Indie rock
(Music subgenre)
Indie rock is a sub genre of alternative rock that originated in the UK and the US in the 1980s.
Indie rock in Features
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posted 23.09.2021
Records Revisited
Primal Scream – Screamadelica (1991)
1991 – what a year for rock music. The albums by Nirvana, Soundgarden and Red Hot Chili Peppers released September 24, 1991 made rock become popular again. But »Screamadelica« by Primal Scream changed the whole genre.
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posted 21.09.2021
José González
Taste Is Like Your Bum
In 2003, Jose Gonzalez covered the song “Heartbeat” by The Knife and instantly catapulted himself into the hearts and study rooms of so many. Almost 20 years later, he is still the well-known unknown of indie folk. With his new album »Local Valley« and after collaborations with Junip or The Göteborg String Theory, he goes back to his own personal sound. We had the opportunity to interview him.
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posted 16.06.2021
Records Revisited
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Released in 1986, »The Queen Is Dead« is the culmination of the British band The Smiths’ career, which lasted only five years and four studio albums. It still sounds refreshingly idiosyncratic even after so long.
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posted 04.05.2021
Crumb
10 All Time Favs
Since their debut »Jinx« in 2019, Crumb have been considered the next big thing in music. Some even declared them as the successor of Tame Impala. Now their new album »Ice Melt« is out. The perfect opportunity to ask Lila Ramani, Brian Aronow, Jesse Brotter and Jonathan Gilad about 10 vinyl records that have shaped, improved and educated them. The answers are as varied as their music itself.
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posted 15.04.2021
Jenn Wasner (Flock Of Dimes)
10 All Time Favs
With her solo project Flock of Dimes, Jenn Wasner has just released her most personal and at the same time most substantially far-reaching album. We asked the musician to name 10 Vinyl records that have shaped, improved, and educated her.
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posted 14.08.2020
Jonathan Bree
10 All Time Favs
Jonathan Bree decided some time ago to hide his face behind a latex mask. But that is by far not the most remarkable thing about the New Zealander. Because he is above all a first-class songwriter as 12 million YouTube clicks on his hit »You’re So Cool« show and his just released new album also proves. He told us which 10 records have shaped, improved and formed him.
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posted 06.02.2013
Toro Y Moi
Hearing Colors
How are sounds connected to sight? Artists use album covers, videos, installations and art works to strengthen their audio message or to create whole new layers. Seeing sounds concentrates purely on the aesthetics of an artist. The usual focus on music is put on hold while we discuss music videos, album covers, visual concepts and ideas. We talk to the American musician and artist Toro Y Moi about his album covers, newest videos and tendency to connect sounds with colors.
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posted 24.01.2013
Yeasayer
The Crucial Question
In Goethe’s drama »Faust« the young girl Gretchen forces Faust to answer a rather uncomfortable question: is he religious or not? Really she wanted to know if he is involved in pre-maritial sex to ultimately discover if his heart is good and his soul is true. Our »crucial question« might not be so absolute but it will uncover one aspect with one photograph. No frills. Just one question.
Indie rock in Reviews
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posted 07.11.2021
Snail Mail
Valentine
On her second LP »Valentine,« Snail Mail makes even bigger gestures than before, but fortunately that doesn’t change their cathartic effect.
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posted 26.09.2021
Angel Olsen
Aisles
On »Aisles«, Angel Olsen covers songs from the eighties that she heard as a child in the supermarket. A little masterpiece of five songs.
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posted 23.06.2021
Faye Webster
I Know I'm Funny Haha
There’s no star in the making here, it’ s already ready to go: Faye Webster has released her fourth album »I Know I’m Funny Haha« on Secretly Canadian.
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posted 26.05.2021
Drab Majesty
Unknown To The I
»Unknown to the I« offers the ideal introduction to the universe of the duo Drab Majesty: dreamy New Wave in three tracks.
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posted 22.02.2017
Dirty Projectors
Dirty Projectors
Dirty Projectors’ latest and self-titled record full of alien-r’n’b and future hybrid pop will be quite a challenge for both fans and novices.
