The 10 Best Indie Pop Artists of All Time
Originating in the UK in the 1970s indie pop became a global sensation during the latter half of the decade, combining DIY ethics with creative freedom and mixed influences, these artists are meant to succeed in their musical journey with or without the assessment of a label.
In contemporary times, indie pop is the point where originality meets the commercial aspect of the music industry, the source of fresh material and revolutionary sounds. From rock ‘n roll inspired sounds to the versatility of electronica in modern days, this subgenre is a gold mine.
10. Foster the People
Eclectic, diverse, iconic for the early teen decade, and still delivering smashing tunes, Foster the People started out in 2009 when jingle writer Mark Foster moved to Los Angeles and met film school student Mark Pontius. The band embraced Foster’s diverse repertoire, and condensed it into a new wave of electronic catchy and ominous pop tunes, with hints of alternative rock and hip-hop it was only a matter of time until Foster the People struck gold.
Pumped Up Kicks was the humble band’s massive breakthrough, initially garnering attention after Nylon magazine used the then free downloadable track in several advertisements. Foster the People went from zero to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one in several international charts, after its official release in 2010. With a multi-record deal at hand, the release of the group’s first tenure Torches spawned three massive hits Call it What You Want, Helena Beat, and Houdini that would go on to receive massive airplay and features on video games as well in various films.
Torches propelled the band to basically immediate international stardom, within three years ‘time Foster the People had become a regular on major music festivals such as Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. These paved the way for the band’s next studio album of similar success Supermodel, which debuted as number 3 on the Billboard 200 Chart and number one on the Alternative Chart. The band has sowed the seed of their success and continues to solidify their presence among younger generations as one of the best acts of recent times.
Check out Foster the People on YouTube Here.
9. Florence and the Machine
Often labeled as baroque, chamber, and art pop, Florence and the Machine pushed new boundaries while bridging alternative rock elements to a unique formula that shaped contemporary pop music. The band started out as a teenage collaboration in 2007, with Florence Welch and Isabella “machine” Summers performing together before incorporating new instruments into a brilliant mixture that would later garner the attention of producer James Ford.
The official debut of Florence and the Machine, Lungs, was a direct massive hit, peaking as number one on the UK Album charts and number two in Ireland, the band soon became a globally acclaimed act due to their immersive and charismatic performances. Additional to being featured in the soundtrack of several blockbusting movies and tv shows, Florence and the machine infiltrated pop culture and succeeded in doing so. Earning 2009’s Brit Award for the Critics’ Choice Awards, there haven’t been any signs of stopping, with four successful albums to their name, and a prominent growing profile in contemporary music, this robust, romantic, and deeply emotional has already become a household name in the industry.
With her titanic voice as the main tool, Welch has managed to carry on the legacy of her heroes with a more than amenable tone, these features have made her stand out as an icon as opposed to her more mainstream counterparts. The experimental nature of this group has certainly breathed a new life into pop music.
Check out Florence and the Machine on YouTube Here.
8. The 1975
A sound that sticks and varies like no other, The 1975’s experimental trajectory is one that has left an unimpeachable footprint for the indie pop genre. Forming in 2002, the band ultimately matured with their eponymous debut, originally focusing on a louder, more indie-pop rock-oriented sound, that ultimately gave a British identity to the scene. However, that quickly changed when the band managed to prove their versatile abilities, surprising listeners with tunes that range from synth, almost bubblegum pop to postpunk, jazz, and even gospel.
With now a four album career to their names, The 1975 has dived themselves a lyricism filled with social commentary, raw emotions, celebrity culture, drug habits, and even self-deprecation. Having one of the most recognizable vocals in today’s music, Matty Healy’s heartfelt and emotional voice accompanied by perfectly crafted melodic instrumentation, the band captures and entices more listeners which each release. Providing an interesting and unheard-of sound to popular music, the band continues to show growth and evolution in their music, now becoming an almost avant-garde aggrupation.
Starting off with a relatively slow pace, The 1975’s rise to stardom is one of unique nature, from early act to becoming headliners of the Reading Festival. Initially tarnished and torn apart by critics to now acclaimed and praised, their unique and ever-changing sound continues to hypnotize and capture audiences, making themselves an unpredictable, authentic, and unparalleled band of the indie genre.
