Top 10 Best Modern Psychedelic Music Artists

The groovy sounds of the '60s have experienced a resurgence in the past decade and a half, and new technology allows artists to create even more mind-blowing sounds. In my opinion, it's the best musical trend since Paisley Underground.

Below are ten bands that formed in the 21st century, proof that quality music is still being produced in quantity.

The Top Ten

Tame Impala

Tame Impala is an Australian psychedelic rock project founded by Kevin Parker in 2007. It began as a home recording project for Parker, who writes, records, performs, and produces all of the music. Tame Impala is known for its genre-blending sound and albums like Lonerism and Currents.

If Syd Barrett and John Lennon had collaborated on an album in 1967, it would have sounded like Tame Impala's 2012 album, "Lonerism."
Recommended listening: "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards"

Supremely dreamy psychedelia at its best, with catchy electronic sounds that uplift the spirit.

Absolute musical genius who showcases the vast potential of the modern era.
The Arcana

The Arcana are a British rock band formed in 2016 in London, England. The band consists of Peter Lennodo on vocals, guitars, and keyboards, Jack Aquiziac on vocals, bass guitar, and keyboards, and Joey Silverheel on drums and percussion.... read more

These guys cannot - I repeat, CANNOT - be touched by any other band. Their musical genius is simply incomparable with any other band, regardless of genre. By the way, why hasn't anyone mentioned Mesmer Theatre? It will probably be the best album of 2020.

I've been very impressed by this band for a long time. I think they exhibit many different influences. I haven't heard many other bands that can pull this type of thing off successfully.

I only discovered this band recently, but I was very impressed with what I heard. There are definite Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd influences, but with a 21st-century twist.
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.

Animal Collective is easily the most innovative artist of the 21st century. For how much they've strived for their own sound, wildly experimented, and grabbed their listeners by the soul with their uncanny ability to capture lost childhood feelings of wonder, they should easily top Tame Impala for the number one spot on the list. Tame Impala's radio-friendly, dreamy modern update to the traditional sounds of psychedelia can't compare to the wild experimentation and incredibly impactful art Animal Collective has made.

They've compiled an incredible discography, both as a band and as solo artists. Each one of their albums is experimental in a different way.
Recommended listening: "In the Flowers"
Grizzly Bear

They're like Pink Floyd with folk vibes.
Recommended listening: "Knife"
Black Moth Super Rainbow

They seamlessly blend psych and electronica. Highly recommended for you, PositronWildhawk.
Recommended listening: "Sun Lips"
Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound

They give me Jefferson Airplane vibes.
Recommended listening: "Erkanoplan"
The Black Angels

If you like The Velvet Underground or 13th Floor Elevators, I can guarantee you will love these guys. They've also done a pretty cool cover of The Doors' "Soul Kitchen."
Recommended listening: "Young Men Dead"

Great American band playing some amazing, heavy, and trippy psych.

The Black Angels are a band that is guaranteed to take you on a psychedelic journey in a horror and apocalyptic landscape. A lot of their songs brim with menace that is controlled and explodes in brief bursts.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

These guys have been around for about five years and already have eight studio albums. What's most impressive is that all of them are great, solid psychedelic garage rock albums. Their latest album, Nonagon Infinity, is a testament to how creative these guys can be. The album consists of nine songs that all transition seamlessly into one another, and the last song loops back to the first song, creating an album that you could technically listen to infinitely, hence the name.

Easily one of the greatest psychedelic rock bands of all time, and they've only been around since 2010. Each one of their albums is very different, with some psychedelic rock, progressive rock, psychedelic folk, jazz fusion, and even a spaghetti Western musical audiobook.
They are not afraid to experiment and have a killer live show. It's a shame they're this low on the list, below bands like Tame Impala, who are as psychedelic as Black Sabbath is pop. Check them out if you haven't.
The Gris Gris

Their eponymous debut is one of my all-time favorite albums. It's the perfect blend of garage rock and neo-psychedelia. I highly recommend listening to the whole thing.

