Music is the soundtrack to our day-to-day life. Pop culture has a profound influence on our society and many pieces of art reflect a statement on what society means to people.
We understand that finding new music is hard, which is why we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite alternative pop and alt-pop rock releases from independent artists.
This playlist will help you discover new alt-pop music and pop-rock music, including some of our favourite songs from this week. We’ve also included links to the artists’ websites so you can learn more about them and their work.
We hope you enjoy this playlist!
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about the artists by scrolling down the page.
1) XEVEN – Neck Verse Vol.2
Having been born in Estonia at the beginning of the collapse of the USSR, and being of Russian descent, she was no stranger to discrimination as a child.
Despite the fact that she is not a citizen of either country, she has both Russian and Ukrainian blood running through her veins. As a means of offering a different solution to what has already gone too far, Amii and Xeven present “Neck Verse, Vol.2” to the world.
Written about the homonymous medieval clerical practice in which a person convicted of a crime could save their neck by reading the fifty-first Psalm of the Bible in order to save their neck (provided they were literate, knew the verse by heart, and wore a clerical robe).
AMII’s “Neck Verse” is a song that deals with issues related to mental health, the inner workings of a person’s mind and the idea of saving one’s neck. The current global political climate, however, gave Xeven the chance to find new meaning descriptive of her position in a new light.
If you’re interested in checking out more of Xeven’s music, visit his website, or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
2) DOGBOY – That’s What We Wanted
If you’re looking for a new band to add to your playlist, look no further than Dogboy. The band is based out of NYC and has been making waves since their single “That’s What We Wanted”. Their sound is a blend of alt-rock and pop rock—the perfect mix of catchy hooks and indie sensibilities.
Ever wonder what Shel Silverstein’s indie rock band would sound like? A five-track EP was recorded at Fraser Studios by Dogboy, produced by Kit Conway. Performing engaging, high-energy live shows, Dogboy is a surf rock-inspired poetic pop-punk band with grinding guitars and propulsive percussion.
The song has a classic rock sound that will draw you in from the first note. It’s super catchy and easy to listen to, with a great beat and lyrics that will make you think.
If you want to dig more into their world, follow them on Spotify, and don’t forget to visit their website!
3) ROBERT MURPHY (THE HIDDEN GEMS) – My Favorite Stranger
The Hidden Gems are making its debut with the alt-pop single “My Favorite Stranger” featuring Crystal St. John which is now available on all platforms.
Robert Murphy is a singer-songwriter duo from Los Angeles, CA who writes a very unique kind of alternative pop music. Their music is characterized by strong female vocals and catchy melodies that will stick in your head for days.
“My Favorite Stranger” is inspired by the sense of responsibility that parents have for their children and the unconditional love they feel for their children. It provides a glimpse into a first-time parent’s mind.
While neither member of the alt-pop duo has ever had children, Robert Murphy and Crystal St. In writing a candid song, John explored the internal dialogue of a new parent as they realized their baby was still a stranger, and he or she would grow into an independent individual with their own opinions and thoughts.
If you’re interested in checking out more of THE HIDDEN GEMS’s music, visit their SoundCloud or follow them on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
4) ELLAKATE – I Wanna Fall In Love For The Night
In today’s society, it’s easy to get lost in the noise of the world around us. But sometimes, all it takes is a little music to help you. That’s why we’re so excited to share this review of ELLAKATE‘s single “I Wanna Fall In Love For The Night”
In February of 2023, Ellakate released her alternative pop single “I Wanna Fall in Love for the Night”. It is a beautiful ballad that expresses a longing to experience love, but also a fear of being hurt by it.
Among the most touching lyrics in the song is “I wanna fall in love for the night, without the consequence of time.” The lyrics describe the beauty and passion of the beginning of a relationship. However, after time, the love can turn into sadness, hurt, or distance.
Inspired by her longing to feel a loving coexistence, ellakate also expresses a fear of what time might do to that love as well. She says that “Whether it turns sour or fizzles away, one thing is for sure, love is at its most pure form in the beginning.”
If you’re interested in checking out more of ELLAKATE’s music, visit their website or follow them on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
5) FIFTH LUCKY DRAGON – White Lies & Purple Elephants
If you’re a fan of alternative pop, you’ll love Fifth Lucky Dragon‘s new EP White Lies & Purple Elephants. The act is based in Indianapolis and is fronted by Louis Imperiale. His vocals are smooth and rich, and his lyrics are thoughtful.
