Top 10 Alternative Pop Artists

1. Marina & The Diamonds

   

   Marina Lambrini Diamandis, better known by her former stage name "Marina and The Diamonds" and now simply as Marina, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Born in Brynmawr and raised in nearby Pandy, she moved to London as a teenager to pursue a music career. She is known for her unique songwriting style and... read more

   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. Björk

   

   Björk Guðmundsdóttir (born November 21, 1965) is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Over her four-decade career, she has developed a unique and eclectic musical style that incorporates elements from electronic, pop, jazz, experimental, trip hop, alternative, classical... read more

   I'm a big fan of Lorde, but she only has one album out. Björk may be the greatest female artist ever.

3. Lana Del Rey

   

   Lana Del Rey is a California-based singer and songwriter who currently lives in Malibu, California. She was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant on June 21, 1985, in Manhattan, New York, to Robert England Grant Jr. and Patricia Ann Hill. She was raised in Lake Placid and has two younger siblings, Caroline... read more

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

   The feminine urge to listen to Lana's music all the time.

4. Lorde

   

   Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born November 7, 1996), better known by her stage name Lorde, is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand. She released her debut EP The Love Club in 2012 and rose to international fame with the single "Royals" at age 16.... 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 showcased her ability to take something as simple as a house party and love, and make it conceptual and raw. She's a musical Picasso or Rembrandt. She started off crafting masterpieces, and towards the later part of her career, she did whatever she wanted and still made a masterpiece.

   Lorde is a musical icon who changed the soundscape of pop music forever. No other slow pop artist would have been successful if Lorde hadn't introduced slow pop to every single radio station around the world. She transformed pop music permanently. Iconic! Lorde has amazing lyrics and writes her own songs, unlike other artists who use several ghostwriters. Lorde is amazing in every way possible and truly unique. Now we have others copying her style, such as Billie Eilish...

5. Florence & The Machine

   

   Florence and the Machine are an English indie rock band that formed in London in 2007. The band consists of lead singer Florence Welch, keyboardist Isabella Summers, and a collaboration of other musicians. Their debut album, Lungs, received critical acclaim and commercial success.

6. Billie Eilish

   

   Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, professionally known as Billie Eilish, was born on December 18, 2001. She is an American singer and songwriter widely recognized for her unique style and musical innovation. Her most well-known songs include "Bad Guy," "When the Party's Over," "Bury a Friend," "Everything... read more

   Iconic queen who deserves the world. Stream When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and Don't Smile at Me.

7. Melanie Martinez

   

   Melanie Adele Martinez is an American singer and songwriter. She gained fame after appearing on the television singing competition The Voice, where she was a member of Team Adam. Martinez is known for her concept albums and distinctive visual style.... read more

   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 world. She is so unique, and I really enjoy her music because I've never heard anything like it before. It's kind of weird, but I love it.

   She is my second favorite singer behind Billie Eilish. Why is she only 10th on this list?! Her songs are so unique, and her album Cry Baby has a great story!

8. Grimes

   

   Claire Elise Boucher, better known by her stage name Grimes, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. She is also a music video director and record producer. Grimes is known for her experimental approach to pop and electronic music and has released five studio albums.

9. Kate Bush

   

   Catherine "Kate" Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She gained prominence in 1978 with her debut single "Wuthering Heights," which topped the UK Singles Chart. Bush is known for her eclectic musical style and has received critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout... read more

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

10. Sia

    

    Sia Kate Isobelle Furler (born December 18, 1975), referred to mononymously as Sia, is an Australian singer and songwriter. She released her debut album in 1997 but mainly gained mainstream attention in the 2010s.

    Born and raised in Adelaide, she started her career as a singer in the acid jazz... read more

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Karmin

    

    Karmin is an American pop duo consisting of Amy Renee Noonan and Nick Noonan. The name of the band is a portmanteau derived from the Latin word "carmen," meaning "song," and the word "karma," forming the name Karmin. The duo gained popularity through YouTube before signing with a major label.

12. ?

    Animal Collective

    

    Animal Collective is an American experimental pop band formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 2003. Its founding members are Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin, and Geologist. The band is known for its eclectic sound, blending elements of psychedelic, folk, electronic, and noise music.

The Contenders

13. 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 hit single Fancy. She is also known for her contributions to hyperpop and her work with other artists like Troye Sivan and... read more

14. Twenty One Pilots

    

    Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo from Columbus, Ohio, best known for their hits "Stressed Out," "Heathens," and "Ride." The band formed in 2009 with Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih. Today, the lineup consists of Tyler Joseph (lead vocals. Piano. Keyboards. Synthesizers. Ukulele... 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 maintain an indie pop sound while being kind of 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, and 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 different ways, and I love them so much.

15. Avril Lavigne

    

    Avril Ramona Lavigne (born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and actress. At age 14, she won a radio contest singing with Shania Twain, performing before a large arena crowd. By age 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records, reportedly worth over $2 million.... read more

    Her music literally fits the category.

16. 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 began her music career by releasing songs on SoundCloud and gained popularity with hits like Bad at Love and Now or Never.

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

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

17. St. Vincent

    

    Anne Erin "Annie" Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent, is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist. She is also a singer-songwriter known for her genre-blending music and innovative guitar work. St. Vincent has received multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best Alternative Music... read more

    If St. Vincent were running for president, I'd vote for her 1,000 times.

18. Kimbra

    

    Kimbra Lee Johnson, known mononymously as Kimbra, is a New Zealand recording artist based in Los Angeles. She gained international recognition after featuring on Gotye's 2011 hit single Somebody That I Used to Know, which won two Grammy Awards. Kimbra is known for her genre-blending style and has released... read more

19. Ellie Goulding

    

    Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding, born December 30, 1986, in Hereford, England, is an English singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She's well known in the U.S. for her singles "Lights," "Love Me Like You Do," and "Burn," and has been featured on tracks with artists such as Calvin Harris. She has... read more

20. Chvrches

    

    CHVRCHES is a Scottish synthpop band from Glasgow, formed in 2011. The band consists of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty. Before forming CHVRCHES, the members collaborated on demo songs, with most of the early writing done by Doherty.

    Why 45? Why not 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.

21. Coldplay

    

    Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... read more

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

    Her music literally fits the category.

22. Weezer

    

    Weezer is an American alternative rock and power pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1992. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums), Brian Bell (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), and Scott Shriner (bass, backing vocals).... read more

23. Tove Lo

    

    Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson (born October 29, 1987), better known by her stage name Tove Lo, is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She has gained international attention for her candid lyrical style and electro-pop sound.

24. Aurora

    

    Aurora Aksnes, born on June 15, 1996, is a Norwegian singer-songwriter and record producer. She was born in Stavanger and gained international recognition with her debut single Runaway. Aurora has released several critically acclaimed albums and is known for her ethereal music style and strong vocal... read more

25. Imagine Dragons

    

    Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, now based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band's lineup includes lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and touring drummer Andrew Tolman.... read more

26. Ryn Weaver

    

    Ryn Weaver is an American singer and songwriter. She gained attention in 2014 with her debut single "OctaHate," which became a viral hit. Weaver released her debut album, The Fool, in 2015 to critical acclaim.

27. 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 and gradually evolved to incorporate elements of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music. Known for their anthemic sound and use... read more

    They were a different sub-genre of alt-rock in their early days but recently started to incorporate pop styles into their songs. However, they didn't stray from alternative music, so they deserve to be on here.