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The Best Indie Artists Of 2025, Ranked
Vote on the artists based on their recent music and performances.
Arctic Monkeys are a British indie rock band known for their energetic performances and sharp, witty songwriting. Since their debut with Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, they've evolved their sound, incorporating elements of indie rock, post-punk, and even psychedelic influences. Frontman Alex Turner's distinctive voice and lyrical prowess, coupled with the band's dynamic instrumentation, have cemented them as one of the most influential indie bands of their generation.
Mitski is an acclaimed indie artist known for her emotionally raw and introspective songwriting. Her music blends indie rock with elements of folk and avant-pop, creating a unique sound that resonates deeply with fans. Mitski’s powerful voice and poignant lyrics explore themes of identity, love, and loneliness, making her a standout figure in the indie music scene. With each album, she continues to push boundaries, delivering deeply personal and universally relatable music.
Tame Impala, the project of Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker, is celebrated for its lush, psychedelic soundscapes and introspective lyrics. Blending elements of rock, pop, and electronic music, Tame Impala creates a unique auditory experience that's both nostalgic and innovative. Parker's meticulous production and soulful melodies have garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated global following. Albums like Currents and The Slow Rush showcase Tame Impala's ability to continually evolve while maintaining its distinctive vibe.
- 1Currents228 Votes
- 2Lonerism206 Votes
- 3Innerspeaker160 Votes
- 4The Slow Rush121 Votes
Hozier, the stage name of Irish musician Andrew Hozier-Byrne, gained international acclaim with his soulful debut single "Take Me to Church." Known for his powerful voice and introspective lyrics, Hozier's music blends indie rock, blues, and folk influences. His self-titled debut album and follow-up album Wasteland, Baby! showcase his ability to tackle profound themes with emotional depth and raw honesty. Hozier's haunting melodies and lyrical prowess have cemented him as a distinctive voice in contemporary music.
Steve Lacy is a talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for his work with the Grammy-nominated band The Internet and his solo projects. His music blends R&B, funk, and indie elements, showcasing his distinctive style and innovative approach. Lacy is recognized for his smooth vocals and intricate guitar work, which have earned him a devoted following and critical acclaim. His solo work, including the album Apollo XXI, highlights his versatility and flair for genre-blending creativity.
Conan Gray is a breakout singer-songwriter known for his introspective pop anthems and emotive lyrics. Rising to fame initially through YouTube, Gray's debut album Kid Krow features hits like "Maniac" and "Heather," addressing themes of love, heartbreak, and identity. His relatable storytelling and captivating melodies have earned him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim. With his distinct voice and authentic songwriting, Conan Gray continues to make a significant impact on the contemporary pop scene.
PinkPantheress is a British singer-songwriter and producer who gained rapid popularity through TikTok with her catchy, genre-blending tracks. Known for her unique ability to meld nostalgic 2000s sounds with contemporary beats, her music often features lo-fi production and introspective lyrics. Hit singles like "Break It Off" and "Just for me" have garnered significant attention, leading to critical acclaim and a growing fanbase. PinkPantheress has quickly become a notable figure in the modern music landscape with her innovative style.
Glass Animals is an English indie rock band known for their eclectic sound that blends electronica, psychedelic pop, and R&B influences. Fronted by Dave Bayley, the group gained widespread recognition with their debut album Zaba and hit single "Gooey." Their follow-up album How to Be a Human Being showcased their storytelling prowess, while Dreamland delved into personal and nostalgic themes. Glass Animals' innovative production and catchy, genre-blurring tracks have cemented them as a standout in modern indie music.
The Lumineers are an American indie folk band known for their heartfelt lyrics and rustic sound. Formed by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, the band gained widespread acclaim with their self-titled debut album featuring the hit single "Ho Hey." Their subsequent albums like Cleopatra and III continue to showcase their storytelling prowess and emotional depth. Combining acoustic instrumentation and poignant melodies, The Lumineers have carved out a distinctive place in the modern folk music scene.
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FINNEAS, born Finneas O'Connell, is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer known for his solo work and collaborations with his sister, Billie Eilish. His music blends pop, indie, and electronic elements, marked by introspective lyrics and innovative production. Tracks like "Let's Fall in Love for the Night" showcase his talent for crafting catchy, emotive songs. As a producer, he's been instrumental in shaping Eilish's sound, making him a significant figure in modern pop music.
