looking at my playlist, I find that 90% of the songs on it are on or have been on the Billboard Top 10. Doesn't matter the genre. Though that's not a bad thing, I want to find some not-so-popular gems.
I like classic hip-hop/rap, 90s bubblegum pop, 90s alternative (think Sheryl Crow or Alanis morrisette), RnB, and neo-soul.
Blow My Mind by Say She She
No by Billy Nomates
Revolution by Heartless Bastards
Antidote by Amo Amo
Say she she is awesome!
Pink Roses is my favorite.
Played the whole "Silver" album in the car yesterday
Drunk drivers killer whales 2016 single version by car seat headrest
Mother Mother- Arms Tonite
Steve Lacy- C U Girl
The New Respects- Hands Up
Courtney Barnett- Avant Gardener
Abhi the Nomad- Star Death
Aries- Cabin Fever
Japanese Breakfast- Be Sweet
Khalid- Present
070 Shake- Escapism
I saw Courtney Barnett play in Atlanta on May 5th, 2018, at a festival. I'd never heard of her. I was there to see David Byrne (also, my answer to OP's question is "Pulled Up" by the Talking Heads.) She absolutely destroyed me. The next day, I had my first date with my girlfriend. That has nothing to do with the story, except I never forget the date of the first time I saw Courtney Barnett.
Oh to see David Byrne and Courtney Barnett in the same day!! I’m jealous!
I don’t know, a lot of these are very much mainstream
I was considering artists not played on the radio, and I have not heard any of these artists on the radio where I am.
MOTHER MOTHER MENTIONED 🔥🔥
Literally just pick an artist and go through their discography.
good suggestion, but I've already done that :') Im a music hoarder and I want more to listen to haha
I almost completely discover music through spotify recommendations/radio and it honestly slaps, just pick any indie song you like and let it play from there on
“Squeezing out Sparks” by Graham Parker and the Rumer. And, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” By Jo Jackson.
i love graham parker!
LOOK OVER THERE
WHERE?!
How timely! I dug up Temporary Beauty, by Graham Parker, just the other day. I promised myself to look at more of his stuff.
I think loonatic truly makes for a great introduction to kpop for a beginner
Fallin’ by De La Soul ft. Teenage Fan Club
Us by Regina Spektor
Have you ever heard Sobs? They're well regarded but not exactly super popular, I think they are extremely good at getting into some wonderful pop immediacy https://youtu.be/LzjEaMzuq6A?feature=shared
x2 for Sobs! Air Guitar is a great album.
For some 90’s flavor:
Slow Emotion Replay - The The
Rebound - Sebadoh
Sometimes Always - The Jesus & Mary Chain
Screenwriter’s Blues - Soul Coughing
Cartoon - Soul Asylum
It’s Real - Paris
Midnight in a Perfect World - DJ Shadow (or any song from Endtroducing, an amazing album)
Seriously? This one is a tough one. Punk rock is foreign to most but hits exist.
I was in Walgreens and the Clash was overhead.
Damn, what song?
I’ll have to ask my wife. I’m 75% certain it was “Lost in the Supermarket”. I spend a lot of time in line at Walgreens because I’m really busted up.
We saw X a few times in the past few years and it was hysterical!! Old punk rock folks with canes etc myself included. Lololol
https://thebastia.bandcamp.com/ [Shoegaze]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7qhylNuGZRXjtLw7k34sa5
https://wolfbytheears.bandcamp.com/ [Emo/Acoustic]
https://open.spotify.com/album/5KesbdAFGbxKLj8CfuwfHX
https://xdmf.bandcamp.com/ [SynthPop]
https://postalcodesinhungary.bandcamp.com/ [Noise/Garage]
https://masuyite.bandcamp.com/ [Screamo]
https://sanduqabad.bandcamp.com/ [Post-Punk/Garage]
https://open.spotify.com/album/7a22FMuBJN4YEq2n3sYoZX
https://dollardreams.bandcamp.com/ [Grunge/Post-Punk/Noise]
https://saintsseason.bandcamp.com/ [Emocore/FemaleLead]
https://open.spotify.com/album/5QG3t2Wea2eAU6ejTOZF83
https://memphiswest.bandcamp.com/ [HipHop]
https://trawaazrecords.bandcamp.com/album/high-compilation-alternative-album-vol-1 [Compilation]
this total banger
What’s the ugliest part of your body? - the mothers of invention
New Madrid by Uncle Tupelo
Check out Deca if you like hip hop, he's got good stuff
Wax Fang - Majestic
Weezer - My Name is Jonas
Monster Magnet - Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Maximum the Hormone - Koi No Mega Lover
Old Man Gloom - A Distant Star Fades
Shoplifting
The Israelites
Great song from 1969. It was a hit back then.
