Whether it’s a Monday, Wednesday, Saturday or a special event like your birthday, you need the hottest songs to make it count.
That’s why we decided to create this playlist of 10 must-hear pop tracks from independent artists. This is not your typical top hits list – but a carefully curated collection of music that you can’t wait to play over and over again and include on your playlist.
If you’re a fan of pop music, you probably know that most of the biggest names in the industry are signed to major labels.
But what you may not know is that some of the best new songs being released right now are coming from indie artists—independent musicians who create their own work and release it on platforms like Spotify or Bandcamp.
This week, we’re highlighting some must-hear pop tracks. We’ve got an eclectic mix for you: everything from a whimsical ballad about living in a bubble to an upbeat R&B track about falling in love with your best friend. So sit back and enjoy the show!
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about the artists by scrolling down the page.
1) MADDY STORM – Forced Extrovert
The United Kingdom has a thriving pop music scene, and Manchester is home to one of its most exciting new acts—MADDY STORM.
The self-described “dark-pop” artist released her debut EP Forced Extrovert this week. The six-track project is a mix of catchy, commercial pop tunes that are already getting radio play in the UK and abroad.
MADDY STORM’s sound is a blend of alternative pop, art pop, and dark pop that incorporates elements of trap and hip hop. The result is an album that brings you back to the early 2000s with its throwback style but still feels fresh because it has been infused with modern influences like EDM beats.
The EP opens up with “Forced Extrovert,” which is, in my opinion, creepy, but this is exactly her intention as I can see, so it’s positive.
But I would like to mention “Spit me Out”, which features an infectious chorus and shows off MADDY STORM’s ability to write a banger as she goes back-and-forth between singing like whispering and over an upbeat beat produced by who understood the importance of transporting the listener to another dimension.
There are a lot of other tracks to listen to, but this is now your turn, just relax and use your imagination while listening to Maddy Storm’s new EP. Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
2) SHARL – Hanging On
There’s a new song in town and it’s called Hanging On. It’s by an Australian singer-songwriter named SHARL, and it’s the latest single off her debut album City Lights.
In the past few years, there has been a rise in the popularity of singer-songwriters who are making waves in the Australian music scene. The genre itself is nothing new—it’s been around for decades—but for some reason, it seems to be booming right now. The soft sounds of this genre are perfect for easy listening, which is why so many are enjoying it.
Sharl’s single Hanging On is a great example of the type of music she makes: soft, contemporary, easy listening. It’s a perfect song to play while you’re doing some work or just relaxing at home.
If you’re looking for something to help you relax, then this song is perfect for you! It’s got exactly what you need: soft vocals with easy lyrics that’ll make you want to sing along right away (or at least hum along).
It also has a retro feel to it with its use of instruments like the piano and acoustic guitar. If anything else about this song sounds familiar then it may be because it reminds us of other popular songs like “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley or even loves songs from the radio. They all have similar instrumentation which makes them sound retro too! Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
3) ANTHONY CASUCCIO – What Is The Point
ANTHONY CASUCCIO is a singer-songwriter from East Amherst, New York. His style is a throwback to the ’80s, but with a modern twist. It’s pop music with an indie edge that has been compared to The Beatles and Beach Boys.
I discovered CASUCCIO on Spotify and I was immediately drawn in by his single “What Is The Point.” The song has a very smooth, laid-back vibe. The lyrics are catchy and easy to sing along with. He has a great voice too! That being said, his songs aren’t all sunshiny pop jams—some of them have darker themes like loneliness or heartbreak.
The thing that makes CASUCCIO stand out for me is his songwriting ability: he writes about things that people can relate to but does it in such an interesting way that you don’t feel like you’re listening to something generic or cliche. He also has some pretty cool guitar skills!
So if you’re looking for some good music from an independent artist who happens to be from your area, make sure you give it a try to CASUCCIO’s sound! Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
4) DORIAN – Proud
Sometimes, you just need to escape. And sometimes, that escape comes in the form of a song that is so beautiful and cathartic, it makes you feel like you’re floating on air.