White Lies & Purple Elephants broke his single streaming record day on release day after receiving over 100,000 likes on Tik Tok prior to its release.
As the title indicates, White Lies & Purple Elephants is an eclectic alt-pop song that explores how a lie slowly grows into an elephant in the room. TikTok users have compared the song to Twenty One Pilots, Glass Animals, and Panic! at the Disco.
If you’re interested in checking out more of FIFTH LUCKY DRAGON’s music, visit their website or follow them on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
6) CANDY RIOT- Blood On The Moon
Candy Riot is a synth-pop band based in the United States, Austin, TX. His single “Blood On The Moon” was released on February 25th, 2023.
The band has a classic sound that’s reminiscent of 80’s pop music, but with an indie twist. The song is upbeat, and catchy, and will keep you wanting to listen over and over again.
‘Blood On The Moon’ is a dark and dancey song from their upcoming album that is the first single from that album. It is a synth-pop track that is infused with a lot of vibes, and the song is about wanting something more than anything else in the world.
If you’re interested in checking out more of CANDY RIOT’s music, visit their website or follow them on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
7) LUMP200 – I Am The Elephant In The Room
LUMP200 is a Berlin-based artist who has been making waves in the alternative music scene for years. This year, he released a single called I Am The Elephant In The Room.
It is expected that Lump200 will release its fifth album ”Isles of You”, together with the audio participation app. The second single from that album is ‘I am the Elephant in the Room’, a trippy, dark and bright song.
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
It’s got a lot of power—the vocals are strong and clear, and the instrumentals are well-balanced between guitars, bass and drums. The track also has a great tempo that keeps things moving along nicely throughout the whole song.
If you’re interested in checking out more of Lump200’s music, visit his website or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
8) SALT ASHES – Heart Attack
With her latest single, ‘Heart Attack,’ London-based singer/songwriter Salt Ashes is returning with a new intoxicating single following the instant success of her two previous singles last year, ‘Didn’t See It Coming’ and ‘Body Says’. The 16th of February was the release date of the album ‘Heart Attack’.
As Salt Ashes demonstrates her expert interaction between beautiful dreamlike vocal melodies and huge electronic dance rhythms that are seamlessly blended together, Salt Ashes creates a soundtrack that showcases the crippling sensation of longing for someone, creating something that feels more personal in every way.
The song has been described as “super catchy” by many critics, including myself; it’s one of those songs that will get stuck in your head for days after listening to it. It’s easy to see why—the combination of electronic beats and catchy vocals will have you humming along before you know it!
I recommend checking out her website and following her on Spotify so that you don’t miss out on any future releases from this talented artist!
9) RED SKIES MOURNING – A Beautiful Mess
When I first heard the song “A Beautiful Mess” by RED SKIES MOURNING, I was instantly hooked. The dreamy synth sounds, the catchy beats, and the distinct vocals all combined to create something that was immediately familiar yet new and exciting.
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
”Starting to blend more influences, my producer wanted to try a slightly more hip hop vibe in this one!”
It’s got a lot of power—the vocals are strong and clear, and the instrumentals are well-balanced between beats, melody and 808s. The track also has a great tempo that keeps things moving along nicely throughout the whole song.
If you’re interested in checking out more of ‘s music, visit their website or follow them on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
10) ROB LEA – Stop What You’re Doing
After releasing his debut single ‘Reflection’ almost a year ago, multi-faceted artist Rob Lea will now release his debut EP ‘Stop What You Are Doing’, a collection of his new songs.
In celebration of the release of ‘Stop What You’re Doing’ on all digital platforms on 3rd March 2023, Rob plans to give away 1000 signed copies for free over the next few weeks as a way of celebrating the release.
In addition to his eclectic mix of musical influences, Rob brings to you a collection of five songs that will take you on a journey from killer rock riffs, to soaring summer pop vibes, to nostalgic and daring combinations, to a powerful and emotive ballad to end your journey with.
“I love music of all kinds and I love how music can take the listener through all the colours that life throws at you. I’m so excited for people to hear this EP. I think when they hear the music together, they will get what I’m trying to do, which is to take them on a journey of some of the highs and lows of life. Ultimately, I want people to know they are not alone.” – Rob Lea
If you’re interested in checking out more of ‘s music, visit his website or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
About Author
