Alternative/Indie Music

Alternative music is broad genre that include many sub-genres, such as indie rock, emo, punk pop, and grunge. Some folks think of Alternative music as independent tunes made outside the big corporate scene. They argue it doesn’t have to be punk or anything specific; it’s just music that major labels don’t control. But I see it differently—it's way more than just being independent. Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a genre that grew out of the underground music scene in the 1970s. At its core, alternative is a catch-all for anything that feels too "out there" for classic rock or mainstream pop.

It’s raw and emotional, allowing artists to pour their feelings into their songs without any limits. There’s no strict formula or chorus to follow. Independent labels tend to give artists more freedom, which is a big part of what makes it special. Personally, I’m a huge fan of emo music. Emo is all about heartfelt, often confessional lyrics and came from the hardcore punk scene in the mid-1980s in Washington, D.C., where it was initially called emotional hardcore or emocore. By the 1990s, emo was redefined by alternative rock, indie rock, punk rock, and pop-punk bands. The emo subculture often got tagged with feelings of social isolation, sensitivity, and angst. Unfortunately, its rise in the early 2000s led to some negative stereotypes, and bands like My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco distanced themselves from the emo label due to the stigma and controversy that came with it..

Statistically, when it comes to share of Americans who listen to alternative/indie music on the radio, 36 percent of 18 - 29 year olds do so in the U.S. This is according to exclusive insights from the Consumer Insights Global survey which shows that 43 percent of 30 - 49 year old consumers also fall into this category. Hmmm, I'm 63 and it's all I listen to.

Here are some examples of emo, alternative, and indie music genres:

Emo

A subgenre of punk rock, alternative rock, and indie rock, emo is characterized by its emotional expression. Some popular emo bands include:

My Chemical Romance

Fall Out Boy

Dashboard Confessional

Jawbreaker

From First to Last

Alternative

Alternative music is influenced by punk rock, hardcore-punk, and 1970s heavy metal bands. Some examples of alternative music include:

the Dream Syndicate

the Bongos

10,000 Maniacs

R.E.M.

The Feelies

Violent Femmes

Linkin Park

Florence and the Machine

.....and many, many more.

I prefer a softer more angsty confessional type of music when I'm listening to alternative music. Musicians like Daughter, Sia, London Grammar, Awfultune and Phoebe Bridgers.

Here are my Top 20 songs for you to enjoy:

1. AURORA - Runaway ( lyrics)

2. Julien Baker - Funeral Pyre (Live)

3. UPSAHL - IDFWFEELINGS (Official Audio)

4. Mundy - To You I Bestow

5. Cigarettes After Sex - Affection

6. Roland Faunte - Happy Life

7. Ex:Re - Romance

8. Phoebe Bridgers - Motion Sickness (Official Video)

9. boygenius – Souvenir

10. Lucy Dacus - "Yours and Mine" (Live at WFUV)

11. Daughter - "Still"

12. Halsey - Strangers ft. Lauren Jauregui

13. Emilíana Torrini - Today Has Been OK

14. Sia - Breathe Me

15. Ex:Re - The Dazzler

16. I forgive you - Halsey

17. Evanescence - My Immortal

18. Florence + The Machine - Big God

19. KiNG MALA - "she calls me daddy"

20. Jessie Murph - When I'm Not Around (Official Video)

There you have it! My top 20 "Alternative/Indie/Emo" music! Granted, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's what I like. 🙂🙃

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