Be honest — were you a little embarrassed by your 2025 Spotify Wrapped? We’ve got a fresh batch of local music to help you start 2026 on a cooler note. This playlist has some newly minted gems as well as a few past favorites from Indiana-native bands who have moved on to larger cities. So grab those headphones and get the New Year started off with a Hoosier groove.
“Paradise” by Durand Jones and the Indications
Named one of NPR’s best songs of 2025, this stirring soul track from Bloomington-born Durand Jones and the Indications will make you forget all about those winter blues. Highlighted by singer/drummer Aaron Frazer’s feathery vocals, the song is a standout from the group’s fourth studio album, “Flowers.”
“Hey Wait” by Busman’s Holiday
Headed up by brothers Lewis and Addison Rogers, Busman’s Holiday exhibits its exuberant charm with this top-notch track from the 2025 album, “Table Talk.” Esteemed veterans of the Bloomington music community, the band has explored all sorts of musical sounds over the years, from folk to indie rock — showcasing the brothers’ knack for writing simply great songs.
“Ripe” by Six Foot Blonde
Six Foot Blonde proves why it’s become one of the most successful bands to come out of Indiana in recent years with this energetic selection from its 2024 album, “Ask Me How I Am.”
Headed by Julie Rusyniak (who is in fact a rather tall blonde), this on-the-rise rock band cut its teeth playing at venues like the Bluebird in Bloomington and Hi-Fi in Fountain Square before blossoming into a regularly touring act that’s now based in Chicago.
“Leader” by Radar Gold
Radar Gold has quickly become a staple of Indianapolis’ strong sect of psych rockers, regularly performing at Square Cat Vinyl’s Back Alley Ballyhoo festival alongside other noteworthy acts. Led by husband-and-wife duo Emma and Nick Clark, the Indianapolis band is known for having an angular sound akin to that of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. This track is from the 2020 album, “Planet Sings.”
“Soccer Ball” by Sleeping Bag
In a year when the World Cup will be played in North America, it only feels right to spotlight this stellar track from Sleeping Bag — a longtime Bloomington indie rock outfit that has since migrated to Seattle. Known for writing simply irresistible hooks, the Dave Segedy-fronted band took Indiana music lovers by storm with its 2012 album “Women of Your Life,” which this song is from.
“Molly Melancholy” by Jorma Whitaker
Formerly of the iconic Indianapolis indie rock band Marmoset, Jorma Whitaker made a triumphant return in 2023 with the release of his solo album “City and Country” via locally based record label Joyful Noise Recordings. Although this track is not from that album, “Molly Melancholy” gives us Whitaker at his best, with a classic indie rock sound that has aged like fine wine.
“We Control the Weather” by Vess Ruhtenberg
Vess Ruhtenberg is a pillar of the Indianapolis music community, having played in notable acts like the Zero Boys, the Pieces, United States Three, and (most recently) the Last IV over the years. On this title track from his 2021 double-disc album, he demonstrates the playful songwriting style local fans have grown to love.
“Be Free Live Well” by Mike Adams at His Honest Weight
Since the disbanding of his former group, husband&wife, Bloomington’s Mike Adams has made music under this moniker, releasing several impressive albums beginning with 2011’s “Oscillate Wisely.” A shimmering selection from his sophomore album, “Be Free Live Well” serves as a great song to stand on heading into a new year.
“The Whole Sea” by Mother the Band
Mother the Band, fronted by Indianapolis-based singer-songwriter Rebekah Kay, gives listeners a great taste of its emotionally thoughtful songwriting via this recently released song. Having put out several singles over the years, Mother the Band’s ethereal sound is fully encapsulated on the 2023 full-length album, “Cycles.”
“Things I Take for Granted” by Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars
Singer-songwriter Sarah Grain heads up this five-piece Indianapolis-based band that blends elements of folk, bossa nova, rock, americana and jazz into a sound that’s uniquely theirs. Featured on the 2023 album “Days Worth Living: Volume I,” the track “Things I Take for Granted” highlights Grain’s beautiful harmonies and guitarist Doug Sauter’s superb guitar work.
“What I Choose” by Taylor Hall
Dedicated to creating music that heal and speaks to the soul, singer-songwriter Taylor Hall has certainly been on a roll lately. She has performed at noteworthy Indianapolis events like Chreece hip-hop festival and BUTTER Fine Art Fair. On this short-but-sweet track from her 2025 EP “What I Choose,” Hall exhibits her magnetic R&B sound.
“81 Blessings” by Keyze AriZona
One of Indianapolis hip-hop’s shining young stars, Keyze AriZona has risen to the top of the local ranks rather quickly, performing in marquee time slots at the last two Chreece hip-hop festivals. “81 Blessings,” released as a single in 2024, features the young emcee (real name Steffond Keyes) spitting bars over a classic-sounding beat.
“Near Eastside” by Robin Raps
Another one of Indy’s rising young emcees, Robin Raps shows love to the city’s Near Eastside on this gem of a track. When he’s not repping Indianapolis through his own music, Robin can be found hosting his regularly curated series of shows known as Garden Party, which shines a light on other local artists of note.
“U LIKE” by Double A featuring Foxd’legend and Baby Ebony
When he’s not steering the ship at Naptown Thrift, Double A (real name Aaron Marshall) stays busy making flaming-hot hip-hop. A 2023 single that’s also featured on the album “What They Don’t See,” “U LIKE” brings three of Indianapolis’ sharpest emcees together for a track that could already be considered a local classic.
“Pop Off” by DisTinct
With early influences that included 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Outkast, this North Central High School graduate channels the effervescent energy of his elders on this heater of a song from 2024. Sure to gain you bonus points at your next party for being a certified banger, “Pop Off” is just one of several impressive singles DisTinct has dropped over the past couple of years.
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Seth Johnson is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach him at seth.johnson4291@gmail.com.
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