Every week a segment of the music industry continues to grow. While new artists emerge on a weekly basis it seems there is an endless supply of talent coming from every corner of the country. In each city, new bands are playing at any given time and in every small town there is something more to be discovered. These cities and towns contain young musicians that are bursting with creative energy and enthusiasm and they want to share their art with the world.
The best music comes from the heart, and that’s something we can all agree on. The artists that are featured on this playlist are true to their style and their message. They’re not afraid to be themselves and they love what they do. It’s amazing to see these artists bring their music to life in such a unique way.
This playlist includes some of the freshest releases from independent pop-rock and alt-rock artists currently dominating the scene. We’ve got everything from acoustic ballads to hard-hitting rock jams that will get your blood pumping! There’s even a little bit of pop influence thrown in there for good measure.
Mighty Brother realising ‘Azimuth’
If you’re looking for something new, then look no further than this list of songs by independent musicians who are truly making waves in their genre. We were tasked this week with identifying and reviewing the latest pop-rock music released by independent artists. Below we’ve compiled a fresh playlist filled with songs sure to get you moving!
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) SPECIALISTS – Hole In The Wall
If you’re looking for a band that combines the best elements of classic rock, indie pop, and soulful rhythm and blues, look no further than SPECIALISTS. The New York City-based band is making waves with their new album Hole In The Wall—and it’s not hard to see why.
The album is full of super catchy tunes that are sure to get stuck in your head from the first listen. There’s a little bit of everything here: from pop ballads to funky grooves to soft rock jams.
And while there’s definitely a retro vibe throughout, all of the songs are also very much rooted in current culture—so they’ll sound fresh and fun long after their release date has come and gone.
My favourite song from this album is ”Hole In The Wall”. It’s a funky song with an amazing rhythm and everything blends in perfectly smoothly. The vocals are outstanding and the lyrics even more, so it would be smart of you to check them out!
Don’t be afraid to check them out. Visit their website for more information about them and follow their Spotify also, there is plenty of amazing tunes there too!
2) SATELLITE TRAIN – Broken Heart
If you’re a fan of classic rock, soft rock, or rock pop, you’ll love what the artist SATELLITE TRAIN has to offer. Their single Broken Heart is a perfect example of the classic sound that they’ve been cultivating since they formed in Australia.
Satellite Train was initially conceived as a fun side project between friends. A debut album released by Icehouse features some of Michael Paynter’s best vocal performances.
The song is easy to listen to and gets stuck in your head after just one listen. It’s got a catchy chorus, which means you’ll be singing along before long! The lyrics are relatable too–we’ve all felt like this at some point in our lives.
It’s a great song really. Everything is paid attention to, and you can see they put time into it. The production is top tier and everything blends in perfectly; the instrumentals, the vocals and even the transitions they make throughout the song!
Satellite Train’s debut album is set to be released later this year, but you can check out their website for more information about upcoming shows and releases! And be sure to check their Spotify also!
3) MICK J. CLARK – Soldier Boy
Mick J. Clark is a singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom. His single, Soldier Boy, is a nostalgic power pop track that sounds like it could have been recorded in the 70s or 80s and it’s incredible.
His single “Soldier Boy” is a perfect example of this. The song combines classic rock influences with contemporary pop sensibilities to create a sound that’s reminiscent of a bygone era while still feeling fresh and new.
The song talks about the 1st and 2nd World War armies, and that they have a lot to be proud of, as this song illustrates.
In the army, you join not just to fight, but to keep the peace, which unfortunately sometimes means going into battle to protect your country.
The production on this track is top-notch; every instrument sounds crisp and clear while still retaining its own unique character so that nothing feels crowded together or muddled together into one big mess of noise like some other artists tend to do when they try too hard to make things sound good without thinking about what kind of impact those
If you’re looking for some new music to listen to this weekend, check out Mick J. Clark on Spotify or visit his website!
4) SAM LUMAR – Counting On Me
The song “Counting On Me” is the perfect introduction to an artist that you will want to follow for years to come. Sam Lumar, a rock and pop singer-songwriter based in London, UK, has been on the game for less time than it seems, yet he still manages to sound very professional. His soft rock sound is reminiscent of classic artists such as The Beatles and The Eagles.
Produced by SAM LUMAR and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, “Counting On Me” talks about death and the fear of losing someone. Along with the main single, an instrumental version was released.
“Counting On Me” is a song about fear and loss. The lyrics are very meaningful and touching to anyone who listens to them closely enough to understand what they mean behind all those words that were put together so beautifully through Sam’s voice alone.
I highly recommend checking out this artist if you haven’t already heard any of his music before because he really knows how to bring out those emotions inside us all while still managing to keep everything light-hearted enough that we don’t feel too much pressure coming from him alone either!