Every one of their albums is a worthy listen.
Temples

These chaps have some of the most beautiful melodies in modern music. They blend amazing 60s vibes with trippy modern synths and great musicianship overall. I would recommend them to anyone who likes psychedelic rock, especially fans of The Beatles and Tame Impala.

Great band. You can get into their stuff from the first chord. See also: The Dandelion and The Moons, from whence Temples sprang.

Their lo-fi sound is reminiscent of mid-to-late 60s psychedelic pop.
Recommended listening: "Shelter Song"

The Newcomers

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Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

Their debut album, High Visceral Part 1, is one of the best psychedelic albums I've heard in years. Their other albums are not far behind! Check out Social Candy on their latest. They are brilliant live too!

Awesome band. When hard rock meets psychedelic. Their ability to mix intricate guitar pieces with heavy riffs is truly amazing. The ultimate headbanging band.
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All Them Witches

All Them Witches is a great psychedelic stoner rock band from Nashville. They sound like an old-school '70s rock band with a more modern approach.

The Contenders

MGMT

MGMT is an American rock band formed in 2002 by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. After the release of their debut album, additional members Matthew Asti, James Richardson, and Will Berman joined the band for live performances and later contributed in the studio. The group gained widespread... read more

A band with three albums (and an EP) that are all such different listening experiences. They are truly creative and not afraid to be uncommercial when it means making art that stands out.

Tame Impala sold out. MGMT is honest and about as unpretentious as it gets.
The Wytches

For those who like to add a little psych to their surf.

They're like surf-garage-psych rock. Kudos to LizardKing99 for introducing me to them.
Recommended listening: "Digsaw"
Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes is an American indie folk band formed in Seattle, Washington. Their first two albums, Fleet Foxes and Helplessness Blues, were released by Sub Pop and Bella Union. Their third album, Crack-Up, was released by Nonesuch and Bella Union in 2017.
Mac DeMarco

For when you want to chill out and listen to a musical god, put on 2 by Mac.
The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips are an American rock band that formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During the 1980s and early 1990s, they recorded several albums and EPs with the independent label Restless Records. The band later gained wider recognition with experimental music and elaborate live shows.

With a diverse discography and experimental approach from the start, The Flaming Lips are constantly recreating themselves in unanticipated directions. Though each album and song might not be for everyone, they belong in the discussion for best modern psychedelic band without any doubt.
Gorillaz

Gorillaz are an English virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. The group consists of four animated members: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. Their music spans genres such as alternative rock, hip hop, and electronic, with notable albums including... read more
Pond

The lovable screwballs of the Aussie psych scene! With The Weather, they came within a hair (and one slightly throwaway but still very solid track) of making one of the best rock albums of the past 20 years, bar none! Immensely talented dudes.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra

"Multi-Love" is still one of my most played albums to this day since its beautiful conception in 2015. The accompanying video is just as paramount as the song itself. Please indulge yourselves.

One of the best alternatives to Tame Impala's music.
Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.
Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more
Thee Oh Sees

I went to see them live, and I came back with tinnitus that I savored for the two days that it persisted. Great band with albums that get better with every listen.
Glass Animals

They're super chill. Definitely sent me to an ego death though.
Muse

Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards), Dom Howard (drums, percussion), and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They have won numerous awards, including five MTV Europe Music Awards,... read more
Heronimus Fin

Heronimus Fin brings listeners a wonderful mix of classic 70s British rock, often quirky, with elements of great storytelling. If you haven't yet treated your ears to these guys, then frankly you only have yourself to blame! Their new album, "The Pharmacist," is just about the best place to start. Let's hope the mainstream wakes up and starts exposing their music to the masses!
Years ago, there was a guy called Meat Loaf who had an idea of releasing a slightly quirky concept album, but almost every major label said, "Are you serious? Get out of my office." Then one day, someone listened. The rest, as they say, is history!
Ween

Ween is an American experimental rock band formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Its members are Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, known by their stage names Gene Ween and Dean Ween, respectively. The band is known for its eclectic musical style and has released numerous albums across various... read more

The genre may change every song, but the skill is always there.
Portugal. The Man

They cranked out brilliant psychedelic albums at a pace and quality that mimics one of their huge influences: The Beatles.