For indie music lovers, this summer’s flow of new releases successfully fulfilled every vein and niche of sub-genre enjoyment. From the Vampire Weekend-ish jams busted out by Island to Fleet Foxes’ somber folk melodies, all the way to the glitchy electronic drones of Diplo, this summer’s indie rock, folk, electronic drops encompassed the entire spectrum of indie music.
The season also offered music that filled a smaller indie vein, with some artists revealing traces of the struggling rock and roll genre. The term “revival” induces a feeling of living in the past – a way for curmudgeonly old rockers to draw similarities between emerging artists and a time when their music tastes were cutting edge, which is why it’s not exactly fitting to call this a 90’s revival.
Instead, this playlist of top singles from this summer releases is a reimagining of the unpolished 90’s alternative style blended with modern indie rock conventions. These are not new-age Pixies, Replacements, Pavement or Weezer incarnations, but rather a separate, and renewed, iteration of distorted guitars, understated vocals, and demure lyrical content brought to cohesion. The summer of 2014 had something for everyone, even for music lovers in search of something a bit more frenetic.
Some of the bands with summer hits were releasing material as far back as the 1990’s, which is one reason why Denton, Texas’ Centro-Matic is a featured artist. The band was formed nearly 20 years ago in 1995 as a side project of singer, songwriter and drummer Will Johnson, who is also a member of the indie folk super group Monsters of Folk. This track, “Academy of Lunkers,” is a standout track on Centro Matic’s newest album.
“Academy of Lunkers” – Centro Matic from Take Pride in Your Long Odds
Brooklyn and Philadelphia-based band, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (CYHSY), have long been a staple of modern indie rock thanks in part to the notoriously indifferent vocals of Alec Ounsworth. However, the latest iteration of CYSY features more polished and carefully engineered vocals, which, at times, are reminiscent of Thom Yorke.
“Coming Down” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah from Only Run
Although quickly finding sufficient information via search about the Atlanta-based noise pop outfit Gold Bears requires some effort, becoming hooked on their latest LP does not. Muddled guitars mixed with thoughtful lyrics and infectious pop tendencies fuel their brand of youthful, energetic indie rock.
“For You” – Gold-Bears from Dalliance
Hüsker Dü may have broken up more than 25 years ago, but Bob Mould hasn’t stopped producing stellar music. Being one of the fore fathers of original indie rock, one might expect Mould’s new music to sound archaic and antiquated, but he has proven time and time again his ability to remain stylish and relevant, as the track “Hey Mr. Grey” demonstrates.
“Hey Mr. Grey” – Bob Mould from Beauty & Ruin
After the untimely disbandment of The Smiths in 1987, (before many of their current fans were even born), frontman Steven Patrick Morrissey (better known as Morrissey) continued to write scathing Oscar Wilde-inspired anthems for the down-trodden. Now, with the release of the 20th anniversary definitive edition recording of Vauxhall and I contains some of Morrissey’s most notable works and is the perfect illustration of his unmatched lyrical ability.
“The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get” – Morrissey from Vauxhall and I (20th anniversary definitive edition)
Bloomington, Indiana’s Stagnant Pools represent what shoegaze enthusiasts have long waited for. Their massively distorted wall of sound and subtle vocal arrangements can only be compared to greats within the vein like Slowdive, Joy Division, and My Bloody Valentine. Although their new album, Geist, places a higher emphasis on the vocals of guitarist/frontman Bryan Enas than their debut LP, Temporary Room, the hazy ambiance of true shoegaze is still very much present.
“You Whir” – Stagnant Pools from Geist
In terms of the post rock genre, few bands are credited with shaping the genre more than Glasgow’s Mogwai. Tasteful arrangements and spare vocals epitomize the ambient landscape of this orchestral vein of indie, and few execute it as well as Mogwai. For many, their 1995 release, Come On Die Young, is the apex of post rock – a sentiment that is difficult to argue.
“Ex-Cowboy” – Mogwai from Come On Die Young (deluxe reissue)
Brooklyn-based indie outfit Beverly is composed of Crystal Stilts, Dum Dum Girls, and Vivian Girls’ member Frankie Rose and former Avan Lava member Drew Citron. Gritty, dirty blues guitar, backed by airy female vocals, perfectly illustrates why the two are at the forefront of the city’s indie music scene. Beverly is a must listen for fans of Dum Dum Girls as well as Rose’s solo work.
“Honey Do” – Beverly from Kanine
Further establishing himself as one of the most relevant figures in modern rock, former White Stripes‘ frontman Jack White’s latest album, Lazaretto, was inspired by plays, poems, and short stories that he wrote when he was 19. In addition to its Detroit garage rock-epitomizing eleven tracks, the album also contains secret songs and holograms designed to fully immerse listeners. White set a world record, supposedly, on Record Store Day in April by recording and releasing the fastest single ever, which was “Lazaretto.”
“Lazaretto” – Jack White from Lazaretto
In what seems to be a do-no-wrong style of releasing albums, the Austin, Texas natives known as Spoon are responsible for some of the most conventional brand of tasteful, finely tuned rock music. At this point, it’s probably safe to consider Spoon one of the bands with universal indie music appeal, something that their new album They Want My Soul reinforces beautifully.
“The Rent I Pay” – Spoon from They Want My Soul
If there were a song on the list that bordered on a ‘happy song,’ it would be Cosines’ “Out of the Fire”. Its bouncy melody and scattered, whirring keyboards, combined with upbeat vocals and lyrics give the song a retro sound that is undeniably infectious. The music of Cosines represents the ideal mix of old and new, physical and synthesized.
“Out of the Fire” – Cosines from Oscillations
Strand of Oaks is considered an indie folk band, but are also reminiscent of a blues rock outfit. Instead of sparse strumming and wistful oohs and ahhs, their self-titled track tells a much more relatable tale with a strong backing melody. Perhaps the two things that have essentially disappeared from indie folk are dark subject matter and guitar solos. Strand of Oaks has both, and will make some wonder when and why these conventions stopped being so widely used.
“Strand of Oaks” – Strand of Oaks from Heal
There are a still a few bands on the indie scene that appreciate the beauty that extremely distorted guitars and vocals can produce. In the vein of No Age, White Reaper is a loud, muddled, aggressive outfit and undoubtedly polarizing band. Some will find their music abrasive, others will wish more bands followed their lead and dare to venture outside of the realm of playing it ‘safe.’
“Cool” – White Reaper from White Reaper