The Best Indian Indie Albums of 2022

2022 was the year Indian independent music fully came back from the lockdown years. Bands toured again, artists who had been writing at home finally put out full records, and the range was wide: a Kashmiri singer-songwriter's folk-rock album, a Jaipur band's moody Hindi rock, a Mumbai rapper's comeback EP, a Bengaluru metal band's dark concept record and a singer-songwriter's international pop album. This is our pick of the best Indian indie albums of 2022, with a few EPs, all released that year and all still playable from start to finish.

How we chose. Released in 2022, by Indian independent or independent-minded artists, and available on Apple Music India. Every release date and track count below was checked on Apple Music India (iTunes catalogue, country IN) on 28 October 2026. Listed in release order, not ranked. For the years that followed, see the best Indian indie albums of 2023 and 2024.

The albums

The Western Ghats – Self Help Radio (11 February 2022, 7 tracks). A soft, warm indie-folk record that opens with "Le Chal (Pilot)" and then the full "Le Chal", before "Kitabon", "Phir Kabhi", "Faces of the Moon", "Thinking About You" and "Stories". A quiet, homemade-feeling record. Start with: "Le Chal". The Western Ghats.

The Lost Symbols – Gharq (20 April 2022, 8 tracks). The Jaipur band's second album, a year after The Diary (2021): "Riha", "Surkh", "Nindiya Re", "Rengte Keede", "Kaash", "Naa", "Khidkiyan" and "Godsend". Hindi rock that is heavy and melodic at the same time, and the start of a run that continued with Farogh and Taysa. Start with: "Riha". The Lost Symbols.

Prateek Kuhad – The Way That Lovers Do (20 May 2022, 11 tracks). Kuhad's English-language album, made for a global audience but still very much his: "All I Need", "Hollow", "Favorite Peeps", "Co2", "Face", "Just a Word", "Drown", "The Last Time", "Heartbroken", "Bloom" and "Full Time Lover". A 19-track deluxe edition is also on Apple. Start with: "Co2". Prateek Kuhad; more in Prateek Kuhad albums.

Demonic Resurrection – Decades of Darkness (22 July 2022, 8 tracks). The Mumbai extreme-metal veterans with four new songs, "The Eye of Eternity", "Non Serviam", "The Mask" and "Necromancer", each followed by an instrumental version, featuring guests including Misstiq, Kevin Paradis, David Diepold and Pratika. Start with: "Non Serviam". Demonic Resurrection; see also the best Indian metal albums.

Ritviz – Mimmi (2 September 2022, 8 tracks). Ritviz's first full album, warmer and more personal than his festival hits: "Aaj Na", "Mehfooz", "Mimmi", "Chandamama", "Taj", "Jaana", "Pukaar" and "Aas Paas". Start with: "Aaj Na". Ritviz; Ritviz songs.

Ali Saffudin – Wolivo (21 October 2022, 10 tracks). The Kashmiri singer-songwriter's album of folk-rock songs in Kashmiri and Hindustani: "Wadiyo Mei", "Wolivo", "Jinki Wajah Se", "Zehni Ghulami", "Walo Ha", "Sleep Song", "Kab Talak", "Main Nahin Maanta", "Fariyad" and "Behta Gaya". Thoughtful, sometimes angry and very beautiful. Start with: "Wolivo". Ali Saffudin.

Meba Ofilia – Untitled.shg (28 October 2022, 10 tracks). The Shillong singer and rapper's R&B album. Ten tracks including "Untitled.shg", "Best Behaviour", "Most Days", "Jaded" (with Claû), "With Pleasure" (with Big Ri) and "Do You Care?" (with Dappest). Smooth, confident and one of the best Indian R&B records of its time. Start with: "Best Behaviour". Meba Ofilia.

Mitraz – Zehen (18 November 2022, 7 tracks). Soft Hindi pop songs that found a huge young audience: "Mulakaat", "Gulaab", "Zehen", "Mehboob", "Filhaal", "Khayaal" and "Baatein". It set up Neendein two years later. Start with: "Mulakaat". Mitraz.

The EPs

Naezy – Tarqeeb (EP, 3 May 2022, 4 tracks). The Mumbai rapper with "District", "Hifzo Aman", "Shabd" and "Maafi". Short, serious and focused. Naezy.

Zicr – Silver Linings (EP, 2 September 2022, 4 tracks). "Ab Nahi Hoga", "Mujhko Bata", "Chodo Na" and "Dil Beparwah". Gentle Hindi songs with a hip-hop edge. Zicr.

Easy Wanderlings – Caught in a Parade (EP, 7 October 2022, 5 tracks). The Pune band's soulful EP: "Enemy", "Center of the Universe", "Mayflower", "Castles in the Air" and "Makin' My Move". Easy Wanderlings; Easy Wanderlings songs.

Dee MC – MMM (EP, 22 October 2022, 4 tracks). "What Am I to You", "Loot Le" (with Sahir), "Look at Me Now" (with Meba Ofilia) and "MMM (Money Made Maniac)" (with Hakim). Sharp, bilingual rap. Dee MC.

Reble – Entropy (EP, 27 November 2022, 4 tracks). The Shillong rapper with "Bond Fission", "Changes" (with MCSolomon), "Peace of Mine" (with Adwait Pattanaik) and "Jane". Reble.

What 2022 sounded like

• Singer-songwriters went big: Kuhad, Saffudin and Mitraz all put out full-length records.
• Hindi rock found a new generation in bands like The Lost Symbols.
• Women led the R&B and rap conversation, with Meba Ofilia and Dee MC both releasing strong records in the same week.
• The North-East kept growing as a hip-hop centre, with Meba Ofilia and Reble.
• Metal veterans like Demonic Resurrection kept the heavy end alive.

More to explore

For songs from the same year, see the best Indian indie songs of 2023 and earlier Indian indie songs. For genre lists, try the best Indian hip-hop albums, the best Indian indie EPs of the 2020s, Indian female indie artists and essential Indian independent albums.

FAQ

What were the best Indian indie albums of 2022? Our picks include Prateek Kuhad's The Way That Lovers Do, Ritviz's Mimmi, Ali Saffudin's Wolivo, The Lost Symbols' Gharq, Meba Ofilia's Untitled.shg and Mitraz's Zehen.

Was Ritviz's Mimmi released in 2022? Yes, on 2 September 2022, with 8 tracks.

Is Prateek Kuhad's The Way That Lovers Do a 2022 album? Yes, released 20 May 2022 (11 tracks; a 19-track deluxe edition is also on Apple).

How were the dates checked? Every release date and track count was checked on Apple Music India on 28 October 2026.