This year we explored a total of 28 artists, from all sides of the music industry.

Genres we looked at included indie pop, alternative rock, R&B, mainstream pop, lo-fi, indie rock, Ragu Wavy, folk, neo-soul, hip-hop, rap, funk, and EDM.

But out of all of these artists (who all had great music), these are my overall top ten songs.

1. “can’t slow down” (DIVE) by almost monday

Especially as we’re moving into summer, my playlists are leaning heavily on songs that feel like sunshine, spontaneity, and swimming. almost monday does a fantastic job of capturing this vibe by reimagining the iconic surf rock that was originally popularised by The Beach Boys, making sure to add their own modern twist on it. “can’t slow down” is upbeat and energetic, with warped electric guitar chords and a smooth bass, making for the perfect embodiment of classic California rock.

2. “Superglue” (Kansas Anymore) by ROLE MODEL

By infusing folk-style music with his traditional alt pop style, ROLE MODEL has crafted a unique style of indie pop, focusing on chill acoustic guitar chords and catchy pop backtracks. “Superglue” is just as catchy as mainstream pop, but the softer vocals and guitar-dominant instrumentation makes it less abrasive than typical mainstream music can be. ROLE MODEL’s unique voice and witty lyrics make “Superglue” the perfect song to sing along to.

3. “Bodies” (Sunburn) by Dominic Fike

Dominic Fike has long been known for his distinctive style of music creation that creates songs that are all different, yet also catchy and distinctly Dominic. “Bodies” blends synth beats, modified background vocals, and a strong acoustic arrangement to create a really fun musical arrangement. This chill indie-pop creation is perfect background music for road trips and random hangouts.

4. “Whisper” (A Minute…) by Myles Smith

In a world dominated by typically loud and overly modified songs, Myles Smith has reintroduced soulful, sentimental pop back onto the charts. “Whisper” is honestly just a beautiful song; both the arrangement and the lyrics. A musical promise to be there for one another backed by a gorgeous guitar arrangement and gentle piano, topped with Smith’s subtly British voice, makes this song just so pretty.

5. “Drive over me” by BETWEEN FRIENDS

While some people (like the aforementioned artist) are moving towards simpler songs to combat the overstimulation of modern society, others are embracing it. BETWEEN FRIENDS creates their iconic style by stuffing their songs full of various vocals, sound effects, and electronic beats. “Drive over me” is no different; being packed full of everything from percussion to electric and acoustic guitar to synth beats and little electronic blips. This culmination of sounds not only keeps your ears entertained the entire duration of the song, it also showcases BETWEEN FRIENDS’ ability to take all these random sounds and create a hit out of it.

6. “Talk Too Much” (How Will You Know If You Never Try) by COIN

Starting off with a bouncy guitar riff, it’s almost impossible to avoid singing along to “Talk Too Much”. The flirty, energetic, overall fun vibe of this song makes it almost energizing to listen to and you just come away feeling good. COIN presents their mastery of pop rock through this piece, showing off both their electric guitar skills and catchy lyrics.

7. “Same Old Story” (Can’t Believe She Got Away) by THE DRIVER ERA

The synth beats, alternative rock style, and voices of the Lynch brothers makes for an almost hypnotic song – “Same Old Story”. THE DRIVER ERA has introduced this style throughout their existence as a band, but Can’t Believe She Got Away does the best job of showcasing this fusion genre that they have created. The combination of synth beats with chill alt rock beats creates a song that is engaging and lowkey all at the same time – the perfect listen for a rainy day.

8. “Pool House” (When We Were Friends) by The Backseat Lovers

This is one of my all-time favorite indie songs. I just feel like it is the epitome of what indie music is; kinda funky guitar, an overall chill vibe, and those highly emotional vocals. The unique combination of strong electric guitar chords with the almost mournful acoustic arrangement creates a down-to-earth and personal feel. “Pool House” is longer than most of the other songs on this list, at four and a half minutes, but the unique structure of the songs keeps listeners engaged the entire time.

9. “Little Foot Big Foot” feat. Young Nudy (Atavista) by Childish Gambino

“Little Foot Big Foot” takes current pop and rap and blends in the lyrical structure of the 1930s, which makes it super fun to listen to. The music video builds on this influence, portraying a “twinkle-toed” performer in the 30s (played by Childish Gambino). This structure creates a really interesting contrast with Young Nudy’s rap portion of the song and highlights the innovation in music that makes Childish Gambino so popular.

10. “Just For You” by Olivia Dean

I know this song was featured in my Holiday Hits article, but I feel that it can be listened to all year round. Dean’s voice is so warm and lovely, and her slight British accent makes listening to her work even more fun. The percussion-heavy track of the song highlights Dean’s vocals and creates an overall catchy song with a sweet message. “Just For You” does a great job of combining mainstream pop with neo-soul, reintroducing a classic style with a modern twist.