The Hottest Indie Record Labels Right Now
- Lauren DiGiovanni
- Aug 9, 2025
- 2 min read
In the age of social media, it is now easier than ever to become a musical artist and make waves in the music scene. While many artists are drawn to putting out their own music, many decide to sign with an indie record label. Indie record labels are enticing for many artists because it gives you support for your projects but also creative freedoms, such as your release schedule, your branding, your royalty splits, and more. Indie labels provide the balance between self-publishing music, which is often time-heavy, with the rigid structure of being signed to a bigger record label. They’re also great stepping stones into recording contracts with bigger labels in the future. One of the best parts of being signed with an indie label is the close relationships you form with the members on the team. If you’re an artist looking to sign to an indie label, here are some fast facts about the hottest indie record labels right now!
Glassnote Records
Glassnote Records was founded by CEO David Glass in 2007, hosting predominantly indie rock and alternative rock artists. Currently, Glassnote Records has artists like Mumford and Sons, Phoenix, AURORA, and more. Glassnote has won many awards, such as “Label of the Year’ from A21M Music Awards, “Best Indie Label” from Rolling Stone, and “#1 Independent Label” from Billboard. They established a distribution deal with The Orchard in 2022, replacing their previous deal with Universal Music Group.
Carpark Records
Carpark Records is a Washington, D.C based indie record label founded in 1999 by Todd Hyman. Carpark originally focused on more electronic and experimental music, but in recent years have expanded into more pop sounds. Currently, Carpark Records has artists like Madeline Kenney, Phoebe Rings, Ducks Ltd., and more. Carpark also has their own publishing company named Carpark Publishing. More recently, they have expanded with multiple imprint labels and offshoots, such as Wax Nine and Acute Records. Alternative Distribution Alliance is in charge of their distribution.
XL Recordings
XL Recordings is a British indie record label co-founded by Tim Palmer and Nick Halkes in 1989, but has been run and co-owned by Richard Russel since 1996. XL Recordings is housed under Beggars Group, who also handle the distribution. XL has many artists of all different genres, like Radiohead and M.I.A. Some of their alumni include Adele, Azealia Banks, and Tyler, the Creator. XL has investments and subsidiaries of their own - they hold stakes in Young Recordings, Mowax Labels, and Rough Trade, a music retailer. They are also involved in music publishing, having hands in Beggars Music and 4AD Songs Limited.
Ghostly International
Ghostly International was founded in 1999 by Samuel Valenti IV in Detroit, Michigan, and its artists find themselves all across the electronic spectrum, including avant-pop and indie rock as well. Since the founding, there have been two sub-labels that have been created - Ghostly and Spectral Sound, the latter more focused on dance music. Ghostly International hosts a lengthy roster, featuring artists such as Matthew Dear, Tycho, and TOBACCO. They joined Secretly Group in 2020 as an affiliate label after many years of partnering with Secretly Distribution.
Written By Lauren DiGiovanni
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
