Hey, summer's half over but that's how long it took me to tenaciously wade through a sea of indie weepers to compile these modestly upbeat treasures. Years past, I've often tried to generate a hit machine of under-the-radar, catchy bangers, but this time the best I could achieve was a "vibe." I can't jog to this compilation, but driving the car or cleaning the house to it feels like I found a fun radio station at the edge of the dial. I hope you enjoy it too.
In case you've ever wondered about my criteria for choosing songs, the parameters go in this order:
1. Is the beat slow or mid-tempo? This will not make the cut.
2. Are the lyrics sad or angry? We deserve a break from these emotions.
3. Is it mainstream? Let's leave the payola pop stars to the Coachella headliner stage.
There. You'd be amazed how difficult it is to meet these criteria in a world that's literally addicted to feeling sorry for itself, trapped in black hole of it's own navel. Playlist below, followed by Spotify and YouTube videos.
Are you ready to be brave and smile and possibly dance?
SUMMER INDIE MUSIC 2026
1. Collect 200 - Everything Will Be Alright
2. Kraak & Smaak ft. Kosta G - Nothing Is Forever
3. Automatic - mq9
4. Nation of Language - Inept Apollo
5. Twen - Tumbleweed
6. Spacemoth - Internet fantasy
7. Packaging - Always Calling
8. Ryli - Break
9. Royel Otis - Who's Your Boyfriend
10. Gelli Haha - Dynamite
11. RIO KOSTA - One With You
12. Hannah Lew - Distance of the Moon
13. Weird Nightmare - Might See You There
14. Getdown Services - The Bins
15. ISTA - Waves
16. Automatic - Is It Now?
17. Babe Rainbow - Polymuscalsaccharide
18. BEL - Parachute
19. Packaging - In Your Pocket
20. Kraak & Smaak ft. IVAR - Herbs & Wine
21. Kevin Morby - Javelin
22. GUM - Outrider