I dig Reggae and Ska.
Me too
Mirror in the Bathroom
I miss you - The Quakes
Here is some hip hop:
Blakroc - Blakroc (Entire Album)
Blu Collar Workers - Blu & Exile
5 Mics - Reks
Luchini - Camp Lo
Gold and a Pager - The Cool Kids
Oodles of O’s - De La Soul
Fazers - King Geedorah
Pleasance (WDGAF) - Peaceful Solutions
BenziBox - Dangerdoom
I could keep going but I’ll stop.
Nice!
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks - 1. How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away 2. I Scare Myself
Flood by tool. Long opening, but it adds to the song. It’s needed for the experience
I’ve got this playlist for you. It is filled with mostly under-the-radar songs that are new. There are some more mainstream songs on there as well, but is predominantly unknown songs. I make a new one each month. And this is the newest one. Feel free to listen to some of their older ones as well because they are still just as fresh. This is my profile link.
And I’ve also got this series, Alternate Reality Hits, if you are up for a deep dive. There are six lists in this series as of now.
If you don’t use Spotify, let me know because I also have them on Apple Music and I can post that link.
The Production Line - the Stupendium
Pond of the Giver
I'm a new artist that does pop rock. My first song has some influences from punk bands like MXPX, Yellowcard, Blink-182, and New Found Glory.
Wow! Really great song. Your melodic pop sensibilities are top tier! So catchy, energetic and listenable. Sounds professionally produced. The drums sound is a standout. So are the breaks and stops.
I clicked because I honestly thought I would hear someone's delusional trash heap. But, noooooooo!
You are gifted. This "belongs on the radio," as they say.
🤜🏿🤛🏿👍🏿🤘🏿
Esthero - That Girl Rebecca Black - Crumbs Frank Ocean - Pink + White
You may like some artists on my playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1fp0vkQEFstOIhY3ZhRuuU?si=IrpO3G1mTZSVZV_O_YuV6w&pi=a2EElqI3RH6hj
You’re One - Imperial Teen
Apashe, Requiem, all 3 parts.
I had a song by Cade Mower pop up on my fyp and it's awesome. It's called Moroni. It's worth checking out I think.
Feelin U - Kelli Leigh
Right Here - Justin Bieber and Drake
Jerk it out - Caesars
On the way down - Ryan Cabrera
Legends are made - Sam Tinnesz
Throw ya hands up - Stereos
Caution - The Killers
Starstruck - Olly Alexander (Years and Years)
Wrong side of love - Young Bombs and Darius Rucker
If you like Alanis, you should check out Chantal Kreviasuk (similar time frame) or Chappell Roan (modern).
As for Chantal, I'd recommend Surrounded . I haven't heard that song in ages and completely forgot how good it was! I miss 90s music!
My fav playlist Spotify/YouTube
and my fav singer
This girl has me in a sad girl era I dig
https://open.spotify.com/track/2bq8XTTxxz9NT4umwbiMu9?si=KEiu6ZysQpONXnakatgoUg
Last line of the chorus is a READ
Twiztid: Respirator, we all float, relax your mind
ICP: the loons, fearless, we belong
Ouija Macc: human waste, death of a summer, killa like
$uicideboy$: slip on a banana clip, 122 days
City Morgue: aw shit, conscience
Scum: what u leave behind, blame us
Alla xul elu: underground, say goodbye
Labrynthine: Smile at gunpoint
216 zay: lost my mind
TheReal Freak: attitude
Shakewell: death by dishonor, leglock.
