An Indie Pop Summer Soundtrack
The past week of major heatwaves on the East Coast, the summer solstice, and Midsommar celebrations have made it clear that summer is officially upon us.
This year (and every year, let’s be honest), it’s all about pop.
Last year belonged to Charli XCX’s BRAT, and this year, fans are on the edge of their seats waiting for Lorde to deliver the 2025 summer anthem package. Her long-awaited project drops tomorrow (!!!), and is sure to deliver the perfect summer soundtrack.
The girls are back: Addison Rae recently released her self-titled, pure pop project, and Sabrina Carpenter is not slowing down, with a new album in August. It’s safe to say that another pop summer is in full swing.
But beyond the mainstream, there’s a whole wave of rising indie pop artists quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) shaping the sound of the season. This week, we’re bringing you four artists to watch in the indie pop/alt/rock scene. Each artist brings something undeniably fresh to the table.
Playlist to listen along while you read:
BEL
BEL is the indie project of Isabel Whelan, a Clovis, CA native known for crafting nostalgic, detail-rich songs that blend indie rock, pop, and folk influences. Following her 2022 EP Jet Lag, BEL spent 2023 touring internationally and collaborating with artists like girlhouse and Boyish. She occupies the intersection of indie rock, pop, and folk, drawing inspiration from the likes of Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, and Mazzy Star.
tasting notes: world is doomed, lingering nostalgia, windows down on a slow beach drive
Must listen:
Baby Nova
Blurring the lines between genres, the Nova Scotia-born singer-songwriter is carving out a sound rooted in the raw intimacy of folk storytelling. Layered with sleek electronic pop production, her music feels both timeless and refreshingly modern. Over the past year, she’s caught the ears of major editorial outlets with lyrics that feel confessional and cinematic all at once. Her discography is small, but mighty and easy to put on repeat for a myriad of moods.
tasting notes: god’s sugar baby, one-way road trip, coming back from the grave as Lana Del Rey
Must listen:
Pre-save a new single out tomorrow!
beaux
Beaux’s lyrics will be stuck in your brain indefinitely. The Surrey-born singer-songwriter has a catchy, rhythmic way of writing that makes his music addictive. Known for blending quirky charm with modern indie sensibilities and inspired by icons like Freddie Mercury and Green Day, he taught himself music from a young age and is now living out his dream, with international recognition to show for it.
tasting notes: bleach box dying your hair, if the 1975 wasn’t a band, bedroom pop
Must listen from Debut Album:
On personal sound, “… it’s an amalgamation of everything I’ve ever been inspired by and my own personal quirks and techniques. I learnt how to produce using YouTube tutorials, but also mostly through trial and error, which I think means I do some things in unconventional ways – I may not do everything in the most technically correct way, but I think it adds a certain individual character.”
Mila Degray
Hailing from Miami, Mila Degray is bringing indie alt-rock, shoegaze, bubblegum grunge, and pop punk to the mainstream. At just 20 years old, she reminds listeners of the power found in vulnerability and self-discovery through her deeply relatable songs.
tasting notes: soccer mommy, late-night wandering in new york city, existential crisis on a crowded train
Must listen:
In her candid, confessional songwriting, Degray finds empowerment, catharsis, and inner strength.
As always, here’s your playlist with all these & more! Happy indie pop summer xx