Alternative music is an umbrella genre, covering various musical styles and encompassing an abundance of artists that blend genres to craft their own distinctive sound. Some of the most celebrated artists within this scene have become legendary for fusing these styles together to produce something entirely original and original.
The Cure, Radiohead and Pixies are three bands widely recognized for their innovative work and unconventional song structures that have gained them wide acclaim.
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are one of the greatest indie bands ever formed, combining rock with post-punk in a unique and memorable sound. Since forming as teenagers in Sheffield in 2002, Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar), Jamie Cook (lead guitar) and Matt Helders (drums) have grown to become global superstars – releasing their debut album to instant success with over 1.6 million copies sold within its first week, topping charts worldwide and remaining a fan favorite today.
The band released new music regularly, and 2013’s AM was their breakout record – with catchy tunes and original lyrics, they quickly garnered an enormous following. Since then, they’ve continued releasing more material while touring all around the globe.
As much of their music has an emotional undertone, some songs from The Cartel can also be more upbeat and positive. Their song Love Is a Laserquest stands out in this regard with its gentle melodies and soothing lyrics – as well as serving as an excellent showcase of their signature sound created by Turner’s guitar work and Cook’s vocals combining to form the ideal blend.
Another song showcasing their talent is The Car, a rock track with interesting chord progressions and an unforgettable chorus with great melody and lyrics that makes this track stand out among indie music. Its catchy beat will keep you coming back for more, becoming a favorite among indie music enthusiasts worldwide.
Arctic Monkeys’ debut album is an ideal choice for anyone seeking something a bit different from traditional indie music. This British band boasts an eclectic range of tunes that will suit any mood; these catchy tunes will keep you listening for hours on end!
After years of silence, Arctic Monkeys stunned their fans with their 2018 release Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. While its unconventional sound took listeners some time to adjust to, critics praised it and it made several best of 2022 lists.
The Decemberists
The Decemberists, led by Montana native Colin Meloy, create theatrical yet highly-literate pop songs inspired by late 1960s British folk acts such as Fairport Convention and Pentangle. After breaking through indie and college radio charts with albums like The Crane Wife and Hazards of Love in 2001-02, mainstream success followed shortly thereafter with The Last Battle releasing in 2014 as part of a brief hiatus following This King Is Dead; upon reformation again and release of Their King Is Dead followed shortly by another album called This King Is Dead in 2014 which brought more synthesizers and drum machines than ever before in its production.
Meloy first formed Decembrist Revolution (a reference to sea shanty songs) when he left Montana country-folk band Tarkio and relocated to Portland. There he met Nate Query and Jenny Conlee at an open mic gig before recruiting drummer Ezra Holbrook and bassist Rachel Blumberg to complete their lineup. Castaways and Cutouts was their debut album; its subsequent release Picaresque proved they had made the leap into mainstream popularity.
While their musical styles have changed from release to release, the band has always maintained a clear sense of purpose and ambition. Their latest album I’ll Be Your Girl showcases this with lead single “On The Bus Mall.” Known for capturing both everyday life in big city environments as well as grander musical vision, “On The Bus Mall” shows their skill at doing both simultaneously.
It is easy to see why this song has become such a fan favorite and why so many Decemberists fans have taken up performing it live as part of their setlists. It showcases how seamlessly orchestral flourishes can coexist with rock-and-roll intensity that makes Decemberists shows so memorable; although at times the lengthy runtime and Meloy’s unique nasal vocal delivery may make for self-indulgent listening, its allure remains captivating and never less than captivating.
Fleet Foxes
Seattle-based Fleet Foxes were one of the more notable bands to emerge from the late 2000s indie folk boom, known for combining earthy folk-rock with lush pop sophistication reminiscent of acts like Beach Boys, Zombies, and Fairport Convention. Established by singer/guitarist Robin Pecknold, multi-instrumentalist Skyler Skjelset, drummer and vocalist Josh Tillman (later to become Father John Misty), and bassist Casey Wescott – who were later to rebrand as Father John Misty) and bassist Casey Wescott in 2007 and 2008 respectively – Sub Pop signed them and released their self-titled debut album under their label in 2008. Helplessness Blues was released the following year and quickly went on to receive rave reviews, leading to nearly six years of silence before their third full-length, Crack-Up was finally released on Nonesuch in June 2017; its success garnering recognition from Esquire, Consequence of Sound and Uproxx among many publications.
The band’s music has often been labeled as “pastoral,” an adjective referring to rural America. But in this music, pastoral is more an idea or state of being: its songs explore self-reliance, inconsistency of love, intimacy and loss with the same poetic directness and emotion found in midcentury American poetry — sometimes bordering on surreality.
Fleet Foxes are well known for their captivating and haunting lyrics as well as their unsettling soundscapes. Members of this band combine layers of harmonized vocals, finger-picked guitars and shuffling drums into melancholy yet captivating melodies which capture both nature’s elusive beauty and loss through human relationships.
NPR’s All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen describes Fleet Foxes as masters at creating “an almost mystical, meditative atmosphere”. Watch them perform live in studio and discuss their latest album Crack-Up in this Morning Becomes Eclectic session.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish may be new to the music scene, but she has quickly emerged at the forefront of her genre. Her music has been described as haunting yet minimal with slightly surreal elements and draws influence from artists such as Lana Del Rey, Lorde and Tyler the Creator. Billie grew up homeschooled and encouraged to follow her passions – her unique blend of pop and alternative styles being both whispery and ethereal in tone.
At an early age, she began creating music with her brother Finneas Baird O’Connell (known as FINNEAS). Together they wrote and recorded their debut song together called Ocean Eyes which became a viral success on SoundCloud before eventually landing them a record deal with Darkroom Records.
Eilish’s music and image reflect postmodern society. Her frank discussion of issues facing adolescents such as mental health and climate change sets her apart from other teen-pop acts. Eilish has collaborated with Japanese tastemaker Takashi Murakami on apparel and music videos. Additionally, she has joined artists Amine, Lindsey Sterling and Hayley Kiyoko in supporting mental health through their Seize the Awkward campaign and also supports student activist Greta Thunberg in her protests against global climate change.
Her popularity has rapidly expanded; she became the youngest person ever to receive four Grammy nominations in one year. She topped charts across both North America and Europe and played a key role in viral pandemic of 2021 with her song, “Nobody Ever Loved Me.”
Billie may not be widely known for her activism, yet she remains passionate about both environmental and social justice issues. As a supporter of anti-poverty organization Free the Children and as an animal rights activist herself she has spoken out against animal cruelty as well as creating her own line of vegan makeup products (she even hand painted some brushes with her face!). Furthermore she even keeps hand painted makeup brushes to show her commitment to her cause!