Indie Rock Takeover: Wilco and Other Essential Indie Rock Bands

What is “indie,” anyway? Is it skinny jeans, Sunburst Stratocasters and double kick drums on the landing in the summer? Well, yes! And well…..no. 

Theoretically, it's any independent artist or an artist signed to an independent record label. So congratulations: The lo-fi shoegaze punk band you formed when you were 17 can be categorized alongside Wilco and The White Stripes.

But it's not that straightforward. Indie—specifically indie rock—has grown beyond just being about independent releases; it's evolved into its distinct genre and cavalcades of subgenres. Back in the '80s, it was about bands putting out records independently, but soon enough, the term started describing a certain sound. 

Sleater-Kinney, The Strokes, and Arcade Fire crafted styles so unique that a whole movement emerged around them. 'indie rock' can mean a band signed to a major label or playing packed arenas. 

Here are some essential vinyl records from our favorite indie-rockers to celebrate this genre as it enters its fifth decade.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001) — Wilco

Though signed to a major label, Wilco took a risk by releasing Yankee Hotel Foxtrot on their website months before it became commercially available. The result was a more introspective, grounded Wilco than their previous, more psychedelic records. 

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot became the turning point in Wilco's career, laying the musical foundation for the band's next two decades. Jeff Tweedy's Americana influences melded with experimental arrangements, creating a record that stands tall among Wilco's best.

AM (2013) — Arctic Monkeys

With their fifth record, Arctic Monkeys reminded everyone why they’re one of the biggest rock bands in the world. AM is full of hits, from the bluesy swagger of "Do I Wanna Know?" to the hip-hop-inspired "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" Arctic Monkeys aren’t afraid to dip into different genres but always maintain their distinct style. AM is a masterclass in confidence, swagger, and pure rock energy.

Dig Me Out (1997) — Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney emerged in the early '90s out of Washington state, the grunge capital of the world, but they carved their own path. Drawing on punk influences, they became one of the defining acts of the riot grrrl movement—a cultural and political force in its own right. Dig Me Out captures Sleater-Kinney at their most raw and immediate. It’s a record that’s powerful not just for its music, but for its fearless message.

Is This It (2001) — The Strokes

Can you think of another debut rock record that came out with this much hype? We sure can’t. After a buzzy EP earlier in 2001, The Strokes signed with RCA Records and dropped Is This It, and the world took notice. The album almost single-handedly reinvented indie rock for the new millennium. 

With Julian Casablancas’s effortless vocals and fuzzy guitar riffs inspired by '60s garage rock, The Strokes brought a new level of cool to the scene and set the benchmark for the decade.

Surfer Rosa (1988) — Pixies

Pixies are absolutely foundational to the indie rock movement, and it all started with Surfer Rosa. Black Francis recruited bassist Kim Deal with the line, "must like Peter, Paul, and Mary and Hüsker Dü," and that strange blend of folk and punk is exactly what defined Pixies' sound. Tracks like "Where Is My Mind?" became indie rock anthems, capturing that loud-quiet-loud dynamic that has been imitated countless times since. Surfer Rosa is raw, unpredictable, and essential.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998) — Neutral Milk Hotel

Neutral Milk Hotel only released two albums, but their influence can’t be overstated. Jeff Mangum poured his heart into every word of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, crafting deeply personal songs that touched on relationships, history, and the strange beauty of everyday life. The lo-fi production and deeply emotional lyrics resonated with listeners and helped define indie music in the early internet age. 

This album is a testament to staying true to your vision, no matter what.

Elephant (2003) — The White Stripes

It’s amazing how much Jack and Meg White could do with just a guitar, some drums, and a bit of analog recording gear. Elephant was recorded without the use of any digital equipment, and that raw, analog energy is evident throughout. The album’s signature track, "Seven Nation Army," has one of the most iconic riffs of all time. Elephant is proof that stripped-down, straightforward rock can still be powerful and endlessly inventive.

Be the Cowboy (2018) — Mitski

By the time she made Be the Cowboy, Mitski was already an indie favorite, but this album catapulted her into broader success. It’s more stripped back than Puberty 2, with Mitski intentionally putting herself "in the spotlight." 

