Rick Loves Indie Rock

Is post-country a thing? Chicago indie rock outfit, Ratboys, got Brooklyn jumping tonight. Steel guitar and lead singer Julia’s Kentucky twang might fit the bill. Opener Florry country rocked the place too. Fun night! @jennylsq.bsky.social

YouTube video by MiddleKidsVEVO Middle Kids - Questions (Official Video)

Obvious answer is Beirut, but also Japanese Breakfast and my favorite Middle Kids video where the trombone army enters about half way: youtu.be/VchylRsWmcQ?...

Average age at indie rock fest Kilby Block Party is about 26. Every indie rock concert I go to is sold out and it’s not people over 30 going except for a few weirdos like me.

Temples in concert 2014, 2020 (just before Covid), and 2023. Indie Rock

YouTube video by TemplesOfficial Temples - Jet Stream Heart (Official Video)

Check out the new song Temples just released. Great sign of things to come. They bring great guitar work, a sound that merges psych, indie rock, and British Invasion - think I Am The Walrus - electronic, and even dance. Underrated talented band worth getting to know. My pics follow:

Lykke Li at Radio City Music Hall in 2014 and Terminal 5 in 2018.

YouTube video by Lykke Li Lykke Li - Lucky Again (Official Lyric Video)

It’s been almost 4 years since we’ve had new Lykke Li music and the new song reminds me of some of her classics from Wounded Rhymes. Lykke Li brings out all kinds of feelings in me. Dig into her catalog. It’s juicy. See comments for my photos from 2014 and 18. Indie rock

youtu.be/wrazVZlMbeY

YouTube video by metricmusic Metric - Victim of Luck (Official Music Video)

New song from my all-time favorite band Metric does it again. They always find new ways to make indie rock that elevates the human condition. I’ve been in lucky in life, but like Metric, I’ll never stop challenging myself. Brilliant musicians with creativity, integrity, and inspiration.

My photos from Linda Lindas concerts:

YouTube video by The Linda Lindas - Topic California Sun

The Linda Lindas just released a Ramones cover and I’m here for it. These young women are loaded with talent. Here’s hoping we get new music from them soon. Punk rock / Indie rock

Congratulations Turnstile on Rock Album of the Year. Great album, fantastic success. Hardcore roots, their embrace of indie rock has greatly expanded their reach. bsky.app/profile/rick...

Protest songs here from established rockers. Any indie rock bands making protest songs? Gun toting warrantless, masked thugs with no ID, are shooting citizens. Silence is consent.

Morello: youtu.be/LLMKAxFtjB8
Springsteen: youtu.be/FMexHF9LK5I
Green Day: youtu.be/dsnuOZyogxA

YouTube video by Snail Mail Snail Mail - "Dead End" (Official Music Video)

New Snail Mail music! It’s been over 4 years and this sounds fresh and Lindsey’s guitar sounds fantastic. Her new album is coming out in March. Indie rock singer-songwriter. youtu.be/AgCTkQdArwk

Here a brief sample from the first time I saw her live: Live taste: bsky.app/profile/rick...

YouTube video by MitskiVEVO Mitski - Where's My Phone? (Official Video)

New music Friday - indie rock. Mitski has released the first song from her upcoming album due late February. Her powerful, emotional songs and choreographed live performances are full of longing and missed connections, as illustrated by the album name: Nothing’s About to Happen to Me.

YouTube video by Dry Cleaning Dry Cleaning - Blood

Get to know Dry Cleaning. They have a new album out. Here’s a taste. It combines upbeat indie rock beats & a spoken-word style that is their trademark. Produced by Cate Le Bon, this band is unique. Dig in and you will be rewarded.

YT: youtu.be/zFIhdFjXHdw
Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/311hWo...

Rifle

Have you listened to this song? Really listened? The chorus at the 1:30 mark sounds like Uriah Heep. I imagine an old school heavy metal band doing this song, even the French part. The Last Dinner Party is not just another pop band. The new album is full of deep rabbit holes to explore. Indie Rock

I think it’s all just rock and roll. Bands with big production machines are mainstream. Artists who do all the creativity themselves are indie.

Have you found Momma yet? bsky.app/profile/rick...

YouTube video by Stereolab Stereolab - Fed Up With Your Job (Official Video)

Looking for something artistic, experimental, and a bit groovy? Stereolab has you covered with one of the great comebacks of recent years… and feel that bass line. Listen and warm up your holiday weekend. Cheers! Indie rock

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025 - YouTube

Playlists for your convenience:

2025 Top Indie Rock Songs youtube.com/playlist?lis...

2025 Top Indie Rock Songs open.spotify.com/playlist/3Vn...

Spotify & YouTube Playlists of every song I've posted on Bluesky:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wr...

YouTube video by BBC Radio 1 Geese - 100 Horses, Cobra and You Get What You Give (New Radicals cover)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

Geese are a new young powerful force. With a voice that cuts deep and guitars that bleed noise, you need to know Geese. To appreciate this one, have good speakers that will do it justice. 100 Horses.

YouTube video by tameimpalaVEVO Tame Impala - Dracula (Official Video)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

Tame Impala’s new album leans into EDM even more than he already had. There’s no shortage of crazy mixed up Tame in there as this track illustrates. Here’s Dracula.

YouTube video by WetLegVEVO Wet Leg - davina mccall (Official Video)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

You probably noticed that Wet Leg made new music this year. You can’t miss them. But don’t let the muscles scare you off. These guys are the real thing. This new album is full of surprises and Rhian’s voice is the top. This is Davina Mccall.

YouTube video by Magdalena Bay Magdalena Bay - Paint Me A Picture (Official Audio)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

Magdalena Bay plays any genre they want to and somehow make it their own. Paint Me a Picture is just one of a bunch of singles they released that go from synth wave to shoegaze to whatever this is. Maybe the most amazing band of the decade.

YouTube video by Ladytron Ladytron - I See Red (Official Video)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

Ladytron is somehow getting better even after all these years! They released a few songs this year from their new album due in March. Love it. This one is called I See Red.

YouTube video by Turnstile TURNSTILE - NEVER ENOUGH [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

Turnstile is something new. Moving away from hardcore and embracing indie has been a huge success for them and we get get to watch. Eat up. Never Enough

YouTube video by KEXP Nation of Language - Inept Apollo (Live on KEXP)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

After seeing Nation of Language at Kilby Block Party in May, they’ve been a regular in my rotation. 90’s crooner meets 2025. Feel it in your bones with this live version of Inept Apollo.

YouTube video by courtneybarnett Courtney Barnett - Stay In Your Lane (Live At Levon Helm Studios)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

Courtney Barnett. If you’re like me, all I need is to see that name and I’m clicking. This live recording of Stay in Your Lane shows why. With Courtney shredding and Stella playing drums, what more could an indie music lover ask for?

YouTube video by The Last Dinner Party The Last Dinner Party - Count The Ways (Official Music Video)

Rick’s Top Indie Rock Songs of 2025, continued…

The Last Dinner Party’s new album is more personal and deep than their last. This video showcases their talent, creativity, and intense feelings. Amazing song and amazing video. The song is Count the Ways