Happiness/The Gondola Man by Elliott Smith
Our Lady of Sorrows - MCR
Just the song if you wanna stand up fucking tall.
Midnight Moses
Germ Free Adolescent
Sam Evian - Runaway (his newest album is pretty good)
Drug Cabin - Handsome
Radioactivity - World Of Pleasure
Robert Lester Folsom - Super See
Liam Kazer - On A Spanish Dune
Golden Brown
Bad Astronaut Disarm
Guerrillas In Tha Mist- Da Lench Mob
Ain't Going Out Like That- Cypress Hill
How's Life In London- London Posse
Your Face- Wisp
stay here instead - carter ace https://open.spotify.com/track/3KHVz44GcQtQcsl3P2z4Vw?si=O9Tnq1_vQXS0RThIhEP2tg
fourteen - sunshine kid https://open.spotify.com/track/7pGg4h3tHeWtVEeuIdmSJ8?si=tF19TTlNSICWK0l6qt-RoQ
new york times - communicant
https://open.spotify.com/track/642bauGx0W2wy4UtinTYnh?si=NszNJSFgSgWygsNUyiN8gw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6wttRye7dcgWbLe7PfbRyC
um...all the songs I like are very depressing...currently been listening to a lot of bully and blondshell
Ren ft Eden Nash - Ocean
https://youtu.be/xoi7pI0zGPA?si=4Pcz5N3oMUDleRhN
Easily one of my favorite tracks. Flow, head bobbing, good messaging.
In Truth, In Solo by me (definitely not mainstream, but I think it’s a bop worth mentioning)
Sleeps With Butterflies - Tori Amos All For You - Sister Hazel
Almost any metal song
Honeycomb // Kadhja Bonet
New Age // Siya Makuzeni Sextet
Nakamarra // Hiatus Kaiyote
Yesterdays Tomorrow // Phony Ppl (FULL ALBUM)
Out My Mind, Just In Time // Erykah Badu
Ghostride // Crumb (or anything else by Crumb lol)
California // Bonny Light Horseman
Archie, Marry Me // Alvvays
sorry but no one will beat me at this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsuAKlNe\_rI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UjmjAmGGbc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvdHg62n7To
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6VUzb31M4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNT8cQvmj-M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRCuSYXYMFI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py60u7pnRUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYa7zWcNF-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9aKVLPoKJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-pSpUK93tQ
fuck it there's too many so heres my playlist just pick random songs https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3TKK9cFCTKXldyNXfVNCUW?si=2fb5824a9d5f4fb0
Fast Astronaut released only a few songs (5-6), but they're all bangers 🎸
Burnside project - cue the pulse to begin
The running Young's - maria
The Limousines - love is a dog from hell - very busy people
Memba - all of their songs
One inch punch - Yin Yin
Soul Heaven - Syl Johnson
Acid Raindrops - People Under the Stairs
Let It Happen - Tame Impala
Summer - Skinshape
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh - Say Hi
Go Gina - Sza
Marinade - DOPE LEMON
Tamiditine - Bombino
Check out ANY Pinback or dEUS song
I don't know what you consider mainstream, but seeing as you're a fan of neo-soul, you may like the Budos Band, an instrumental soul/funk/afrobeat band. If you have the time I highly recommend listening to their whole debut album but if you only have the chance for a few songs (throughout their discography) I'd recommend:
Aynotchesh Yererfu
Mas o Menos
Arcane Rambler
Crescent Blade
Marshall Gilkes if you like the trombone/jazz. I love his music a lot, I never meet people who also listen to him. Some of my favorites are puddle jumping, downtime, always forward, and 4711 special. He has a lot of really great songs.
I also really love Iris Bilinsky, specifically fallen town.
If you happen to like black metal, I recommend the band Intig. I’m not super into it personally but I do like their song let go a lot. I hope you like some of these.