The songs range from synth-pop to bare-bones indie ballads, but they’re all unmistakably Mitski. Her lyrics are personal, complex, and deeply relatable, making Be the Cowboy a definitive moment in her career.

Her Majesty The Decemberists (2003) — The Decemberists

Her Majesty The Decemberists takes everything we loved about Castaways and Cutouts and dials it up. Colin Meloy’s storytelling is in full swing here, with tales of aristocrats, soldiers, and adventurers populating the songs. It’s got all the Victorian flair you’d expect, but with a bit more polish and confidence. 

The Decemberists were beginning to find their stride here, and Her Majesty is a whimsical, captivating listen from start to finish.

For Emma, Forever Ago (2007) — Bon Iver

Justin Vernon’s For Emma, Forever Ago is a haunting, beautiful collection of songs that feels both intimate and expansive. Vernon recorded it alone in a cabin, and you can hear that solitude in every note. The lo-fi production and Vernon’s falsetto vocals give the songs a haunting quality. Tracks like "Skinny Love" have become iconic, and the album as a whole paved the way for a new kind of introspective indie folk. It’s a testament to the power of vulnerability.

Turn On the Bright Lights (2002) — Interpol

With Turn On the Bright Lights, Interpol became a defining force in the post-punk revival of the early 2000s. The album’s brooding guitar lines, Paul Banks's detached vocals, and atmospheric production gave it a hauntingly beautiful quality. Tracks like "Obstacle 1" and "PDA" are drenched in the kind of cool, aloof energy that defined Interpol’s early sound. It’s dark, it's stylish, and it quickly became an essential indie record.

Brothers (2010) — The Black Keys

With Brothers, The Black Keys took their gritty blues-rock sound and polished it just enough to reach a wider audience. "Tighten Up" and "Howlin' for You" show off the band’s knack for catchy hooks, but the raw energy is still there. This album was pivotal in bridging the gap between indie rock and mainstream success, without losing that garage band feel. 

It’s soulful, it’s stripped back, and it’s The Black Keys at their best.

Oh, Inverted World (2001) — The Shins

Released in 2001, Oh, Inverted World quickly became an indie staple. Tracks like "New Slang" and "Caring Is Creepy" combined melancholy lyrics with upbeat, jangly melodies, capturing that perfect mix of youthful optimism and introspection. It was the album that showed the world that indie could be heartfelt and authentic, while still reaching a broad audience. Oh, Inverted World was The Shins at their most charming and remains a nostalgic favorite.

Either/Or (1997) — Elliott Smith

Either/Or solidified Elliott Smith as a major force in indie music. The album’s stripped-down production lets Smith’s songwriting shine—his lyrics are painfully honest, and his melodies are haunting. Songs like "Between the Bars" and "Angeles" are beautiful in their simplicity. Either/Or captures the raw emotion and vulnerability that made Elliott Smith such a beloved figure in the indie scene.

First Two Pages of Frankenstein (2023) — The National

First Two Pages of Frankenstein is The National at their most collaborative and introspective. Recorded at Long Pond Studios, the album features contributions from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and Sufjan Stevens, adding even more emotional layers to The National’s signature melancholy sound. Tracks like "The Alcott" and "Tropic Morning News" bring a warmth and depth that shows the band is still growing, still searching.

This album captures The National’s ability to balance the heavy and the hopeful, making it a must-listen.

Sound of Silver (2007) — LCD Soundsystem

With Sound of Silver, LCD Soundsystem proved that you could blend dance-punk energy with indie sensibilities and make something unforgettable. Tracks like "All My Friends" are both danceable and deeply reflective, capturing the feeling of getting older and wondering what it all means. 

James Murphy’s sharp production and introspective lyrics are on full display, making this one of the defining records of late-2000s indie.

Plans (2005) — Death Cab for Cutie

Plans saw Death Cab for Cutie embracing a more polished, lush sound while holding onto the intimate lyrics that had always set them apart. 

Tracks like "Soul Meets Body" and "I Will Follow You into the Dark" are both haunting and hopeful, exploring love, loss, and the unknowns in between. Plans helped Death Cab break into the mainstream, earning multiple Grammy nominations, but it never lost the introspective touch that had endeared them to fans in the first place.