A long time ago, this used to be a music blog. I don’t know how many of you were around for that, if any, but I wanted to return to my roots for a minute and gush over a few indie artists that I feel like should more recognized than they are.
Most of my adult life has been spent looking for the next artist, the next song, the next album.
I always hear people saying “music just isn’t the same these days”, “they just don’t make music like they used to”, “all music sounds the same now” and it is a bit grating. These blanket statements are simply untrue and I believe it is more a reflection of one’s inability to step outside their comfort zone more than it is an examination of the zeitgeist of musical culture. Rather than take a bit of time and dive deeper than just the current pop charts, people would rather write it all off as white noise lacking passion or sentiment.
Music has always been the most idiosyncratic manifestation of change in America. In the Roarin’ 20s, big bands dominated the scene with loud, boisterous ornate harmonies and bustling, fiery brass solos. America was quickly industrializing and thriving following the end of WWI and it only made sense that the music should be just as glamorous, ritzy and ostentatious as the rest of us. The Great Gatsby is the premier example of this period.
In the 60s, of course Vietnam and the hippy movement provided a stage for anti-war musicians. Sparse, pared-down instrumentals and a darker, more intense rock-n-roll would emerge eventually. Where Beach Boys and The Beatles were essential to the prosperous and quieter 50s and early 60s, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and countless others began using folk songs to express their outrage of our presence in Vietnam.
The peaceful ideas put forth in these songs soon gave way to anger and bands like Black Sabbath, Buffalo Springfield, CCR and others wrote fiery, blistering songs condemning the war and pushing the boundary of music further than it had ever been pushed.
80s was a land of future with the progression of technology leading to synths and electronic drum kits comprising the majority of pop music songs. The Smiths, Tears for Fears and Simple Minds were incredibly influential on the general direction of music toward the late 80s.
Hair metal bands also grew in popularity before leading to the decline of rock as popular music. 90s were a revolt toward the norm both on Wall Street and in music. While Enron seemed to revolutionize modern finance, Nirvana was popularizing the revolution of rock carried on from the direction of the New York Dolls and Sex Pistols.
From the turmoil of the digital age in the early 2000s where everyone was making club hits to the transition to rap as the dominating genre in the 2010s, we arrive at the present day.
Never before has it ever been so easy for songwriters and artists to gain exposure; the streaming era has allowed any home-musician with a microphone and GarageBand to throw their hat in the ring. TikTok and its algorithm frequently boost small, indie artists into stardom if they are lucky enough.
Because literally anyone has the potential to get famous, many take this to mean they are not talented and rely on a catchy hook and a boost from Spotify’s algorithm. I disagree. There has always been bad music throughout its history; it was just more limited due to the resources needed to record and sell it. We have more access to the world’s discography for better or worse.
Music now is a representation of those who write it. We are in an isolated, introspective era as cell-phones and social media have destroyed and diminished the sense of community that we once possessed.
All around the world, young people are drinking less, smoking less, having sex less, going out less, spending less and relying more on the comfort of their daily routine rather than a sense of camaraderie. As such, listen to what is popular in music: it has become quiet and intimate. Folk music once again is rising in popularity as we desire only to listen to something calming and not panic-inducing.
EDM and electronic music now becomes a tool for studying just as easily as clubbing. Rap has slowly tapered off and given way to more acoustic instrumentals with Taylor Swift leading the charge.
That isn’t to say other music doesn’t still exist. I also believe we are seeing a resurgence in rock that hasn’t been seen since the peak of grunge. Whenever a genre dies, it reincarnates as something different.
My favorite current artists vary greatly in their style and genre and it’s truly exciting to see how music can still be reinvented after 140+ years of modern history.
Some push boundaries, some invent their own. Music will always remain the beacon of change in this world and if you listen closely, you’ll learn more about the current state of mind than any news station could ever tell you.
That said, here are 7 indie artists that I greatly enjoy and that you should listen to if you want to be reassured of the current state of music.
I saw Ryan Montbleau live in 2019 in Gainesville at a concert at which I was volunteering. I had no prior knowledge of him, didn’t know what kind of music it would be and overall had very low expectations. What I heard that night hooked me more immediately than any artist or song I’ve ever heard before.
