Before my freshman year of high school, I only listened to songs on the radio and never gave it much thought. I thought songs were picked for the radio because they were the greatest songs at that moment, but when high school began, some friends recommended a singer that was not well-known at the time, Marina and the Diamonds. I began listening to her music, became obsessed, and ended up going to see her in concert three months after I listened to her for the first time. This started my journey of veering away from songs that were exhaustedly repeated for a few months on radio stations and later disposed of. That being said, here are a couple of singers and bands that you may have not have heard of but have an immense amount of talent!
Tom Rosenthal
Tom Rosenthal’s music is a blend of orchestral melodies, quirky lyrics and underlying melancholic tones. When listening to his music, I either feel energized or relaxed. It seems that he has two distinct styles in his work: his serene pieces have helped me focus on school-work since 2014. I respect him immensely because he writes, records and edits all of his songs in his house where he takes care of his two daughters.
Song Recommendations:
– “It’s OK”
– “As Luck Would Have It”
– “Forests on the Way There”
Declan McKenna
Around a month ago I started listening to his music after my Spotify radio recommended one of his songs (I think I find amazing artists when I do not try to look). Like Tom Rosenthal, from the tambourine to the electric piano, the instrumentals in Declan McKenna’s music are powerful. Although I classify the genre of his work as “indie-pop,” the strong presence of the guitar gives it a rock-like edge.
Song Recommendations:
– “Paracetamol”
– “Brazil”
– “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home”
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish reminds me of Lorde when she started producing music. Both are relatively young and steer clear of typical “indie-pop” sounds. But what truly differentiates Billie from Lorde is that Billie’s lyrics usually take a dark turn at some point: she has mentioned in interviews that she enjoys creating “characters” in her songs. In addition, regarding background vocals, Billie’s songs are more electronically edited than Lorde’s. For example, in some songs, her background voices purposely sound angelic-like, while other ones sound sonorous.
Song Recommendations:
– “ocean eyes”
– “watch”
– “Bored”
Sea Wolf
In Sea Wolf’s music, indie rock is beautifully crafted with indie folk. The blend of the guitar’s strums and his pacifying voice is enthralling. Their music is an effective way to help me focus, be productive, and calm down when I feel incredibly annoyed.
Song Recommendations:
– “Where the Wind Blows”
– “Middle Distance Runner”
– “Whirlpool”
Beach House
Close your eyes and imagine hearing this: an electronic piano switches between long, low-pitched notes and rapid high-pitched notes. A God-like voice echoes over the dominating instrumentals. Open your eyes. No, you were not in another dimension, but rather listening to this calmly captivating indie-pop band. Like Sea Wolf, their smooth vibe helps me feel unperturbed when doing work or writing.
Song Recommendations:
– “Take Care”
– “PPP”
– “Wildflower”
Lola Marsh
The first word that comes to my mind when I think of Lola Marsh’s music is “whimsical”. Their quirky and eccentric personalities shine through by their use of playing ukuleles and whistling. Their music is great to listen on a warm and sunny day, especially when running outside or laying on the grass, soaking up the sun’s affection. One facet of their work that I adore is that their lyrics are almost all autobiographical; it is based on Yael Shoshana Cohen’s life (singer and woman on the right in the photograph above). Her lyrics reveal precious childhood memories and hint at situations occurring presently (for example, a possible relationship with another band member). As one who enjoys reminiscing on the past and writing poetry about it, I respect her usage of lyrics to articulate her story.
Song Recommendations:
– “Wishing Girl”
– “Morning Bells”
– “Sirens”
Do you have a favorite singer or band that is not super well-known? Leave their name in the comments below!
Photo Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13