Not sure what kinda vibe you want with songs but check out these artists: Weston Estate, Marco Luka, Greek, Maasho, Kid Travis, CHSKA, Breezee, Bryant Barnes, Maggie Lindemaan, Lexi Jayde, Jeremy Zucker
Stars Collide by Vanco. Super chill and lofi
Heart it races - Dr dog
Lvia lviaquez- the Mars Volta (radio edit)
QVRRYUS - the voidz
bubble - dogs in a pile
États d'âmes - Dau
Based on your reference of neo-soul I highly recommend you check out a group called Sault (pronounced 'salt').
My two current favourite songs by them are Free and Masterpiece, but I'm going through a bit of an obsession so that changed frequently!
The Villain by John Michael Howell
Save
Album - Sick Boi, artist Ren
Take What's Given - BADBADNOTGOOD
Reason to Stay, Live at the Jazz Café - Olivia Dean
Sharpness - Jamie Woon
More Than A Love Song - Black Pumas
Drowndeep: Hula - Maxwell
Weird Fishes - Lianne La Havas
Late Night People - Yazmin Lacey
Golden - Elmiene
When You Were Mine - Joy Crookes
Hey Baby. Cactus Blossoms
1993 - Doms Gauge
Knower - I’m the President
little dipper - hum
drifting - nf
bros - wolf alice
shelter - green vinyl dream
Sinking in Sorrow by Scaterd Few
Some of my recent favorites that might fit your tastes:
JUNNY: Invitation, By My Side
Def. — I Just Wanna Know
Jay B — Wonder, go UP
Frank Ocean — Thinkin Bout You, Chanel
Jonghyun — NEON, Beautiful Tonight
Onew — On the Way, Dice
thuy — hair down
Baekhyun — All I Got, R U Ridin
RM/Anderson .Paak — Still Life
SZA — Snooze
Kendrick Lamar — All The Stars (with SZA), i (especially the single version), Alright
Down Down Down by Ballyhoo!
Leah by Messa
The Devil Didn't Make Me Do It by Twin Temple
Cirice by Ghost
A Moment’s Notice- Eggy
Escapist - nightwish Unspoken - lacuna coil The other side - Sirenia
Take Off Your Sunglasses - Ezra Furman And The Harpoons
Is on my pop playlist, which is a lot of what you mentioned lol (Morisette, Goo Goo Dolls, Michelle Branch etc)
David Gray- Enter Lightly
I See Sound by Moth
Gray Lands - Meg Mori
All Now - The Staves
One Lie - Fire in the Field
Nic D -- "Serotonin"
Connor Price & SIRI -- "Chuck Taylor"
Good Kid -- "Tell Me You Know"
Ollie -- "Stuck"
Take the skinheads bowling by Campervan Beethoven Leave me lonely by Pecos and the Rooftops The woman for me by Rayland Baxter
Cranes - Lilies
Zola Jesus - Vessel
Belly - Now They’ll Sleep
Tori Amos - Cornflake Girl
duvet by boa
Old Bike - Rob Cantor
Resolution - Linkin Park
As Above, So Below - Cryoshell & Essenger
Check out Charly Bliss!
For your hip-hop taste you can't go wrong with Tribe Called Quest and Flatbush Zombie
For pop, I'd check out Transviolet, Charly Bliss, and Beach Bunny
90s alt I'd try Jetty Bones and Gaslight Anthem
Float around - coldfront
"Who Sucked Out the Feeling?" - Superdrag
Estimated Profit
The Grateful Dead
Ganesis - soda stereo
Prófugos - soda stereo
A couple 90's/early Aughts hidden gems:
Upside Down by Jackalope
Minneapolis by that dog.
Haunted by Poe
Mos def black on both sides
If you like lofi rap, I suggest "Broken Pieces by Empathik" and his whole discography
Marcys Playground has so many good songs that never got much if any airtime...
A couple of my favorites: Wave motion gun Sherry Fraiser
Belle and Sebastian
Go listen to If You’re Feeling Sinister and Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Monte Carlo by ODDEEO
Bridge Burner by Mutoid Man
Hooplas involving circus tricks - say hi to your mom
Mainstream - Outkast. Aha!
Finding love in a world full of tragedy by Darko US
Feather by Little Dragon
In for the Kill - Budgie
What It's Like by Laura Marie
Down in the Corner by Johnny Marr (of The Smiths).
