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Your Ultimate Guide To Indie Music

"Listen to this with a candle burning and you will see your entire future."

Ashley McNulty

Nov 28, 2016

San Diego State University

820

Gazette Review

Music is inarguably one of the greatest aspects of life and, in my opinion, the purest form of communication. Finding a song that puts your emotions into words might just be the best feeling in the world; it validates that you are not alone. In my experience, popular songs on the radio often lack meaning or emotion, but if they do, then excessive production overshadows it.

I honestly cannot remember a time that a top 40's songs has elicited raw emotion. My theory is that popular songs become popular because of these three things: The lyrics are vague enough to apply to anyone, the lyrics are repetitive so that they are easily remembered or the beat and rhythm are simple yet dramatic to keep the listener's attention.

I love those popular songs when I can sing along carelessly with friends or dance in my room by myself, but my favorite moments with music come from friends introducing me to unfamiliar songs, coming across an insanely talented new band/artist that I get to keep as my little secret, or when lyrics make me think and feel.

Indie music is the genre that gets my head spinning and heart racing; whether I am simply confused with how someone could hit such a high note or create that track or so eloquently sing my emotions that I didn't even know I had or adding a clever or creative twist to a classic.

If you want a truly unexpected, emotionally charged and intelligently created music moment here is your ultimate guide to the ultimate indie experience. This compilation has those songs that you can sing or dance to but also those you can listen to in admiration and utter awe. Here are 35 of the best of the best indie creations.

1. "#88" by Lo-Fang

2. "Open Arms" by RKCB

3. "Live Well" by Palace

4. "Girls Your Age" by Tranviolet

5. "Tokyo Sunrise" by LP

6. "Into the Wild" by Lewis Watson

7. "Love Somebody" by St. Lucia

8. "Ocean Eyes" (Astronomyy Edit) by Billie Eilish

9. "Just Tell Me" by Nico Yaryan

10. "Alaska" by Maggie Rogers

11. "Colors" by The Head and the Heart

12. "Hurts" So Good by Astrid

13. "Hurt Me" by Lapsley

14. "Wild Heart" by the Bleachers

15. "Trouble" by Cage The Elephant

16. "Wide Eyes" by Local Natives

17. "Sound & Color" by Alabama Shakes

18. "1957" by Milo Greene

19. "Naked" by James TW

20. "Sexual" by NEIKED

21. " Sex" by eden

22. " Until We Get There" by Lucius

23. " Your Love Is an Island" by Talos

24. " Underdressed" by VERITE

25. " Monster Lead Me Home" by Sara Hartman

26. " Can't Fight It" by Oh Mercy

27. " Arm's Length" by Kacy Hill

28. " One Last Night" by Vaults

29. " Hello My Old Heart" by The Oh Hellos

30. " Oceans" by Coasts

31. " Waves-Tame Impala Remix" by Miguel

32. "The Less I Know The Better" by Tame Impala

33. "Sunshine-The Knocks" Remix by POWERS

34. "Lovesick" by Banks

35. "Youth" by Glass Animals

You can check out all of these Spotify songs here!

P.S. If you know the movie I am referencing in the subtitle, you are a musical genius.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Your Ultimate Guide To Indie Music

"Listen to this with a candle burning and you will see your entire future."

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The transition into adulthood is never easy

1. "Unlimited Freedom!"

2. "Dorm Life!"

3. "Never mind, where is my apartment?"

4. "Whose idea was this 8 AM?"

5. I'm so looking forward to that nap."

6. "I don't have the brain capacity for this"

7. "Wow, college is great"

It's easier than you think.

1. Look into Housing and Dining.

2. Pay attention to campus postings.

3. Find common interest groups.

4. Join an intramural sports team.

5. Work on a cause that you care about.

6. Join a club related to your major.

7. Get an on-campus job.

8. Volunteer.

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

1. You need people to hang out with.

2. You don’t want to be stuck alone eating lunch or dinner.

3. Weekends suck without anyone to share them with.

4. College will be miserable for you.

5. Finding a roommate for the following year will be impossible.

6. You need someone to talk to about personal stuff or homework that isn’t your mom.

7. Classes will be boring and quiet for you if you don’t know anyone.

8. Walking around campus is just awkward.

9. Homework help and study buddies do not exist.

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

1. Comfort

2. Confidence

3. Surprises

4. Self Esteem

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

1. You dress for the temperature of the library, not the weather outside.

2. You say hello to the security guard when he or she walks by.

3. The employees at Starbucks know your name and order.

4. You eat all your meals at a library cubby, not at your own house.

5. You take the quiet floors very seriously.

6. Any night you are not at the library is a special occasion.

7. You have shown up to the library hungover on more than one occasion.

8. Your friends always text you when they are going to the library because they know you will be there.

9. You have taken a nap in the library at some point.

10. You know all the cold and hot spots in the library.

11. You've seen your studying pay off.

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