The question you may be asking is, “Are we really going to spend an entire article talking about 10 indie pop artists???” Of course, you should put some new music on your playlist based on what you truly enjoy, not what the mainstream suggests. Additionally, these artists deserve our attention since they are highly talented. Let’s go!
Because I know it’s not always easy to discover new music, especially on the indie scene, I made a list of 10 excellent pop artists who are making some of the freshest music I’ve heard in a while and that should be part of your pop playlist.
With the democratization of music, independent, digital-only musicians have unprecedented access to the market and can distribute their work globally with the click of a button on platforms like PopHits.Co, which opened the gates of music distribution. Not only that, but they can build themselves a respectable fan base and have their music streamed by thousands of people.
This rise of amazing independent artists like this is one of the reasons why we love to receive thousands of new songs each day, listen to them, and do our job as music producers, curators, and writers.
Whether it’s a new year or just a new month or new week, odds are someone out there is confused about which new music they should add to their “new and favourite” playlist.
Occasionally, I am that person. As a result of my curiosity, we started putting together special playlists to ensure the highly talented artists are heard specifically by those interested in that genre, which worked very well. Here we go!
Here’s a great selection to enjoy as we dive into this new mix. You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about the artists by scrolling down the page.
1) ZARYAH – Society Of Men
ZARYAH is a pop artist based in Los Angeles, and her new single “Society of Men” is an anthem that’s sure to be stuck in your head for days.
The song has all the ingredients of a commercial pop hit: super catchy melodies, amazing female vocals, and a vocal dance style that’s popular right now on the US pop scene.
The track opens with the lead singer’s speech about women’s empowerment. then some synth-heavy beat that builds into a powerful chorus sung by ZARYAH herself. Really, we loved this one, but you have to check by yourself.
Her voice is powerful and clear throughout the entire track, which helps make this song one you’ll keep repeating for some time—some weeks, or maybe even months!
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, check out “Society of Men” by ZARYAH today! Visit her website and follow her on Spotify.
2) AIRYEN VAY – Breathe
The first single from AIRYEN VAY, “Breathe,” is a perfect example of contemporary pop at its finest. The song, which was released last year, has quickly become one of the most listened-to tracks in the indie pop scene.
This song showcases the singer’s vocal range and ability to create a catchy hook. The lyrics are relatable and heartfelt—Airyen is encouraging the youth of the world to make their voices heard.
The music video for “Breathe” features a young woman who works hard, but starts fighting for her freedom and happiness instead. This is an interesting choice for an artist who often emphasizes the importance of mental health and feelings in her work.
In addition to being an excellent performer, AIRYEN VAY has also written several other songs that deserve our attention. Now, check it out, watch her music video, visit her website and follow her on Spotify.
3) RYE CATCHERS – UFO
RYE CATCHERS is an electronic pop artist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She released her single “UFO” last month. The song is produced in a way that expresses a very cool 80s vibe on it. The vocals are hauntingly beautiful, and they really shine on this track.
The production quality is good—the synth sounds have a really nice retro feel that reminds me of Cyndi Lauper in the past or electropop artists who were making great music during the 80s boom period. It’s hard not to dance along with this song!
Rye Catchers’ voice is smooth and soothing, which helps to make the song feel like a nice break from all of the other high-energy pop tracks out there right now. The song is an excellent addition to any pop playlist for diversifying your music collection.
This is definitely worth checking out if you’re into experimental pop music with female vocals—or if you just want some good tunes that will make you smile while you’re driving around town or having a good time with your friends. Check it out, watch her music video, visit her Facebook and follow her on Spotify!
4) ALIBII – Just Another Minute
If you’re looking for something that’s super catchy, radio-ready, and cinematic, you might want to check out ALIBII‘s latest single “Just Another Minute.”
The track is a testament to the growing power of Australian pop culture—it’s got a pop vibe and is a great rocky dream pop sound with plenty of emotional depth.
The song features both male and female vocals, which takes it from “just another pop song” to something more euphoric and incredibly ready to be the soundtrack of a famous Netflix series. Hello Netflix guys, you are losing a good opportunity here!
The lyrics are about getting over an ex—maybe even your first love. From our perspective, the emotional side of the song is like a journey through stages of grief: anger, denial, bargaining, depression… but ultimately acceptance. And when you finally reach acceptance? You can move on with your life!
This is music that will make you want to dance (and maybe cry) at the same time. If you haven’t yet checked out this artist or heard their music before now then be sure to visit their Facebook and follow them on Spotify!
5) KONGRESS – Summer Days
KONGRESS is a pop artist from the United States, Brooklyn, NY. He’s a member of the electro-pop and synth-pop genres, and his latest single “Summer Days” is an anthem for the summer season.
The song has an 80s vibe to it with its synthesizers and drum machines—it reminds me of the music produced during the electronic boom in the 80s. KONGRESS’ voice has a smooth sound that makes you feel like he could sing you songs to dance, but also to relax and enjoy the vibe.
The song was created and the lyrics were written a lifetime ago, precisely on April 28, 1967, and in 2022 transformed into this piece we are listening to now. This is very interesting how music is atemporal and we can enjoy songs from an era when digital music wasn’t even available to the public.
