We love indie pop! The best music is made by independent artists. They stay true to their vision and aren’t influenced by any board of directors that wants them to fit a certain mould.
Plus, indie artists are generally better performers: they were just posted up at their local pub or cafe shaking off the nerves before hitting their stride.
Talking about summer, there’s nothing better than spending a lazy summer afternoon with the windows open and the music playing. I’ve made it my mission to find some sweet sounds that may have flown under your radar and should be on your playlists. Lay down, and relax into these new jams.
My Saturday Picks each week are a collection of diverse indie music — all hand-picked by producers from PopHits.Co. You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about the artists by scrolling down the page.
1) ONBAR – Good
Finally, a song that brings back the feel-good vibes of the ’80s! Good is a song that makes you want to dance, but it’s also one you can listen to while working or studying and still feel like you’re having fun.
It has a retro feel to it, with funky guitar and soulful vocals, but is also easy to listen to—it’s perfect for those who love alternative pop music.
The artist ONBAR has been making music for some years and is based in San Jose, California, you can notice US influences. It’s catchy, and when the chorus hits, it’s all about the groove: pounding drums and a pulsing bassline that’ll get you moving no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
Check it out now, visit their YouTube channel and follow the band on Spotify!
2) JUN PARKER – Embracement
The latest single from independent Australian band JUN PARKER is a slice of soft-rock heaven. If you’re looking for J-POP with a little jazz, 80’s vibes and contemporary pop influences, then you’ve come to the right place!
The song “Embracement” is an easy-listening track that features dreamy beats and soft pop vocals. The lyrics are uplifting and inspiring, so the song is sure to put you in a good mood as it takes you back in time with its nostalgic vibe.
If you’re looking for some new music to check out this month, be sure to check out “Embracement” by JUN PARKER! You can find it on Spotify and follow the artist on their website as well!
3) THE DOMAIN – Favorite Mistake
If you’re looking for a new, modern electronic pop song to listen to, this is definitely the one.
The Domain is an Australian indie band with a synth-pop sound that’s got that 80s vibe we all love so much. Their latest single “Favorite Mistake,” released on Spotify and iTunes last week, is a catchy tune about making mistakes and learning from them.
With its amazing dreamy vocals and disco beats, this track will put you in a good mood even if you’re having a bad day! It’s a hit, sounds smooth in the ears, a perfect radio-ready track.
If you’re interested in checking out more of their music, visit their SoundCloud and follow them on Spotify!
4) ZIGHT – Work It Harder feat Chris Willis, Maximals
ZIGHT is an indie pop producer original from Hong Kong, based in London, United Kingdom.
Their music can be described as commercial pop with dance influences, EDM elements, and a vocal dance style track. Their sound has been compared to artists such as Ewan McVicar.
This single is part of a great 3-country collab project, which includes artists from the UK, US and Italy, featuring Chris Willis and Maximals.
In this song, ZIGHT blends British and international pop culture with dance and EDM to create a commercial, easy-listening track that will make you want to dance at the gym or shake your booty at the club.
If you think about it, this makes sense because so many countries are represented in their work—and why shouldn’t they be? We’re all one big happy family when it comes down to indie pop. Check it out, visit their website, watch their music video, and follow the artists on Spotify!
5) GIADA VALENTI – Il Respiro
If you’re looking for a new way to listen to music, we’ve got the perfect suggestion for you: check out the single “Il Respiro” from indie pop artist GIADA VALENTI.
The track is an upbeat pop tune with a classic sound that will make you want to get up and dance—it’s the perfect song to listen to on your commute or while you’re getting ready in the morning.
It’s also a great reminder of why European pop is so popular: it’s in Italian, and got that classic sound that makes it easy to listen to over and over again and dance to!
GIADA VALENTI is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, which means she’s part of the US pop scene. She sings in both English and Italian—and if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to speak Italian, this song will be a great place to start!
If you want more EUROVISION-style pop music but don’t want something too commercial sounding, check out “Il Respiro”, visit her website and follow the artist on Spotify!
6) A.B. VIOLET – Check Your Feelings
If you’re looking for electronic dream pop, synth, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered. Check out A.B. Violet’s new single “Check Your Feelings” out now on Spotify!
The single features UK-based vocalist Violet singing over a dark and ominous synth line that builds into an atmospheric chorus filled with lush harmonies and lush synth arrangements.
This is one of those songs that will make you want to put on some headphones and listen to it while relaxing—especially if you’re in a dreamy mood!
If you like what you hear from “Check Your Feelings,” make sure to check out this track as well as her other releases on Spotify.
7) CONNOR TERRONES – Drown
If you’re looking for something to pump your next party with a little extra pop, this is the jam for you. Drown by Connor Terrones is an indie pop single that will get the whole crowd grooving to its funky beats and R&B influences.
The song starts off with a dreamy synth effect that gives it a sort of ’80s vibe before settling into a steady rhythm. The vocals are soft and soothing, but they have just enough edge to keep listeners engaged throughout the track.
It’s easy-listening music that’s perfect for any kind of gathering—from a backyard barbecue to a lavish wedding reception or a nightclub party.
This song has been getting rave reviews all over the internet, including one from producers from PopHits.Co. Check it out below, visit their Facebook and follow the artist on Spotify!
8) JUNEYEAR – Crazy (for Love)
JUNEYEAR is a Canadian-based indie pop band that has been making waves in the alternative music scene. Their new single, “Crazy (for Love)”, is an anthem that will have you singing along in no time.
The song’s catchy bass line and JUNEYEAR’s soulful vocals are complemented by a funky sound, beautiful piano and drums, and jazzy saxophone solo. The track also features some warm synth sounds that give it an easy-listening vibe that makes it perfect for any occasion—whether you’re hanging out at home or going out with friends!
In the middle of all this good music, there’s even going to be some hip-hop to give it a little kick. Now check out their BandCamp profile, If you want to find out more about JUNEYEAR, listen to their latest singles and follow them on Spotify.
9) ALEJ – Infectious
The Miami-based indie pop band ALEJ has released a new single, Infectious, and it’s an absolute earworm.
The song is a retro-tinged delight that combines delicious dream pop with synth effects, 80s vibes, and commercial sensibilities. It’s an infectious love song that will have you singing along in no time.
ALEJ is part of the burgeoning indie scene in Miami, which has taken on its own unique flavour due to its close proximity to Latin America and its diverse population of people from all over the world. The band’s sound reflects this influence—it’s eclectic and upbeat but never loses its sense of fun.
This top 10 would be incomplete without Infections, since I am fascinated by how the artist captures a nostalgic atmosphere in his work, almost like a journey through time, it’s for sure a hit! If you’re looking for something “old-school” new to listen to on Spotify, look no further than Infectious by ALEJ. Check it out, visit their SoundCloud, and follow the band to support their art.
10) ROB EBERLE – Doubtful
Rob Eberle is a US-based indie pop artist who released his single Doubtful last month. The song is a dreamy and catchy track that features a young man singing over electronic pop beats with the help of some AutoTune. Sounds cliche, but it’s just amazing!
The track starts off with some whispering vocals and drums, then slowly builds up to include more instruments, including an electric guitar. The song also has an interesting effect that sounds like someone breathing through their nose (which I’m sure will grow on you).
This track definitely has a Billy Eilish style, which means it’s bound to be popular among her fans too. In fact, bedroom pop features are very present.
If you’re looking for something new that sounds like Billy Eilish but isn’t as repetitive or poppy, then give this one a listen. Check it out, visit their YouTube channel, and follow the artist on Spotify!