INDIE ARTISTS YOU NEED TO HEAR

Written By Libby McNeil

I listen to so much goddamn music.

I know most people do, that’s not unique (despite every straight man on Hinge seeming to think so. Interests: Coffee, movies, music 😍).

I like most every genre, so it’s hard to narrow down faves. But when I do, it seems like most people haven’t heard of them. And guess what, that actually SUCKS because I don’t even want to seem cool and indie. I want my friends and I to jam out to the same music and go to the same concerts. I’m a more the merrier type of person.

Speaking of concerts, I’m HOPING sharing these artists will allow them to keep making music, go on tour more frequently and to MY. CITY!!….. Ok cool.

Here are my absolute fave indie/alt artists, see below.

1. SAYA GRAY

* GENRE: PSYCHEDELIC INDIE POP * MOST POPULAR SONG: IF THERE’S NO SEAT IN THE SKY * MY FAVORITE SONG: ANNIE, I SING FOR or SHALLOW

Ok admittedly I’m hopping on the train a bit soon, with only one full album under her belt but IDC- She is absolutely my favorite artist right now. She needs 100 million more listeners. I’m a huge fan of the production of all her songs (shes produces herself!) I just wish they were longer!! Saya creates less explosive hooks and more melodic soundscapes that absorb the room you’re listening to it in, bending and toying with genre- but don’t get confused, she’s still alt-girl pop with some indie rock elements (hi SAVING GRACE) and I think Phoebe Bridgers, Thundercat, and/or Phantogram fans, wherever they cross over, would love her.

2. Spill TAB

* GENRE: ALT INDIE / LO-FI POP * MOST POPULAR SONG: COTTON CANDY * MY FAVORITE SONG: SPLINTER


Speaking of alt girl pop….

For me, Spill tab’s music is legit NO SKIPS. It’s so good. She has such a unique use of digital and acoustic sounds in her songs, all of them resulting in such a satisfying payoff. I’m not messing around with that Billie comparison, I think fans of hers will love Spill tab.

I will say Cotton Candy is likely popular due to coming out of that low-fi bedroom Clairo era (think Photobooth music video) because the rest of her music deserves way more recognition in comparison. My runner-up fave would definitely be fetish.

3. LOLA YOUNG

– GENRE: indie rock R&B-ish pop

* MOST POPULAR SONG: DON'T HATE ME

* MY FAVORITE SONG: GOOD BOOKS

Amy Winehouse?? Is that you?

So Lola Young had a bit of a moment there on Tiktok, and I definitely remember when her song “Don’t Hate Me” (british accent WELL THAT’S RICH COMIN FROM YOU) blew up from her unique vocal tone. Well not unique, familiar actually- Many have pointed out the similarities in Lola’s rasp with Amy Winehouse’s voice. Personally, I love it; it really sets her apart from the rest of the pop girlies out there, and I really don’t think it can be compared to Amy’s powerhouse vocals. I think her stuff rocks; it’s a breath of fresh cigarette air. From tracks that pack a punch to dreamy acoustic ballads, you’re gonna feel British as fuck listening to her music.

4. JADU HEART

– GENRE: SYNTH DREAM-POP ROCK (how am I doing with these btw)

* MOST POPULAR SONG: I'M A KID

* MY FAVORITE SONG: DEAD, AGAIN

Jadu Heart, composed of two friends Diva and Alex, are pretty cool and hard to nail down with one genre. I’m a Kid and Dead, again are so great yet so different from each other: the former a summer bop; the latter equivalent to a winter chill. They were picked up by Mura Masa’s manager, who is now their own. I think Mura Masa and Little Dragon are also good comps, but to me, Jadu Heart’s newer EP would definitely attract Royal Otis and Mother Mother moths to their flame.

5. Bombay BICYCLE CLUB

* GENRE: INDIE ROCK/ELECTRO ROCK * MOST POPULAR: ALWAYS LIKE THIS * MY FAVORITE: MY GOD or SHUFFLE

Ok, so maybe there’s some favoritism here for Bombay Bicycle Club. BBC (stop it) has for real been making music for over 15 years, and I am have been listening to them since legit MIDDLE SCHOOL 10 years ago. I thank my friend Lydia for introducing me to this band. They truly have a wide range of music that can be adjusted for any mood you’re feeling. FLAWS is their calmly beautiful Sufjan type album that I used to listen to to fall asleep (and cry. sometimes.). I HAD THE BLUES BUT I SHOOK THEM LOOSE is full of springy car ride jams. It was so difficult to pin down MY ONE favorite song because I have a favorite from every EP and every album. I need to mention I Want to Be Your Only Pet as a runner-up because it was INCREDIBLE in concert. They truly deserve to be more well known. Main singer Jack Steadman’s voice is hard to find anywhere else.

DidN’T MAKE THE LIST BUT WAS CLOSE:

Libby McNeil
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