1.
2. Grimes
Age: 25
There may be no stronger female influence on the indie music world today than Grimes. With the release of her breakthrough album Visions last year, Claire Boucher brought an unprecedented energy, innovativeness, and creativity to the genre. Led by her ethereal vocals and echoing synths, her music helped once again transform the context of what we define as indie pop. In doing so, and by producing all her own music, Boucher has opened the door for fellow female acts to experiment, be themselves, and do things on their own terms.
Along with the obvious talent that Boucher possesses, she's also become a strong role model for young women. Frequently voicing her point of view on topics of sexuality, gender equality, and female empowerment, her intelligent and thoughtful opinions have made her the music world's most unassuming role model.
3. Aluna Francis
Age: 24
Aluna Francis of London duo AlunaGeorge came along at exactly the right time. Electronic and R&B music are currently having moments, and Aluna's voice sounds like it was built to incorporate both of these genres in a way that nods to the past but also lays out a path for the future. Thanks to a perfect pairing with producer George Reid, Aluna injects a heavy dose of sweetness and personality that gives the '90s R&B/house vibes an updated sensibility, and sounds like the kind of music Aaliyah might be making today if she was still alive and had evolved with the times.
4. Lauren Mayberry
Age: 25
The three members of CHVRCHES all came from a guitar band background, but together they take what we've come to know as "synth-pop" to new levels. While many new bands incorporate synths into their production, CHVRCHES floods their music with layers of bright, sweeping electronics. It would be an overwhelming sound if not for Lauren Mayberry's perfect place in it all. Her voice flies right above even the most soaring keys, at times sounding cheery and sugary and at others feeling desperate and ready to either break or explode. But it never does. Best of all, the songwriting is so strong that instead of relying on tricks that get old, CHVRCHES continues to hit with those huge peak moments of a perfect chorus—shit, Lauren Mayberry can make a verse catchier than most other electro-pop acts' choruses.
5. Lianne La Havas
Age: 23
One of the incredible things about indie music is how nimble and adaptive it is. It has now expanded to include tinges of R&B, folk, soul, jazz, and electronic sounds, all under the wide umbrella of "indie"—a designation that has come to mean so much more than independent. Lianne La Havas is one of the freshest presences in any subgenre of indie music, pushing it further into new territory and combining elements of jazz and blues in her mostly pop-driven sound. An excellent guitarist, Lianne avoids getting by as just another cute face, and continues indie's long-lived tradition of pushing the borders of an ever-expanding bubble.
6. Romy Madley Croft
Age: 23
As frontwoman of The xx, Romy Madley Croft has been an essential part of the new electronic infusion found in indie music. Their hushed, emotive ballads have transformed how a love song can sound; the delicate subtleties in songs like "Angels" or "Our Song" have proven themselves more effective for being less. With minimalism so popular in music right now, one has to look back on The xx's debut album as a turning point. But more than her impact on the indie music world musically, is her impact on a more human level. Between her signature, unique look and her stance as an openly gay woman, Croft has become a notable figure for listeners to relate to on levels that far exceed just her music.
7. Alice Glass
Age: 24
"I have to be sincere or it's meaningless," Glass once said in an interview, and it's a sentiment that has come to define the magnetic Crystal Castles frontwoman. First emerging in 2004 during a time when it would've been easy to succumb to a predefined ideology of what women in music should look and act like, Glass has stayed true to who she is. Over gothic, industrial, electronic productions that mirror the intensity of her piercing eyes, Glass helped popularize a darkness and aggression in the indie world that was previously lacking. Plus, she once did this while performing on national television, and that's just fucking awesome.
8. Florence Welch
Age: 26
It's hard to believe Florence Welch is only 26. Instead of starting off small and learning how to grow, it seems that Florence was always made for the big stage. Her voice is more than a tool—it's an entire machine (although that's not where the name comes from). While others look for that big hit that would work in front of a gigantic audience, Florence's powerful vocals and calm-but-collected presence make everything feel theatrical and massive. After Florence's arrival, much of the other singer/songwriter fluff feels meaningless. The bar has been raised.
9. Banks
Age: 25
There's something about Banks that, at first, is difficult to define, partly because she hasn't revealed much about herself. Her sound possesses a quality that's distinct but isn't overt, a certain element that sneaks up on you. Then after a few listens, it hits—Banks' music oozes with this graceful, subdued sexuality. It slithers towards you and wraps you up, but it's not cheap or gimmicky like many other female artists at her age may default to. Instead, it's refreshingly genuine, honest, and extremely raw. She's got the sound, the look, and the confidence to pull off big things, and she's still something of a mystery, which is maybe the most exciting part of watching her rise.
10. Sky Ferreira
Age: 21
Sky Ferreira has this utterly desirable, almost unattainable, effortless "cool" about her. It's a quality that translates to her music as well; at only 21 her songs speak on life situations with a wisdom far beyond her age would suggest. Catchy, emotive, and thoughtful in all the right places, you can sense that when Sky sings each line in her songs they're not daydreams of a time to come, but instead reflections of a time that has passed. And where many women at her age may attempt to cover-up any romantic mishaps, Sky owns it and, in turns, only looks cooler for doing so.
