The 30 Best Indie Rock Songs of 2016 (30 - 21)

No fucking about, here are the 30 best indie rock songs of 2016.

30. PUP - DVP 

PUP are a punk band from Toronto, Canada. They sound like The Bronx and Weezer. DVP (Feb'16) is the song you get seriously fucked up to pre-loading before a dangerous night on the town. A headbanging rush.

29. The Frights - Kids 

The Frights are a surf/garage band from San Diego, California. They sound like SWMRS and Wavves. Kids (Jan'16) is a scathing garage rocker with a poppy beat. Snarky fun.

28. CANVAS - Gold 

CANVAS are an electronic indie rock band from Toronto, Canada. They sound like E.L.O. and Cheap Trick. Gold (Jan'16) saunters along on one fat riff smelling of last nights whiskey and then turns soft and psychedelic. 

27. Beach Slang - Punks At A Disco Bar

Beach Slang are a punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They sound like Gaslight Anthem and Japandroids. Punks At A Disco Bar (July'16) is a punk anthem that enters on a guitar-only riff and then rolls along mid-tempo, all impassioned vocals but no fat or flourishes. 

26. Japandroids - Near To The Wild Heart Of Life 

Japandroids are an indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada. They sound like Death From Above 1979 or Titus Andronicus. Near To The Wild Heart Of Life (Nov'16) is a passionate rock song that will get you fired up to pursue your dreams. 

25. Pretty Vicious - National Plastics 

Pretty Vicious are a punk band from Merthyr, Wales. They sound like early Manic Street Preachers and Oasis. National Plastics (Oct'15) is an incendiary ball breaker that rocks harder than a jailhouse rapist's erection. 

24. FIDLAR - Why Generation 

FIDLAR are a surf/garage punk band from Los Angeles, California. They sound like SWMRS and The Orwells. Why Generation (Feb'16) is a garage rocker and a mosh pit bone breaker with something to say. 

23. The Bay Rays - New House 

The Bay Rays are an indie rock'n'roll band from Tunbridge Wells, England. They sound like The Fratellis and The Vaccines. New House (June'16) is a barn burning rock'n'roller as infectious as a Thai hooker's taint at three in the morning. 

22. The Rifles - Wall Around Your Heart 

The Rifles are an indie rock band from London, England. They sound like The Vaccines and The Jam. Wall Around Your Heart (July'16) meshes elements of punk with modern refined songwriting and production to create passionate pop rock.

 
21. Beware Of Darkness - Dope 

Beware Of Darkness are an indie rock band from Santa Barbara, California. They sound like The Family Rain and The Arctic Monkeys. Dope (July'16) is a classic rock/bluesy stomper that sports riffs as sticky as two hobos fucking in a puddle of piss.

Hooton Tennis Club - O Man Won't You Melt Me

1. Who are these carefree chaps? 

Hooton Tennis Club are an indie psych/revivalist/rock band from Liverpool, England. They have been playing together since 2014. O Man Won’t You Melt Me (Dec’16) is the second single from their second album Big Box Of Chocolates (Oct’16). 

2. What kind of tune is O Man Won't You Melt Me? 

A languid, jangle pop, song with hints of psychedelia and pop from the 1960's and 70's. Offbeat but catchy. 

3. Who do Hooton Tennis Club sound like? 

Parquet Courts, The Beatles and Teenage Fanclub.

4. What kind of press is O Man Won't You Melt Me getting? 

“Manages to stand out above the rest” – There Goes The Fear. 

“Melancholic, but still upbeat” – DIY.

“An easy radio friendly song” – There Goes The Fear.

 

5. Which bands have inspired Hooton Tennis Club's throwback sound? 

Their main influences are The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Beach Boys, The Choral, Big Star and Bob Dylan. 

6. Why should I give O Man Won't You Melt Me a chance? 

Because you love English rock from the 60's and 70's. 

7. What are Hooton Tennis Clubs best songs? 

Boot Cut Jimmy The G and Kathleen Sat On The Arm Of Her Favourite Chair will keep you amused. 

