indie
what it is
Independent music (also commonly known as indie music, or simply indie) is a broad style of music characterized by creative freedom, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation. It originated from the liberties afforded by independent record labels. Indie music describes a number of related styles, but generally refers to guitar-oriented music that deviates from mainstream conventions.
✦ 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
✦ make indie a playlist
turn these 37 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is indie?
Independent music (also commonly known as indie music, or simply indie) is a broad style of music characterized by creative freedom, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation. It originated from the liberties afforded by independent record labels. Indie music describes a number of related styles, but generally refers to guitar-oriented music that deviates from mainstream conventions.
What are good indie albums to start with?
Try Le Tigre by Le Tigre, Inside In / Inside Out by The Kooks, Fantasies by Metric, and Santigold by Santigold.
Who are some women making indie?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/indie/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making indie, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19