American Songwriter has picked out three indie rock tracks from the 2010s that the outlet argues have retained their bite despite the genre's evolution since then. The feature highlights how these songs helped define the sound of an era and continue to feel sharp and relevant today.

– Arctic Monkeys' "R U Mine?" is cited as hugely influential, opening with a raucous anthem-style melody that channels the punk movement that preceded it.
– Tame Impala's 2015 track "Let It Happen" is praised for its embrace of chaos and fate, retaining the grit it had on release.
– Mitski's contribution, sitting between indie rock and dream pop, is noted for its sobering honesty about minority women struggling to fit in.