They were so popular its hard not to think of them as mainstream, but Stereolab are kind of essential 90's experimental pop that never charted here.
Soulfight - The Revivalists Broken Bones - Kaleo Outstretched Arms - Ruby Amanfu Summer Hair - Eddie Japan Give Me Hell - Sam Nelson
Hiphop from the early 90s
Buckshot LeFonque - Music Evolution
South Central Cartel
Torche - "Across the Shields" "Kicking" Clutch - "Our Lady of Electric Light" "The Regulator" Delta Rae - "Bottom of the River"
Snow by Lisa Hannigan is so beautiful, it’s my favorite ever winter song
One Armed Scissor - At The Drive-In
"Egg" by Shoe "A Day in the Life" by Handsome Boy Modeling School "Wait" by Earshot "Nemesis" by Shriekback "Sunrise" by Yeasayer "Soothsayer" by Buckethead
Hide and Seek - Howard Jones All of the album Dream Into Action is very good
I would strongly suggest perusing movie soundtracks (and these days, tv) where I’ve found some amazing stuff over the years and it often isn’t overplayed even though it’s as good or better and by the same artists.
Try:
atlas - Coldplay
When she loved me - sarah mclachlan
Just like heaven - Katie melua
The call - Regina Spector
Deliver me - sarah brightman
The night we met - lord Huron.
The prayer - im partial to the charlotte church version.
New morning - alpha rev
Both sides now - Emilia jones.
This won’t be a popular view but it’s and great song, great remake, and both the Joni Mitchell and the Judy Collins versions sound very dated to me compared to this most excellent version.
Accidentally in love - counting crows.
Most of it was written for the film. Some of these are remakes for the project in question. And one or two I’m not sure. Enjoy.
The Replacements
Low Hum - Comatose
The National - Lemonworld and Conversation 16
Maybe the whole Album High Violet.
For Hip Hop, Curren$y literally any album but I like the drive in theater and pilot talk series.
my advice is to listen to music from different countrys! many artists doesnt go mainstream only because their lyrics are not in english.
Sherman (Animals in the Jungle) - Tom Vek. Cool David Lynch-esque video.
Here are my 2024 favourites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J7yX5AzCDjahzjbwUd7yK?si=M1PHFp1WSBWOsYp141RXIg
If you make a station on soundcloud they tend to have much more lowkey artists!
Tiny desk has a lot of great r&b sets!
I used to use an app called 8tracks that was basically playlists people have made and have filters to curate a specific vibe, I think it is buggy now but it was awesome
NoBade - Love IS Evol
Any song by Orbit Culture
Higher Lonesome by Willi Carlisle
Little Man - Atmosphere
Ever by Team Sleep
You might like Basia Bulat. I enjoyed "In The Name Of".
I don’t really wanna suggest particular songs but some non mainstream artists I listen to are
Soliloquists of Sound (hip-hop)
Clutch (rock)
Peeping Tom (don’t know how to classify them other than odd & awesome at the same time)
Cake (rock)
The Pharcyde (hip-hop)
The Heavy (rock)
"backwater" by, The Meat Puppets
Girl That Love Made Blind by Albert Bouchard
Arianna of Earth by Albert Bouchard (sung by Susie Lorraine)
Some modern Indie:
Sun - Two Door Cinema Club Perspective - Polite Fiction Thinking - Austin and the powers Evie - Last Dinosaurs Any song by The Happy Fits First Rate Town - Good Kid Your Apartment - Phoneboy Kiss Her You Fool - Kids That Fly Blunders - The Polar Boys The Great Unknown - Jukebox The Ghost The Dead Come Talking - Roe Kapara Futureproof - The Rare Occasions Baggage - Rare Americans
That's essentially my whole playlist excluding the hits and repeat artists 🫣
Both songs by Lipstick Palms that are out are great. For RnB my favorite album is Urban Flora, the only collab between Alina Baraz and Galimatias
Anything by Priest. They're on Spotify if u wanna check 'em out.
