As decades pass one thing remains true: indie rock will never die.
By Graeme Smith
Its latest torchbearer to cross our path is the Berklee, USA-based collective The Iddy Biddies, led by Gene Wallenstein. The band’s new album, The World Inside, is set for release in March 2026.
The Iddy Biddies combine the lyricism of the singer-songwriter genre with the lush and lively arrangements of indie rock. The Beatles are an inspiration, as are more contemporary sources like The Decemberists and Elliot Smith, meaning we get elements of psychedelia and the cinematic alongside the fuzzy jangle of folk rock.
When they formed their intention was to marry the raw, intimate dissonance of indie-pop with the narrative grandeur of Americana, and their new album does exactly that.
Mr September is an early highlight thanks to its hypnotic melody and rich character-driven narrative. “Red Queen told me, take it steady … Gonna eat me, and I ain’t ready,” Wallenstein purrs, playing on Lewis Carroll’s famous absurdness.
Elsewhere Follow You Anywhere leans into classic folk rock, grooving along while soul-searching in its lyrics about love and resilience while title track The World Inside goes introspective. “Cause you’re feeling like the weight of the world inside,” it state in the chorus, giving us a healthy dose of heaviness in its otherwise light and wistful arrangement.
Fortunate Sons is another highlight, feeling like a judgement on the state of the world. “The devil’s dancing, he’s not alone,” is a standout opener, teeing up an Americana-infused wonder.
The jangly In Heaven’s Lobby closes things in deceptively upbeat style. Though infused with hope, the lyrics also tackle heartbreak, regret, and doubt.
Collectively the album explores the tension between our public selves and our internal truths and there is a depth to its lyricism that demands multiple listens to unpack. Poetry and literary references are abundant, giving plenty of visual heft to its reflective journey. All the while, its psychedelic soundscapes wash over you.
The Iddy Biddies are a wonderful addition to the indie rock canon, and to our pages. They take well-known and under the radar sources and recombine them into something that feels unique. I look forward to getting to know their music better.
You can keep up to date with them by heading to their website, or by following them on Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, Instagram, Soundcloud, and Apple Music.
The World Inside is set for release 7 March 2026.