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posted 21.02.2017
Mind Over Mirrors
Undying Colors
Every new record by Mind Over Mirrors marks a new stage in his artistic development. »Undying Colors«, heavily supported by Circuit des Yeaux, is no exception.
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posted 06.06.2016
The Kills
Ash & Dice
Five years after »Blood Pressures«, the Kills are back and the two on »Ash & Dice« sound as minimalistic and raw as ever.
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posted 11.05.2016
Anohni
Hopelessness
»Hopelessness« as a feeling of comfort; Antony Hegarty has put together his/their first album as Anohni with Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never.
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posted 06.05.2016
LUH
Spiritual Songs for Lovers Sing
The end of WU LYF was the beginning of LUH for Ellery Roberts. Together with Ebony Hoorn he claims with »Spiritual Songs For Lovers Sing« a promise of salvation for love.
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posted 25.03.2016
Night Moves
Pennied Days
In the era of musical Bricolage, Night Moves’ »Pennied Days« has turned out to be a mature, tasteful and, most importantly, independent record.
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posted 19.02.2016
Animal Collective
Painting With
Animal Collective are back on track: with their new record »Painting With«, they remain faithful to their skew pop approach without being wearisome.
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posted 10.11.2015
Beach House
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Beach House surprise us with their second record this year. »Thank Your Lucky Stars« adds yet another facet to the band’s typical sound.
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posted 01.09.2015
Yo La Tengo
Stuff Like That There
»Stuff Like That There« by the indie veterans Yo La Tengo is a record full of revised tracks and covers. And it’s just as much fun as »Fakebook« was in 1990.
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posted 31.08.2015
Beach House
Depression Cherry
The Beach House is no place for showmanship. On »Depression Cherry«, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally have found their way back to simplicity made of melodies.
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posted 24.07.2015
Mocky
Key Change
For »Key Change«, Mocky has come up with numerous catchy melodies for the variety of which most other artists need a complete discography.
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posted 03.07.2015
Ezra Furman
Perpetual Motion People
With an impressive sensitivity for pop, Ezra Furman’s »Perpetual Motion People« is wandering through the genres, including the saxophone’s renaissance and David Bowie on coke.
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posted 03.04.2015
Sufjan Stevens
Carrie & Lowell
»Carrie & Lowell« is both perfect and simple, which is why this record must be praised even higher than its – amazing – predecessor. Simply perfect.
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posted 15.07.2014
Jack White
Lazaretto
No genius without madness – that’s what Jack White used to stand for. Unfortunately, not on »Lazaretto«, his second solo record.
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posted 10.07.2014
Stephen Steinbrink
Arranged Waves
Two worlds becoming one: With »Arranged Waves«, Stephen Steinbrink has combined music from the 70s with bits and pieces of today’s hauntology.
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posted 09.06.2014
American Football
American Football
15 years after its initial success, Polyvinyl Records is re-releasing American Football’s self-titled debut album. It’s a genre-classic of the highest quality.
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posted 24.03.2014
Future Islands
Singles
On »Singles«, the Baltimore-based synth-poppers Future Islands are using an unusually clean New-Wave-romance to dance away world-weariness and heartaches.
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posted 27.02.2014
Real Estate
Atlas
There are many parallels between »Atlas« and the previous »Days«. Real Estate don’t just copy themselves but instead manage to keep up their high standards.
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posted 10.02.2014
Tara Jane O'Neil
Where Shine New Lights
Twelve dreamy soundscapes, twelve tracks full of beauty – that’s what Tara Jane O’Neil’s record »Where Shine New Lights« is all about, combining drone, ambient and songwriting.
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posted 20.12.2013
San Fermin
San Fermin
The young composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone has recorded his debut together with more than 20 musicians. The result sounds like a mix of Sufjan Stevens and The National.
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posted 08.11.2013
Arcade Fire
Reflektor
Arcade Fire are trying to reinvent themselves. LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy is helping them to do so by swapping their violins, accordions and hurdy-gurdys with synthesizers and effect units.
