Indie artists you should be listening to now: standout talents to watch
Indie artists who move your heart with a unique worldview, offering something a little different from the mainstream.
Many of you are likely captivated by the freedom of expression that comes from not being tied to a major label, and by lyrics that may be rough around the edges yet pierce straight to the heart.
If you’re itching to discover more personal favorites and encounter talent that no one has noticed yet, here are some indie artists you should check out now.
Recommended indie artists to listen to now: standout talents (1–10)
Good old dayspaguko
Singer-songwriter Paguco delicately captures everyday moments with a crystal-clear voice.
She began her career on the live-streaming platform SHOWROOM in 2020 and has steadily built her path by running online streams alongside in-person performances.
In the 2021 “2nd SHOWROOM No.1 Singing Talent Contest,” she was named the “2nd SHOWROOM Runner-up Singing Queen,” earning high praise not only for her pitch accuracy but also for her expressive ability to vary pitch in response to the lyrics.
Her first mini-album, “Season,” portrays the shifting of the seasons, while her second mini-album, “Trip,” unfolds a world that blends down-to-earth word choices with a playful spirit.
She’s an artist you’ll want to hear if you’re seeking encounters with yet-unknown talent.
“Mogaki” ~Even so~Rinsho
Rinsho is a singer-songwriter who keeps filling the streets of Okinawa with song.
He began full-fledged musical activities in May 2018—writing lyrics and music and performing street shows—and was featured in local newspapers for his acoustic guitar-and-vocal busking in central Naha.
In 2022, he released the album “Time doesn’t stop” and the single “Control” digitally.
He says he sings “about 350 days a year,” reflecting his high live frequency, and his hallmark is a voice that seems to purify listeners’ hearts paired with lyrics that pierce straight to the core.
youMatsumoto Hanano
Hanano Matsumoto is a singer-songwriter based in Mie Prefecture.
She began her music career around 2017, centering on acoustic guitar and vocals, and has been actively performing across the Tokai and Kansai regions.
Promoting her style as “rock-infused solo acoustic,” her appeal lies in a husky yet resilient voice and lyrics that hit straight to the heart.
In 2023, she released three consecutive digital singles over three months, followed by the EP “Dear” in 2024.
Perfect for those who are moved by unadorned, honest expression.
bye byeYoko Miyatake
Yoko Miyatake is a singer-songwriter whose warm voice gently wraps around listeners’ hearts.
Born in Okinawa and raised in Okayama, she began performing street shows in high school.
She appeared at ONE+NATION music circus @ Bisei in 2017, and was a guest performer at the large outdoor event Momotaro Fes in 2019, 2022, and 2024, steadily building her stage credentials.
In 2022, she released the album “Keep Time.” Her DIY spirit—designing her own cover art and editing her music videos—is another part of her appeal.
She’s an artist you’ll want to listen to if you’re seeking music that gently accompanies everyday life.
MonsterHasegawa Mai
Mai Hasegawa is a singer-songwriter based in Aichi Prefecture.
She experienced deep despair in her early teens, and encountering music afterward became a turning point in her life.
The lyrics born from those real experiences distill everyday pain and a tangible sense of reality into straightforward words, carrying a power that resonates directly with listeners’ hearts.
Since 2021, she has steadily released works primarily through digital distribution, including albums such as “My Self,” “capture,” and “Essence,” as well as singles like “Inochi” (Life) and “Fight Song.” She won the “Cash Prize Singer” competition and performed at a live event in December 2024 featuring past winners.
Her songs, infused with a strong desire to lift someone up, are music she especially hopes will reach those going through difficult times right now.
That Child’s Songkomari
Komari is a Tokyo-based singer-songwriter who has built a following through street performances around Ueno and Shinjuku Stations.
Rooted in pop-rock, her hallmark is a style that blends a delicate singing voice with raw, unfiltered emotion.
She held her first solo headlining show with a full band in December 2024, and in December 2025 she took another step forward with two shows in Kichijoji—an acoustic set by day and a full-band set by night.
Centering on the theme of “a world that’s hard to live in,” her lyrics weave together defiance and tenderness, offering solace to those who feel stifled by everyday life.
Lend an ear to her one-of-a-kind voice—it grabs hold of the listener’s emotions and doesn’t let go.
Catch the sunIchihara Chihiro
Chihiro Ichihara is a guitar-playing singer-songwriter based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
Since releasing “Tenohira” via digital distribution in 2020 and her first full-length album in 2021, she has steadily expanded her activities.
She continues to host her monthly solo live series, “Nangumi? Ichigumi!” and her thoughtful approach to nurturing her community—together with her fan name, “Ichigumi”—is also striking.
She’s an artist I’d recommend to anyone seeking down-to-earth lyrics that resonate with everyday scenes and emotions.