BEST OF 2024: INDIE DEBUTS

My favorite debut albums and extended plays from indie, indie rock, and indie folk sub-genres.

Welcome to my Best of 2024 newsletter!

I listened to a lot of new releases this year, and my Spotify playlists are obnoxiously large with my favorites from 2024. But I am going to do my best to pick some standouts, and deliver them to you by genre/vibe.

We’ve finally reached the LAST debut spotlight of the year. If you’ve been following along for all of these, thanks for sticking through. And if you joined along the way, welcome!

Today’s list will be the longest for my favorite indie debuts. I figured I’d lean into my name Indie Scientist and spend time on a bigger feature for this expansive genre. Even so, whittling these down into a final ten was tough for me; there’s just so many great releases this year!

10. Sub*T - Spring Skin (EP)

For Fans Of: indie | fuzz rock | The Breeders | THICK | Veruca Salt | Ratboys

Release Date: June 2024

This NYC band delivers a fantastic homage to 90s driven female rock, releasing an EP that incorporates fuzzy, noise, and pop elements.

9. GARDENS - Flaws

For Fans Of: indie folk | dream pop | Chastity Belt | PACKS | Slow Pulp | Faye Webster

Release Date: November 2024

This Austrian debut encompasses dream pop, folk, and psychedelic rock elements to deliver a great new entry into the indie folk arena.

8. Ok Cowgirl - Couldn’t Save Us From My Gut

For Fans Of: indie | indie folk | Wednesday | The Cranberries | Sharon Van Etten | Liz Lawrence

Release Date: August 2024

This debut album from Brooklyn combines alternative country and indie pop influences, culminating in some amazing tracks fronted by the lead singer’s twangy vocals.

7. Half Happy - Conversation Killer (EP)

For Fans Of: dream pop | indie rock | Pip Blom | Wolf Alice | Egyptian Blue | Softcult

Release Date: September 20, 2024

The tracks are a blend of dream-pop, indie-rock and post punk, and I think each song represents a different sonical snippet of those genres. In that way, I think this release has a great story-telling nature, and I look forward to what this Cardiff band continues to offer in the future.

6. Lime Garden - One More Thing

For Fans Of: indie | indie rock | Sorry | Bloc Party | Hayley Williams | TV On The Radio

Release Date: February 2024

Brighton’s Lime Garden is a band that has hit a lot of “Bands To Watch” lists, so they don’t necessarily need my help getting the recognition they deserve; regardless, I loved this album and played it to bits when it came out. The influences on this album span from modern day pop artists to mid-00s indie rock legends to nostalgic alternative from the 90s.

5. Phoebe Rings - Phoebe Rings (EP)

For Fans Of: dream pop | bedroom indie | Stereolab | Starcleaner Reunion | Peel Dream Magazine

Release Date: October 2024

This New Zealand band describes this collection of songs as a “love-letter to Studio Ghibli films, Zelda and Stardew Valley soundtracks, Bossa Nova, Stereolab, and 90’s Korean ballads,” and I think that description hits the nail on the head describing the ethereal and up-in-the-clouds vibes that are delivered on this EP.

4. Cloud Cafe - Gift Horse

For Fans Of: indie | fuzz pop | Big Thief | Slow Pulp | Wednesday | MJ Lenderman

Release Date: September 2024

Fuzzy indie folk pop isn’t a genre I usually associate with the Netherlands, but I’m so happy for Cloud Cafe to prove me wrong. Highly recommend this release to be your new laid-back, comfort album to sink into.

3. yungatita - Shoelace & A Knot

For Fans Of: indie rock | slacker pop | Beach Bunny | Rosie Tucker | Waxahatchee | Cafuné

Release Date: January 2024

This was one of the first albums I listened to in 2024, and I was eager to check out the artist right away. I think this release perfectly encapsulates the success of their previous singles and delivers a comprehensive album that combines that Californian sunbaked sound with a little bit of punk and distortion.

2. wonderbug - scrap (EP)

For Fans Of: indie | grungegaze | Wednesday | Porridge Radio | Ovlov

Release Date: November 2024

Ever since I listened to this EP last month, I haven’t strayed too far from it. This EP from London combines multiple vocalists and incredible harmonies to create a hauntingly beautiful and passionate collection of tracks.

1. Blood - Loving You Backwards

For Fans Of: post-rock | indie pop | Keane | Radiohead | Mannequin Pussy | Font

Release Date: August 2024

Front to back, this album is full of longing and reflection, and I love how it blends in post-punk and discordant instrumentals to build crescendos throughout its storytelling. An incredible release from the Philadelphian band, and I look forward to seeing these tracks live in the future.

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We’ve finally reached the end! You can find all 50 debut albums and EPs in this Spotify playlist.

For those not on Spotify, I’ve also created this lovely Youtube playlist for your pleasure.

Were there any debuts that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!

x Erin

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