23 Pop Indie Artists You Should Be Following
Indie music has become increasingly popular among people of all ages in recent years. The genre, which was once seen as an underground form of music, is now a staple on the radio stations and streaming services that we use every day. But why is it so popular?
One reason for its appeal may be its unique sound. Indie music often combines elements from different genres to create something entirely new, while still maintaining its own distinct flavor.
This makes it stand out from the rest of the music being released today, making it more desirable to listeners looking for something original. Plus, indie musicians often take risks with their songs and are not afraid to go against the grain – something which can be refreshing in an age where many mainstream releases tend to sound similar.
In this article, we’re going to provide you with a list of the top names in indie music today.
The Best Indie Music Groups and Pop Artists of Today
Another reason why people enjoy indie music, is the fact that independent artists are often able to create their own unique style without conforming to traditional industry standards.
This gives them complete creative control over their songs – something which many fans appreciate and gravitate towards. Let’s look at some of the top indie artists and bands today.
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in 2002 in Sheffield. Their debut album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ was a huge success and catapulted the band to fame. Since then they have released five studio albums with their latest release, ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’ being released in 2018.
Arctic Monkeys are known for their unique blend of alternative and indie rock sounds, often blending elements of punk-pop and post-punk revivalism into their songs.
Foster The People
Foster The People is an American indie pop band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 2009. They have been gaining popularity since the release of their debut album, Torches, in 2011. The album produced three popular singles; ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, ‘Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)’ and ‘Houdini’.
Since then they have released three more albums with their most recent being Sacred Hearts Club in 2017. Foster The People are known for their upbeat indie pop sound that often blends elements of funk and electronic music into their songs.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is an American singer-songwriter who gained fame when her debut studio album Born to Die was released in 2012. She has been hailed as a masterful songwriter and musician by critics due to her ability to explore dark themes in her music.
She is known for her lush, cinematic sound and melancholic lyrics, often blending elements of indie pop, alternative rock and hip hop into her songs. Del Rey has released six studio albums with the most recent being Norman F***ing Rockwell! in 2019.
The Smiths
The Smiths are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1982. Led by vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, they were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and were renowned for their unique blend of jangly guitar-driven rock and sincere, often poetic lyrics.
The Smiths released four studio albums before disbanding in 1987. They remain beloved by legions of fans and have been cited as a major influence on countless acts that followed them.
The Lumineers
The Lumineers are an American folk rock band from Denver, Colorado who rose to prominence following the success of their 2012 self-titled debut album. The album featured instantly memorable singles like “Ho Hey,” which went on to sell over two million copies in the US alone.
Drawing inspiration from classic folk-rock acts like The Band and Simon & Garfunkel, The Lumineers craft heartfelt songs that span a variety of styles while maintaining an earnestness and sincerity.
Bastille
Bastille are an English indie rock band formed in London in 2010. Led by vocalist/songwriter Dan Smith, they gained international acclaim with their 2013 debut album Bad Blood which included the hit single “Pompeii” as well as other singles such as “Things We Lost In The Fire”, “Flaws” and “Oblivion”.
Bastille have since released two follow-up albums, 2016’s Wild World and 2019’s Doom Days, both of which have proved to be highly popular with fans and critics alike.
MARINA
MARINA is an English singer-songwriter who initially gained attention for her 2012 debut album The Family Jewels. Her sound blends aspects of pop, indie rock, synthpop and electronica in a unique and captivating way.
Since then she has released four studio albums to date, including 2018’s Love + Fear which saw her explore more varied themes while still maintaining the bright and glossy production that has become her trademark.
Tame Impala
Tame Impala are an Australian psychedelic rock band from Perth who became one of the biggest breakout acts of the 2010s. Led by multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker, they combine elements of classic psych-rock with experimental production techniques to create a unique and otherworldly sound.
Tame Impala’s three studio albums – 2010’s Innerspeaker, 2012’s Lonerism and 2015’s Currents – have all achieved global success, cementing their status as modern psychedelic music pioneers.
Two Door Cinema Club
Two Door Cinema Club are an Irish indie rock band from Bangor, Northern Ireland who formed in 2007. Their 2010 debut album Tourist History featured the hit singles “Something Good Can Work” and “What You Know”, launching them to international acclaim.
With a sound that blends elements of indie rock, electronica and post-punk, Two Door Cinema Club have since released two more successful studio albums as well as numerous side projects.
MGMT
MGMT are an American psychedelic rock duo from Connecticut who first rose to prominence in 2006 with the release of their debut single “Time To Pretend”. Their self-titled debut album (2008) and follow-up Congratulations (2010) both featured several popular singles, including the cult favorite “Electric Feel” which became a modern classic.