The mix of introspective lyrics, flashy, ecstatic guitar licks and engagement with the crowd made it genuinely fun to listen to him. His soulful vocal melodies paired only with the acoustic guitar on his shoulder and an intimate, visceral show was the product. I sat in the back and looked him up on Spotify and found he had very few listeners. It seemed unbelievable; this was, to me, the stunning epitome of singer-songwriter and I felt he deserved more credit.
I especially recommend listening to his live albums, specifically Stages Volume III to get a sense of what I mean by crowd engagement. In today’s world of short attention spans and desire for flashy, engaging content, it is hard to sit and watch a single person on stage for an entire hour. He recognizes this and allows the audience to become part of the show, frequently talking to them mid-song or encouraging them to create their only solos while he plays guitar. He executes this flawlessly.
Playing with a band or solo, it doesn’t matter— his playful, soprano voice rings out distinctly and feels like a warm presence. It feels like a hug from an old friend. Even if you don’t appreciate singer-songwriters, I still advise you to give him a chance.
Essential Listening: I Was Just Leaving, Fast Car
Personal favorite: Quickie, Bright Side
A friend in Texas introduced Ruby to me for the first time and thought I was listening to a deep cut from Amy Winehouse with her alluring, raspy falsetto.
Sultry, slinking guitars duet with a thick, heavy bass and create sensual melodies that resonate and keep you coming back for more. Listening to her lyrics feels like I’m reading downright smut sometimes but never feels cheesy or clunky; they play perfectly with the backing track and leave no question about how she feels. Ruby has some of the sexiest songs I’ve heard in my life.
This glam-punk rock combination may not necessarily push the boundaries of rock but it reimagines it in a fun, unique way. With subject matter ranging from alcoholism and self-destruction to lust and Wet T-shirts, one is sure to hear an explicit diary entry of Ruby’s true thoughts and desires and feels refreshing to hear her unique spin on classic musical tropes.
Essential Listening: Quantum Physics, Flash Flood
Personal Favorites: Liquor Run, Bucket
About two years ago, I heard the song wildflowers and had it absolutely stuck in my head for months. The staccato, Reggae guitar riff paired with occasional steel drums, playful bass line and catchy lyrics gave this song so much heart and soul. It was interesting and moving, and more than that, it was fun to listen to. This white boy was doing something different but I didn’t dive too much further at the time.
Last summer, his album timbuktu released and Spotify recommended it to me and I finally took the bait and listened. With only 7 songs, he said more than most have the chance to do in an entire lifetime. It was on immediate rotation in my house; I couldn’t get enough.
From the quiet, humble guitar plucks on wilmington to a line-dance train beat number on fine china and ending with a quiet, solo acoustic set on like I do, Ethan’s voice rings out from the muted instrumentals and carries the tune with emphasis and sweetness.
His voice is never overbearing or aggressive, it projects in a humble, confidential manner that is threadbare but extremely alluring. The lyrics often resemble poetry and the carefully selected prose manages to find a home with the twangy banjo that often reverberates in the background of the mix. He is a must-listen for folk or indie listeners and is one of my favorite artists of the 2020s so far.
Essential Listening: Wildflowers, Peach Tree
Personal favorites: fine china, like I do.
I can’t put my finger on the exact reason I enjoy Bleach so much.
Billed as an alternative rock band from St. Louis, their vocal and sonic range purports more than just such a simple label. It is doubly impressive considering they are just a power trio yet produce such rich harmonies and intense, fiery punk melodies. It is a combination of ZZ Top and Nirvana. Each song borders a fine line between punk, indie and garage rock yet manages to carve out a very specific niche in itself that is fresh and original.
The thick, heavy guitar, chunky baselines and crowded drums make Bleach feel a White Stripes reincarnation but they rely less on solos and more on desperate, crooning vocal lines to carry the groundwork of their emotion. It’s incredibly soulful while remaining smooth, rugged and well-produced. A sensual, raw sound is the final product.
No matter the song you choose to listen to, you’re guaranteed to have fun listening. Artists like this help keep the spark alive for rock-n-roll as a genre. They are accessible and catchy while remaining bold and rugged.
They haven’t released a new single in four years and it’s nearly impossible to find them on social media, I can only hope that one day they will return and continue to blaze a trail.
