Go against the grain, and let's explore the best indie songs of 2024. This ranked list presents the best of indie music this year, as determined by music lovers just like you. We're keeping in mind the unique and frequently overlooked tracks that deserve more ears and accolades, restricted only to those released within the year of 2024.
Pete Yorn's “Someday, Someday,” a soul-stirring number painted with Yorn's personal struggles and life’s unpredictable journey, features Foo Fighters' keyboardist Rami Jaffee. We also have “Big Love” by Scottish band Camera Obscura, proving indie music is an open field for genre blending. Then, there's “Tiny Moves” by the Bleachers, a throwback to the vibrant pop and rock of the 1980s, complete with a music video featuring lead singer Jack Antonoff's wife, Margaret Qualley.
Each song on this list brings its distinctive melody, lyricism, and style to the indie scene, creating a vibrant sonic palette for listeners. We invite you to listen, enjoy and, most importantly, vote for your personal favorites. Your input will help determine the ultimate ranking of the best indie songs of 2024! So, whether you're a fan of Waxahatchee's heartfelt homage to long-term relationships, or the soulful beats of Khruangbin's “A Love International,” your votes can elevate these gems in the indie music world. Let's appreciate the lesser-known and the remarkable intertwined in indie music in 2024. Cast your votes now!
1Sexy to Someone
ClairoClairo sings of romantic yearning and a quest for meaning in her latest single, “Sexy to Someone.” The track exudes a melodically warm and fuzzy feeling through its instrumentation, along with Clairo's relatable lyrics.
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2Tejano Blue
Cigarettes After SexTexan indie pop outfit Cigarettes After Sex's "Tejano Blue" continues the band's trademark understated and minimalist sound with prominent bass backing, combined with seductive lyrical choices.
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3Too Sweet
HozierIrish singer-songwriter Hozier's “Too Sweet” is his latest No. 1 hit on the charts in six countries, and is featured on his long-awaited third studio album Unheard. The viral song taps into the many layers of falling in love and the intricacies of human nature.
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4Big Love
Camera ObscuraScottish band Camera Obscura's “Big Love” combines country, indie, pop, and prog for their latest single. The break-up song emphasizes the country effect by including pedal steel.
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5Right Back to It (ft. MJ Lenderman)
WaxahatcheeWaxahatchee's “Right Back to It” pays tribute to a comfortable long-term relationship that can pick up easily where it left off. The song also features singer-songwriter and instrumentalist, MJ Lenderman.
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6Beaches
beabadoobee“Beaches” by beabadoobee is a shimmery track that describes finding one's way in life and taking various paths that eventually lead to acceptance.
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7M
Soccer MommySophie Allison of Soccer Mommy has released her latest album, Evergreen after a painful loss. The melancholy single “M” reflects on a person or thing that is no longer present, and the complex emotions while coming to terms with loss.
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8Juna
ClairoClairo's track “Juna” evokes a sense of yearning through warm vocals, lively instrumentals, and open lyrics. The track is on her third studio album, Charm.
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9SPEYSIDE
Bon IverBon Iver's “Speyside” looks back at a past romance and wonders how the relationship could have evolved differently.
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10All in Good Time
Iron and Wine, Fiona AppleSamuel Ervin Beam of Iron and Wine and singer-songwriter Fiona Apple's raw duet on the melancholy and raw “All in Good Time” spotlights each singer's distinct vocal style against a mellow blues-style piano background.
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11Nobody's Soldier
HozierHozier's anti-war song “Nobody's Soldier” uses minimalist, yet biting instrumentals to push his message through with intensity.
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12Gen-X Cops
Vampire WeekendIn their song “Gen-X Cops” the band Vampire Weekend captures the discontents of a generation and the fragility of current social and political structures. One of the lyrics of the song is, “each generation makes its own apology.”
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13Someday, Someday
Pete YornPete Yorn's “Someday, Someday” is inspired by the meandering path life can take, and the personal struggles individuals hide away. Yorn is accompanied by the keyboardist of the Foo Fighters, Rami Jaffee, and sound mixing engineer, Josh Gudwin.
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14Burial Ground
The DecemberistsAccording to the lead singer of The Decemberists, Colin Meloy, the song “Burial Ground” is “a paean to hanging out in graveyards.” The band partners with James Mercer a member of the band, The Shins.
