alternative
what it is
Alternative refers to artists that do not follow the mainstream sounds generally heard on the radio or in media. The genre of Alternative includes Jangle Pop, Noise Rock, Trip-Hop, Industrial, Grunge, Shoegaze, New Wave and some of the more eclectic Punk, Post-Punk, and Hardcore Punk bands, among other genres. Most Alternative bands in this wave were largely underground although some became cult hits like Pixies, The Replacements, and The Smiths.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make alternative a playlist
turn these 40 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is alternative?
Alternative refers to artists that do not follow the mainstream sounds generally heard on the radio or in media. The genre of Alternative includes Jangle Pop, Noise Rock, Trip-Hop, Industrial, Grunge, Shoegaze, New Wave and some of the more eclectic Punk, Post-Punk, and Hardcore Punk bands, among other genres. Most Alternative bands in this wave were largely underground although some became cult hits like Pixies, The Replacements, and The Smiths.
What are good alternative albums to start with?
Try Tidal by Fiona Apple, The Bends by Radiohead, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay, and Flood by They Might Be Giants.
Who are some women making alternative?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/alternative/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making alternative, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20