It can be difficult today to keep up with all the latest and greatest indie singers and bands. Here’s a list of some indie artists who just dropped albums that everyone should be listening to.
Beach House (Indie Rock/Electronic/Dream Pop)
This group is comprised only of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, and they cover mostly organ, programmed drums, guitar and voice. Beach House began in Maryland around 2004, and they have released many albums, including “Depression Cherry” (2015) most recently. They are set to drop another album, “Thank Your Lucky Stars,” on Oct. 16. Since debuting in the Baltimore indie scene, the band has largely achieved success. Beach House has been labeled as the definition of the dream pop genre, which includes complex and introspective music. Their newer albums especially have a darker tone, but the duo’s unexpected popularity continues to rise.
Influences: This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, The Zombies
Some hits to check out: “Silver Soul,” “Zebra,” “Sparks”
Kurt Vile (Indie Rock/Indie Folk)
Kurt Vile is an American singer, songwriter, producer and musician from Philadelphia. He sings, plays guitar, trumpet, banjo and keyboard, and has been actively performing since 2003. Kurt began his career with the indie band The War on Drugs. After they released their debut album, “Wagonwheel Blues,” Kurt went solo and dropped “Constant Hitmaker” (2008) and “God Is Saying This to You…” (2009). He then released “Child Prodigy,” and with his backup band, The Violators, “Wakin on a Pretty Daze” (2013) and “b’lieve I’m going down…” (2015). Kurt’s music is idiosyncratic, a blend of styles, and he often includes humor along with the melancholy sounds.
Influences: Pavement, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young
Some hits to check out: “Space Forklift,” “Too Hard,” “Freeway”
CHVRCH?S (Scottish Electronic/Indie Synthpop)
The band Chvrches, pronounced “churches,” has been active since 2011. Iain Cook composes music and plays guitar, sampler, bass and keyboard, and he was previously of Aereogramme and The Unwinding Hours. Martin Doherty, on keyboard, sampler and guitar, once played with The Twilight Sad. Lauren Mayberry sings, plays keyboard and drums, and used to be part of Boyfriend/Girlfriend and Blue Sky Archives. The band—with no religious connotation—currently works out of Glasgow, Scotland. Chvrches has released and won awards for two albums: “The Bones of What You Believe” and “Every Eye Open.” Chvrches is said to be a blend of many eras, as the band’s music entails elements of EDM and ‘80s and pop and other things in between. It is complex, unpredictable and emotionally deep, but the music remains contemporary and very likeable.
Influences: Madonna, Eurythmics, Throbbing Gristle, Prince, Tubeway Army
Some hits to check out: “Tether,” “Clearest Blue,” “High Enough to Carry You Over”
FKA twigs (British Indie Electronic/Alternative R&B)
Tahliah Debrett Barnett, known as FKA twigs on stage, of Gloucestershire, England, became an active singer, songwriter, producer, director and dancer in 2012. She works with vocals, drums, synthesizer and keyboard. FKA twigs has directed or co-directed most of her videos. Her debut album, “M3LL155X” (pronounced “Melissa”), just came out in August. Before her album, she put out (extended play) “EP1” and “EP2.” She has been nominated for and granted awards for her work through the years. Her R&B/pop sound is sometimes very familiar, but it just as often pushes the boundaries. FKA twigs often sings about identity, energy and conflicting/complex emotion with unique power.
Influences: Marvin Gaye, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday
Some hits to check out: “Two Weeks,” “Water Me,” “In Time”
Tobias Jesso Jr. (Indie Rock/Baroque Pop/Alternative)
A more recent artist, Tobias Jesso Jr. is a bassist, pianist and guitarist. He started out as a bass player for The Sessions (an American band that did a lot of work with Bruce Springsteen) and then for Melissa Cavatti (a former pop artist). He has worked in his native Canada as well as Los Angeles, and his first album was just released this year. The debut, “Goon,” continues to draw more and more attention and was produced in part by Phil Collins, Patrick Carney and Ariel Rechtshaid. Only recently learning piano, Tobias works slowly yet efficiently in creating his music. His sound is similar to a ‘70s artist, but he delivers such raw, tender and simple music that he is completely unique. Tobias will set off on his first major tour later in 2015.
Influences: Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, Emitt Rhodes
Some hits to check out: “Crocodile Tears,” “Hollywood,” “How Could You Babe”