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posted 05.09.2013
Arctic Monkeys
AM
The Arctic Monkeys have matured. There’s no more in-your-face on »AM«, but instead a relaxed groove, tilting into waters of blues every now and then.
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posted 24.06.2013
Austra
Olympia
A record perfectly produced – solid pop-music with potential towards all possible directions and Tumblr-credibility. It’s nothing for the heart, though.
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posted 31.05.2013
Vampire Weekend
Modern Vampires Of The City
Nothing has changed much in contrast to their previous records: There are ballads evoking the image of slicked-back blond hair and perky tracks making you jump around in circles.
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posted 30.05.2013
The National
Trouble will Find Me
It’s probably the most personal record by The National – presumably because they have finally found themselves on their sixth studio album.
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posted 16.05.2013
The Uncluded
Hokey Fright
»Hokey Fright« by Kimya Dawson und Aesop Rock is sometimes more of an audio book than easily consumable music. And that’s what makes this record so very interesting.
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posted 26.04.2013
Junip
Junip
Junip sound best when they sound like Junip. That’s probably why their new record is not bad, even though it’s only very slightly different from the previous one.
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posted 05.03.2013
Youth Lagoon
Wondrous Bughouse
Youth Lagoon’s second record is a tumultuous and fabulous trip – quirky instrumentals accentuate Trevor Powers’ tousled vocals about spiritual and existential topics.
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posted 05.12.2012
Interpol
Turn On The Bright Lights - Tenth Anniversary Edition
Even ten years later, the record still sounds fresh: fragile, yet powerful songwriting with a constantly high emotional intensity.
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posted 25.09.2012
Grizzly Bear
Shields
With »Shields«, Grizzly Bear are releasing their fourth studio album, on which they sound more resolute yet playful than ever before.
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posted 20.09.2012
The xx
Coexist
»Coexist« helps The xx to establish themselves amongst the greatest bands of our time. They astound us with an incredibly soft record that’s far from vanity.
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posted 20.09.2012
Efterklang
Piramida
Efterklang are searching for airiness and find it in the songs on their fourth album. What’s special: their melodies are not as old as the hills, as it’s the case with other Indie-colleagues.
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posted 19.09.2012
Sic Alps
Sic Alps
Something special must be in the air of San Francisco’s rehearsal rooms for such great garage-rock to keep coming from the former hippie-stronghold.
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posted 17.09.2012
Dinosaur Jr.
I Bet On Sky
Is it the usual with Dinosaur Jr.? Maybe not! »I Bet On Sky« is like it’s made for this year, even though the sound with its distorted and loud guitars is somewhat familiar.
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posted 07.09.2012
Deerhoof
Breakup Song
The new Deerhoof-LP once more demonstrates that an interesting concept doesn’t necessarily make a good song and proofs the diversity of Kelly Goode.
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posted 31.08.2012
Animal Collective
Centipede Hz
Animal Collective can’t really do mediocre records. At least that seemed to be the case until »Centipede Hz«. But times do change – unfortunately.
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posted 29.08.2012
Yeasayer
Fragrant World
On their third studio album, »Fragrant World«, Yeasayer conjure a new clarity and compact their sound – but strangulate themselves by doing so.
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posted 27.07.2012
Dirty Projectors
Swing Lo Magellan
With »Swing Lo Magellan«, David Longstreth and his Dirty Projectors are going for a new kind of comprehensibility and write songs – almost without any noticeable concept.
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posted 23.07.2012
The Very Best
MTMTMK
Their debut was praised widely – now, The Very Best deliver another summer-record. It is timed perfectly and neither boring nor annoying. The only thing missing is the weather that fits the album.
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posted 16.07.2012
Hot Chip
In Our Heads
The record’s predecessors have created high expectations, which »In Our Heads« – despite being a typical Hot Chip record – cannot fulfill.
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posted 22.06.2012
Crocodiles
Endless Flowers
For their third album Crocodiles’ turned their backs on sunny San Diego to change their line up and record in Berlin. The result? Their best album to date.
