In this Indie/Rock May 2026 installment spanning jazz-rock, pop-punk, Americana and indie, here are our top picks for the week:
Spottiswoode – “It Wasn’t In The Script”
Spottiswoode paints such a vivid image of how “It Wasn’t In The Script” to trade his old school bohemian rocker lifestyle with domesticity and fatherhood. Being the frontman for his seven piece jazz rock band Spottiswoode & His Enemies, he’s a seasoned artist and a master lyricist. It definitely shows on “It Wasn’t In The Script”, which is also the lead single on his eponymous album.
The song is a classic 1960s R&B style, relying on tight grooves, soulful keys and rhythmic guitar fills which makes everything feel delightfully organic. Spottiswoode’s gritty, conversational singing style blends brilliantly with the charming backing vocals of his daughter – driving the joy of the song home.
Get The Net – “Tijuana”
“Tijuana” is exactly the kind of garage-rock pop-punk song I’d expect to hear if I switched on MTV as a kid. Get The Net, a three piece alternative rock band from New Jersey, make music that could easily sit among the likes of Fall Out Boy and Blink-182. “Tijuana” is also the lead single from their latest eponymous EP.
The track is driven by crashing drums and gritty, unpolished guitar riffs which capture the raw energy of wanting to escape amidst feelings of burnout. The highlight lies in the clever wordplay of the central hook, where “do you wanna” rhymes with “Tijuana”, and it makes sure you can’t get this song out of your head.
James White & The Wild Fire – “Bonfire”
Want a song that expresses the simmering anger of an unexpected breakup? “Bonfire” by James White & The Wild Fire, a UK band that blends psychedelic rock with Americana influences, is the perfect vibe. Written minutes after a breakup by frontman James White, this marks the band’s return from a three year hiatus.
The beauty lies in how the instrumentation of “Bonfire” mirrors its namesake. The opening foot-stomping rhythm feels like wood being chopped and gathered for the fire while the guitars mimic flickering flames, going from brittle sparks to raging flames. With sharp violin strings that cut through this tension with a roaring guitar solo, it really is the ultimate breakup anthem.
Velour On Tap – “Hourglass Lake Ahead”
You hear “Hourglass Lake Ahead” crackling through an old car radio as you drift away into wistful memories on a long drive. Brainchild of veteran songwriter Ian Brimacombe, Velour On Tap is his latest and perhaps most personal project. This indie-rock song is the first single from his EP Cruel Harbour.
His decades of experience and musicality are evident in the composition, which carries the bittersweet reflection of the passage of time. In contrast, the song has a breezy, melodic rhythm with the vocals adding a personal touch. It all beautifully builds up to a guitar solo that cuts through this vibe with a burst of energy, pushing us towards the “Hourglass Lake Ahead”.
Frederick James – “Under The Clocks”
“Under The Clocks” starts off with heavy, aggressive acoustic strumming making you think you’re in for a gritty alt-rock song and then subverts your expectations. Instead, it shifts into a pleasant melodic indie-rock groove with influences of brit-pop that are reminiscent of bands like Oasis.
Composed by Frederick James, an English born Australia based artist, this song is about finding human connection amidst the chaos of daily life. This is evident because the song’s emotional anchor is in the line “love makes a city go round”. While the fast-paced guitars transition into a lighter groove, James’ heartfelt vocal performance carries the song.
Find our previous indie/rock review here
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