Dorian‘s Proud is one of those songs. It’s got an electronic sound and dreamy vocals that will make you want to dance around your room like nobody’s watching.
It’s got an indie R&B vibe and anthemic lyrics that will make you feel like you can conquer anything. It’s got a commercial pop sound that makes it perfect for mainstream radio play—but it also has a trap-style beat that will keep EDM fans coming back for more. And maybe best of all, it has an LGBTQ theme that makes it perfect for Pride Month!
Proud is upbeat and fun, but also introspective and deep enough to get stuck in your head for weeks at a time.
If you’ve been looking for something new this month (and even if you haven’t) listen to Proud and watch this awesome music video from Dorian below! Check it out, visit the artist’s YouTube channel and follow on Spotify.
5) TEMPERATURE FALLS – Please Don’t Go
I discovered the amazing artist TEMPERATURE FALLS when I was browsing through Spotify looking for new music this week. I came across their single “Please Don’t Go” and was immediately hooked.
The song is a blend of electronic pop and trip-hop with a bit of sonic sensuality that makes it feel like a sexy art pop record. The vocals are dreamy, seductive, and mysterious—the kind you would want to hear on repeat as you drive down the highway at night or during that encounter with a special one.
The artist hails from Norway, Oslo, which is where they recorded this single. It has been described by the producer of PopHits.Co as a “Lofi style” record, nostalgic and super relaxing.
About the Lofi style, It only expresses the sensation of it, which is a type of lo-fi recording with limited or no compression used, to create a warm sound that seems to be coming from far away. But it’s an electronic effect and doesn’t mean low quality. This track is high-quality easy listening music at its best!
I highly recommend checking out TEMPERATURE FALLS’ portfolio, watching their music video, visiting their website for more information about them and following them on Spotify so you can listen to more of their music!
6) ANGELINA LUZI – Let It Go
Angelina Luzi‘s latest release, Let It Go, is an infectious indie pop song that will have you dancing around the house and singing along in no time. The British singer-songwriter has a soft band sound that is easy to listen to and relaxing. It also represents a very enjoyable tropical vibe.
Luzi wrote Let it Go during a time of transition when she was in lockdown. It symbolizes a time for change by letting go of painful past experiences and a silence inherited as a result of these experiences, which prevented her from expressing her feelings.
The song starts off with a soft guitar riff that builds into a strong drum beat as Luzi’s vocals come in over the top. The verses are catchy and upbeat, while the chorus is slower and more melodic.
This pattern continues throughout most of the song, and it never gets boring or repetitive—instead, it keeps you engaged with each listen thanks to the variety of rhythms and melodies within each section of music.
Through the beautiful view of Lulworth Cove on the Jurassic Coast of England, the artwork depicts freedom. She self-releases her work as an independent artist as a result of recording with producer Nick Burns in London, and this represents the freedom to express her genuine artistic identity.
According to the artist, music can be used for healing as it helped her, so she’d like to receive help to share far and wide in order to help others as well.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to that’s going to put you in a good mood and help pass the time, check out Angelina Luzi’s music! You can visit her website and follow her on Spotify below.
7) MOON AND ARIES – Break The Matrix (Episode One)
MOON AND ARIES is a trip-hop, synth-pop opera artist from Germany. Their EP Break The Matrix (Episode One) is a 3-track EP that features a mix of ethereal vocals, 80’s-inspired electronics, and classic pop culture sounds.
This particular album is great for anyone who likes electronic music with female and male vocals. It also has an upbeat, energetic feel that makes it perfect to listen to while you’re at work or out on the town for relaxing.
The first track on the album, “Closer And Closer” starts with a pulsing synth sound that builds up into an energetic drumbeat and then drops into a heavy bass line.