11. Marika Hackman
Age: 21
Marika Hackman's music reflects someone with an old soul—a captivating quality for someone who's merely 21 years old. Her delicate music demonstrates nuances of female indie-folk musicians who've come before her, but in a way that doesn't feel outdated or reused. Rather, Hackman understands how to expertly transform these elements into a new, refreshed sound, and in doing so, Hackman has escaped getting lost in the sea of similar artists, and instead, has carved out a niche all her own.
12. Lykke Li
Age: 28
At first, Lykke Li's debut album Youth Novels seemed like an introduction to another bubbly, sweet-voiced pop singer from Sweden who has a knack for catchy melodies and some interesting production choices that set her apart from the mostly obvious, radio-friendly pop of the U.S. On repeat listens, it becomes clear that Lykke Li is much more than that. She's a complicated woman who embraces her complexity, giving her non-apologetic and non-traditional perspective on strength, art, and sexuality. She doesn't want to be a pop star in the spotlight, and she's made it clear that she's not the typical happy-go-lucky songstress that her sweet voice sometimes suggests (see: "Sadness is a Blessing"). Lykke Li has achieved success far beyond what most indie singers can imagine, but she's proven that when you value art more than fame or success, everything else falls into place.
13. MØ
Age: 24
Denmark's MØ emerged on the indie-pop scene quickly on the heels of fellow female artists like Jessie Ware and Lykke Li, but it didn't take long for her to carve out her own lane. In the soaring vocals, driving percussion, and bouncing synths on MØ's songs, there is an unmistakable element that makes itself clear in everything the young singer does—more than anything, it's apparent MØ is having fun. It's a playfulness that is rare in the often overly-emotive productions of indie music, especially from the sometimes more serious and experimental sounds coming from Scandinavia.
14. Meg Myers
Age: 26
Meg Myers represents one of the most exciting and diverse emotional ranges in indie music. Her songs can seamlessly shift from dark to sweet, intense to romantic in a way that feels as natural as it does jarring. Because at only 26, Myers understands that that's how human emotions are. They're volatile and unpredictable—beautiful in their chaos—and Myers has been able to convincingly capture each twist and turn in her music. And in her unabashed exploration of our diversity of feelings, she's made it okay for her listeners to do the same. So if you've ever had the kind of love that's so overwhelming it's made you just want to scream, well, go ahead. And if you thought that raw, powerful emotion that female singers like Fiona Apple mastered in the '90s was dead, then just listen to Meg Myers.
15. Haim
Ages: 21, 24, and 27
Haim are like those girls in elementary school who could have played in the girls' soccer league but instead chose to sign up for the boys' league and kick ass. As an all-girl band who can totally rock out, the three sisters have won over fans with energetic live shows, skills on their instruments, and a balance of wholesome fun and not-giving-a-fuck attitude. Their true rock n' roll spirit has brought an undeniably fresh new energy to the world of indie-pop: one that is as infectious as it is influential.
16. Jessie Ware
Age: 28
Ever since UK songstress Jessie Ware first emerged onto the scene, she's become a formidable force in music, and her songs seem like instant classics. It's not an easy task to be both current and timeless at once, but Jessie pulls it off like few others. It's often these types of artists (see: Adele, Florence Welch) who manage to bridge the gap between indie credibility and mainstream success, and Jessie Ware is already seeing it pay off. She's proof that it's still very possible to give a mature, confident twist to what's cool and of-the-moment.
17. Megan James
Age: 24
What made people pay attention to Purity Ring's debut album, Shrines, last year wasn't that what they were doing was fundamentally revolutionary. Instead, their sound was a masterful blend of the best of what had already been experimented with in electronic, hip-hop, and indie. Their perfection of this propelled them to the forefront of the electro-indie hybrid genre. Between Megan James' standout voice, honest lyrics (many of which were taken word for word from her personal diaries), and her unique energy both on and off the stage, James has made her mark on the indie music world as one of the most wonderfully quirky new artists out there.
18. Hannah Reid
Age: 23
London Grammar's frontwoman Hannah Reid has an arresting voice. It's the type that's full of such power and depth that it doesn't beg your attention, but commands it. Given that Hannah is only 23 years old, her presence is even more surprising. The vocal range that she possesses—from lower tones to sky-scraping octaves—is one usually only found in a seasoned performer, but Reid seems that she's capable of reaching nearly any note in an effortless fashion. As a result, Reid has infused the indie music scene with a re-energized jolt of well-sung pop music and has managed to make a distinct impact in a relatively short time—the best part is she's just getting started. If you're looking for someone to carry on that strong, mature sound that Florence and Jessie Ware have mastered, keep an eye on London Grammar.