- Vampire Weekend is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 2006. They are currently signed to XL Recordings. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Ezra Koenig, guitarist/keyboardist and backing vocalist Rostam Batmanglij, drummer and percussionist Chris Tomson and bassist and backing vocalist Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which included the singles "Mansard Roof", "A-Punk", "Oxford Comma", "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" and "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance". The band's second album, Contra, was released in 2010. Their third studio album, Modern Vampires of the City, was released on May 14, 2013, winning them a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2014.
boygenius is an indie supergroup comprising acclaimed singer-songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. Formed in 2018, the trio delivers emotionally charged, harmony-rich music that blends rock, folk, and indie influences. Their self-titled EP showcases their individual talents while creating a cohesive, soul-stirring sound. With powerful lyrics and raw, heartfelt performances, boygenius has quickly become a beloved act in the indie music scene, celebrated for their collaborative synergy and introspective songwriting.
Vance Joy, the stage name of Australian singer-songwriter James Keogh, is renowned for his heartfelt lyrics and folk-pop charm. He shot to fame with his breakout single "Riptide," a catchy, ukulele-driven track that became a global hit. His debut album Dream Your Life Away and follow-up Nation of Two feature soulful melodies and introspective storytelling. With his warm voice and captivating performances, Vance Joy has established himself as a beloved figure in contemporary music.
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums). Known for their raw, gritty sound that fuses blues rock with garage rock elements, the band gained fame with hits like "Tighten Up" and "Lonely Boy." Albums such as El Camino and Brothers showcase their catchy riffs and soulful intensity. The Black Keys’ energetic performances and authentic sound have made them staples in the modern rock landscape.
- Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The group is composed of Mark Foster, Jacob "Cubbie" Fink, and Mark Pontius. The group's music, described as melodic dance-infused pop and rock, spans many genres. Foster founded the band in 2009 after spending several years in Los Angeles as a struggling musician and working as a commercial jingle writer. After Foster's song "Pumped Up Kicks" became a viral success in 2010, the group received a record deal from Startime International and gained a fanbase through small club shows and appearances at music festivals. After releasing their debut album Torches in May 2011, "Pumped Up Kicks" became a crossover hit on commercial radio in mid-2011 and eventually reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The record also produced the popular singles "Helena Beat" and "Don't Stop". The group received two Grammy Award nominations for Torches and "Pumped Up Kicks". After touring for two years in support of Torches, Foster the People released their second album, Supermodel, in March 2014. It was preceded by the lead single "Coming of Age".
Arcade Fire is a critically acclaimed indie rock band known for their anthemic sound and profound lyrics. Formed in Montreal, the group is led by husband-and-wife duo Win Butler and Régine Chassagne. Their debut album Funeral established them as a major force in music, followed by celebrated albums like The Suburbs and Reflektor. Known for their energetic live performances and innovative arrangements, Arcade Fire has become a staple in the alternative rock scene.
- 1Funeral163 Votes
- 2The Suburbs157 Votes
- 3Neon Bible122 Votes
- 4Reflektor113 Votes
Alec Benjamin is an American singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics and distinctive voice. Rising to fame with his viral hit "Let Me Down Slowly," Benjamin captures listeners with his introspective storytelling and emotive melodies. His debut album These Two Windows features a blend of acoustic pop and folk influences, resonating deeply with fans. With his honest songwriting and relatable themes, Alec Benjamin has established himself as a compelling and relatable voice in modern pop music.
- 18MUNA are an American indie pop band consisting of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. They released two studio albums with RCA Records, About U (2017) and Saves the World (2019), before signing with independent label Saddest Factory Records, which released their third studio album, Muna, in June 2022.
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alt-J is a British indie rock band known for their unique sound that blends intricate harmonies, experimental production, and eclectic influences. Formed by Joe Newman, Thom Sonny Green, and Gus Unger-Hamilton, the band's debut album An Awesome Wave won the Mercury Prize and garnered critical acclaim. Tracks like "Breezeblocks" and "Taro" highlight their innovative approach to music. Their subsequent albums continue to push boundaries, making alt-J a standout in the contemporary indie scene.
