Alternative Indie Rock Music Samples to Check Out
Here are some great alternative indie rock music samples to check out. You’ll find a mix of new and old, fast and slow, male and female artists.
Introduction
Welcome to our guide of alternative indie rock music samples! In this guide, we will be exploring some of the best alternative indie rock tracks that you can listen to get a feel for the genre. We’ll also provide some context for each song so that you can understand what makes it unique.
We’ll be covering a wide range of artists and songs, from well-known names like Radiohead and Arcade Fire, to more obscure acts like Small Black and Talkdemonic. We hope that this guide will help you discover some new music that you enjoy, and that it will give you a better understanding of the alternative indie rock genre as a whole.
Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy the guide!
The 1975
The 1975 is an English alternative rock band from Manchester, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, drummer George Daniel, and lead guitarist Adam Hann. The band’s origins date to 2002 when Healy, Daniel, and Hann met at Wilmslow High School in Wilmslow, Cheshire. They began playing covers as a band called “Mean Girls” before settling on their current name in 2012.
The group signed to Dirty Hit Records—an independent label which is co-owned by Healy’s manager Jamie Oborne—in September 2012 and released their debut EP Facedown. Their eponymous debut album was released on 2 September 2013 and charted at number one in both the UK Albums Chart and Billboard Alternative Albums chart; as well as peaking within the top 10 of numerous other countries’ national album charts. The album was certified platinum in both the UK and US by January 2016. It was followed by I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It in February 2016; the album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200—becoming the first album by a British band to do so since Oasis’s Be Here Now in 1997—and reached similar peaks in nineteen other countries.
The Paper Kites
If you’re in the mood for some lovely, mellow music, then The Paper Kites are definitely worth checking out. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, this five-piece band has a sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary. With delicate guitars, lilting vocals, and intricate arrangements, The Paper Kites create a sound that is both etherial and grounded.
If you’re looking for something a little more upbeat, then you might want to check out “Bloom,” the lead single off of their album twelvefour. With its jangly guitars and effervescent melodies, “Bloom” is a song that is sure to put a smile on your face.
For something a little more subdued, take a listen to “Electric Indigo.” This track features delicate acoustic guitar work and atmospheric textures that create a feeling of intimacy and introspection.
Whether you’re in the mood for something light and airy or something a little more introspective, The Paper Kites have plenty of great music to offer. So go ahead and give them a listen – you might just find your new favorite band.
Hozier
If you’re a fan ofalt-J, you’ll love Hozier. The Irish singer/songwriter’s music is a blend of blues, rock, and folk that will leave you feeling both introspective and invigorated. “Take Me to Church” is the perfect introduction to Hozier’s atmospheric soundscape.
The Paper Kites
The Paper Kites are an indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group formed in 2010 and consists of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, David Powys, Matthew Taylor, and Samuel Rasmussen. The band’s music has been featured in television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Suits, and Veronica Mars. The Paper Kites have released three studio albums; States (2011), twelvefour (2015), and On the Train Ride Home (2018).
Hozier
Hozier is a great example of an alternative indie rock artist. His music has a unique sound that is a mix of indie rock and blues. Hozier’s lyrics are very honest and personal, which makes his music very relatable to his listeners. If you’re looking for an artist that is a little bit different from the mainstream, then Hozier is definitely worth checking out.