Lost by Danny Brown
Soft Landing by Billy Woods
Meat Grinder by MF DOOM and Madlib
Pull the Plug by Death
Heartwork by Carcass
I Am Stretched on Your Grave - Sinead O’Conner cover
Give Him the ooh la la - Blossom Dearie
Teach Me Tiger - April Stevens
Tin Cup Chalice - Jimmy Buffett
Unknown Legend - Jackson Browne
Uncle Pen - Ricky Skaggs cover
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
Connected - Stereo MCs
Prince - 7
Everybody Knows - Leonard Cohen
Kate Bush - This Woman’s Work
Jane Says - Jane’s Addiction
Camel Walk - Southern Culture on the Skids
Ween - Piss Up a Rope
Dennis Leary - Asshole
Bachelorette - Bjork
Sweet Jane - Cowboy
Back in My Life - Alice Deejay
Down in It - Tiga cover
The Stars Are Ours - Mayer Hawthorne
Cinema by Skrillex
Bad Girls by Solange (or Frank Ocean)
All I Want is U by U2
Satin in a Coffin by Modest Mouse
Strictly Game - Harlem Shakes
A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins
Bassment Party - The Cool Kids
Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise - White Stripes
Conceited - Remy Ma
Save Me - Aimee Mann
In Need - Sheryl Crow
I’ve Seen that Face Before - Grace Jones
Paper Doll - Annie Minogue
Untouchable Face - Ani DiFranco
Doing it to Death - Fred Wesley
Attitude - Leikeli47
Sugar - System of a Down
Got You - The Flys
It Feels So Good - Sonique
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
How to Dance - Bingo Boys
New Age Girl - Axe Men
I’ve Seen that Face Before - Grace Jones
Funkier than a Mosquito’s Tweeter - Nina Simone
Slippin - Quadron
The One Who Broke Your Heart - David Byrne & St Vincent
Walls - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Sea of Love - Tom Waits cover
Deep dive the Kate Bush anthology. So many gems, it’s hard to pick just one.
This is one of my favorites, from her first album (1978!)
Oh to be in Love https://youtu.be/Y88sXeNJrOw?si=jEoNBe9d8EMtiQuL
You're Standing on my Neck - Splendora...
Torres “Thirstier”
No Good Time - Trombone Shorty
The Way We Get By - Spoon
F**ck Around - Pepper
Xfactor - Zava Beats & Chrisrebellion
Pray For Plagues by Bring Me The Horizon
The Flags Will Cover Their Coffins by Aus-Rotten
BREAKFAST - by half alive
Scroobius Pip - “introduction” and “you will see me” are my faves but he has a lot of good stuff. It’s poems he wrote that he then makes into rap lyrics. Music videos are awesome too.
Burn for Me by Night Flight Orchestra
Radiohead - Weird fishes - plus the entire In Rainbows album
Tripping Daisy - Motivation
Phish - If I could
Listen to Wall of Voodoo or Throbbing Gristle.
Wise Man by Slightly Stoopid
Swamp Thing - The Chameleons
Definitely take some time to check out Viconi! He had like 150 monthly listeners but recently he dropped a new song and looks like he’s growing!!! So dope for him!
He’s on all platforms
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wnjyquOlUiKz0vdVa4dD5?si=FuFgOT2jStqhCgER9KsVOA
Karine Polwart - All On A Summer’s Evening
Avalanche- Thea Gilmore. There’s also an Avalanche Live on YouTube. Same song, totally different feel.
Pot Smokin’ - Muck Sticky
Smoking With a Daoist - Stefco
Some oldies:
The World is a Ghetto (full version) - WAR
Can't Feel Nothing (there are something like five tracks that make up a suite, listen to them all) - Captain Beyond
The Silent Boatman - Parliament
Dream Gerard - Traffic
Dixie Chicken - Little Feat
Some newer:
Reptilian Blues - Rose Hill Drive
Eyes of Cassandra pt1 and 2 - Earl Greyhound
Love and Hate - Michael Kiwanuka
The Truth - Handsome Boy Modeling School
Little Stranger - Sunburn
Woof woof - Arthur
This whole album is incredible
Jaymes Young - Two more minutes
Oingo Boingo - Who do you want to be today
Magic Man - Tonight or Waves