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)
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.
To SpringSato Tsubasa
Based in Takatsuki, Osaka, singer-songwriter Tsubasa Sato has made a strong mark on the Kansai live house scene.
In high school, he played drums in a Green Day cover band, and in 2014 he formed the three-piece rock band Good Paella.
After releasing three singles, the band disbanded in 2018, and he launched his solo career.
His 2024 single “Futari” has gained broad support as a tear-jerking wedding song.
His appeal lies in a style that moves between the visceral energy of rock honed through his band experience and the intimacy of solo acoustic performances.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
dentOkuyama Shiori
Shioli Okuyama is a singer-songwriter from Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, born in 1997.
Upon graduating from high school, she moved to Tokyo and has since been performing live shows centered on solo acoustic sets, based in the city.
Rooted in alternative rock and pop rock, her hallmark is an expressive style that stirs the listener’s heart.
In 2018, she was selected as a finalist in “Kawasaki Street Music Battle! VIII,” winning Excellence Awards in both the first and second stages.
Her music compellingly portrays shades of emotion—such as loneliness and irony—without shying away from them, while simultaneously embracing hope and affirmation.
She is also active as a member of the girls’ rock band LOC – LAST ONE CALL -.