The Best Indie Rock Music of 2019 (So Far)
Contents
Keep up with the best new indie rock music of 2019 by checking out this list of some of the best tracks released so far this year.
Introduction
2019 has been a great year for indie rock music so far, with a number of outstanding albums being released in the first half of the year. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best indie rock music that has been released so far in 2019.
The Best Indie Rock Albums of 2019 (So Far)
It’s been a great year for indie rock music so far, with some amazing albums being released in the first half of the year. Here are some of the best indie rock albums of 2019 so far.
The National – I Am Easy to Find
The National’s eighth album is one of their most experimental to date, with contributions from dozens of female vocalists including Sharon Van Etten, Kate Stables of This Is the Kit, and Mina Tindle. The result is a stunning and emotionally complex album that’s both musically and thematically ambitious.
Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride is the upcoming fifth studio album by New York-based rock band Vampire Weekend, expected to be released in 2019. The album is to be the first since their 2013 release Modern Vampires of the City, and will feature 18 songs over its 53-minute runtime.
The album was first hinted at in 2016 when frontman Ezra Koenig said the band had “been working on new music” and that it would be released “soon-ish”. In an interview with Pitchfork in July 2018, bassist Chris Baio said that the album would likely be released in 2019. The band began teasing new material in late August 2018 with a series of social media posts, including a snippet of new music. On January 24, 2019, Vampire Weekend teased two more snippets of new music on Instagram.
The first single from Father of the Bride, “Harmony Hall”, was released on January 28, 2019, along with its accompanying music video. Koenig later revealed that “Harmony Hall” is about “a guy who’s kind of rich and he’s kind of an idiot and he’s built this life for himself and he doesn’t realize it’s not necessarily what people want”.
Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
Weyes Blood’s Titanic Rising is one of the best indie rock albums of 2019 so far. The album is a return to form for the band, who took a four-year break between albums. The album is a perfect blend of indie rock and pop, with catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics. Weyes Blood’s unique voice is the perfect match for the band’s atmospheric sound.
Angel Olsen – All Mirrors
All Mirrors is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter and musician Angel Olsen, released on October 4, 2019, on Jagjaguwar Records. Olsen began writing the album in early 2018 after she “hit a wall creatively.” The album was recorded in collaboration with producer John Congleton at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound and Olsen’s own studio in Asheville, North Carolina, and features an orchestra on several tracks. All Mirrors received widespread acclaim from music critics upon release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 86, based on 25 reviews.
Big Thief – U.F.O.F.
May 3, 2019 – Big Thief’s second album of 2019 is a mass of contradictions. It’s an intimate record that deals with big ideas, a collection of songs that feel both personal and universal.
U.F.O.F., which stands for “unidentified flying object friend,” is an album about the moments when we feel most alone, when our lives don’t make sense and we can’t see a way out. But it’s also an album about hope and connection, about the things that bind us together even when we don’t know it.
Big Thief have always been a band that straddles the line between indie rock and folk, but on U.F.O.F., they lean more heavily into the latter genre. The result is an album that feels both warm and intimate, like a campfire conversation with friends you’ve known for years.
If you’re looking for an indie rock album that will challenge you and make you think, Big Thief’s U.F.O.F. is definitely worth checking out.
The Best Indie Rock Songs of 2019 (So Far)
It’s been a great year for indie rock music so far, with plenty of great songs released by both established and up-and-coming artists. In this article, we’ll countdown the best indie rock songs of 2019 so far. From catchy anthems to moving ballads, there’s something for everyone on this list.
The National – “You Had Your Soul with You”
From the moment “You Had Your Soul with You” starts, with its slow-burning immensity, you can tell The National are in no rush to get anywhere. It’s one of those songs that seems to take its time getting to the first chorus, and when it finally arrives, it feels like a release. That’s because The National understand the power of restraint — how a song can simmer and grow more potent the longer it takes to fully blossom.
“You Had Your Soul with You” is the first single from The National’s eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find, and it showcases the band at their most patient and atmospheric. The song beautifully expands and contracts, driven by Aaron Dessner’s slow-burning guitar work and Bryan Devendorf’s steady drumming. Matt Berninger’s baritone is gruff and weary as ever, but there’s an underlying optimism to his lyrics that gives the song an uplifting quality.
The National are one of the few bands that can make a six-minute song feel like it flies by. “You Had Your Soul with You” is proof of that — it’s a gorgeous, contemplative track that stays with you long after it’s over.
Vampire Weekend – “Harmony Hall”
Vampire Weekend’s “Harmony Hall” is the lead single off of their forthcoming album, Father of the Bride. The song is an instant classic, with its catchy chorus and memorable guitar riff. “Harmony Hall” is a perfect example of Vampire Weekend’s ability to craft perfect pop songs, and it’s one of the best indie rock songs of 2019 so far.
Weyes Blood – “Andromeda”
Weyes Blood’s song “Andromeda” is one of the best indie rock songs of 2019. The song is a great example of the genre, with its catchy melodies and sing-along chorus. The song is also notable for its use of synths and keyboards, which give it a unique sound that sets it apart from other indie rock songs.
Angel Olsen – “Lark”
Angel Olsen has been on a hot streak lately. “Lark” is the lead single off her upcoming album, All Mirrors, and it’s one of the best songs she’s ever released. The song is a beautiful, slow-burning folk ballad that builds to a cathartic climax. Olsen’s voice is absolutely stunning, and the lyrics are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. “Lark” is a perfect example of why Angel Olsen is one of the best indie rock singers around today.
Big Thief – “Cattails”
Brooklyn-based indie rockers Big Thief have been having a moment lately. The group’s last album, Capacity, was one of our favorite records of 2017, and they’ve followed it up with the new single “Cattails.” The song is a typical example of the band’s atmospheric sound, built around lead singer Adrianne Lenker’s ethereal vocals and delicate acoustic guitar work. If you’re a fan of Big Thief’s recent work, “Cattails” will not disappoint.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best indie rock music of 2019 so far has been a mixed bag of old and new sounds, with a few standouts in each category. However, overall, it has been a good year for music, with a number of great albums already released, and many more to come.