The video for this song is also great—it’s got some fun footage from decades ago and compiled to make it a music video, it’s interesting in a way that will keep you entertained even if the song doesn’t do anything for you!
Check it out, visit their Reverbnation profile, follow them on Spotify—and don’t forget to tell the artist what you think about “Summer Days”!
6) ABZ WINTER – It’s Not Your Movie
ABZ WINTER, a British pop-punk artist from Rugby, has released her new single, “It’s Not Your Movie.” The track is a catchy and upbeat indie pop song with 80’s vibes and dark-pop influences. Guys, this one is a great example of what independent artists are doing, amazing tunes!
The song begins with a smooth drum sound, then a light guitar riff that is followed by the singer’s powerful vocals which are reminiscent of female singers such as Siouxsie Sioux (Siouxsie & the Banshees), Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), and Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders).
Excluding starting smoothly, the song is an explosion of emotion. “It’s Not Your Movie” has an anthemic feel to it and you can tell ABZ Winter has been influenced by many popular artists in the industry. Her voice reminds me of the likes of Sara Bareilles and Tori Amos, besides the difference in terms of genre.
This is definitely one of those tracks that you’ll want to listen to again and again! You can check out ABZ Winter on Spotify, follow her and visit her website.
7) NICKY BUELL – Synthetic
The good news is that we’re all going to be hearing a lot more from NICKY BUELL. The Seattle-based artist has just released a single, ‘SYNTHETIC’, that is making waves across the indie pop rock genre.
The song is a melodic, synth-heavy treat with an easy-listening vibe and vocal hooks that will get stuck in your brain for days. It’s also got some appealing queer topics at its core—think about the most prepared pop artists ready to explode! That’s the case here and has nothing to do with his sexuality, it’s about the great music he is making, what we all should be focused on.
It’s a banger for sure—a song that will get stuck in your head, a tune that you’ll be singing along to in the shower. But it also has a raw, emotional quality that makes it easy to listen to. It’s melodic and anthemic without being overly sentimental or saccharine. It’s exactly an indie modern pop-rock anthem with an easy-listening vibe.
Buell sings about his life experiences as well as he wants to make the queer community be seen. Well, with this level of talent he will for sure achieve that.
But don’t take my word for it—check it out below, then head over to the artist’s website and follow him on Spotify to see what else he has in store for us!
8) CADE HUSEBY – Afterlight
CADE HUSEBY‘s Afterlight is a song that you can’t help but sing along to. With its catchy beat and 80s-influenced sound, it’s the perfect song for parties, road trips, or just listening at home.
The song was released last month and has already been some attention from producers from PopHits.Co. They loved it! It’s no wonder he’s been compared to artists like Zedd and Imagine Dragons (both of whom have some pretty big hits under their belts).
The song has 80s vibes but it has a modern twist that makes it feel fresh and new. The vocals are smooth and relaxed—they don’t overpower the music or distract from it in any way. It’s a great example of how to make commercial pop music without sacrificing artistic integrity or creative vision.
If you’re looking for something new in the pop scene, I highly recommend checking out Afterlight on Spotify and following CADE HUSEBY on social media and visiting his website, so you can stay up-to-date with all his latest releases!
9) KING KISMET – Afterglow
The sound of the future, Afterglow is a dreamy, euphoric single that features dream pop and electronic pop elements. The track was released by the producer and DJ KING KISMET, an independent artist based in Phoenix, AZ.
The song starts off with a smooth verse but goes to a driving vocal dance beat that gets you up and dancing right away. It’s then joined by atmospheric synths and robotic voice effects that add an ethereal, futuristic feel that works well with the lyrics by Seany B featuring great male vocals by Seb Mont.
The song’s message It’s about having faith in the pursuit of our dreams even when we cannot see how things will come together. As long as we hold true to our vision and never stop
KING KISMET has been gaining popularity on social media platforms like Spotify and Instagram. his portfolio is worth checking as it’s high-quality music for sure.
If you’re looking to get into some US pop culture, this track is definitely worth checking out. It’s got commercial appeal, but King Kismet also manages to infuse his music with an indie spirit that keeps it from feeling too commercialized.
“Afterglow” is also a great example of how modern music can be both commercial and artistic at the same time. If you’re into pop music or even just electronic music in general, I recommend checking out KING KISMET’s other songs as well as visiting his website and following him on Spotify!
10) ADAM RAGSDALE – Moon, Part One
If you’re looking for a relaxing soundscape to soundtrack your day, you can’t go wrong with Adam Ragsdale‘s 11-track album, Moon, Part One.
His alternative pop music is the perfect blend of ambient and cinematic instrumentation—you’ll find it in some of his instrumental tracks, as well as on his love song “Mine”. This one is a radio-ready pop banger prepared to explode!
The album has a nostalgic feel that harkens back to previous decades, especially the ’70s and ’80s. It’s easy to imagine yourself listening to this album while sitting in a coffee shop and reading a book or journaling about life’s ups and downs. I proper time travel!
You might even feel like you’re listening to a soundtrack from a movie! This full album should be explored by the music industry for sure. And by you too! Start with the track Murphy’s Law, you will not regret it.
If you’re not sure what kind of music you’d like to listen to today, give this album a listen first—you’ll probably find something that suits your mood perfectly. This artist’s work can transform your day with his music. Check it out, visit his website and follow him on Spotify.
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