There’s no shortage of great new releases in 2026. The challenge is finding music that actually sticks. Our roundups, therefore, tend to focus on songs that will likely resonate with listeners.

This particular selection dives into the ever-fresh pool of interesting new indie-rock releases. The songs are gritty yet melodious.

ktwheels – “Mechanical Being”

Chicago-based singer-songwriter ktwheels is a breath of fresh air in the indie rock scene. That’s undeniable. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Madison Cunningham, Courtney Barnett and Dora Jar, this California-native artist is also an adept guitarist. You’ll get a taste of her style by listening to the song “Mechanical Being”. This is ktwheels’ most recent offering. “Mechanical Being” features one hell of a funky groove, hence its dance appeal.

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The Dahmers – “In The Dark”

As the final single that was released before The Dahmers unveiled their latest album, “In The Dark” pointed us to the direction the Swedish band would take. The genre-blending song carries hints of garage, punk and horror rock. Lyrically, “In The Dark” explores sorrow, alienation, and mysticism. The new album is titled Creature Feature–it dropped on February 13th on the label Eerie Sounds.

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Viic Woods – “When, Now”

Hailing from the Swedish west coast, Viic Woods has crafted a sound spanning various influences. The singer-songwriter is currently getting ready for the release of her first album, which is titled Unravel Time. Out now, “When, Now” is the first song that Woods penned for the album. “When, Now” finds her decrying humans’ degradation of the environment, which comes at the expense of other species. There is a sense of emergency that’s captured in both the lyrics and instrumentation. This is a really amazing piece.

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REAVEN – “Reavolution In My Heart”

French indie rock band REAVEN have a new single that you’ve got to listen to. Called “Reavolution in My Heart”, it serves as the opening track of the outfit’s upcoming album, Reavolution. And, just like with their song “Free Your Mind“, this new release is rapturous and anthemic. “Reavolution in My Heart” is characterized by gritty guitars and an irresistible hook. The band says this song is about the struggle to break free from emptiness and routine.

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Patrick Sampson – “Back to the Garden”

Back to the Garden” is a spiritually rousing piece from American singer-songwriter and guitarist Patrick Samspson. Taken from his forthcoming album, the song gives us a hint of what’s to come. Musically, “Back to the Garden” is quite poppy, with Patrick’s velvety vocals and knack for catchy melodies properly on showcase. The artist describes it as “a deeply personal song for me, as it has so much to do with my journey through life thus far“. He continues, “For many years, I have been deeply active in pursuing my faith and what it means to take that walk. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been searching for answers, for ground to stand on, for meaning.”

<<Find Patrick Sampson on Instagram>>