Music has been known to bring people together, no matter what age, ethnicity, or gender. It is a universally formed bond between individuals and their favorite songs or artists they share with others. Proof of this can be shown in scientific studies or less physical instances, such as listening to the same song on the radio without knowing who else may be on the same station. Certain artists and genres of music can bring comfort due to their ability to bond with the audience, as Eunice Kim (9) expresses, “My favorite artists include Enhypen and Stray Kids under Kpop, and Sam Kim alongside Baekhyun under KR&B. The reason I like these genres so much is because of how they write some of their lyrics, which are many that I can relate to…I feel comforted by their music, and I always feel healed with what they put out there!”

The independent (indie) music genre and several other categories epitomize this miniature sensation. Artists in the indie genre, including Beabadoobee, MGMT, Clairo, and Lorde, write exceptional songs about experiences or topics that perhaps thousands of people can connect with. The themes of numerous indie songs involve love and heartbreak, and in every lyric lies a part of someone’s self. They constantly become popular on social media, including “The Perfect Pair” by Beabadoobee, “For The First Time” by Mac DeMarco, and “Telephones” by Vacations. Users can identify with certain music verses, which serve as the bridge between people worldwide that can connect with the same lines. Mitski and Clairo are a few indie artists that add poetic essence to their music in their individual styles. The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys are two indie bands that have been around a bit longer and have most certainly made their mark on the music business.

Japanese-American songwriter Mitsuki Laycock, known under the mononym Mitski, writes about love while putting emphasis on matters such as anxiety in “First Love/Late Spring,” lack of self in “Washing Machine Heart,”and relying excessively on one person in “Me and My Husband.” Teens and young adults alike can relate to her lyrics and what it truly means to be in love. Her expressive music and artistry add to the talent and uniqueness of the indie music industry. 

Clairo, another popular indie artist, released several songs that captured people’s hearts. “Pretty Girl” (2017), “Flaming Hot Cheetos” (2017), “Sofia” (2019), and “Bubblegum” (2019) are several of the tracks written by Clairo that remain her most recognized works, with millions of plays each on Spotify. Each of the songs demonstrates the feelings that she felt or feels for someone. “Pretty Girl” is about changing oneself to appeal to a love interest and how the prospect of doing that is foolish. “Sofia” explores giving a relationship a chance and hints at resisting society’s retaliations to same-gender romances in the lines, “Sofia, know that you and I / Shouldn’t feel like a crime.” Clairo began her career at age thirteen when she posted her music and song covers on social media and can inspire people who dream of starting a profession in music.

The rock and indie band The Strokes consists of Julian Casablancas (lead vocals), Nick Valensi (lead guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (rhythm guitar), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums, percussion). They formed their band in 1998, releasing their debut album Is This It in 2001. Their greatest hits comprise “Last Nite” and “Someday” from Is This It (2001) and “The Adults Are Talking” from The New Abnormal (2020). Arctic Monkeys is another rock/indie band that started in 2002 with music that gained traction on social media over the past few years. The group is presently made up of the members Alex Turner (lead vocals, keyboard), Matt Helders (drum kit), Jamie Cook (Guitar), and Nick O’Malley (bass guitar). Their most popular album, AM, and one of their most substantial tracks, “505,” have made significant achievements with over a billion listens on “505,” “Do I Wanna Know,” and “I Wanna Be Yours.” “Do I Wanna Know” from the Arctic Monkeys album AM gives voice to the insecurities of loving someone but not knowing “If [the] feeling flows both ways” (“Do I Wanna Know”).

Indie music is a genre that highlights how independent music artists have accomplished their goals as self-made singers and/or songwriters. It is remarkable how numerous artists have independently produced their music and made an incredible difference in the music industry.