10 Underrated Albums You Should Listen To
If you're trying to find some new albums to spice up your playlists, look no further than these impeccable records. All of the albums and artists in this list (which is in no particular order) are a part of my regular music rotation, and in my opinion you can't go wrong with any of them.
What A Devastating Turn of Events by Rachel Chinouriri
This album is nothing short of a triumph. Rachel's writing is immaculate and is continuous throughout the mix of pop bangers and heart-wrenching power ballads. I believe this album has done well in the UK, but for how talented she is Rachel deserves to be up there alongside pop giants like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, etc. I've had the privilege of seeing her perform live a couple of times, and boy did she deliver. Her stage presence is engaging, sincere, and star-worthy. This album makes me so excited for what she (hopefully) has coming next!
Blue Rev by Alvvays
Their self-titled album and breakout hit "Archie, Marry Me" are indie staples, but Alvvay's latest album Blue Rev is my personal favourite of theirs. With a little more dad-rock vibes than their previous work, this record has practically zero skips. It's cohesive, has lots of great beat drops, and captures a sense of nostalgia that hits a chord (no pun intended). A few standouts for me are: "Tom Verlaine", "Belinda Says", "After the Earthquake", "Lottery Noises", and "Easy On Your Own". Blue Rev is definitely in contention for my favourite albums of all time, and listening to it feels like driving down an open road in the height of summer.
Found Heaven by Conan Gray
Conan's iconic VMA's performance still lives in my head rent free and I absolutely love his most recent album, however there is something about Found Heaven that makes it feel like a hidden gem. It follows the perfect pop masterpiece formula, with devastating, relatable, and soul-baring lyrics set to undeniably catchy beats. Found Heaven is the epitome of "crying in the club" vibes (but make is 80s), and I am so here for it. "Lonely Dancers", "Winner", "Fainted Love", "Alley Rose", and "Killing Me" are permanent fixtures on my pop playlists, and are so fun to belt during car karaoke.
Surrender by Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers might be one of my favourite artists of all time, but for some reason her second album Surrender is not one I return to very often, which is such a misstep on my part. Every time I do listen to it, I'm reminded how many pop masterpieces are on it, like "Shatter", "Anywhere With You", "Honey", "Different Kind of World", and more. Surrender is an ode to womanhood and what that means in today's society. It was very timely when it was released in 2022, and the same sentiments still hit close to home in 2026. I also had the pleasure of attending the album listening party in London with Miss Rogers herself, and I'll never forget what it felt like to hear the first few chords of "Overdrive" through the speakers, surrounded by other music lovers.
Hypersonic Missiles by Sam Fender
I personally feel as though Sam Fender cannot put out a bad record. All of his albums are produced incredibly well, and are super impressive lyrically. His debut Hypersonic Missiles started off his journey to fame, and it's no secret why. With back to back hits like "The Borders", "Will We Talk?", "Hypersonic Missiles", "Dead Boys", and "Saturday" it's bound to be a new favourite for rock lovers. His music perfectly encapsulates what it's like to be a young person living in a turbulent society, and is relatable in many different ways.
Stay Proud of Me by NoSo
If I had to describe this album in three words, they would be: smooth, psychedelic, and sincere. The deeply relatable coming of age tracks flow seamlessly and will easily get stuck in your head. My favourites are "David" and "Man Who Loves You", but this is another almost no skips album for me. This is one I would definitely recommend indie music lovers, but really anyone should give this a listen!
Evermore by Taylor Swift
I do in fact recognize the irony of including a Taylor Swift album on an "underrated" list, seeing as she is probably the most well-known pop singer of our generation, but out of her impressive discography Evermore is consistently overlooked. Dare I say this is one of her best albums in terms of storytelling, and the narratives she expertly weaves still have a relatability to them despite her level of stardom. "Champagne Problems" and "Tolerate It" are nothing short of masterpieces, and are fantastic heartbreak ballads. If you're looking for melancholy fall tunes, don't sleep on this album.
Work in Progress by Holly Humberstone
While this is technically an EP, I will still go to bat for it as one of Holly's greatest releases. She is another artist that in my eyes can do no wrong (or put out a bad song) and this EP is no exception. "Dive" is a certified bop, and it was so fun to hear the whole crowd belting out the real housewives line at her concert (iykyk). "Easy Tiger", "Work in Progress", and "Down Swinging" are all great tunes, and will get you in the feels!
Stray Dog by Kristiane
Kristiane is a master at angsty indie tracks. With a bit of early 2000s influence, Stray Dog perfectly balances nostalgic beats with lyrics that capture relationship (and general life) anxieties many people experience. A few the standout tracks for me are "Collateral Damage", "Sleep Through The Fire", "Pins and Needles", and the titular track "Stray Dog." If this album had been out when I was in high school, it likely would've become my entire personality.
Clean by Soccer Mommy
Last but certainly not least, Clean is the ethereal indie rock album of my dreams. I remember being obsessed with it during undergrad, and I still feel like it holds up as a no skips album. "Scorpio Rising" and "Still Clean" are my favourites, but all of the tracks are special in their own right. Something about the instrumentals just speaks to me in a way I can't explain, which is why it's one of most listened to records. Soccer Mommy's other album Color Theory is also a must listen for any indie fans.
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