Check out The 1975 on YouTube Here.
7. Two Door Cinema Club
From indie rock darlings to pop experimentalism, Two Door Cinema Club set a new standard on how popular indie guitars should sound while airing on the radio. Their creative use of different styles of electric guitars in pop music made them a legend in the indie rock community. Forming as a high school band before garnering social media attention, and latter stardom, with the release of singles Undercover Martyn, Something Good Can’t Work and What You Know, the boys from Bangor became an anticipated act on 2011 with their debut tenure Tourist History.
The band has enjoyed success in relative obscurity, despite being a regular name on major festival line-ups, the band is yet to top the bill, however, they have become a hard to ignore airplay presence. Featured on commercials, video game soundtracks, and indie films, Two Door Cinema Club has a flair in infiltrating pop culture and underground fandoms with unique pop charm.
Four studio releases have each propelled the band’s notoriety and status, with Beacon as a most acclaimed follow up to their debut, its colorful and warm atmosphere has made it one of the most acclaimed albums of the past decade. The more mature and evolved Gameshow, however, brought in a retro rock and disco statement on the modern age, thus solidifying Two Door Cinema Club as a consecrated act for upcoming years
Check out Two Door Cinema Club on YouTube Here.
6. The Kooks
Loud, rowdy and experimental, The Kooks have helped define a more Rock ’N’ Roll side of the spectrum of independent pop music. Beginning their music career in 2004, The Kooks formed out of mutual love for consecrated artists and the influence of the 1960s British invasion and Britpop– naming the then four man band after Bowie’s song, Kooks. Capturing the spirit of the leading Britishmania bands and combining newer music elements, The Kooks have been able to create a fresh, yet nostalgic sound that audiences and critics alike can’t get enough of.
With a condensed blend of ska, reggae with Luke Pritchard’s distinctive vocals, The Kooks explores both Rock ’n’ Roll and New Wave pop elements that give the band a unique outlook to the indie genre. Their debut album, Inside In/Inside Out paved the way to the band’s exposure, with their most successful track and flagship single, Naïve,. The Kooks lyricism and music have been praised due to their constant switch-ups in their sound, with AllMusic reviewer claiming “the band sounds like the Kooks and no one else”.
Inside In/Inside Out achieved quadruple platinum status almost immediately, granting the band a spot as one of Britain’s most massive popular contemporary acts. Follow up tenure Konk debuted as number one in the UK Album charts and turned The Kooks into a global export. From there on the band has become a regular in high profile music festivals, and their unpredictable nature makes it all the more exciting to see what’s next.
Check out The Kooks on YouTube Here.
5. The xx
Electro, ethereal and otherworldly, The xx set an inviting journey to their abstract corner of the world. Starting off their music career in 2005 during their teen years, as a cover band until their eponymous debut in 2009. Striking instant critical acclaim and mainstream media right away, the record is considered one of the best albums of all time according, NME. Continuously adding experimental elements into their sound, The xx is one of the most prevalent indie darlings.
With key simplicity that ultimately makes the most complex and perfect track, The xx manages to strike an emotional chord with most of their songs. From instrumental tracks to melancholic melodic tunes, The xx’s inviting — and sometimes eerie –essence are haunting and captivating, with almost a dizzying, hypnotizing quality. Garnering massive success and popularity, the band has been described as:
“a distinctive musical statement of the like we may never get to hear again.”
Already one of the most genuine projects of recent times, The xx continues to delightfully surprise listeners with their seductive and slick sound. Topping the charts as number three on the UK Album Charts upon their first tenure and a straight number one with its follow up Coexist, The xx became an overseas sensation in no time, and their style remains unparalleled as it is often imitated but never duplicated.
Check out The xx on YouTube Here.
4. Arcade Fire
Often described as baroque pop, there is no wondering why, Arcade Fire has taken emotion to a new level of expression where nostalgia takes a sonic incarnation with a masterfully crafted instrumentalism. Founded in 2000 by Josh Deu and Win Butler before recruiting more members the band became a prominent act by 2004 with their debut Funeral while earning international recognition with 2008s Neon Bible winning Best International Album awarded by Meteor Music.
