14 Alternative And R&B Artists You’ll Love

Music is everything to me, and I’m constantly on the lookout for new artists to spice up my playlists. If you’re like me and are always jamming out (literally always…sorry to my roommate for constantly having my earbuds in), I’ve got you covered. 

Here are some of my favourite alternative/rock and r&b/soul artists — both recently discovered and long-time staples. Feel free to find some inspiration from this list, but if any aren’t your cup of tea that’s totally cool too. Music taste should be as personal as clothing style, so you do you!

Alternative

1. Sticky Fingers Sticky Fingers is an indie/dub band that formed in Sydney in 2008. The band has five members: Dylan Frost, Paddy Cornwall, Seamus Coyle, Beaker Best, and Freddy Crabs. I saw them live in March of 2019, and let me tell you… They’re just as good live as they are via your headphones, which is super rare. My favourite SF songs are the following: “Rum Rage”, “Australia Street”, “Gold Snafu”, and “Cool & Calm”. Side note: their cover art is always so cool! 
2. Ocean Alley  Ocean Alley is an Australian alternative rock band made up of Baden Donegal, Angus Goodwin, Lach Galbraith, Mitch Galbraith, Nic Blom, and Tom O’Brien. Their style of music has been described as “cruisy psych, rock and reggae fusion”. You should listen to: “Confidence”, “Lemonworld”, and “Yellow Mellow”. Press play, close your eyes, and get someone to bring you a piña colada because it will make you feel like you’re on vacation. 
3. Vancouver Sleep Clinic Vancouver Sleep Clinic is the stage name of a band from Australia led by singer, songwriter, and record producer Tim Bettinson. Tim has collaborated with several artists, including Zhu, Madeon, Raury, Wafia, and Gnash. Tim chose the name “Vancouver Sleep Clinic” because he wanted to create a “type of atmospheric music that people could fall asleep to”, and also thought Vancouver looked like a beautiful place. Fair. My favourite songs: “Closure”, “Unworthy”, “Flaws”, and “Killing Me To Love You”.
4. Barns Courtney Folk pop + blues rock + alternative, what more could you want? Barnaby George Courtney (knows as Barns Courtney) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. In 2015, he released first song as a solo artist, called “Glitter & Gold” — which you may have heard since it quickly reached #2 on the iTunes Alternative Chart. Give these a listen too: “Cannonball”, “Hollow”, “99”, and “Golden Dandelions”. 
5. Glass Animals Glass Animals, an English psychedelic pop band with an alternative feel, formed in Oxford in 2010. Led by singer, songwriter, and producer Dave Bayley, the group also features his childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer, and Drew MacFarlane. This one is definitely different, so make sure to give it a chance. I recommend starting with: “Heatwaves”, ‘Helium”, “Your Love (Déja Vu)”, and “Tokyo Drifting (ft. Denzel Curry). 
6. Dominic Fike Dominic Fike is an American singer, rapper and songwriter, and his style usually range from alternative hip hop to rap and rock. He learned how to play the guitar by the age of 10 and got his debut on SoundCloud. His song “3 Nights” is the most popular and you might have heard it, but also check out “She Wants My Money”, “Phone Numbers”, “Wurli”, and “Westcoast Collective”. 
7. Still Woozy  Sven Eric Gamsky, also known under the stage name Still Woozy, is an American singer/songwriter. He began recording his own music at the age of 13. Some call his genre of music “psychedelic bedroom-pop”, while others see it as “genre-bending”; but either way, his music is sick! You should listen to: “Window”, “Lucy”, “Habit”, and “Goodie Bag” 

R&B/Soul

1. Cautious Clay Cautious Clay is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. His music style is influenced by hip-hop, organic and electronic sounds. Check out these awesome tunes: “say it over (ft. Ruel)”, “Cheesin”, “Dying in the Subtlety”, and “Cold War” (check out the stripped version “Cold War”, too). 
2. Aeris Roves Aeris Roves is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from South Yorkshire, England, but he’s now based in London. He released his debut track “Best Dressed Man” in March 2018, followed by “Feel Me”, which are both amazing tracks (two of my favs). You should also listen to: “No Guarantee” (acoustic version), “Running Thru 3AM”, and “Credits”. Ps. his songs are perfect for a long drive with the windows rolled down. 
3. Pink $weats An American singer and songwriter, Pink $weats released his first EP Volume 1 in 2018. He began to develop his music career when he was 19. My favourite songs of his are: “Coke & Henny Pt. 2”, “Honesty”, “Ride with Me” (this one is more Pop), and “Would You”. 
4. Jhené Aiko Talk about vocals! Jhené is an American singer and songwriter. She embarked on her music career by contributing vocals and appearing in several music videos for the R&B group B2K. Give these a listen: “Triggered (freestyle)”, “Frequency”, and “W.A.Y.S”. BTW, her style is very similar to that of H.E.R. and Kehlani. 
5. Mac Ayres  Maclean Daniel Ayres, who is better known as Mac Ayres, is a self-taught American R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Listen to: “Easy”, “Slow Down”, and “Where U Goin’ Tonight?” to start. A lot of his music is perfect for studying, too! 
6. Johnny Rain He’s a singer, songwriter, producer, sound engineer, and he even started his own label ODD DREAM back in 2014. Johnny Rain got his fame through SoundCloud for his soft and ethereal sound mixed with a traditional dance beat. Check out his songs: “Harveston Lake”, “143”, and “TEN”. 
7. Dijon Dijon is an alternative R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. He started producing music when he was about 15, and he says he was “really bad at it” but he was convinced that he was “actually really good”. He stuck to it, and here he is. My fav Dijon songs are the following: “Skin”, “Stranger”, “Nico’s Red Truck”, and “Violence”. His music is perfect for a chill night in with some friends or a “lie down and block out the world” type night.