The meaning of the term “indie” has evolved over the years, going from simply associated with independent labels or unsigned artists to a non-mainstream fusion of alternative, rock and/or folk. Not to get too caught up in the semantics, I’ve listed artists outside of the mainstream that I enjoy listening to because of their music and lyrics.
- Houndmouth
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This band’s unique lyrics and melodies that are wonderfully soothing, yet invigorating, make them a great choice for a “driving around aimlessly” playlist.
Hey little Hollywood
You’re gone but you’re not forgot
You got the cash but your credit’s no good
You flipped the script, you shot the plot
I remember, I remember when your neon used to burn so bright and pink
A Saturday night kind of pink-Houndmouth, “Sedona”
- Courtney Barnett
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Courtney Barnett is refreshingly blunt and her songs have an absolutely fabulous deadpan vibe. The “toneless” tone of Barnett’s voice makes the lyrics hit you harder.
Halfway down high street, Andy looks ambivalent
He’s probably wondering what I’m doing getting in an ambulance
The paramedic thinks I’m clever cos I play guitar
I think she’s clever cos she stops people dying
Anaphylactic and super hypochondriactic
Should’ve stayed in bed today
I much prefer the mundane.-Courtney Barnett, “Avant Gardener”
- The Innocence Mission
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This band really lives up to its name. The lead singer has a comforting voice and their songs always evoke a LOT of positive emotions in me. If you enjoy bands like Sleeping At Last, you’ll like The Innocence Mission.
Is there a word for these things
We’ve felt and we’ve seen
In the blocks of town, the depths of belief
The kindness of strangers
In leaps and in ranges where I’ve never been
And you’ve never been before?
A word becomes a door
Soon, to come through-The Innocence Mission, “Records From Your Room”
- Oliver Riot
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Great lyrics, great vocals, great melodies. You have to listen to “Alcatraz” at least once.
Just a man’s make-up, fake love, make ’em all laugh
Come on, someone, take off your mask
It’s nice to meet
Honey, what you done, come from, escaping so fast?
We’re from dungeons; Alcatraz
It’s nice to meet-Oliver Riot, “Alcatraz”
- Jon Bellion
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One of my most listened to artists, Jon Bellion’s music feels authentic and deep, in a straightforward and not theatrically profound way. The Human Condition is my favourite album by him.
1600, 1600, 1600 on the SATs
Said they gettin’, said they gettin’
Said they gettin’ me an SUV
Just a couple miles from the lights of the city
Pour a little liquor in my Starbucks Venti
Just 11, just 11 when they said I had the ADD-Jon Bellion, “Morning in America”
- The Lumineers
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If these lyrics don’t convince you to give them a shot, just watch their music video titled “The Ballad of Cleopatra.” It’s beautiful and incredibly moving, like all of their music.
But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life
And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I’ll be on time
And the only gifts from my Lord were a birth and a divorce
But I’ve read this script and the costume fits, so I’ll play my part-The Lumineers, “Cleopatra”
- Conan Gray
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As a fellow slightly-precocious Gen Zer, Conan Gray’s songs really speak to me. “Idle Town” especially makes me very nostalgic, in a bittersweet way, as it perfectly sums up my hometown.
Yeah, we invent our own little games (in our idle town)
When the lights out at the stadium, hey (in our idle town)
Making life a spinning arcade (in our idle town)
And curfew’s at midnight, we watch the sunrise
We watch the sunrise
We watch the sun-Conan Gray, “Idle Town”
- Jain.=
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Jain is a French artist who combines elements of both cultures in her music, which is amazing. Her songs are pretty upbeat and almost never fail to energize me. Her music videos are also very well-made.
For the first time in your life, you loved so much you could die
For the first time in your life, you saw her, you could fly
For the first time in your life, you loved her, she loved you back
For the first time in your life, you felt alive-Jain, “Oh Man”
- Sufjan Stevens
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Stevens’s song “Mystery of Love” is one you might know from the movie Call Me By Your Name. His music is heart-wrenchingly sad and so, so beautiful.
White noise, what an awful sound
Fumbling by Rogue River
Feel my feet above the ground
Hand of God, deliver me
Oh, oh woe-oh-woah is me
The first time that you touched me
Oh, will wonders ever cease?
Blessed be the mystery of love-Sufjan Stevens, “Mystery of Love”
- Allie X
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Allie X is extremely talented (both lyrically and vocally) and her music is full of emotion while sounding composed and smooth. I feel that her album Collxtion II is a legit masterpiece that has songs for every mood.
Tossed ’til we capsized
Battered and bruised
Say it’s the last time
We know the truth
Don’t know what you got until it’s gone
Don’t know what is right until it’s wrong
Heaven could fall and angels swarm
But hell is ours to face-Allie X, “True Love is Violent”
I hope some of my recommendations make it onto your playlist. If they did, let me know in the comments which you like!
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