Essential Listening: Pull a Little Closer, The Ah song
Personal Favorites: One Second Away, Who Do You Want to Blame
The Criticals have fun with it.
I could only describe them as The Clash mixed with The Strokes with a little bit of Sum-41 mixed in.
With spacious mixes and tinny, high-pitched guitars, punk makes a return but with a more refined twist. The production feels cleaner and more refined, the vocals are seductive, focused and smooth. Some of the riffs, as on songs like Adoringly Drunk, dip into post-punk and alternative rock with the energetic fast pace and chunky power chords. Blistering guitar solos are a mainstay in their music.
But that isn’t what makes the Criticals so good; it is quite obvious they actually have fun making music. The dynamic between the band is flawless, the instruments fuse perfectly, the timing is impeccable and enough space is created for the vocal melodies to become playful and flirtatious. With each new single and EP, they break new ground and find the freedom to expand their sound past the typical boundaries in which most alternative and post-punk rock bands find themselves cornered.
The Criticals have a high chance of reaching stardom if they continue as any fan of rock will find something for themselves in their diverse catalogue.
Essential Listening: Treat Ya Better, Absinthe
Personal Favorites: High Life Clinic, Absinthe
Production extraordinaire.
His debut album A Lesser Light to Rule the Night stands as one of the most impressive debut LPs of any artist. It was ambitious, vulnerable, extremely well-produced and, more than anything, engaging.
Bless You, the album’s premier track, begins with quiet, plucked guitar strings and quickly evolves into a luscious, grandiose string accompaniment– crescendoing into an opulent chorus before dwindling back to the guitar plucks. A low, quiet organ is the connective tissue transitioning between songs and the track list is overall cohesive and balanced.
Dirty Laundry is the noticeable highlight on the album with twinkling piano keys in the background, a pulsating bass line and eerie synths; all of which provide layers and depth that are incredibly foresighted and unique.
It feels as if the Villagers went electric; the sounds and vocals are typically more mellow and subdued but defy any specific genre. The production remains the highlight of Ruby’s music for me and feels like more emotional and vulnerable pop music.
His range remains unmatched, with introspective piano ballads and intense, booming punk-rock finding asylum on an EP just as easily as the other. His lyrics are slanted and poetic which only serves to boost his image as a unique, compelling songwriter. His new album will release September 5, 2025 and I look forward to it with great anticipation. The progression from each album has been astonishing and larger in scope each time.
Essential Listening: Dirty Laundry, Only One
Personal Favorites: Supernova, A Lesser Light to Rule the Night
Hans Williams is capitalizing on a new genre of what I would call: cinematic-folk.
Strumming acoustic guitars and mandolins become fused with dramatic electric elements, dazzling synths and smooth production and capitalize on Williams’ niche within a more theatrical indie sound.
He has the richest, most tenacious voice on this list and is able to carry an emotional impact with nothing more than his rising, raspy vocals. Truly, his voice is the most significant and noticeable aspect of his music; one can feel the gravitas and the space his range is capable of filling.
Even as his voice remains the primary instrument in his harmonic arsenal, one might expect the instrumentals to lack in diversity or composition. However, this is far from the case. Rather than write simple folk songs, entire musical microcosms are examined and delineated— marking a divergence from typical bluegrass/Americana space one might expect an artist like Hans to occupy. Everything is interesting and electric combines with acoustic in a new and refreshing manner.
In a world where indie-pop music is increasingly dominated by indie-folk singer-songwriters, Hans Williams defiantly stands out from the crowd. The music is polished and bright while still retaining a raw emotional appeal. Catchy, punchy vocal hooks work symbiotically with reflective, acoustic licks.
He builds on the sound from 00s Indie-folk artists— Bon Iver’s larger-than-life production, The Decembrists’ bright vocals and Sufjan Stevens’ lyrical impact. He benefits from modern day production and still manages to create a sound that expounds on and evolves from his musical ancestors. The music is mesmerizing, I can’t recommend it enough.
Essential Listening: Skin, Willows
Personal Favorites: Georgia Walks, Skin
I didn’t have the time to add a lot of artists on here but I feel these artists represent of span of genres that will soon dominate the music scene and opted to include them specifically.
Music is constantly changing and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Chipper Dreher 