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15Ever Seen
beabadoobee“Ever Seen” by beabadoobee channels indie-pop with a country music aura. Her debut performance of the track was at Taylor Swift's Eras concert, and will be featured on her Rick Rubin-produced studio album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves.
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16May Ninth
KhruangbinKhruangbin's post-rock “May Ninth” uses airy electric guitars and elements of country in their latest chilled-out Thai funk music track.
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17Floating on a Moment
Beth GibbonsBeth Gibbons, member of the band Portishead, releases her first LP, Lives Outgrown. The album was in development for 10 years, and her song, “Floating on a Moment,” pushes the tonal range of the singer's voice.
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18The Dream of Delphi
Bat for LashesBat for Lashes's latest concept album, The Dream of Delphi combines ancestral, spiritual, and folkloric elements. Inspired by motherhood, the single, “The Dream of Delphi” is a musical love letter to the singer's daughter.
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19Your Apartment
WallowsIndie rock trio, Wallows' “Your Apartment” is a pensively moody, yet uptempo track describing a past relationship. The song features a minimalist guitar foundation and singer Dylan Minnette's vocal range as a baritone.
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20Common Blue
WarpaintLos Angeles group Warpaint's “Common Blue” encourages possessing a zest for life and being a free spirit. The anthem alludes to overcoming setbacks and the pain surrounding growth and change.
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21This is Nowhere
The Black Keys“This is Nowhere” the yearning to travel somewhere far away and unknown. The Black Keys co-wrote the song with the singer-songwriter, Beck.
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22Tiny Moves
Bleachers"Tiny Moves" by the Bleachers takes inspiration from the pop and rock of the 1980s. The music video stars lead singer, Jack Antonoff's wife, Margaret Qualley.
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23Forget It
Hippo CampusHippo Campus' “Forget It” describes the emotions leading up to and after one-night stands. The song takes stock of fleeting, yet significant encounters.
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24A Love International
KhruangbinTexas trio, Khruangbin's “A Love International” from their album, A LA SALA, showcases their signature groovy and mystical beats. The music video depicts the story of a teenage romance on a beach in Thailand.
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25Lost In Space
Foster the PeopleThree years after their last studio album, Foster the People's 80s-inspired psychedelia dance-pop track, “Lost In Space.” The genre-mixing song is featured on their album Paradise State of Mind.
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26Image
Magdalena Bay“Image” by duo Magdalena Bay looks at the frenetic energy of experiencing multiple feelings in a short amount of time.
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27Husk
Men I TrustMen I Trust's “Husk” looks at differing perspectives of men and women, with poetically enigmatic lyrics.
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28Spite
Omar ApolloOmar Apollo's “Spite” takes on the emotional complexities of coping with long-distance relationships. Apollo was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 2022 and sings in English and Spanish.
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29Abigail
Soccer MommySoccer Mommy's “Abigail” sings of a digital avatar romance in the video game Stardew Valley in “Abigail."
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30In The Living Room
Maggie RogersMaggie Rogers reflects on an ex in her moody track “In The Living Room” from her third studio album Don't Forget Me.
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31Cherry Blossom
Empire of the SunAustralian electronic indie duo, Empire of the Sun's “Cherry Blossom” asks listeners to slow down and enjoy life's beautiful moments. The song is on their fourth studio album, Ask That God.
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Lost In Space
Foster the PeopleInspired by ‘70s pop and dance music, Foster the People’s “Lost In Space” evokes a feeling of otherworldliness in a catchy and blissful way.
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33Brand New
Hippo CampusHippo Campus' “Brand New” sings of cutting relationship ties and personal regeneration post-breakup.
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34Screamland
Father John MistyFather John Misty's “Screamland” examines insecurities surrounding a relationship, yet throwing caution to the wind in the name of love.
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35Only You
Ginger RootGinger Root's throwback “Only You” takes retro notes from ‘70s rock and the groovy vibes of the disco music era.
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36Seasons & Narcissus
BastilleBastille's “Seasons & Narcissus” looks at Greek mythology and epic storytelling, paired together with layered vocals and minimal instrumentation.
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37Pushing It Down and Praying
Lizzy McalpineLizzy Mcalpine's latest melancholy and pensive single, "Pushing It Down and Praying, explores conflicting emotions surrounding intimacy and love in a relationship."
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38No One's Gonna Love You Like I Can
Laura MarlingIndie folk singer, Laura Marling reflects on the birth of her first child, meditating on mothering her daughter in “No One's Gonna Love You Like I Can.”
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