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.
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Recommended indie artists to listen to now: standout talents (1–10)
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.
Blue TownIwasa Kazunari
Singer-songwriter Kazunari Iwasa hails from Matsuura City in Nagasaki Prefecture.
While based in his hometown, he has expanded his activities nationwide to Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya.
His voice, dubbed a “catharsis voice,” has a purifying quality that gently loosens listeners’ hearts.
He has also proven his abilities in tie-in work, such as composing the ending theme for KBC Fukuoka’s radio drama Akira to Akira.
In August 2024, he was appointed a Matsuura City Tourism Ambassador, earning recognition for his contributions to the local community.
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.
Recommended indie artists you should listen to now: standout talents (11–20)
O skykotori yuki
Kotori Yuki is a singer-songwriter who accompanies herself on ukulele and piano, delivering songs that gently nestle into everyday life.
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture, she studied classical vocal music in high school and university, and further honed her craft in Canada.
She began her musical career at age 20, prompted by her host father’s serious illness.
Drawing on her experience working as a kindergarten teacher, she also actively composes choral pieces for children to sing.
Her work has been featured in Ongaku no Tomo Sha’s journal Kyoiku Ongaku, and in October 2023, her sheet music collection “Watashi to Kotori to Suzu to” was published by Kyoiku Geijutsu Sha, making her widely embraced in educational settings as well.
long blinkhonon
Honon is a singer-songwriter gaining support for her unique voice that blends sweetness with a husky tone.
She started piano at age 4 and guitar at 13, and in her junior and senior high school light music clubs she experienced multiple roles from vocalist to bassist.
This broad musical background forms the foundation of her current singing-with-guitar style.
She made her digital debut in January 2024, and her rising profile includes being featured on Spotify’s “Women’s Voice” playlist.
In the summer of 2021, she embarked on a street live tour across 13 prefectures from Hokkaido to Fukuoka, and the expressive power she honed on the road is one of her greatest strengths.
ringtonerin
Rin calls herself a “sweet-toothed singer-songwriter,” crafting love songs that tenderly weave together feelings of romance and everyday life as her signature.
Centering her expression on street performances, she values encounters with passersby, performing with the mindset of “Even one song, even just ten seconds—please listen.” With a simple setup of just voice and guitar, she pursues songs with lasting emotional impact.
If you’re looking for a fresh love song, be sure to check her out!
The greatest fight song of all timerandi
Randy is a singer-songwriter with roots on Rishiri Island in Hokkaido.
He discovered his passion for music in a college a cappella club, and after moving to Tokyo alone in 2017, he’s been active mainly through street performances and live house shows.
His true forte is a solo acoustic style centered on folk songs and J-pop.
In 2021, he formed the acoustic duo Namonaki, and in 2022 he won the #TUBE Award in TikTok’s “#SummerSinging” challenge, which led to a guest appearance at TUBE’s concert at Yokohama Stadium.
This experience became a major turning point and rapidly expanded his recognition.
In 2023, he was appointed a tourism ambassador for Rishiri Town.
His appeal lies in his powerful, soaring vocals and words that strike straight to the heart.