Underappreciated Artists: Variety Edition
You might have heard of some of them, you might have not. Here starts a rlist of relatively robscure/unpopular artists that deserve more fame and rrecognition than what they currently rhave. List spans many genres. |
| 1 |  | Strawberry Girls
French Ghetto
(Mostly) instrumental prog rock band that has a distinctive "groove" in their songs.
http://strawberrygirls.bandcamp.com/track/agua-verde-ft-kathleen-delano-kurt-travis-
gavin-mulkey |
| 2 |  | Seven Lions
Polarize
Very well-executed variations of the dubstep variety.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fni1i8v5TXk |
| 3 |  | Smooth
Blinded By The Light
Drum & Bass. Smooth is also a prominent remixer; he's really good at what he does. He
has created some seriously great renditions of Seven Lions and Camo & Crooked songs.
His original work is less impressive, but still good nonetheless. With Blinded By The Light,
he has chosen to go the "chillstep" route.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxvCGtnM--g
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-LFoQVf2BM? |
| 4 |  | Piglet
Lava Land
Math rock. Piglet was a very short lived project that produced one really excellent EP.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-g_qcnbvaw |
| 5 |  | Lullatone
Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures
Elevator music? In any case it's endearing soft happy music.
http://lullatone.bandcamp.com/track/checking-things-off-of-a-to-do-list-early-in-
the-morning |
| 6 |  | Frostbyte
Codex
Extremely listenable (for a change) chiptune music. One of the few artists that
manages to create songs that can be listened to as normal music.
http://frostbyte1.bandcamp.com/track/you-dont-tell-me |
| 7 |  | Everyone Everywhere
Everyone Everywhere
Emo. It's earnest, and although it's not entirely unoriginal, it's done in an endearing
way with clever songwriting and noodly guitars. Also check out the song "Batsto"
by them, found on their Split EP. It's mispelled as "Basto" on youtube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2fpl5ot_c
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08OfsFK4i08? |
| 8 |  | Elos Arma
Mother/Father
Indie Rock. Legit indie rock. None of that "Imagine Dragons" garbage. Ugh. Also it's
endearing. Somehow a lot of these artists are turning out to be endearing, huh.
elosarma.bandcamp.com/track/we-play-for-keeps? |
| 9 |  | PMtoday
In Medias Res
Post-hardcore with an indie flavoring. Moderately technical, clever lyrical content,
superb vocal delivery, really pleasant songwriting. One of Rise Records' more
surprising alumni. Sad they've since broken up, although the Brogan brothers
(drummer and lead vocalist) are teaming up for another project.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxG3USIDILk? |
| 10 | | Spwee
Newgrounds Audio Portal
Very obscure dubstep/drumstep, unless of course you're a Newgrounds veteran, or
have seen Prosnorkulus. Which, by the way, is an awesome flash animation.
www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/473635 |
| 11 |  | Tera Melos
Split: Complex Full of Phantoms
Math rock. One of the best groups out there, although they are still relatively obscure.
Their Split EP wasn't a smash hit either, but it contains some of the best Melos tunes.
Dat horn section in Party With Tina. Of course, the other half of the Split EP isn't bad
either, and warrants a listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7EHNXBzXrI? |
| 12 |  | HRVRD
The Inevitable and I
Post-hardcore. They made a splash on Sputnik with their newest LP, but they are still
very obscure and their first LP wasn't popular. Regardless, it's a very cohesive, hook-
laden, and excellent album. And damn, that singer can sing.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_LhedFT5Vk? |
| 13 | | C418
7 Years of Server Data
Ambient Electronic/Intelligent Dance Music. IDM is probably one of the worst genre
labels I've ever seen, but here goes. Most of you probably know C418 from Minecraft
fame, but I'm willing to bet that few have explored his work beyond this, or at all.
C418 actually produces some pretty chill tunes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lDRgaxK1aQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBb6-Jyj6Kg |
| 14 |  | Art By Numbers
Reticence: The Musical
Dare I call this art metal? Reticence: The Musical is a progressive metal masterpiece
that got a small bit of limelight on Sputnik with its release. Since then, it's been aptly
forgotten, but it is still as incredible as ever. Superb vocal delivery and very technical
instrumentation. Dark, moody, atmospheric, and brimming with a variety of influences.
Stunning debut. Stunning musicianship.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GPzVphAPys |
| 15 |  | Daphne Loves Derby
Good Night, Witness Light
Indie rock. Probably one of my all-time favorite bands. They can be chill, loud, or in-
your-face catchy, but all in all it's excellent songwriting with a flair. Their 2nd LP isn't
as popular, but it represents a more rendition of the band, and has more hard-hitting,
if less immediate, songs. Very nostalgic listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIEz28nm8KE |
| 16 |  | A Lot Like Birds
Conversation Piece
Post-hardcore. I haven't seen a release that tops this one, and it was released in
2010. Incredible musicianship, lyricism, execution, the whole shebang. It's deep, it's
dirty, it's technical, it's heavy. One of the best post-hardcore releases of the past
decade, no exaggeration. It's sadly amusing how little press they get and how divided
opinion is about them. From what I've seen so far, detractors haven't given the album
enough listens because it lacks immediacy. After it clicks though, it hits hard. Also I
don't get how these guys are supposed to sound like DGD at all. Like did you LISTEN
to the album? Sounds nothing like them besides 5 seconds in Vanity's Fair.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=igaGErs1G5I? |
| 17 |  | CNBLUE
Bluelove
Kpop. WAIT A SEC, this isn't your average kpop. CN Blue are an actual band, and they
play actual instruments. Moreover, they have an undeniable groove that is
punctuated by well-executed, passionate vocals and slick lead guitars. Very much
worth checking out, as this isn't your run-of-the-mill kpop release. It's indie rock if
anything, the kpop label just gets slapped onto it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltWJvgDQy0 |
| 18 |  | Don Caballero
World Class Listening Problem
Math rock. Don Caballero is basically a staple of the genre. Their newer work isn't as
popular though, and math rock in general is an underappreciated genre. World Class
Listening Problem presents a more recent incarnation of the group, with newer
members. Nonetheless, it is an excellent album. Chill.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb2-wyeizfY |
| 19 |  | Life in Your Way
Kingdoms
Melodic Hardcore. Obviously, they're a Christian metal band. But don't that that fool
you; Life in Your Way is a very solid underground metal act. Kingdoms is a dense,
technical, and cohesive masterpiece, laden with instrumental hooks and outstanding
melodies.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoAYPRKuL18? |
| 20 |  | This Love
At War
Pop rock. Very solid performances from all the musicians, with the vocals carrying
the day. Very memorable choruses and guitar work. Three of the four band
members are named Jake.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR-2TWIeYz |
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