8. Any more words muppet? 

Big Box Of Chocolates was produced by Edwyn Collins (The Cribs, Little Barrie). 

“Here she comes, I guess I’ll step outside”

The Cribs are an indie rock band from Wakefield, England. Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse) was a member of the group for a few years. The Cribs have made seven albums and the last three made it into the U.K. top ten.The Cribs are similar to The Libertines, The Future Heads and Kaiser Chiefs. They are influenced mainly by Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Teenage Fan Club and Weezer. Come On, Be A No-One was the second single from their fifth album In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull (2012). Come On, Be A No-One is The Cribs best song, a punk rocker that AAA Music said “is a slice of total genius, perfectly encapsulating the scrappy punk rock energy of their first two albums and the more considered ‘proper rock band’ stylings of their last two.”

“We don’t need you like a hole in the head”

SKEGSS - Spring Has Sprung

1.    Who are these happy few? 

SKEGGS are a surf/garage/punk band from Byron Bay, Australia. Spring Has Sprung (Dec’16) is the first single from their third E.P. Holiday Food (Feb’17). 

2. What kind of song is it? 

Spring Has Sprung is a bubbly, low-fi, garage-rock song with cruisy melodies and surfy harmonies all wrapped up in a sun warmed towel. A sweet flower of a song.

3. Who do SKEGSS sound like? 

FIDLAR, Hockey Dad and PAWS.

4. What is the word from the press about Spring Has Sprung?

 “Rock’n’roll for the laid back and carefree” – The AU Review.

“A raw DIY punk anthem” – The Music.

“An energetic cut” – Under The Radar.

5. Which bands have influenced SKEGSS? 

FIDLAR, Dune Rats, Hockey Dad or DMA's maybe. The cunts aren't talking.

6. Why should I give Spring Has Sprung a lash? 

The song is a cute, whistle along tune that embodies the essence of making fresh, joyous, discoveries. 

7. What are SKEGSS best songs? 

Spring Has Sprung is the best but L.S.D. isn't too shabby.

8. Any more words?

SKEGSS were the first band signed by Ratbag Records, the label started by the iconic Brisbane band Dune Rats. 

“Spring has sprung in the summer,

All the girls take their clothes off”

Dune Rats are a garage punk band from Brisbane, Australia. They have been playing together since 2011 and have recorded the two albums. The Dune Rats are similar to FIDLAR, Violent Soho, WAVVES and SWMRS. They are influenced by FIDLAR, The Ramones and Cloud Nothings. Bullshit (May'16) was a stand alone single and a banging, singalong, punk party anthem.

“Everything you say is bullshit”

Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam - 1000 Times

1.    Who are the chaps?

Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam are an indie rock band of convenience from NewYork. Leithauser is the singer from The Walkmen and Rostam Batmanglij is  the multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/producer from Vampire Weekend. They have both quit their bands and struck out on their own. 1000 Times (Aug'16) is the first single from their album I Had A Dream That You Were Mine (Sept'16).

2. What's the fuss? 

1000 Times has a catchy chorus that get's milked until they've sucked that tit dry. The vocals move from whimsical to crazed, desperate, and impassioned. It's a classic. 

3. Who do Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam sound like? 

The Walkmen, Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart.

4. What have the fawning press said about 1000 Times?

“Vagabond soul” – Rolling Stone.

“Fantastic single” – Paste Magazine.

“A pained piano driven pop track” – Spin.

5. Who are they influenced by? 

They are both influenced by Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and American roots music. 

6. Why should I give 1000 Times a listen? 

One listen to the chorus and you'll know why. Leithauser's plaintive wailing is more addictive than deep fried heroin. 

7.  What are Hamilton Leithauser +Rostram's best songs? 

1000 Times is the best. 

8. Any more words? 

No.

 “I had a dream that you were mine”

Biffy Clyro are a very successful indie rock band from Kilmarnock, Scotland. Started in 1995 they have recorded seven albums. Biffy Clyro are similar to Twin Atlantic, Feeder and Foo Fighters. They are influenced by Metallica, Nirvana and Rush. Re-Arrange (Nov'16) is the fourth single from their album Ellipsis (July'16) that entered the U.K.charts at number one. Re-Arrange is a quirky rock pop ballad.