With a sound that blends aspects of art pop and psychedelia, MGMT have become one of the most influential bands of the last decade.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City formed in 2006 by Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson and Chris Baio. Their eponymous 2008 debut album and its followup, 2010’s Contra, were both hugely successful, spawning the singles “A-Punk”, “Cousins” and “Oxford Comma”.
They blend elements of world music with indie rock to create an eclectic sound that has been compared to the likes of Paul Simon and David Byrne.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a French alt-rock band from Versailles who first rose to prominence in 2000 with the release of their debut album United.
Since then, they have gone on to become one of the biggest bands in Europe due to their combination of catchy pop melodies and driving rock instrumentation. Phoenix have released six studio albums, including the critically acclaimed Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009) and Ti-Amo (2017).
Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons are an American alt-rock band from Las Vegas who first gained prominence in 2012 with the release of their debut album Night Visions. This included the hit singles “It’s Time”, “Radioactive” and “Demons”, propelling them to global stardom.
With a sound that blends aspects of indie rock, pop and hip hop, Imagine Dragons have since become one of the biggest bands in modern music.
Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots is an American alternative hip hop duo from Columbus, Ohio formed in 2009. The duo consists of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, who combine elements of rap, rock and pop music to create a unique sound that has propelled them to international fame.
Their breakthrough album Vessel (2013) was a huge success, spawning the popular singles “Stressed Out”, “Heathens” and “Ride”.
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons are an English folk-rock band from London formed in 2007. Led by singer-songwriter Marcus Mumford, their debut album Sigh No More (2009) featured the hit single “Little Lion Man” which catapulted them to worldwide fame.
With a sound that blends aspects of folk, bluegrass and rock, Mumford & Sons have since become one of the most successful bands of the 21st century.
Glass Animals
Glass Animals are an English psychedelic-pop band from Oxford formed in 2010. Their 2014 debut album ZABA was a critical and commercial success, producing several hit singles including “Gooey” and “Pools”.
With a unique sound that combines elements of indie pop, R&B and electronica, Glass Animals have been hailed as one of the best new acts to emerge in recent years.
Mitski
Mitski is an American singer-songwriter from New York who started releasing music independently in 2012. She blends aspects of indie rock with soaring vocals to create a haunting and ethereal sound.
She has released five acclaimed studio albums, including Be the Cowboy (2018) which spawned the singles “Nobody” and “Two Slow Dancers”. Mitski’s music has been praised for its emotional depth and introspective lyrics, earning her widespread critical acclaim.
Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire are an indie rock band from Montreal formed in 2001 by Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry and Tim Kingsbury. Their debut album Funeral (2004) was widely acclaimed and produced several hit singles including “Wake Up” and “Rebellion (Lies)”.
With a sound that blends aspects of art rock with world music influences, Arcade Fire have become one of the most beloved indie bands of all time.
Coldplay
Coldplay are an English rock band from London formed in 1996. Their 2000 debut album Parachutes and its followup A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002) propelled them to international fame with hit singles like “Yellow”, “The Scientist” and “Clocks”. They blend elements of alternative rock with dreamy pop melodies to create a unique sound that has been described as “anthemic”.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American funk-rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1983 by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Jack Irons. They have become one of the biggest rock bands in the world with a sound that blends aspects of funk, punk, hip hop and pop music.
Their discography includes some of the most iconic albums in rock music history such as Californication (1999) and Stadium Arcadium (2006).
Passenger
Passenger is an English singer-songwriter from Brighton who first gained widespread recognition when his song “Let Her Go” topped charts around the world in 2012. He blends elements of folk, pop and country to create a warm, intimate sound that has been praised for its heartfelt lyricism and melodic richness.
Passenger has released eight studio albums since 2009, including Runaway (2020).
Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans who first found success as a member of the hip hop collective Odd Future before launching a solo career in 2012. His debut album Channel Orange was met with widespread critical acclaim, spawning the hit singles “Pyramids” and “Thinkin Bout You”.
Ocean blends elements of R&B, soul and electronica to create a unique sound that has established him as one of the most influential artists of his generation.
Stick Figure
Stick Figure is an American reggae and dub band from Santa Cruz, California formed in 2006 by multi-instrumentalist, producer and visual artist Scott Woodruff. Their music combines aspects of traditional reggae with modern production elements such as synthesisers, samples and drum machines to create a unique sound that has been described as “genre-defying”.
Stick Figure have released eight studio albums since 2009, including World On Fire (2019).
Underground Indie Artists that Deserve Your Attention
Another factor in its success could be the fact that it appeals to a wide range of people. Indie music is often thought of as being alternative, giving it an edgy and rebellious image which can appeal to younger generations who want something different from what they hear on the radio.
At the same time, indie musicians tend to take a more introspective approach when writing their lyrics, making them perfect for those looking for music with deeper themes and messages.
Be sure to check out each of the names above and see if you enjoy what you hear!
