singles, “Frontrunner” shows a more subdued side of the band.
Finn Wolfhard, “Choose the latter”
You may recognize him from his roles in “Stranger Things” or ‘It,’ but Wolfhard is also a dedicated musician – formerly with Calpurnia, currently with the Aubreys. This song explores the feeling of being indecisive – “stuck” – before opting to take more risks.
Lifeguard, “Minstry/Energie”
This Chicago post-punk trio released this latest single through Matador. Barely out of their teens, they’ve already made an impact on the US indie rock circuit; their 2023 double EP, ‘Crowd Can Talk / Dressed in Trenches,’ introduced their kinetic take on punk.
Chezile, “Still In Love”
The Albuquerque native first broke out with his psychedelic indie-pop song “Beanie,” from his debut EP. ‘47.’ “Still In Love” offers a glimpse into his more soulful side.
Cameron Winter, “Love Takes Miles”
The frontman for the Brooklyn band Geese recently released his archly titled solo debut, ‘Heavy Metal,’ which showcases another side of his creativity. Here he's drawing listeners in, rather than blowing them away.
Flawed Mangoes, “Circle of Death”
Evan Lo is Flawed Mangoes, an indietronica project that emerged during the pandemic. The Boston-based musician says he specializes in “happy, melancholy” music.
girlpuppy, “Since April”
From Atlanta, Rebecca Alexis Harvey recently announced ‘Sweetness,’ her second album under her stage name. This one explores the grief that comes after a breakup.
Ralph Castelli, “April”
Originally from Alaska, the songwriter and producer behind 2019’s “Morning Sex” recently returned to his home state after stints in Australia and LA. “Disappear for a while, then come back around,” as he sings on “April.”
Divorce, “Lord”
This four-piece folk-pop band from Nottingham, UK, decided to form while sitting together on a hill in their hometown. The buzz is building as they release their debut album, ‘Drive to Goldenhammer.’
Σtella, “Omorfo Mou”
This newcomer from Greece, who incorporates elements of her country’s traditional music into her indie pop sound, recently signed with Sub Pop Records. Her new album ‘Adiago,’ which drops in April, “feels like a warm blanket,” according to the label.
Tyler Ballgame, “Sarah”
From Rhode Island, this Berklee-trained songwriter met Jonathan Rado of Foxygen in LA, which led to his current project. He’s dropped the self-consciousness that previously held him back: “A performer needs to be radically present,” he says.
Truman Sinclair, “Bloodline”
The founder of the band Frat Mouse, who was playing in bands in his native Chicago at just eight years old, recently released his solo debut, ‘American Recordings.’
Paige Fish, “KISSING”
Not yet 20, this Utah native has moved on from an “American Idol” audition to forge her own career as a singer-songwriter. Songwriting, she says, is “something I fall in love with every day.”
Snuggle, “Marigold”
Copenhagen’s fertile alt-pop scene brought together this new duo of Andrea Thuesen (Baby In Vain) and former Liss producer Vilhelm Strange. “Marigold” is an alluring peek inside their intimate chemistry.
Mei Semones, “I can do what I want”
The Brooklyn-based J-pop artist brings a jazzy sense of experimentation to her sound. “No second-guessing, no overthinking,” she says.
Sedona, Claud, “She’s So Pretty”
Led by Rachel Stewart, a.k.a. Sedona, the band recruited the bedroom-pop artist Claud for this taste of a style they call “pageant rock.”
Dutch Interior, Fourth Street
Signed to Fat Possum, these lifelong friends from the LA area refer to their style as “freak Americana.” Singer-guitarist Noah Kurtz says the lead track to their new album grew out of a visit to see his parents, and builds to a chorus about “finding your footing on your own.”
Joe Kaplow, “Windowless Room”
He could have taken over his parents’ horse farm in rural New Jersey, but the songwriter opted to make music at his Santa Cruz studio, Hippie Cowboy, instead. His latest album, ‘Posh, Poodle, Krystal and Toe,’ is named for his bandmates’ nicknames.
Jonny Kosmo, “Caterpillar”
The eccentric LA-based home recording artist describes his music as a blend of Stevie Wonder and “Twin Peaks”’s Dr. Jacoby. He travels, he says, with a “weapons-grade kaleidoscope and a 1972 Mayfair recorder.”
Moreish Idols, “ACID”
London-based psych-pop band have said they wish they could time-travel to open for Canned Heat and the Velvet Underground in 1960s New York. From their debut album ‘All in the Game,’ this track has been described as a “boutique festival-ready anthem.”
Warren Commission, “Like I’m Driving”
Named for the investigation into the JFK assassination, this indie band from Pittsburgh calls their music “alt-rock adjacent.”
girlpuppy, “Windows”
Another of Rebecca Alexis Harvey’s recent singles, this gentle tune splits the difference between two of her favorites, Yo La Tengo and Fleetwood Mac.
Moreish Idols, “All In The Game”
Title track from the UK band’s full-length debut, which was released in early March 2025. After two EPs, the hotly tipped band has been attracting plenty of praise.
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