Best Indie Releases: February 13, 2026

As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again · Glassnote Records

The Decemberists return with their most ambitious album in over a decade — a sweeping folk opera that rewards patient listening. Colin Meloy's storytelling is at its most vivid, weaving mythology and Americana into narratives that feel both timeless and urgent. Standout tracks: 'Burial Ground,' 'Joan in the Garden,' 'America Made Me.' For fans of: Neutral Milk Hotel, Arcade Fire, The Mountain Goats.

Tigers Blood · Anti- Records

Katie Crutchfield delivers her most focused and emotionally direct record to date. Tigers Blood strips away any remaining indie rock artifice for something rooted in classic American songwriting — pedal steel, acoustic guitar, and unflinching honesty. Standout tracks: 'Right Back to It,' 'Burns Out at Midnight,' '365.' For fans of: Lucinda Williams, Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail.

Hanukkah 2025 (Live Covers) · Matador Records

Yo La Tengo's legendary annual Hanukkah shows at Maxwell's produced another batch of inspired covers, now released officially. The band's ability to inhabit other artists' songs while making them completely their own is a rare gift. Highlights include their reading of The Cure's 'Pictures of You,' Sonic Youth's 'Shadow of a Doubt,' and Wreckless Eric's 'Whole Wide World.' For fans of: Sonic Youth, Galaxie 500, Pavement.

"Feeling Good Today" · Secretly Canadian

Atlanta's Faye Webster continues her run of effortlessly sophisticated indie pop with a new single that sounds like a warm afternoon in February. Her breathy vocals float over lush production — orchestral touches, jazzy guitar, and a rhythm section that never rushes. It's deceptively simple music that reveals new layers with each listen. For fans of: Clairo, Weyes Blood, Angel Olsen.

"A Hole In My Heart" · Secretly Canadian

Brighton's Porridge Radio deliver another raw, emotionally honest single from their upcoming record. Dana Margolin's voice cracks in all the right places, and the band builds from sparse verses to cathartic crescendos with practiced ease. Not as immediately arresting as their best work but still essential listening for fans of UK indie's more emotionally literate wing. For fans of: Dry Cleaning, Squid, Fontaines D.C.

"Pass" · Full Time Hobby

Ella Williams' project Squirrel Flower continues to quietly produce some of the finest folk-adjacent songwriting around. 'Pass' is a meditation on letting go — of places, people, past selves — delivered with an economy of language that packs enormous emotional weight. Williams' guitar playing is subtle and precise, the production warm and intimate. For fans of: Big Thief, Hop Along, Julien Baker.

"Imouhar" · Matador Records

Niger's Mdou Moctar brings his blazing Tuareg guitar work to new audiences with this cinematic single. His playing is technically staggering — fluid, expressive, and deeply rooted in tradition while pushing the form forward. 'Imouhar' showcases both his virtuosity and his band's tight rhythmic foundation. This is world music at its most vital and necessary. For fans of: Tinariwen, Bombino, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.