The Best Indie Rock Music of 2020
A look at the best indie rock music of 2020. Featuring a mix of well-known artists and hidden gems, this is a great playlist for any music lover.
What is Indie Rock?
Indie rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produced and was initially used interchangeably with alternative rock or “guitar pop rock”. In the 1980s, the use of the term “indie” started to shift from its reference to recording companies to describe the style of music produced on punk and post-punk labels. During the 1990s, grunge and punk revival bands in the US and Britpop bands in the UK broke into the mainstream, leading to questions about their commercial viability.
The Best Indie Rock Songs of 2020
2020 was a great year for indie rock, with a lot of new and exciting bands emerging on the scene. In this article, we’ll be counting down the best indie rock songs of 2020. From catchy anthems to atmospheric ballads, there’s something for everyone on this list.
“Circles” by Mac DeMarco
“Circles” is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco, released on October 16, 2019 as the lead single from his album Here Comes the Cowboy.
The song was written and produced by DeMarco himself, and was recorded in Los Angeles with Josh Block of Jamaica at the audio engineering and mixing.
The song is a mellow, reflective track, with DeMarco’s lyrics focusing on shared memories with friends and lovers. The track has been described as having a “laid-back disposition”, “jangly guitar”, and a “reggae-influenced rhythm”.
Upon release, “Circles” was met with acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the song received an average score of 84, based on 9 reviews.
The critics unanimously praised the song’s mellow atmosphere and Mac DeMarco’s reflective lyrics. AllMusic’s Neil Z. Yeung described the song as a “mellow ode to shared memories”, while NME’s Jordan Bassett hailed it as a “hazy love letter”. Writing for Exclaim!, Erin Lowers praised the song’s “jangly guitar” and “reggae-influenced rhythm”.
“Good Times” by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is an Australian indie rock band formed in Melbourne in 2013. The band consists of Fran Keaney, Tom Russo, Joe White, Marcel Tussie and Nick Daskalopoulos. The band’s name is derived from a type of power outage that occurred frequently in Melbourne during the 2010s.
The band’s debut extended play, Sketchbook, was released in 2014. The EP was followed by the singles “Talk Tight” and “French Press”. In 2016, the band released the single “Julie’s Place”, which received high praise from critics. The band’s debut album, Hope Downs, was released in 2018 to critical acclaim. The album was included on several year-end lists of the best albums of 2018.
The band’s song “Good Times” was released as a single in 2020. The song has been described as a “hazy summer anthem” and has been praised for its catchy melody and optimistic lyrics.
“Losing All Sense” by Grizzly Bear
“Losing All Sense” is a song by American indie rock band Grizzly Bear, released as the lead single from their fifth studio album Painted Ruins. Written by Daniel Rossen and Ed Droste, the song was recorded in 2016 at a studio in Marfa, Texas.
The song was well-received by critics, with many calling it a return to form for the band. Rossen’s lyrics have been praised as some of his best, and the song’s melody has been praised as catchy and memorable.
“Nocturne” by Wild Nothing
“Nocturne” is the lead single from Wild Nothing’s second album, Nocturne. The song was written by Jack Tatum and was inspired by his love of shoegaze and dream pop. “Nocturne” is a slow, atmospheric track that features reverb-drenched guitars and ethereal vocals. The song is layered and complex, with a variety of different instruments and sounds coming together to create a cohesive whole. “Nocturne” is a beautiful and haunting track that perfectly encapsulates the best of indie rock music in 2020.
“Pain” by TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio’s “Pain” is one of the best indie rock songs of 2020. The song is a slow-burning ballad that features plenty of raw emotion. TV on the Radio’s frontman, Tunde Adebimpe, delivers an incredibly powerful vocal performance that is matched by the song’s haunting instrumentation. “Pain” is a stunning example of indie rock at its finest.
The Best Indie Rock Albums of 2020
We’ve rounded up the best indie rock albums of 2020 so far, including records from HAIM, Waxahatchee, The Beths, and more.
“All Mirrors” by Angel Olsen
All Mirrors is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter and musician Angel Olsen, released on October 4, 2019, on Jagjaguwar. It was preceded by the singles “Lark”, “All Mirrors”, and “Summer”. The album was recorded at a studio in Anacortes, Washington and produced by Olsen and Justin Raisen. It features an expanded line-up of musicians, including strings, horns, and percussion, in contrast to Olsen’s previous mostly acoustic records.
“All Mirrors” received critical acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 87, based on 24 reviews, which indicates “universal acclaim”.
Paste magazine’s Scott Gordon remarked that the album “[finds] her experimenting with different sounds and production techniques while still staying true to her folky roots”, further praising Olsen for “[blending] together elements of gothic rock, synth-pop, country, and folk into a package that is uniquely her own”. AllMusic’s Neil Z. Yeung found it “a chilly but soulful set worthy of its dramatic title” and praised Olsen for successfully expanding her musical palette without losing sight of her core sound.
“Dearest Everybody” by Bedouine
Bedouine’s “Dearest Everybody” was one of the best indie rock albums of 2020. The album was released on January 10, 2020, by Spacebomb Records. “Dearest Everybody” is a collection of letters written by Bedouine to various people in her life. The letters are beautiful and heartfelt, and the music is gorgeous.
If you’re a fan of indie rock, or if you’re looking for something different to listen to in 2020, definitely check out “Dearest Everybody” by Bedouine.
“In a Poem Unlimited” by U.S. Girls
In a Poem Unlimited is the sixth studio album by American musician Meg Remy under the name U.S. Girls. It was released on February 16, 2018, by 4AD. The album’s lead single, “Velvet 4 Sale”, was released on November 28, 2017.
In a Poem Unlimited was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize and won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2019.
The album is more musically diverse than her previous work, incorporating elements of disco, synth-pop, and Motown-esque soul music. Lyrically, the album is concerned with themes of feminism, capitalism, and other social issues.
Critical response to In a Poem Unlimited was largely positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 87 based on 24 reviews. Critics praised Remy’s songwriting and versatility as a performer.
“Science Fiction” by Parquet Courts
Parquet Courts’ album “Science Fiction” is one of the best indie rock albums of 2020. The album was released to critical acclaim, and it debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. “Science Fiction” is a concept album about alienation and paranoia in the modern world, and it’s one of the most ambitious indie rock albums in recent memory. If you’re a fan of indie rock, or if you’re just looking for a great album to listen to, “Science Fiction” is a must-listen.
“Turn Out the Lights” by Julien Baker
In a year of political and social division, ” Turn Out the Lights” by Julien Baker offered solace and hope to many listeners. The album, which was released in October 2017, is a collection of personal and introspective songs about love, loss, addiction, and mental health.
Baker’s vulnerable lyrics and ethereal voice are accompanied by her deft guitar work to create an intimate listening experience. The album was ranked by Pitchfork as the best indie rock album of 2017 and is one of the most acclaimed albums of the past decade.
