Despite being locked in quarantine, 2020 gave indie artists a chance to utilize their creative talents, release EPs and refine their unique sound. As we anticipate new music from household names to artists on the rise, here are the top three indie artists readers should watch out for in early 2021.
There is no denying Lana Del Rey has made memorable and unique tracks since the start of her career. Del Rey’s first professionally produced album, “Born to Die” (2012), was arguably the album most credited to her success and features one of her most popular songs “Summertime Sadness”. In an article written by Rolling Stone in 2013, the song was attributed as turning Lana Del Rey into an “accidental pop star,” but since then, Del Rey has grasped many rightfully-earned spots on top of the music charts.
Jumping two years forward to her most recent releases, both “Lust for Life” (2017) and “Norman F****** Rockwell!,” (2019) has a sense of maturity attributed to her consistent sound with more tragic lyrics. While catering to her longtime fans with her dark American ‘50s housewife sounds, Del Rey is set to release a new album “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” (2021) this March. Considering the current state of the world, we all need to heal by listening to some new tunes, and “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” is sure to be the best medicine for Del Rey fanatics.
No one thought a small rag-tag band from Chicago, Illinois would end up performing their debut album “Honeymoon” (2020) this year on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” so soon after its release. As Beach Bunny gains rapid popularity within the rock and indie genre, they are certainly a band to put on your radar. Lead singer, Lili Trifilio, was Beach Bunny’s one and only member for almost two years, according to Pitchfork, but the band gained more members to compete in a local battle of the bands competition in 2017. After having created several singles, a few EPs and one album, Beach Bunny now plans to release additional music early this year, including their new EP “Blame Game” (2021), which released on Jan. 15. Many of their songs offer a sense of high school nostalgia, as they communicate feelings of insecurity, anxiety, young love and heartbreaking loss.
Slow Corpse is a band that serves up local roots sourced from southern Oregon’s little town of Ashland. For those familiar with the Portland merchandise store, Tender Loving Empire, Slow Corpse appears as one of the many bands subscribed under their collective record label. As explained by Tender Loving Empire, the band is composed of just two people, an “indie rock power couple,” Mitchell Winters & Brenton Clarke. Slow Corpse has released several singles, two EPs and one full-length debut album titled “Fables” (2018).
As of now, Slow Corpse has confirmed they are releasing a new album, “Bite Your Tongue” (2021), which is set to release on Jan. 29. Each of their newest tracks preserves Slow Corpse’s bedroom pop, hip-hop rock style, but with a clearer sense of experimental confidence, creativity and conviction. The band remains on the smaller, more “undiscovered” side of the indie music community, but their beats are simply infectious.
For some, navigating through a sea of different bands and new music might be a challenge or just a drag. If you already enjoy indie music or are looking to explore the genre, these artists present great listening experiences with projects to anticipate on the way.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.