Three different yet interesting subgenres of indie rock music

We Were Promised Jetpacks – “Not me anymore”
-There’s a dynamic atmospheric energy in the opening that gives the listener the sense that the track is building energy. The synths hold a lot of power on this one as they support the vocal blending. The easy going style definitely lulls the listener a bit. It’s not an arena hit, but it’s still a unique take on modern indie rock music.

Cue No Ego – “Mind”
-I hear influences from Queen in the classic rock world and a bunch of early 2000s pop punk bands as well. As a Relient K fan, I loved this track from first listen. It’s honestly one of the most exciting tracks I’ve heard in the rock genre all year. The vocal blending is a defining feature of the track. The innovative lyrics and expressive energy reminds me of something that would have come out of Tooth and Nail records in the late 90s or early 2000s. Despite the nostalgia, it really does have a modern rock opera edge to it and I’m super happy to support it here.

Rookin – “Scar”
-There’s a coolness to this track that is quite welcome in the middle of a hot summer. I know it’s not the same kind of cool, but I found myself instantly resonating with this track. The vocal fits right in the pocket of the song, allowing the high highlights of the electric guitars to contrast beautifully with the rhythm section. The combination is unbelievably satisfying. There are shades of some mid-90s alt rock here, but mostly it feels like a sound that takes advantage of contemporary mixing technology for some satisfying, lush soundscapes. Put this one on your chill rock playlist and you’ll never skip it. So good.