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posted 13.06.2012
The Magnetic Fields
Love At The Bottom Of The Sea
Stephen Merrit returns to the roots of his Magnetic Fields with »Love At The Bottom Of The Sea« and proofs that he’s a magnificent storyteller.
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posted 11.06.2012
Liars
WIXIW
After the almost rocky last couple of records, »WIXIW« has become Liars’ dance album. Our critic certifies the albums’ hit-potential.
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posted 01.06.2012
Lower Dens
Nootropics
This album creates its own world and makes one forget that there is a world at all. Dream-Pop inspired by Kraftwerk, powered by Kraut-Rock
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posted 30.05.2012
Tu Fawning
A Monument
To find the right balance between a strict focus and frenetic letting loose is a Hercules-task here. Sometimes it works. But not always.
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posted 09.05.2012
Bear In Heaven
I Love You, It's Cool
It comes across as predictable simplicity rather than genius. But sometimes Albums should be enjoyable and this definitely is a piece of ear candy with its innocent, psychadelic tunes.
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posted 04.05.2012
Jack White
Blunderbuss
After his recordings with The Raconteurs and Dead Weather, Jack White didn’t have to agree to compromises on his solo-debut. Has it helped the sound?
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posted 02.05.2012
Breton
Other People's Problems
Breton manage to balance the genre-mix of Hip-Hop, Indie and Electronica between the obvious poles »arty« and »danceable« and thereby create a complex yet fresh music.
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posted 11.04.2012
Lotus Plaza
Spooky Action At A Distance
With »Spooky Action at a Distance«, Lockett Pundt seems to be getting his feet back on the ground and thereby approaches the sound of his original band Deerhunter again.
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posted 05.03.2012
The Maccabees
Given To The Wild
The new album by The Maccabees from Britain has a surprise in store: from the perspective of their musical development, it’s the band’s very own »Sergeant Pepper«.
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posted 01.03.2012
Xiu Xiu
Always
In their tenth year, Xiu Xiu continue to work on their discourse-pop, situated somewhere between celebrating their own marginalization and political incorrectness.
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posted 29.02.2012
Young Magic
Melt
Young Magic have high ambitions. But the tracks, which were inspired in ten different countries, take in the various influences a little too superficially.
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posted 06.01.2012
Peaking Lights
936
Having already been released in the U.S. the spring of 2011, one of last year’s top-notch records is finally arriving at Europe’s market, as well.
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posted 15.11.2011
Real Estate
Days
One of the indie-highlights of the year? Real Estate are just drifting along and naturally carry us with them. It’s hard not to like these songs.
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posted 18.07.2011
Black Lips
Arabia Mountain
No other than Mark Ronson is the producer of the Black Lips’ new album. But actually it’s the highly convincing songwriting that makes Arabia Mountain stand out from the crowd.
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posted 27.06.2011
John Maus
We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves
The former tour-keyboarder of Animal Collective and Ariel Pink proves himself a big combiner of antagonisms on his fascinating third album.
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posted 17.06.2011
Bon Iver
Bon Iver
Justin Vernon stepped up, trying to solve the impossible task to record a follow-up to For Emma, Forever Ago. The self-titled album Bon Iver gets as close to a solution as possible.
Indie rock in News
Recent Articles
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posted 07.11.2021
Snail Mail
Valentine
On »Valentine,« Snail Mail makes even bigger gestures than before, but fortunately that doesn’t change the effect.
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posted 01.12.2021
End-of-Year review 2021
Top 50 Albums
Much like every cloud has its silver lining, this year had some fantastic music to offer – something to hold on to in difficult times. These were the 50 best albums released on vinyl in 2021.
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posted 20.09.2021
Dexter
Now on Vinyl: »Pandemie und Freunde«
Tracks against stress: Our HHV Label now releases the EP »Pandemie & Freunde« by Stuttgart based beat smith Dexter in a limited edition of 500 copies on vinyl.
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posted 28.10.2021
Quantic & Nidia Góngora
Almas Conctadas
Eight years after a joint EP, Nidia Góngora and Quantic intensify their collaboration with the album »Almas Conctadas«.
