A selection of new and/or relevant INDIE tracks from SEPTEMBER 2026 that have recently left an impression on us. For the full playlist, click here.
Shannon Hudson — “Black Roses“
Shannon Hudson brings a brooding rock energy to “Black Roses,” a track that feels built around tension rather than excess. The guitar-led arrangement gives the song its weight, while Hudson’s vocal delivery keeps things grounded and direct. There is a darker edge running through the track, but it never becomes needlessly dramatic. Instead, the song lets its melodies and steady rhythmic drive do most of the work. “Black Roses” has the familiarity of classic alternative rock while carrying enough personality to avoid sounding like a straightforward throwback. It is focused, emotionally charged and easy to return to.
Fading Signals — “Eleven One“
At over five minutes, “Eleven One” gives Fading Signals enough room to develop an atmosphere instead of rushing toward a hook. The track leans into a spacious, slow-building rock sound, using shifts in intensity to hold attention across its longer runtime. There is a strong sense of patience in the arrangement, with quieter passages making the heavier moments land better. Rather than overcrowding the production, Fading Signals allows the individual elements to breathe. The result feels immersive without becoming inaccessible. “Eleven One” works particularly well for listeners who enjoy rock songs that develop gradually and reward a full listen.
ReeToxA — “Akaroa“
ReeToxA takes a reflective route with “Akaroa,” a 4-minute track from the 2026 album SOLILOQUY. The song reportedly began with a vivid dream during a difficult period in the artist’s life and later resurfaced through an experience in Akaroa, New Zealand. That history fits the recording’s spacious, contemplative character. The arrangement gives the song room to unfold without forcing a dramatic payoff, which creates a meditative quality . There is melancholy here, but also a sense of resolution. “Akaroa” shows ReeToxA at his most introspective, turning a deeply personal memory into something quietly absorbing.
14 Flamingos feat. JAXXEE — “Habsburg Chin“
14 Flamingos embrace their stranger side on “Habsburg Chin,” a compact 2:43 collaboration with JAXXEE released in August 2026. The band describes its wider sound as a collision of art rock, new wave and surf rock, and that deliberately off-centre personality is central to their appeal. “Habsburg Chin” feels playful and eccentric without letting the concept swallow the songwriting. Its short runtime helps: ideas arrive quickly, the track makes its point, and it leaves before the joke wears thin. It is quirky rock made by musicians who clearly have little interest in sanding down their oddest instincts.