“Cause I would never break your heart”

Two Door Cinema Club - Bad Decisions

1.    Who are they? 

Two Door Cinema Club are an indie pop/funk band from Bangor, Northern Ireland. Bad Decisions (July’16) is the second single from their third album Gameshow (Oct’16). 

2. What have they served up? 

Bad Decisions is fat, funky, indie-pop dancefloor filler. Very 80's pop.

3. Who do Two Door Cinema sound like?

Prince, Scissor Sisters and The 1975. 

4. What have the muppets in the press said about Bad Decisions?

“80’s nostalgia fueled sound” – Your EDM. 

“Feel-good disco-tipped dancefloor peak” – Mix Mag.

“A groovy, disco track with a pulsating bass line” – Babble Music. 

 

5. Which bands have influenced Two Door Cinema Club? 

Some of the band's main influences are Prince, David Bowie, Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder and Death Cab For Cutie. 

6. Why should I give Bad Decisions a spin? 

It'll get you shaking your ass. 

7. What are the best Two Door Cinema songs? 

Beacon is the best. Something Good Can Work is chippy indie pop and nice. Sun has a killer chorus and a little assist from the horns and I Can Talk isn't too shabby. 

8. Any more words pal? 

The album Gameshow was produced by Jacknife Lee who has worked with Twin Atlantic, U2, Silversun Pickups, Bloc Party and Weezer.

“I’ve been drinking wine,

And I just made a big mistake”

Walking On Cars are an alternative rock band from Dingle, Ireland. Walking On Cars are similar to The Script, Kodaline, The Coronas and Bastille. They are influenced by The Lumineers, Ben Howard and Coldplay. Walking On Cars debut album Everything This Way (Jan'16) went to number one in Ireland and Speeding Cars (Oct'15) was an international hit single.  Fortitude Magazine described Speeding Cars as “a gorgeous track with stunningly deep lyrics backed by haunting piano work and perfected with a ridiculously catchy chorus.”

“So if I stand in front of a speeding car,

Would you tell me who  you are, what you like”

Bear Hands - Boss

1.    Who are these jovial lads? 

Bear Hands are a post-punk band from Brooklyn, New York. They started playing in 2006. Boss (Oct'16) is the third single from their third album You'll Pay For This (April'16).  

2. What is Boss like? 

Boss is a quirky indie rock song that works it's soft/loud dynamic to the maximum. Soft cooing vocals and acoustic contrast with some stout riffs that build to to an all in. It's an innocuous song that grows on you.

3. Who do Bear Hands sound like? 

Foals, Modest Mouse and Weezer. 

4. What have the boo boys in the press said about Boss?

“An awkward yet undeniably catchy rock song” – Substream Magazine.

“It further demonstrates their impressive eclecticism” – Pod Cart.

“Starts put whimsically before launching into a torrent of angular riffs” – Voodoo Festival.

5. Who are Bear Hands influences?

Some of their influences are The Talking Heads, The Clash, Nirvana, Wu-Tang Clan and Paul Simon.

6. Why should I give Boss a listen? 

If the idea of Paul Simon playing with Nirvana takes your fancy, have at it.

7. What are Bear Hands best songs?

Agora is a diamond, the best Bear Hands tune hands down and don't let any cunt tell you otherwise. That shits tight. Marathon Man is very good and so is 2.A.M. 

8. Any more words mate? 

You'll Pay For This was co-produced by James Brown who has mixed and engineered for U2, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. 

“You’re good with cops,

I think I could learn a lot”

Augustines were an indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. They played from 2010 - 2016. The Augustines have been compared to Frightened Rabbit, U2, Kings Of Leon and The National. Their main influences were Modest Mouse and Elliot Smith. Cruel City was the lead single from the Augustines' second album Augustines (2014). It was the last song the band ever played live and a song Spin said is “scrappy vitality meets gruff yet sophisticated rafter-raising.”

“I still reach for you in the dark”