New Indie Rock Music to Check Out in 2020
Looking for some new indie rock music to check out in 2020? Here are a few of our top picks!
Hozier
Hozier is a singer-songwriter from Ireland who first gained attention with his song “Take Me to Church.” His debut album was released in 2014 and included the hit single “Someone New.” Hozier’s music has been described as a mix of blues, soul, and folk. He is currently working on his second album, which is expected to be released in 2020.
The Paper Kites
The Paper Kites are an Australian indie rock-folk band that formed in 2010. The band consists of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, David Powys, Mario Spatela, and Sam Rasmussen. The band’s debut album States was released in 2012 to critical acclaim. The album peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The follow-up album twelvefour was released in 2015 and reached No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
The Paper Kites have toured extensively throughout Australia, North America, and Europe, playing at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Glastonbury. The band has also appeared on popular TV shows such as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan.
If you’re a fan of indie rock music, then you should definitely check out The Paper Kites. Their unique sound is sure to please any music lover.
The Naked and Famous
Formed in 2008, The Naked and Famous is an indie rock band from New Zealand. The band’s debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You, was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the New Zealand charts and selling over half a million copies worldwide. The album’s lead single, “Young Blood,” was a top 10 hit in several countries and earned the band a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance.
The Naked and Famous’ follow-up album, In Rolling Waves, was released in 2013 to positive reviews. The album’s first single, “Hearts Like Ours,” was another international hit, reaching the top 10 in New Zealand and Australia.
The band’s third album, Simple Forms, was released in 2016. The album’s lead single, “Higher,” was another commercial success, reaching the top 40 in New Zealand and Australia.
The Naked and Famous are currently working on their fourth studio album, which is expected to be released in 2020.
The National
The National is an American indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitars, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitars), Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).
The National has released eight studio albums, four of which have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. In 2013, Trouble Will Find Me was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and High Violet was ranked No. 1 on Pitchfork Media’s “The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s” list. Sleep Well Beast won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2018.
The band’s first album, The National (2001), was recorded with Peter Katis and released on Brassland Records. Alligator (2005), Boxer (2007) and High Violet (2010) were produced by Aaron Dessner and released on Beggars Banquet Records; Trouble Will Find Me (2013) was co-produced by Aaron Dessner and published by 4AD Records. Sleep Well Beast (2017) was produced by Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, and published by 4AD Records; I Am Easy to Find (2019) was produced by Mike Mills, Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, and published by 4AD Records.
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie rock band formed in 2010. The members are lead singer and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, drummer and percussionist Arnar Rögnvaldsson, lead guitarist and singer Ragnar “Raggi” þórhallsson, bassist Brynjar Leifsson, rhythm guitarist and singer Árni Guðjónsson, and trumpet player and singer Kristján Páll Kristjánsson.
The band first gained international recognition after their hit single “Little Talks” became a top 10 hit in several countries in 2011. Their debut album My Head Is an Animal was released in 2012 to critical acclaim, reaching platinum status in Ireland, the UK and the US. The album’s lead single “Human” was also a top 10 hit in several countries. Their second album Beneath the Skin was released in 2015 to similar success; it peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum in the UK. The album’s lead single “Crystals” reached the top 10 in eight countries.
Of Monsters and Men have been nominated for several awards, including Grammy Awards, BRIT Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
