For decades, the term “alternative” has been used to point to any countercultural movement in music happening outside of the mainstream. The sounds that have been labeled “alt” have been in a constant state of change and evolution since the late 1970s, going back to the punk movement led by bands like The Clash, The Stooges, the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. The ‘80s alternative scene flourished with trailblazing bands including The Cure, Talking Heads, Siouxsie and the Banshees, R.E.M, Sonic Youth, Black Flag and The Pixies, to name a few.
Building on the groundwork laid by the titans who comprised the ‘80s alternative underground – with the aforementioned bands each continuing their legacies well into the ‘90s and beyond – the alternative scene experienced an explosion of creativity, genre-bending innovation and (to the reluctance of some) mainstream acclaim. From the breakout success of Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ to Nine Inch Nails’ ‘The Downward Spiral’ to Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,’ this fruitful era containing the next wave of alt saw the rise of sub-genres such as grunge, shoegaze (My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Loveless’), industrial (Ministry’s ‘Psalm 69’) and a modern mutation of punk (as evidenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik’ or Green Day’s ‘Dookie’), all of which continue to flourish as alternative movements today. Elsewhere, the scene fractured into indie rock (Radiohead, Pavement, Superchunk, Guided by Voices), as well as saw the adjacent movement that birthed the Oasis vs. Blur “Battle of Britpop.”
In the new millennium, the pop-punk and emo sounds of Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy became enduring fixtures on the alternative scene. So were the new heroes of indie rock – Death Cab for Cutie, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys – all of whom rose to arena level by the end of the decade. Disco-laced alternative music from LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture and M83 accentuated the genre-blending that would follow. The 2010s gave us alternative R&B, led by Frank Ocean and The Weeknd, as well as the psychedelic synth explosion epitomized by Tame Impala. Billie Eilish ascended with her alternative take on ethereal pop, paving the way for dream-pop from Clairo and Cigarettes After Sex, who have earned their place in the modern mainstream on their own terms.
In the post-Covid era, alternative has surged with renewed energy, bridging the past, present and future with a vast array of soundscapes. Highlights of this latest movement include Australian guitar-pop duo Royel Otis, who are rapidly outgrowing venues with their angular riffs and earworm hooks; the UK duo Good Neighbours, who have captivated global audiences with their indie sensibilities laced with pop hooks; and the British singer-songwriter beabadoobee, who channels the ‘90s flavor of Luscious Jackson. And Nashville-dwelling singer-songwriter Michigander evokes alternative’s heyday with his irresistible melodies. Dive into our latest playlist of fresh alternative tracks from tastemakers including Nilüfer Yanya, The Criticals, Jean Dawson, Soccer Mommy and more.
LISTEN TO ‘NEXT WAV ALT’ ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Royel Otis, “If Our Love Is Dead”
The indie Aussie duo hit the charts in summer ‘24 with their cover of The Cranberries’“Linger” and tearing up stages across the globe with their dynamic live shows
GOOD NEIGHBOURS, “Daisies”
These two Brits met by chance in a recording studio in London, going on to experience breakout success with their debut single, January 2024’s “Home”
bby, “Kinky”
This artsy young London band has built a following by hosting “hangs” in their Shoreditch rehearsal space
The Criticals, “Adoringly Drunk”
Nashville-based duo formed by Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart are buzzing with rock-infused earworms, as noted by their rapid ascent
beabadoobee, “Take A Bite”
You may have seen this fast-rising Brit when she opened for The 1975, Clairo or (yes) Taylor Swift
The Heavy Heavy, “One of a Kind”
Led by Georgie Fuller and William Turner, this British band pledges its love of all things 1960s
Michigander, “Emotional”
The solo recording project of Jason Singer tours for its fast-growing fanbase with several accompanying musicians
MJ Lenderman, “Wristwatch”
‘Manning Fireworks,’ the fourth solo album from this languid North Carolinian, is busting out
Remi Wolf, “Cherries & Cream”
One Time “American Idol” contestant released her second solo album of experimental alt-pop in July
Lola Young, “Flicker of Light”
There’s a danceable drive to this edgy latest release from the UK songwriter
Nilüfer Yanya, “Call It Love”
Indie songwriter of Turkish, Barbadian and Irish heritage released her third album this year, titled ‘My Method Actor’
Saya Gray, “SHELL ( OF A MAN )”
Inventive acoustic guitar grounds this enticing track from the Japanese-Scottish musician, who hails from Toronto
hana vu, “Dreams”
From LA, this indie pop songwriter has opened for Soccer Mommy and collaborated with Willow Smith
martin luke brown, “hello !”
The multi-instrumental UK singer/songwriter released his debut album last year, 2023’s ‘damn, look at the view !’
Spiritual Cramp, “Whatever You Say Man (feat. White Reaper)”
San Francisco punk band spent several years honing their skills before releasing their self-titled debut album in 2023
Fazerdaze, “A Thousand Years”
Dream pop from the multi-talented New Zealand producer and songwriter born Amelia Rahayu Murray
Fayewebster, “After the First Kiss”
The Atlanta-based indie songwriter released her fifth studio album, ‘Underdressed at the Symphony,’ earlier this year
Biig Piig, “4:00 AM”
The Irish singer/rapper with the unusual stage name broke out in 2017 with her track “Vice City”
dora jar, “Ragdoll”
From ‘No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire,’ the recent debut album of one of Vogue’s “22 Rising Musicians Set to Rule 2022”
Tiger Really, “Dry Heave”
Call them emo-jazz? Frontman Lian has called himself a “massively chronically online loser”
Fontaines D.C., “Here's The Thing”
Ten years in, this muscular Irish band put out its fourth studio album, ‘Romance,’ in August
Weston Estate, “Camouflage”
This group of immigrant kids from the North Carolina suburbs jokingly refers to themselves as “ya aunty’s favorite boy band”
JEAN DAWSON, “Darlin'”
Uncategorizable multi-instrumentalist with four albums and more than a dozen singles to his name since 2018
Frozemode, “ASBO BOYS”
Grime-y alternative rap from this motley new crew of Londoners
Wallows, “BAD DREAM”
The three members of this LA-based alt-rock band released their third studio album, ‘Model,’ in May
LØLØ, “DON’T!”
Cheeky pop-punk performer from Toronto first gained recognition with her 2019 cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark”
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