Indie music often overlooks artists of color, especially women. This past summer, I made a playlist highlighting women of color in the indie genre, and it completely reshaped my taste. If your current rotation feels stale, or our fall playlist needs a refresh, here are five artists to add to your indie rotation.
Olivia Dean
Like many of the other artists on this list, Olivia Dean is soon to be a household name. She has already found herself going viral on TikTok with her recently released song “Man I Need.” Born in London, Dean first debuted in 2018, releasing her debut single “Reason to Stay.” In 2023, she was named BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year. Her sound, which can be described as soulful indie pop with clear R&B influences, carries emotional depth and an undeniable groove. Her songs range from ballads about love and heartbreak to upbeat, empowering anthems about self-love. Listening to Olivia Dean feels like having a conversation with a friend. If you haven’t joined the Olivia Dean fan club, I highly recommend you do so soon, as her second studio album, The Art of Loving, is set to be released on September 26, 2025.
Laufey
Laufey has been a name on people’s lips for a while now. An Icelandic-Chinese singer who is bringing Jazz to mainstream audiences. With inspirations from jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker, Laufey has created a unique lane for herself, merging classic and contemporary music. Her second studio album, Bewitched, garnered widespread acclaim and was awarded a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2024. Laufey has an extraordinary storytelling ability and a captivating vocal range. Her most recent album, A Matter of Time, takes a more personal approach, while also featuring more instrumentation. In fact, her song “Cuckoo Ballet-Interlude” includes a collection of instrumentals from some of her previous works. Laufey has truly created her own subsection of the independent music genre, and if you haven’t heard her yet, prepare to be mesmerized.
Rachel Chinouriri
I first discovered Rachel Chinouriri on TikTok when she teased her song “All I Ever Asked” in 2022. The song was later released in 2024 as a part of her debut album What a Devastating Turn of Events. I remember posting a video to my account as a way to support a small black creator. I did not know that in the next few years, that small artist was going to open for Sabrina Carpenter, have Florence Pugh featured in her music video, and be nominated for two Brit Awards. If you’re looking for funky bass lines with relatable lyrics, Rachel Chinouriri should definitely be in your queue.
Cat Burns
If you have yet to listen to Cat Burns, you are in for something truly special. With a blend of indie-pop, gospel, and R&B influences, Burns has a very intimate and relatable sound that allows listeners to connect with her story. Her song “People Pleaser” was definitely on repeat when it first came out. An upbeat song that details the struggles of being a people pleaser while also having a hook reminiscent of a choir, sign me up! Whether you’re deep in your feels or just need a comforting soundtrack for your day-to-day life, Cat Burns delivers music that speaks to the soul.
Jensen Mcrae
Jensen McRae has circulated my playlists since the release of her album Are You Happy Now?. I immediately resonated with the heartbreaking ballad “Adam’s Ribs,” added it to my playlist, and I was shocked to discover that not many people knew of her. A singer-songwriter who has played piano since she was seven, she is every indie fan’s dream artist. Like many artists these days, McRae took to posting snippets of her music on TikTok, and she really blew up with her song “Massachusetts.” Her voice is rich, warm, and incredibly soothing. If you’re a fan of artists who might make you think or even cry, whose songs stick with you, Jensen McRae is definitely up your alley.
Gigi Perez
You may have seen this name circulating as one of the 2025 Coachella performers or perhaps heard “Sailor Song” while it was circulating on TikTok. But prior to her debut album, At The Beach, in Every Life, Gigi Perez released her song “Sometimes (Backwood)” in 2021. The two-and-a-half-minute, acoustic song brings me to tears every time I hear it. Her voice carries an emotional intensity that stays with you, and her album is a great example of natural storytelling. In the past year, she has gone viral, made it to the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, and opened for Hozier. If you like music that feels like someone is telling you a secret, Gigi Perez is your kind of Artist.
Orion Sun
Listening to Orion Sun is like a soul-shattering experience. With a genre blend of alt‑R&B, indie, jazz, and soul, Orion Sun captures the essence of love, grief, and identity. Similar to Laufey, there are influences from Ella Fitzgerald, as well as Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Her self‑titled 2024 album, Orion, is an immersive experience of emotional honesty. The opening track, “When I Was In Love,” sets the tone for the rest of the album with fun instrumental choices and soothing vocals. If you gravitate towards music that feels deeply personal and cathartic, make sure you add Orion Sun to your rotation.
Flowerovlove
Another performing at this year’s upcoming Coachella, Flowerovlove is redefining the indie music genre with her dream-like sound. With nostalgic melodies and lyrics that hit close to home, Flowerovlove is bringing back the traditional indie sound. I discovered her on TikTok when she was campaigning for her song “a girl like me” to be in Heartstopper. The song went viral in queer spaces, and she later ended up having her song “Love You” in season three of the show. In addition to the music, she also has the aesthetic down with her high-fashion looks and chronically online nature. If you like listening to early Clairo, Beabadoobee, or even FKA twigs, you should absolutely check out Flowerovlove.
If you’re looking to spice up your playlists, these women, and many more, have each carved their unique path in the indie genre. Definitely give them a listen!
