Writers Playlist: Indie and Alternative Rock

Photo via NewRadialsVevo on YouTube

Aiden Townsend | Contributing Writer

Good afternoon, evening, morning, whatever time it is when you’re reading this. My name is Aiden Townsend, and I have for you a list of songs that fit into the alternative/indie rock genres. These are the main genres I listen to; they are my personal favorites, and I’ve been listening to a wide variety of alt/indie rock songs from all over the world. I have collected a few of my favorites for you to listen to, and I hope you enjoy them.

“Time 2” – Half•Alive

“Time 2” is my favorite song by Half Alive, but unfortunately for me, it’s a song that I feel like is fully forgotten in their discography, both by fans and by the band members themselves. However, in the context of what the song’s about, it makes sense. It’s about resetting in a time of uncertainty and getting to where you want to be, as well as looking at the future and liking what’s on the horizon for you.

“Hold Me Now” – Ewert and the Two Dragons

“Hold Me Now” was the final song released by the Estonian indie rock band Ewert and the Two Dragons before their disbandment. It was made for the Estonian song competition known as Eesti Laul in the 24th edition, in which they ended up placing 7th in the final. This song is about wanting the person you love most to never let you go, and to have them care for you always. I think that’s what kind of pulls me to it, that and how sincere it sounds and feels.

“You Get What You Give” – New Radicals

I first heard “You Get What You Give” on TikTok, from videos of people doing Ted Lasso’s dance to the song, specifically the chorus. Its energy was very infectious and made me want to check out the full song, and I do not regret doing so. New Radicals was a short-lived band from the 90s, lasting from 1997 to 1999. This is a song made to encourage people to just live freely and do whatever they want. It says not to listen to those powerful and rich, and to just be yourself.

“Remember My Name” – Sam Fender

Taking a bit of a turn from the more upbeat songs, “Remember My Name” is a much slower and emotional song. It’s about Fender’s grandparents and when his grandfather had to care for his grandmother, who was suffering from dementia. You can really feel the emotion in Fender’s voice, and the brass band playing behind him while he sings really drives those feelings deep into you as well.

“Dancing on Glass” – St. Lucia

Let’s get a bit more positive with “Dancing on Glass” by St. Lucia! This was their lead single from their second album, Matter. This song deals with how humans are naturally drawn to things that aren’t typically good for them, like, as the title of the song says, dancing on glass. It’s also about how you should never stop chasing whatever it is that you’re trying to reach, until you can finally get it in your grasp.

“Exitlude” – The Killers 

This song means a bit more to me personally. In 2022, a YouTuber that I watched pretty much every single day passed away from stage 4 cancer. On Reddit, his dad shared a song that his son originally wanted to include in the video, but due to copyright, he couldn’t put it in. This was that song. “Exitlude” is the closing song to The Killers’ second album, Sam’s Town, and is a goodbye song to the listener, and sounds like a good farewell song for any occasion, whether it be a death or someone moving to a new place far away.