This is followed by a catchy chorus featuring both male and female vocals that are accompanied by more synths and electronic drums. The song ends with some more vocal harmonies before transitioning into the next piece of sonic art.
“The In Between” starts off with an ambient beat that slowly builds up as more layers are added until it reaches its full potential at about 2 minutes in—the vocal is great and then it drops down again before building back up again towards the end of the song when you can hear the waves on the moving sea. Use your imagination now!
The final track on this EP will be for you to explore but we guarantee you will regret it. Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
8) ROMAIN GUTSY – My Only Love
Romain Gutsy is a new artist from France who has just released his single, “My Only Love”. He is an alt-pop/soft rock artist with a contemporary twist, and his sound is reminiscent of the great alternative music that dominated the early 80s.
Romain Gutsy’s musical style has been called “art pop” by producers from PopHits.Co, but it’s important to note that he isn’t just a one-trick pony—his music spans multiple genres and styles in an enjoyable way.
His music is influenced by folk and classic pop rock artists, who were known for their ability to fuse different genres together seamlessly into something completely new and unique. Romain Gutsy does exactly this in every song he creates.
In “My Only Love”, Romain Gutsy sings about heartbreak and loss as if he were sitting on your shoulder—and maybe he was! The song is intimate and personal, yet somehow manages to be uplifting at the same time.
It’s not all doom and gloom though; Romain Gutsy is also known for his upbeat attitude towards life, which shines through in tracks like “A Narrow Fellow in The Grass”. Now check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
9) ELIAS KOPP – Low
There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a new artist to fall in love with. ELIAS KOPP is one of those artists who you can’t help but love as soon as you hear their music.
ELIAS KOPP is an independent pop artist from the United Kingdom and has been releasing music since 2021. His most recent single, Low, was released weeks ago and is a perfect example of why he’s such an incredible musician.
Low is what I would define as dark pop with alternative EDM elements. The song starts off with just vocals and piano before adding more instruments and building up to a climactic crescendo that leaves listeners breathless by the end.
While this song sounds like something you would expect from someone like The Weeknd or Halsey, it’s not quite as dark or brooding as those artists’ work tends to be—in fact, I would say that ELIAS KOPP’s style is much more accessible than many other artists working today (especially if you’re looking for something that could appeal to both men and women).
The thing that really makes ELIAS KOPP stand out though? His voice and genuine emotional vibe! It’s got this rough edge that gives his voice and performance a high level of professionalism.
This boy rocks and his music has the potential to be a hit, it’s radio ready, connects emotionally and is still pop! Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
10) GHOSTS OF OUR FORMER SELVES – Golden
Ghosts of Our Former Selves is a new pop indie band from the UK. They have just released their EP, Golden, which has been gaining a lot of attention and praise from music critics. The EP contains four tracks, each one with its own unique sound. It’s almost like listening to four different bands.
One of the first things that you’ll notice about this EP is how relaxing it is. The vocals are soft and soothing, with no harsh edges or abrasive sounds to be found anywhere on the album. You can tell that this is not a group of musicians who are looking for attention through volume—rather, they want to give you an escape from your everyday life by letting you relax and unwind while listening to their music.
The first track “Goden” has more of a classic sound with its acoustic guitar strums paired up against piano chords played by another member of the band. It reminds me of something that might have been heard, and I can tell you, the whole EP is very emotional. Not only because of the melodies, instrumentation, and vibe, but the story behind it is related to new life, birth, and also the fact that a child was born with some complications.
The band’s member Theo Brehony welcomed his first son into the world recently, 5 weeks before his due date, so you can see you have a lot to explore here, it’s a real-life-based story and commotion.
The last song on Golden is called “Mother And Child Union” which features some great reggae rhythms mixed in with an acoustic guitar accompaniment that really sets the tone for everything else that’s to come after it on this EP, with two more versions of the track Golden, acoustic and remix. Now check it out, visit the artist’s YouTube channel and follow on Spotify.
About Author
