10 Most Underrated Indie Rock Albums Of All Time

Perhaps the most purely “indie” record on this list, Ultimate Painting’s self-titled debut is all trebly, winding guitars, beguiling lyrics, sweet harmonies and a cautious sense of detachment. The duo of Jack Cooper and James Hoare, plucked from groups of similar stature in the mid-2010s, began life with a pristine, laid back collection of 10 songs that would fit in an indie disco of any vintage over the past four decades.

The self-titled opener lets you know what you can expect: snaking riffs, reserved vocal harmonies, subtly catchy but insistent songwriting. “Central Park Blues” ups the witty lyricism and embraces the band’s anti-cool aesthetic as they roll their eyes throughout a trip to New York.

Better still is “Three Piers”, the prettiest track on the record and a welcome change of pace. It’s a wistful and swooning number, proving that the band can turn their hand to sincerity should they so wish. The fragility of the music is reflected by the reluctance to embrace full sincerity in the music, which means that, when they go all out, it’s all the more powerful.

Ultimate Painting would release two further records before splitting under acrimonious circumstances, but this is the best of the bunch. The sound isn’t exactly original (they get awfully close to full on Velvet Underground tribute at times), but the songwriting is often top quality.