New York, NY (Top40 Charts) There's something about the originality of indie singer-songwriters that people just love. New, fresh artists tend to be raw, unshaped by commercial industry imperatives, and so very much themselves. Even talented artists change a bit or evolve after some commercial success.
When you hit upon a new singer-songwriter who really has it together or one who's maintained excellence over the years, the results are exciting. Here are a few you should be pumping out of your speakers.
Lila Drew
The 22-year-old Lila Drew has toured Europe as an opener for Oh, Wonder, but now she's got her own full-fledged release out that fans are gobbling up. Modern culture tends to prefer an ironic façade to simple, heartfelt truths that sound a little corny when put bluntly — Drew described herself as a "pop cynic who makes pop music," and the candid, emotional songs are sweet and sincere rather than trite or basic.
It can be better to just say what you want to say rather than dress it up in some detached cynicism, especially when what you have to say is poetic. Musically, her soundscape fits on any good vibes playlist, so check her out so you can hear her before she becomes a household name.
Mitski
There's something about Mitski's country songs that sounds and feels positively haunted, whether she's got the full band arrangements like on her album or more stripped-down versions she plays live. The Japanese-American singer-songwriter's seventh album, This Land is Unhospitable and So Are We, was released in 2023.
The Guardian dubbed her the best singer-songwriter in the US last year, so she might not be as famous as singers like Lana Del Ray, whose fandom overlaps, but her song lyrics are tender and honest, which works perfectly with the intimate and plaintive instrumentation.
Hamish Hawk
This 31-year-old indie rocker from Edinburgh mixes a chamber pop musical sensibility with lyrics reflecting a dry sense of humour. Musically, Hawk pulls influences from the nu metal he heard in his home growing up, Brit pop, folk, and classic rock.
The references in his lyrics come from wide and far-ranging sources, not unlike the musical inspirations of his piano playing. In 2019, Hamish Hawk created what he feels is his most complete album, Heavy Elevator, whose promotional effort and commercial success were initially halted by the COVID-19 pandemic but can be heard regularly on BBC Radio 6.
There's a kind of charming mystery in his lyrics, but the bright, fun atmosphere conjured up makes anybody feel at home. If you can't catch Hamish Hawk live while he's touring Europe this fall, you can easily stream his music to hear his sweet, rich voice rise over the tight, indie rock rhythm section.
It's hard to categorize musicians broadly while describing their sound accurately. Most indie singer-songwriters have something singular about them, which is what compels them to play and write. The above artists might share some overlapping qualities, but they're all original artists who must be listened to carefully to be appreciated.