Followed by the Grammy Winning and massive accolade achiever The Suburbs, Arcade Fire captured a spirit of youthful reminiscent nostalgia, “a love letter from the suburbs” according to Win Butler. Solidifying and proving themselves to their audience and critics after a decade the group achieved an unpredictable yet always fresh hit machine, one to always look out for and a must-see live act.
Six successful albums later, and with David Bowie as a collaborator, Reflektor Arcade Fire has been on an escalating peak for the past decade. With a keen eye for experimentalism and a masterful genre blend, the band has condensed pop, funk, folk, and synth driven music with a hint of rock to it. It’s no wonder why Arcade Fire has become such an eminence in modern day music.
Check out Arcade Fire on YouTube Here.
3. Vampire Weekend
Upbeat, smooth, sunny and joyful, Vampire Weekend is one of the most celebrated bands around the globe. Forming in 2006 over a shared love of African and world music, the band met at Columbia University, where they played their first few gigs. Releasing their self-produced eponymous debut album by 2008, Vampire Weekend quickly caught up to the media’s radar, ranking multiple Top lists. Now packing a steady, loyal and large fanbase, the band is often hailed as one of the main exponents of alternative and indie music.
Providing listeners with intricate, almost poetic writing, Vampire Weekend undoubtedly stands out in their genre. The bands soft, melodious and often enough cleverly humorous tunes have become a distinctive and innovative sound that fans can’t get enough of. After a six year hiatus, the band released their latest studio tenure, Father of The Bride in May 2019. Swamped with stellar reviews from audiences and critics, the record garnered massive media traction earned the band a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album additional to debuting as number one on the Billboard 200.
With an almost impeccable track record, Vampire Weekend continues to prove its worth and acclaim with each new release. Packed with summer vibes yet filled with melancholic undertones, the band’s unique and contrasting style is more than enough reason to be hooked to the indie sensations.
Check Out Vampire Weekend on YouTube Here.
2. MGMT
The psychedelic electronic pop icon from Middletown Connecticut, MGMT struck a one of a kind universal adoration after their first installment, 2007s Oracular Spectacular, a record that remains more than latent to this date. MGMT started out as a Wesleyan University freshmen Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser “were just hanging out and showing each other music that we liked.” It took five years before a formal studio debut was released since the band’s formation, but Oracular Spectacular, served the band an indie dream of relative obscurity and remarkable success.
With iconic hits like Time to Pretend, Electric Feel and Kid, the bands retro groovy, electronic and newly founded psychedelic approach opened the doors for follow up retro wave-riders of the genre. But on another hand the electronic input to a vast range of musical genres pave the way for future pop bands such as Foxygen, Foster the People and Empire of the sun, thus making a mark for MGMT as one of the most influential bands of recent times.
With four tenures to their name, it’s their last album Little Dark Age that finally managed to install similar yet unparalleled success of their debut. As a must have act for festivals around the world and a Grammy, MGMT can easily be regarded as pioneers for a younger generation.
Check out MGMT on YouTube Here.
1. Lorde
Described as the dream-pop queen and the main cause of the female rock/pop resurgence, Lorde’s talents have influenced the likes of major mainstream artists such as Billie Eilish, Tove Lo and Troye Sivan. Forming multiple bands during her early years until being discovered and releasing her massive hit single Royals in her studio debut, Pure Heroine. During her short and ongoing time in the music industry, Lorde has managed to make herself one of the most relevant and innovating artists in popular music.
As one of the leading female performers of the past decade, Lorde’s exceptional talent for conceptualism and capturing a vast range of emotions have made her one of a kind. Both Pure Heroine and her second tenure, Melodrama have been works of ethereal music and exposure of the singer’s self, making way for a more authentic and raw space in the indie pop spectrum.
With a bewitching voice and eccentric stage performance, Lorde has earned herself critical and commercial success on her two studio albums. Receiving multiple accolades including the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Song of the Year and MTVs Rock Video of the Year, in addition to being a regular on the charts. Her creative independence paired with a brilliant innovative team have made Lorde one of the main faces of younger generations.
