Top 10 Alternative Pop Artists

The Top Ten
1 Marina & The Diamonds Marina Lambrini Diamandis, better known by her stage name "Marina and The Diamonds", is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Born in Bryn Mawr and raised in nearby Pandy, she moved to London as a teenager in order to achieve her dream of being a singer. She's known for her unique style of writing, and impersonating characters in creating her songs and forming her albums.

I love her so much, she's a giant inspiration. Her music is absolutely incredible and never fails to impress.

Absolute Queen of Alternative. Froot deserves to sell more than 161,000 copies in the US.

No one else even comes close in this category.

2 Lorde Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born 7 November 1996), better known by her stage name Lorde, is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand. She released her first EP "The Love Club" in 2012 and gained worldwide popularity with her song "Royals" at the age of 16.
With "Pure Heroine" (2013), "Melodrama" (2017) and "Solar Power" (2021), Lorde has released three studio albums so far. She is is known for... read more

I love every artist on this list, but no one will ever quite reach Lorde's caliber. Pure Heroine showed her wisdom and songwriting savvy while Melodrama shows her ability to take something primitive (a house party and love) and make it conceptual and raw. She's a musical Picasso or Rembrandt; she started off with crafting musical masterpieces and, towards the later part of her career, she did whatever she wanted and still made a masterpiece.

Lorde is a musical icon. She changed the soundscape of pop music forever. No other slow pop artist would be successful if Lorde did not introduce slow pop into every single radio in the whole entire world. Lorde changed pop music forever. Iconic! Lorde has amazing lyrics and writes her songs, unlike other artists who use SEVERAl ghostwriters. Lorde is amazing in every way possible and unique. Now we have other others copying her style such as Billie Eyelash...

3 Björk Björk Guðmundsdóttir, (born 21 November 1965) is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer and actress. Over her four-decade career, she has developed an eclectic musical style that draws on influences and genres including electronic, pop, jazz, experimental, trip hop, alternative, classical, and avant-garde music.

None of these are alternative, Bjork is actually alternative. The rest are either noir pop, synth pop, indie pop.

I'm a BIG fan of Lorde but she's only one album out. Björk may be the greatest female artist EVER.

4 Lana Del Rey Lana Del Rey is a California based singer, songwriter, and model who currently resides in Malibu, California. She was born under the name Elizabeth Woolridge Grant to entrepreneur Robert England Jr. and Patricia Ann Hill in rural Lake Placid, New York on June 21, 1985. She has two siblings, Chuck and Charlie. She attended a catholic elementary school and was sent to a boarding school at age 15 to... read more

I really love her voice. I'm deeply in love with all her songs.

5 Florence & The Machine Florence and the Machine are an English indie rock band that formed in London in 2007, consisting of lead singer Florence Welch, Isabella Summers, and a collaboration of other artists.
6 Melanie Martinez Melanie Adele Martinez is an American singer and songwriter. Melanie Martinez auditioned for the American television vocal talent show The Voice and became a member of Team Adam.

I watched Melanie when she was on the voice. She has always been very unique. I love that she isn't afraid to show how she feels and who she is to the world. This girl is fierce. I love you Melanie!

She is my favorite singer in this worl. She is so unique, and I really enjoy her music, because I never heard nothing like that before, its kind of weird but I love it

She is my 2nd favourite singer behind Billie Eilish, why is she only 10th on this list?! her songs are so unique and her album crybaby has a great story!

7 Grimes Claire Elise Boucher, better known by the stage name Grimes, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, music video director, and record producer.
8 Billie Eilish Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, known professionally as Billie Eilish (born December 18, 2001) is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her songs "When the Party's Over", "Bury a Friend", "Everything I Wanted", "Happier Than Ever" and especially "Bad Guy".

Iconic Queen who deserves the world. Stream When we fall asleep where do we go and Don't smile at me

9 Sia Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, referred to mononymously as Sia, is an Australian singer and songwriter. She released her debut album in 1997 but mainly gained mainstrem attention in the 2010s. In 2021, she released the highly controversial film "Music". The film has received negative reviews online.
10 Charli XCX Charlotte Emma Aitchison, better known by her stage name Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter. Her most famous songs include Boom Clap and her feature on Iggy Azalea's Fancy.
The Contenders
11 Kate Bush

How is Kate Bush currently in 13th position and not in 1st position? Surely, it's a no brainer. Wuthering Heights, Running Up that Hill (which is currently enjoying a resurgence on the modern day billboard charts), Babooskha, Hounds of Love, With her album, Never For Ever, Kate became not only the first British solo female to score a chart-topping album, she was the first EVER woman to go straight in at Number 1! Hello?!