Animal Collective is an experimental pop band known for their innovative and eclectic sound. Formed in Baltimore, the group consists of members Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Geologist, and Deakin. Their music blends elements of psychedelia, electronic, and indie rock, resulting in a unique, genre-defying sound. Albums like Merriweather Post Pavilion and Feels showcase their boundary-pushing creativity and vibrant, immersive compositions. Animal Collective’s unconventional approach has earned them a dedicated following and critical acclaim in the alternative music scene.
- 1Merriweather Post Pavilion53 Votes
- 2Feels43 Votes
- 3Strawberry Jam49 Votes
- 4Sung Tongs34 Votes
- Margaret Debay Rogers (born April 25, 1994) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from Easton, Maryland. Her big break came when her song "Alaska" was played to Pharrell Williams during a master class at New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2019. Rogers graduated from New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in May 2016 with a degree in music engineering and production and English. In September 2021, it became publicly known that Rogers had started graduate school at Harvard Divinity School, where she is, according to her own tweet, "studying the spirituality of public gatherings and the ethics of power in pop culture." In May 2022, she turned in her Master's thesis and passed with distinction. Rogers has released two studio albums: Heard It in a Past Life (2019) and Surrender (2022).
- Anne Erin "Annie" Clark (born September 28, 1982), known professionally as St. Vincent, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. St. Vincent began her music career as a member of The Polyphonic Spree. She was also a member of Sufjan Stevens's touring band, before forming her own band in 2006. Her debut album was Marry Me (2007), followed by Actor (2009), Strange Mercy (2011), St. Vincent (2014) and Masseduction (2017). She released a collaborative album with David Byrne in 2012 titled Love This Giant. St. Vincent contributed backing vocals for Swans on their 2014 album To Be Kind. Her fourth solo album, St. Vincent, was released that same year and was named album of the year by The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, NME and Slant, as well as second best album of the year by Time. The album won her a Grammy for Best Alternative Album, her first Grammy Award. She was the first solo female performer in 20 years to win a Grammy in that category. In 2018, St. Vincent was included twice in NPR's "200 Greatest songs by 21st Century Women" at number 181 with "Digital Witness" and number 38 with "Cruel".
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Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast is an American indie pop band headed by musician Michelle Zauner. Zauner started the band as a side project in 2013 when she was leading the Philadelphia-based emo group Little Big League. She has said that she named the band after seeing a GIF of Japanese breakfast and deciding that the term would be considered "exotic" to Americans; she also thought it would make others wonder what a Japanese breakfast consists of. - 24Wet Leg are a British indie rock duo from the Isle of Wight, founded in 2019 by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers. Their debut single "Chaise Longue" quickly racked up three million streams in 2021. Their self-titled debut album debuted in 2022 at number one on the UK Albums Chart, ARIA Albums Chart, and the Irish Albums Chart.
- 25Slowdive are an English rock band that formed in Reading, Berkshire in 1989. The band consists of Rachel Goswell on vocals and guitar, Simon Scott on drums, Neil Halstead on vocals and guitar, Nick Chaplin on bass and Christian Savill on guitar. Several other drummers also briefly played with the band, including Ian McCutcheon, Adrian Sell, and Neil Carter. Halstead was the band's primary songwriter. Goswell and Halstead had known each other since early childhood in Reading, Berkshire. Scott left in 1994 and when Savill and Chaplin left the band soon after the release of Pygmalion, the remaining members renamed the band Mojave 3. Slowdive reunited in 2014. Their sound has been described as dream pop, shoegazing, indie rock and ambient.
- Joshua Michael Tillman (born May 3, 1981), better known by his stage name Father John Misty, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He has also performed and released studio albums under the name J. Tillman. Maintaining a steady output of solo recordings since 2004, Tillman had been a member of or toured with Demon Hunter, Saxon Shore, Fleet Foxes, Jeffertitti's Nile, Pearly Gate Music, Siberian, Har Mar Superstar, Poor Moon, Low Hums, Jonathan Wilson, and has toured extensively with Pacific Northwest artists Damien Jurado, Jesse Sykes, and David Bazan. He has also made contributions to albums by popular artists, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, and Post Malone, and he has produced one album for Matthew Daniel Siskin, known as Gambles.