If you’re looking for something new to listen to on Spotify, then I highly recommend checking out Sam Lumar. And also visit his website so you can know more about where this came from!
5) PALMS PSALM – Tide
Let me tell you about Palms Psalm, a singer-songwriter from Minneapolis who has been making waves in the indie music scene.
Eric Pasi (Palms Psalm) is a first-generation Polynesian-American surf rock artist who has released his debut song. The music samples old canoe chants handed down by his father, Siaosi Pasi, who emigrated from Tonga.
Palms Psalm is a dreamy singer-songwriter who blends influences like shoegaze and surf rock with pop to create an atmospheric sound that’s perfect for your next road trip playlist.
As a protest against the devastation caused by climate change, the music takes issue with the disproportionate impact on citizens of the global south, creating climate refugees like those in low-lying Polynesian nations.
If you’re looking for an artist that’s new but still sounds like a legend, then Palms Psalm might be right up your alley! Check him out, visit his website, and follow him on Spotify so you can keep up with all of his latest releases!
6) ETHAN STAUFFER – Far To Fall
I’ve recently stumbled across a new artist, whose name is Ethan Stauffer. And he really got my attention. His sound is alternative rock with some drops of classic rock but with a funk twist.
The newest single from Ethan Stauffer asks: What if the X-Files theme song was an alt-rock banger? Intense and intimate vocal harmonies are coupled with searing guitar and synth lines that are sure to capture your interest no matter which direction you listen to the song.
Taking the vibe of 70s funk and maintaining the edge of modern alternative rock, the instrumental arrangement combines the two to give you the best of both worlds and have you headbanging regardless of where you are when listening to this song.
If you like what you just read and want to learn more about this amazing artist, make sure you follow his Spotify, and also check out his website, where you will find more information about him!
7) YME – Someone Better
This is the kind of pop music you want to throw on when you’re feeling down, and don’t want to dance.
The Netherlands-based artist YME has come out with a new single that’s a perfect example of her signature style: “Someone Better,” featuring a mix of art-pop and alternative rock.
The vocals are full of dark emotions, but they’re delivered in an upbeat way that keeps the song from coming off as too depressing or angry. You might not feel like dancing while listening to this track, but the melody will keep your head bobbing along until the final note fades away into nothingness.
The song has an 80’s vibe with commercial pop and alternative elements mixed in. It has an electronic sound with female vocals that are reminiscent of artists like Lorde, Lana Del Rey and Florence Welch. But it also has some darker elements that make it stand out from other pop songs out there today.
If you like what you hear here (and really, who wouldn’t?), check out YME’s YouTube and follow them on Spotify so you can keep up with their latest releases!
8) SAM AND THE SEA – Evil Ghosts
I recently discovered a new independent artist, and I have to say, I am obsessed. His name is Sam and The Sea, and he hails from New York City. He’s a dreamy synth-pop artist with a retro sound that will take you back to the ’70s—but with a modern twist.
His EP, Evil Ghosts, is filled with catchy songs that are sure to get stuck in your head for days on end. Each song takes you on an adventure.
In expressing the unsung hopes and fears buried within all of us, Sam and the Sea’s latest production is undeniably emotive. This song captures the loneliness and despair of every day with its poignant lyrics and sparse melodies.
This EP is perfect for those who love alternative rock or dream pop music. It’s also great for fans of experimental guitar sounds (like shoegaze or noise rock) because there are plenty of beautiful riffs throughout this project that will make your heart melt with joy.
My favourite song from this EP is ”Canada”. It’s so calm and slow-paced. It’s perfect for a late-night car ride or for cooking on a calm afternoon! It’s very well produced (as well as the other songs on the EP) and greatly mixed also!
If you want to see what all the hype is about, go visit his website or follow him on Spotify!
9) MIGHTY BROTHER – Azimuth
With their latest album Azimuth, Mighty Brother is poised to take over the indie music scene.
Mighty Brother is a New Orleans-based band whose music has been described as “a mix of alt-rock, classic rock, and power pop” by critics.
Azimuth is the fourth studio album from indie rock band Mighty Brother, which was released on October 25th! The 11-track concept album follows a mythical hero’s journey through modern society. An azimuth is defined as the angle between the north and a celestial object.
According to the band, this is a fitting name for the album, since the theme is navigating hardships while maintaining one’s sense of self. During the pandemic, a longing for normalcy created a nostalgic feeling that inspired the album. Loss, perseverance, and growth are all featured in the album.
My favourite track on this album is called “Weighed down” which is also an upbeat track but features more of a softer sound than some of their other songs on this album. There are also some great guitar riffs in this track too!
If you like what you read, you will also like the album! Follow them on Spotify and visit their website for more information!
