Indie Artists You Need to Listen to If You Haven't Already

In recent years, I’ve found myself turning to new genres of music and exploring artists beyond my childhood favourites—beyond Taylor Swift, One Direction, and you get where I’m going. I started listening to artists like Suki Waterhouse, Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski and 2022-me had no clue that this would start my obsession with indie music. It was raw, dreamy, and unexpectedly comforting.

So, here are my recommendations for anyone looking to get into indie music.

What Is Indie Music?

Indie music was initially just a term used for music that artists released independently without the backing of major record labels. However, as the term has evolved, it has become an umbrella term for the kind of music that is guitar-driven, raw, and creative. So now, instead of a categorical technical term, it’s become a “vibe”, and I’m completely here for it. So here are my top indie artists and song recommendations!

Suki Waterhouse: The Sparklemuffin We Can’t Let Go Of

She is one of the first indie artists I ever listened to, of course, songs like Melrose Meltdown and Moves from her first album are some of my all-time favourites. However, as I got more into her music, I have some other recommendations along with my favourite lyrics.

Image Credit: Thomson200 from Wikimedia Commons

Faded

You never should've changed your ways and faded

The colours you painted were perfectly simple

Think Twice

If you're dancing with my ghost, I'd never tell

God, it feels good to abandon myself

Legndary

I crossed the seas into the oceans

And my ship wrecked into you

Phoebe Bridgers: The Most Exquisite Stranger To Meet In The Alps (Because She’s Serenade You Like No One Else)

She is one of the first people that I think of when I think of indie music. Her voice, her instruments, and just her whole vibe as a person. Her voice is full of emotion an the rawness of it, lays everything we keep inside, out and always ends up leaving me with chills. She has released two albums and lots of singles, along with her being a member of boygenius (a band she started with Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, aka indie music royalty).

Image Credit: David Lee from Wikimedia Commons

Moon Song

It's nautical themed, and there's something I'm supposed to say

But can't for the life of me remember what it is

Funeral

And I have this dream where I'm screamin' underwater

While my friends are wavin' from the shore

Sidelines

I'm not afraid of anything at all

Not dying in a fire, not being broke again

Lorde: The Melodramatic Indie Queen of Our Generation

She is such an icon! Honestly, she is one of the most creative and groundbreaking artists ever (in my very humble opinion). Her album Melodrama was one that personally hit me, and songs from that album are etched into a deep part of my soul and are some of my all-time favourites. Her voice has the versatility to back all the deep and emotional lyrical masterpieces that she writes and we’re all here for it!

Image Credit: Liliane Callegari from Wikimedia Commons

Liability

We slow dance

In the living room, but all that a stranger would see

Is one girl swaying alone, stroking her cheek

Writer In The Dark

Stood on my chest and kept me down

Hated hearing my name on the lips of a crowd

Did my best to exist just for you

Ribs

This dream isn't feeling sweet, we're reeling through the midnight streets

And I've never felt more alone, feels so scary getting old

Take the Quiz: What’s Your Perfect Skincare Product for the 'Clean Girl' Look?

Take this quiz to discover the perfect skincare product for your “clean girl” routine!

Some More Recommendations!

I, of course, can’t go super in-depth about all my favourite artists, so here are a few others that I absolutely love and a quick list of my favourite songs by them.

Paris Paloma - labour, her cover of It’s Called: Freefall, and boys, bugs and men

Her song labour went viral on Tik Tok when women began sharing it as a feminist anthem and using it as a soundtrack for the gender inequality they face in this patriarcal and misogynistic world. It is one that always hits and when she released the cacophony version of it a year later, the changes she made to include more than a hundred fan vocal only emphasised it’s impact and it is one that leaves you satisfied musically but also leaves you with something to think of (as do more of her other songs that follow social issues).

boygenius - Not Strong Enough, Salt In The Wound and Letter To An Old Poet

Image Credit: Raph_PH from Wikimedia Commons

boygenius is the band that Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker started together. The three of them are some of the best indie artists and artists in general but together, they are a powerhouse (which the world couldn’t tolerate since they are now on a hiatus…). They bring masterpieces to us with a mix of heartbreaking, relatable lyrics with their immense musical talent.

The 1975 - Human Too, Be My Mistake, and The Ballad Of Me and My Brain

This is an English band that is often categorised as pop rock, but they’re music has grown to fit in what is now developed into the indie genre. Their music usually includes slow and sad instrumental ballads with their calm and soothing lyrics. I often like listening to their music when I wind down for the day because its just like the kind of catharsis you need at the end of the day—soft, poetic and yet hard-hitting!

Sombr - back to friends, undressed, and do i ever cross your mind

Sombr is the stage name of Shane Boose, debuted in 2021, has been gaining rapid and incredibly significant popularity since his song, back to friends became viral on TikTok recently. He has now been features on Billboard’s Top 100 list and has been growing his listeners on Spotify as well.

Conclusion

Image Credit: Hoàng Anh Nguyễn on Unsplash

I hope this article helped you discover new artists or music (or just find someone who loves the same artists—let's be friends!). You can find the songs mentioned and a lot of similar songs and artists in this Spotify playlist.

Who are your favourite indie artists? I am always looking for new music so comment on the article if there are any gems you’d like to recommend to me.