- Fitz (pronounced "fits") is an Old French noun meaning "son of", ultimately from Latin filius (son), plus genitive case of the father's forename. Whilst Fitz is now the standard form used in Anglo-Norman followed by modern historians the word appears in ancient documents with various spellings such as fiz, filz, etc. The word has developed in modern French to fils de, with which it is thus cognate.
- 28
The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party are a British indie rock band from London, formed in 2021. The band consists of Abigail Morris (vocals), Lizzie Mayland (vocals, guitar), Emily Roberts (lead guitar, mandolin, flute), Georgia Davies (bass), and Aurora Nishevci (keyboards, vocals). They have no permanent drummer, and are currently joined during live performances by Rebekah Rayner. - X Ambassadors (also stylized XA) are an American pop rock band from Ithaca, New York. Its members currently include lead vocalist Sam Harris, keyboardist Casey Harris, and drummer Adam Levin. Russ Flynn is a touring member that plays guitar and bass. Their most notable songs include "Jungle", "Renegades", and "Unsteady". The band's debut full-length album, VHS, was released on June 30, 2015. Their second album, Orion, was released on June 14, 2019. Their third album, The Beautiful Liar, was released on September 24, 2021.
- 30The xx are an English indie pop band formed in 2005 in Wandsworth, London. The group released their debut album, xx, in August 2009. The album ranked highly on many best of 2009 lists, placed at number one on the list compiled by The Guardian and second for NME. In 2010, the band won the Mercury Music Prize for their debut album. Their second album, Coexist, was released on 10 September 2012.
- Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band's current lineup features Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar) and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals) following the departure of longtime member Janet Weiss (vocals, drums, and harmonica) in 2019. Sleater-Kinney was influenced by riot grrrl and is a key part of the American indie rock scene. The band is also known for its feminist and left-leaning politics.
- Band of Horses are an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle, Washington by Ben Bridwell. The band has released five studio albums, including 2010's Grammy-nominated Infinite Arms. The band's lineup, which included Mat Brooke for the debut album, has undergone several changes. The most-recent lineup of Bridwell, Ryan Monroe, Tyler Ramsey, Bill Reynolds, and Creighton Barrett, was together several years and recorded three albums. That lineup ceased when Ramsey and Reynolds departed in 2017. On October 12, 2021, Band of Horses issued the single "Crutch" and announced the release of Things Are Great, their first album with Matt Gentling and Ian MacDougall, and sixth overall. Calling it "a return to their earlier work and the kind of raw ethos that lies at the heart of Band of Horses", Things Are Great was released on March 4, 2022. Prior to the album's release, MacDougall exited the band and in late January 2022 was replaced by Brett Nash as lead guitarist.
- Real Estate is an American indie rock band hailing from Ridgewood, New Jersey, and currently living in Brooklyn, New York.
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Waxahatchee
Waxahatchee is an American indie music project, formed in 2010 by American singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield (born January 4, 1989) following the split of her previous band P.S. Eliot. The band is named after Waxahatchee Creek, in Alabama, where Crutchfield grew up. Originally an acoustic solo project, her recordings now tend to involve a full backing band. Waxahatchee has released six solo albums to date: American Weekend (2012), Cerulean Salt (2013), Ivy Tripp (2015), Out in the Storm (2017), Saint Cloud (2020), and Tigers Blood (2024). Away from Waxahatchee, Crutchfield was also a member of the alt-country duo Plains alongside Jess Williamson. - The Vaccines are a platinum selling English indie rock band, formed in West London in 2010 by Justin Hayward-Young, Freddie Cowan, Árni Árnason and Pete Robertson. The band have released two studio albums, What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? and Come of Age, which charted at #1 in the UK upon its release. Their third album English Graffiti is scheduled to be released on 25th May 2015. The band have toured extensively, playing with and opening up for acts such as The Rolling Stones, Arcade Fire, The Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse amongst others. The band's debut album was the best-selling debut album of 2011, drawing comparisons to The Ramones and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The band themselves have said that their influences range from "'50s rock 'n' roll through to '80s American hardcore, and a lot of good pop music".
