Do you need to freshen up your playlists? Do you want to brag to your friends about having a “niche” music taste? You’ve come to the right place! As a music lover, I’m always on the search for new artists, especially alternative ones. The best part is that these artists have relatively small fanbases, meaning you’ll be ahead of the curve. Here’s my list of 10 underrated artists, in no particular order, you should get into.
Remy Bond
Remy Bond creates vintage-inspired dream pop with a tropical flair. Her musical counterparts include Lana Del Rey, ABBA, Elvis Presley, and Mazzy Star. Her ability to create a vintage surreal, dreamy tropical universe makes her a very compelling artist. Bond recently released her debut album, Backstage At The Tropicana, which features tracks that went viral on TikTok last year, like “Summer Song.”
Saint Avangeline
Saint Avangeline is a lesbian gothic alternative artist whose song “Lilith”, from her debut album Garden Of Eden, went viral on TikTok in 2024. Originally leaning toward a sound similar to Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence era, Avangeline has also experimented with heavy metal on her second album, Inferno, which features the single “Blood You Shed”. She has since circled back to a dreamy, dark alternative sound with her most recent singles, “Limerence,” Carolina Creature, and Rain Dance. Her musical counterparts include Lana Del Rey, Type O Negative, Ethel Cain, and Chelsea Wolfe.
Bambi Baker
Bambi Baker makes a micro-genre of alternative music known as Morute, a combination of morbid + cute. Her sound is similar to the likes of Nicole Dollanganger, who started the Morute subculture back in 2012 on Tumblr with her release of her first album, Curdled Milk. Baker excels in that creepy-doll aesthetic. Her musical counterparts include Nicole Dollanganger (as mentioned previously), Mercy Necromancy, Flower Face, and Ethel Cain.
Mary Mortem
On the heavier side in terms of sound, Mary Mortem makes doomgaze-y metal, often incorporating her shrilling screams. Her music could be called atmospheric at times, making it feel like you’re traveling to another dimension when you hear it. Her musical counterparts include Chelsea Wolfe, Ethel Cain, Saint Avangeline, and Faetooth.
Solya
Self-proclaimed Queen of Texas, Solya mixes grunge rock, indie pop, and electronic. Her spooky Southern Gothic aesthetic is captivating and ethereal, and is trending with other artists like Lana Del Rey. Her debut album Queen Of Texas is set to be released on March 6th. It includes songs such as “19,” “Movie Star,” “Silver Swan,” “Born Wicked,” and “Tell Me It’s Over.” Her musical counterparts include Mazzy Star, Lana Del Rey, Baby Bugs, Nicole Dollanganger, and Mercy Necromancy.
Sabrina Jordan
Ever wanted to get whisked away to a fairytale land? Sabrina Jordan makes alternative Celtic folk music that transports you to medieval Western Europe. Perfect for a spring walk in the woods, magic feels real when you hear her tunes. Her most recent song, “Timebomb”, is a more pop song that will definitely make its way to your playlist. Her musical counterparts include Hozier, Noah Kahn, Tori Amos, and Kacey Musgraves (from the album Deeper Well).
Ha Vay
Ha Vay makes dreamy alternative pop. Her only album (so far) Baby, I’m The Wolf is as dreamy as it is eerie. The album gives the vibe of an unknown 70s folk horror movie that you happen to stumble across on Pinterest. While her newest singles, such as “Spellbound,” take on a more whimsical and magical approach. Her musical counterparts include Lana Del Rey, Solya, and Saint Avangeline.
Honey Gentry
Fans of Lana Del Rey will absolutely adore this artist. Honey Gentry makes alternative vintage-inspired dream pop with heavy themes of California. Songs like “Lick The Stars,” “Let You Win,” “Dreamlover,” and “Heaven, California” allow you to escape and let your mind wander. Her musical counterparts include Lana Del Rey (as mentioned previously), Ha Vay, and Saint Avangeline. With a little bit of Joni Mitchell in there, too.
Even Briar
If you’re a lover of complex storytelling and concept albums, you definitely have to give Even Briar a shot. Her album Lieutenant Beckwith’s Widow follows the story of Olive Beckwith, the wife of a Lieutenant during World War I, who gets sent a telegram informing her that her husband was killed in action. Briar makes alternative pop and includes the music as a cohesive part of the story. Her musical counterparts include Ethel Cain.
Aimée Fatale
For the final artist on this list, we bring out another vintage girly. Aimée Fatale makes 60s-inspired retro pop. Fatale has three songs out currently: Let’s Just Get Married, Apple Of My Eye, and Blood. If you want upbeat, authentic-sounding modern 60s music, she’s got you covered. Her musical counterparts include Nancy Sinatra, Ronnie Spector, and Brigitte Bardot.
Conclusion
All of these underrated artists make unique sounds that are sure to pique the interest of music lovers. It’s always important to uplift small artists and give their music a try. Adding them into our music rotation can make a big difference. Hopefully, they make it on your Wrapped by the end of this year!
