2018 was the year Delhi hip-hop found its long-form voice, Hindi rock bands put out the records that filled college fests for years after, and a new set of singer-songwriters and electronic producers moved from SoundCloud to full releases. This list picks the best Indian indie albums of 2018 that you can stream on Apple Music India today, plus the EPs worth hearing.

How we checked. Every date and track count below comes from Apple Music India (iTunes catalogue, country IN), checked on 28 October 2026. We also checked the date of every song on every record. A record is only here if most of its songs carry a 2018 date on Apple. Where a few songs came out earlier as singles, we say so. Only released music is covered. For the year after, see the best Indian indie albums of 2019.

Quick answer: the best Indian indie albums of 2018

  • Seedhe Maut & Sez on the Beat – Bayaan (28 December 2018, 12 tracks)
  • The Local Train – Vaaqif (29 January 2018, 8 tracks)
  • Swarathma – Raah-e-Fakira (15 October 2018, 9 tracks)
  • Skyharbor – Sunshine Dust (7 September 2018, 14 tracks)
  • Raghav Meattle – Songs From a Matchbox (17 November 2018, 8 tracks)
  • Yungsta & Frappe Ash – Showtime (18 July 2018, 8 tracks)
  • Fiddlecraft – Hawai Jahaaz (6 June 2018, 10 tracks)
  • Achint – Achint & The Khan Brothers (29 June 2018, 8 tracks)
  • Peepal Tree – Chetana (2 October 2018, 10 tracks)

The albums

Seedhe Maut & Sez on the Beat – Bayaan (December 2018, 12 tracks). The Delhi duo's debut album, released on Azadi Records with producer Sez on the Beat. "Shaktimaan" came out first as a single on 30 August 2018; the other eleven tracks, including "Uss Din", "Meri Baggi", "Dehshat", "Kyu" and "Chalta Reh", are dated 21 December 2018 on Apple, with the album itself dated 28 December. It is dense, fast and very Delhi. Start with: "Shaktimaan". More in our Seedhe Maut albums guide.

The Local Train – Vaaqif (January 2018, 8 tracks). The second album from the Hindi rock band. "Khudi" (June 2017) and "Aaftaab" (November 2017) came out first as singles; the other six songs, including "Gustaakh", "Dilnawaz", "Mere Yaar" and the title track, carry the 29 January 2018 date. Start with: "Aaftaab". See The Local Train albums.

Swarathma – Raah-e-Fakira (October 2018, 9 tracks). The Bengaluru folk-rock band's third album. The title track (1 October) and "Aasman Ki Dukaan" (10 October) led the way; "Beta Sweater Pehno" dates from February 2017. The rest, including "Manwa", "Kaash", "Mazloom" and "Jangama", are dated 15 October 2018. Start with: "Raah E Fakira". See our Swarathma band page.

Skyharbor – Sunshine Dust (September 2018, 14 tracks). The progressive metal band's third album, on Entertainment One. It collects three earlier singles ("Out of Time" 2015, "Blind Side" and "Synthetic Hands" 2016) and "Dim" (May 2018); most of the record, including "Signal", "Ethos", "Ugly Heart" and the title track, is dated 7 September 2018. Apple lists 14 tracks, 13 visible in India. Start with: "Dim". See Indian progressive rock bands.

Raghav Meattle – Songs From a Matchbox (November 2018, 8 tracks). The Mumbai singer-songwriter's debut album: warm, acoustic and wordy, with "Bar Talk", "Two Left Feet", "She Can" and "Please Come Back to Me". "Better Than It All" was also released as a single in May 2018. Start with: "Better Than It All". See Raghav Meattle songs.

Yungsta & Frappe Ash – Showtime (July 2018, 8 tracks). A Delhi rap record from the same scene as Seedhe Maut, who guest on "Ohh No". Every song is dated 18 July 2018, from "Good Morning" and "Khaarij" to "Top of the Line". Start with: "Ohh No". See underground Indian rappers.

Fiddlecraft – Hawai Jahaaz (June 2018, 10 tracks). A Hindi folk-pop album with a strong live-band feel. "Zindagi" came out in July 2017; the other nine songs, including "Main Chala Jaunga", "Fakir", "Parindey" and "Rangeeli", are dated 30 May 2018. Start with: "Main Chala Jaunga". See our Fiddlecraft band guide.

Achint – Achint & The Khan Brothers (June 2018, 8 tracks). Composer Achint's record with The Khan Brothers, folk musicians from Rajasthan, released on Night Song Records. "Railgaadi" (22 June) came first; "Hichki", "Saavan Mod Muhara", "Manihara" and "Amma" followed on 29 June. Start with: "Railgaadi". For the tradition behind it, see Rajasthani folk singers.

Peepal Tree – Chetana (October 2018, 10 tracks). A multilingual fusion album, with songs in Hindi, Kannada and Tamil such as "Chetana", "Tangi", "Magizhchi" and "Roshan-E-Kaafile". All ten are dated 2 October 2018. Start with: the title track. See Indian folk fusion bands.

The best EPs of 2018

  • When Chai Met Toast – Believe (7 September 2018, 4 tracks): "Khoj (Passing By)", "Who Are You", "Believe", "Forever". See When Chai Met Toast albums.
  • Sandunes – NOLA Daydream (7 February 2018, 4 tracks), made with New Orleans musicians; "Does Bombay Dream of NOLA" dates from November 2017. See Sandunes albums.
  • Madboy/Mink – Persons.Elastic.Superior.Fantastic (18 July 2018, 4 tracks), opening with "Plastic Elastic".
  • Aditi Ramesh – Autocorrect (18 January 2018, 4 tracks), jazz and Carnatic-tinged songs including "Marriageable Age".
  • Shubh Saran – H.A.D.D (9 November 2018, 5 tracks), guitar-led instrumental fusion.
  • Nikhil D'Souza – Simple Kind of Love (7 September 2018, 4 tracks).
  • Pineapple Express – Uplift (23 March 2018, 4 tracks).

Dated 2019 on Apple, but mostly 2018 music

These records carry a 2019 album date, yet most of their songs are dated 2018 on Apple. We list them here rather than leave them out:

  • Nucleya – Tota Myna (EP dated 13 March 2019): five of six songs, from "Mirza" (15 October 2018) to "Out of Your Mind" (14 November 2018), came out in late 2018. See Nucleya albums.
  • Parekh & Singh – Science City (album dated 26 April 2019): Apple dates all eleven songs 26 April 2018, though the album was released in 2019. We treat it as a 2019 record.

What is left out

  • Film soundtracks such as Karwaan and Mukkabaaz, even where indie artists contributed.
  • Portrait of a Time: 2010–2016 by Peter Cat Recording Co. (30 March 2018): a collection of older material, covered in our Peter Cat Recording Co. albums guide.
  • Live sets such as Prateek Kuhad's Audiotree Live EP.
  • Two-and-three-song releases such as The Yellow Diary's Marz and Izafa.

More lists

For the decade view, see the best Indian indie albums of the 2010s. For metal, see the best Indian metal albums.

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