today’s indie picks feel wonderfully rooted. after valentines day, we need these songs about freedom, love across distance and refelction. here’s four artists approaching indie from folk warmth, classic pop instinct, and americana depth.
virtually free – ian roland
“ian roland pairs modern roots-pop with timeless songwriting to great effect”
virtually free reflects on what freedom really means, blurring the lines between what feels real and what only appears that way. the elbow – adjacent presentation sits close to the heart, and the lift into the chorus is genuinely touching.
with a modern vintage tone that recalls classic singer-songwriter craft, ian roland writes with warmth and melodic richness. combined with a cute video of the lads playing a gig in the pub, this is warm, connecting and. brilliant.
thank u for making this ian roland 🍂
take control (don’t let ’em) – sean macleod
“sean macleod is back to bring more wonderful classic indie-pop instincts into 2026′
one of our faves over here at introvert disco, sean macleod is back with his new single ‘take control (don’t let ’em)’. it’s all shimmering guitars and a genuinely standout choruses, with a wonderful nod to sixties pop and traditional indie influences while keeping the delivery direct and raw. it’s classic sean macleod.
after years of songwriting across bands and solo work, sean macleod sounds grounded and assured. this track feels like a confident return to indie roots, melodic, immediate, and unafraid of simplicity. more of this please, sean. and if you’d like to find out more check out our interview here.
thank u for making this sean macleod 🎸
for u i’ll cross the sea – adam wedd
“adam wedd turns real-life love stories into exceptional, intimate indie folk”
for u i’ll cross the sea draws from a pandemic-era zoom call and transforms it into something quietly cinematic. the storytelling sits front and centre, supported by wonderfully warm acoustic textures, a genuinely beautiful vocal delivery, and a tone of heart.
inspired by classic storytellers, london-based adam wedd writes with emotional clarity and a sense of devotion. it’s far more chilled compared to his previous singles, with unguarded sincerity, indie folk built on narrative strength rather than spectacle.
thank u for making this adam wedd 🌊
sidelines – 23 fields
“23 fields blend folk, rock and americana into the reflective widescreen canvas that you need this year”
sidelines carries a wonderful emotional weight without heaviness. a stunning acoustic groove weaves a folk foundations, creating a sound that feels both expansive and familiar. the vocal delivery is wonderfully worn, but gives it a standout quality that feels like it’s genuinely speaking outward.
from the album ‘the vacant stars of wandering souls’, 23 fields explore resilience, time and the search for meaning with a renewed passion. this album feels like an old friend returning with new stories to tell.
thank u for making this 23 fields ✨
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