Indie rock for the long drive

Music that has been on rotation lately.

Feb 10, 2025

Hi Pal,

Welcome to today’s edition. I hope you’re doing well. Have a wonderful week ahead.

For a newsletter inspired by indie rock specifically before branching out to other corners of the alternative scene, I have spent too little time highlighting indie rock songs specifically. So today, I’m here to highlight some songs that have made my playlist in the past few years. Links are embedded in the titles.

Doc by Valtune

Two weeks ago, Valtune released his sophomore album titled Buried Memories. It’s an indie rock album inspired by Christian characters — fictional and non-fictional — that have influenced him throughout his life. It’s one of the year's most interesting releases, and this song packs a real punch.

False Infinities by Former Ruins

Before the release of this song, I enjoyed Former Ruins's debut album and follow-up EP. He was on my list of good artists on the scene. The release of False Infinities made him one of my favourite artists. This song—and the album it is on—is stellar.

Sad Dads Club by Zane Vickery

Anyone who was here last year would know that Zane Vickery’s Interloper was my favourite indie rock album of 2024. There are many gems to choose from on the album but only a handful of them embody the progressive indie rock sensibilities of the record like this one.

Electric Squares by Har Adonai

Quirky uneven vocals, driving guitars, pulsating and energetic verses, with a repetitive composition style that eliminates the need for a chorus. I have listened to many indie rock bands in my short existence and there is a flavour to Har Adonai’s music that is rare in the Christian scene today.

Way That We Change by FYR FYTR

FYR FYTR has consistently released gems for years, but somehow, I feel they are still massively underrated. I struggled to pick a song to add to this list because I had too many options. Honestly, check them out if you haven’t (I embedded the album).

LEXREX by Zambroa

What indie rock list will be complete without a Zambroa tune? Sometime in 2024, Zambroa dropped this single, which has not left my playlist since. Even when the full album was released in December, I always returned to this gem. I have always maintained that Zambroa’s shoegazey/fuzzy guitar-leaning songs are my favourites from him. This song scratches that itch.

Now That I Know You by John Jin Han, Laity

My expectations for John Jin Han's projects are usually very high because he is on my short list of artists who understand the balance between the emotive and energetic sides of indie rock. I do not always like every song on his LPs, but he still has some of the best singles on the scene to date.

Temple by Cether, Dâmares Gomes

At the time of release, Dâmares Gomes was not yet a full member of the band but in hindsight, we should have guessed that it was only a matter of time. These women are highly talented and can create music in multiple genres. I’m glad that indie rock is one of them and this song proves they understand the genre.

Up From The Sea by Jason Barrows

Released in 2014, Jason Barrows’ Islands Of My Soul remains my favourite album. It blends indie rock and heartland rock. He is an incredible artist, and his guitar work is stunning, to say the least. This song does justice to the genre repeatedly.

I Have Come to Set the World on Fire, And I Wish It Were Already Burning! by GRAND MOTEL

Grand Motel describes itself as a post-emo band, and you can hear the emo and post-hardcore influences ingrained in its brand of indie rock. At the time of this writing, they are extremely new to the scene, with two singles out. From what I’ve heard so far, they deserve a spot on this list, and I’m sure we will be hearing great things from them in the future.

That’s it for today.

Catch you at the next one!

Still Small Voice

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