12 Avril Lavigne Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian–French singer-songwriter and actress. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more than $2 million.
13 Twenty One Pilots Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo that is originally from Columbus, Ohio, who are best known for their songs "Stressed Out", "Heathens" and "Ride". Currently there are two members, Tyler Joseph (lead vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, ukulele, bass and guitar) and Josh Dun (drums and percussion). Former members include Nick Thomas (guitar, bass, piano and keyboards) and Chris Salih... read more

These guys should be number 1.They made me stop hating pop and they are the most popular indie pop music artists but they aren't too mainstream. They keep indie pop sound while being kinda popular at the same time.

Um...these guys should be number one for sure! They can do a lot more with just two members than some bands can with six! Tyler's vocal/synth/rapping skills are spot on and Josh's drumming completes them!

These two boys saved my life and I think I speak for most of us clikkies they have helped all of us in a different way and I love them so much.

14 Ellie Goulding Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, born on December 30th, 1986 in Hereford, England. She is most well-known in the U.S. for her singles "Lights”, "Love Me Like You Do” and "Burn", and has been featured in other songs with artists like Calvin Harris. She has recorded four studio albums, and has achieved success in multiple countries.
15 Coldplay Coldplay are a British pop rock band formed in 1996. The band consists of Chris Martin (lead vocalist and pianist), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist) and Will Champion (drummer and backing vocalist). Manager Phil Harvey is often considered an unofficial fifth member. The band renamed themselves "Coldplay" in 1998. Before making their debut album, they recorded and released three... read more

They are a alternative rock band, but they've always used some pop elements.

16 Tove Lo Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson (born October 29, 1987), better known by her stage name Tove Lo, is a Swedish singer and songwriter.
17 Halsey Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey, is an American singer and songwriter. She was born on September 29, 1994 in New Jersey. She started her career by releasing songs on SoundCloud, and now she is a well-known pop singer with hits like Bad at Love, and Now or Never. She had originated from Tumblr, and believes Hotel Shampoo is racist.

Halsey should be a lot higher in my opinion. She has way better music then many other mainstream pop singers. Her songs have the best lyrics I ever heard in a song and her voice is beautiful and spiritual. Her Badlands album is especially one of my favourite albums of all time and I cannot find a singer better then Halsey in my opinion. 15/10

Her songs are just so damn aesthetic and spiritual, especially the badlands album, and I love all her songs lyrics, they are so appealing to me. Honestly, she should be #1, vote for her y'all!

Halsey has better music than many other mainstream pop artists in my opinion. Her songs have amazing lyrics, and her voice is a pleasure to my ears. 10/10

18 Weezer Weezer is an American alternative rock/power pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1992, currently consisting of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell, and Scott Shriner.
19 St. Vincent Anne Erin "Annie" Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

If St. Vincent were running for president I'd vote for her 1000 times.

20 Aurora Aurora Aksnes (born 15 June 1996) is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and record producer. She was born in Stavanger.
21 Ryn Weaver Ryn Weaver is an American singer and songwriter who first gained attention with the single "OctaHate" in June 2014. Billboard called the single a viral sensation.
22 Chvrches CHVRCHES is a Scottish synthpop band from Glasgow, formed in 2011. The band consists of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. The band, before formation, practiced playing with demo songs written mostly by Doherty.

Why 45? Why not so much higher? They are really amazing, and their album "Every Open Eye" is a masterpiece. The only song I didn't care for on that album is "High Enough To Carry You Over." Other than that, they deserve as much recognition on this list as Melanie Martinez, Marina and the Diamonds, and Lorde do. They're all amazing.

23 Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, and are now based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Imagine Dragons' lineup consists of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman. The band first gained exposure with the release of their single "It's Time", followed by their award-winning debut studio album Night Visions (2012), which resulted... read more
24 Kimbra Kimbra Lee Johnson, known mononymously as Kimbra, is a New Zealand recording artist based in Los Angeles.
25 U2 U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have maintained a sound built on melodic instrumentals. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery,... read more

Was different sub-genre of alt rock in their early days. but recently started to use pop styles in their songs, but they didn't move from alternative music. so they deserve to be on here.

8Load More
PSearch List