- Omar Apolonio Velasco (born May 20, 1997), known professionally as Omar Apollo, is an Mexican-American singer and songwriter. Apollo sings in both English and Spanish. Apollo started his career by creating and uploading his songs to the DIY streaming platform SoundCloud. In 2021, Apollo released the single "Go Away", including a live performance on The Tonight Show. He later followed up with the single "Bad Life", featuring Kali Uchis. Apollo was also nominated for two Latin Grammy awards - Record of the Year and Best Alternative Song, both for "Te olvidaste", his collaboration with Spanish artist C. Tangana. In February 2022, Apollo released the single "Invincible" featuring Daniel Caesar and announced his debut album "IVORY" set to release in April 2022.
- 37Cari Elise Fletcher (born March 19, 1994), known mononymously as Fletcher (stylized as FLETCHER), is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She made her acting debut in 2010 as the lead role of Katie Howard in the film How Katie Howard Found Herself. She auditioned for the first season of The X Factor (U.S.), and competed as a part of the group Lakoda Rayne. Her debut single, War Paint, was released on June 17, 2015.
- 38Ari Staprans Leff (born August 8, 1994), known professionally as Lauv, is an American singer and musician, best known for his breakout hit "I Like Me Better"; included on his compilation album I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist), which was released in 2018. His debut album, How I'm Feeling, was released on March 6, 2020, and debuted at number 16 on the US Billboard 200. Lauv has also written songs for other artists such as "Boys" by Charli XCX and "No Promises" by Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato.
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Julia Holter
Julia Shammas Holter (born December 18, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, composer, artist, and academic, based in Los Angeles. Following three independent album productions, Holter released Tragedy as her first official studio album in 2011. Ekstasis followed in 2012. After signing with Domino Records in 2013, she released the albums Loud City Song (2013), Have You in My Wilderness (2015) and the live-in-the-studio album In the Same Room (2017). Most recently, her double album Aviary was released in 2018. - Chaz Bear (born Chazwick Bradley Bundick; November 7, 1986), known professionally as Toro y Moi, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and graphic designer. His music has taken on many forms since he began recording, but he is often identified with the rise of the chillwave movement in 2010 and 2011. His stage name is a multilingual expression consisting of the Spanish words toro and y (meaning "bull" and "and", respectively) and the French word moi (meaning "me").
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LANY
LANY, formed in 2014, is an American pop-rock band, its name is an acronym for "Los Angeles New York." The band consists of Paul Jason Klein and Jake Clifford Goss and past members include Charles Leslie "Les" Priest. The band has released three top 40 albums and their most successful singles include the RIAA-certified "ILYSB" (2015), the Julia Michaels collaboration "Okay" (2019), and "Mean It" (2019) with Lauv. In 2020, they released their third studio album, Mama's Boy, which was followed by their fourth album, gg bb xx, in September 2021. - 42
Torres
Mackenzie Ruth Scott (born January 23, 1991) is an American indie rock singer-songwriter who performs as Torres. - Sylvan Esso are an American electronic pop duo from Durham, North Carolina, formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Amelia Meath (born July 2, 1988) and producer Nick Sanborn (born March 8, 1983). They made their debut with the single "Hey Mami" and released their eponymous debut album on Partisan Records on May 12, 2014, which reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200. They released their second album What Now with Loma Vista Recordings on April 28, 2017, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. On April 24, 2020 Sylvan Esso released the live album WITH, featuring a 10-piece band. Their third album, Free Love, was released to positive reviews on September 25, 2020 via Loma Vista Recordings.
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Years & Years
Years & Years is the solo project of British singer Olly Alexander. Originally formed as a band in 2010, Years & Years' music has been described as electropop, mixing R&B and 1990s house elements. The band's debut studio album, Communion, debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart in July 2015 and was the fastest-selling debut album of the year from a UK signed band. Their biggest hit single "King" from Communion reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in March 2015, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland. In March 2021, the band announced a third Years & Years album was in production. The band also announced the same day that Goldsworthy and Türkmen had stepped down as active members, and that the act would continue as Alexander's solo project. The album, Night Call, was released in January 2022, debuting at number one in the UK albums chart. - 45
Hippo Campus
Hippo Campus is an American indie rock band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Their musical inclinations appear to be firmly rooted in the UK, drawing inspiration from notable artists such as Little Comets and King Krule. They are signed to Grand Jury Records in the United States and Transgressive Records in the United Kingdom. The band has performed at South by Southwest, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Summerfest, and Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as on Conan. Hippo Campus was named one of NPR Music's favorite new artists of 2017.
