Clarity Indie 50 Summer 2026
It’s been a great summer for independent music, and we’re excited to share our favorite artists of the season with you in our third edition of the Clarity Indie 50.
I’m honored to welcome a new guest co-curator, Travis Heidelman, a platinum producer and songwriter behind so many of my favorite songs like “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” by Dasha, “Almost, So Close, Maybe” by Mercer Henderson, and “Holding the Line” by Will Linley.
The series got some love this season, too. Ones To Watch recently featured the Indie 50, which really comes back to the artists who make this list worth listening to.
Read on to learn more about why we picked the artists and songs you’re about to hear. The numbers next to each name are identifiers, not rankings.
JJ Alan
JJ Alan is an LGBTQ+ indie pop artist from Lafayette, Indiana who first went viral on YouTube and now connects with listeners worldwide through his emotionally transparent songwriting. His single “Used To” is an anthem for empaths taking their power back. But there's plenty more of JJ's catalog to love, from his debut EP Play Pretend to his cold weather single “Better Without A Sweater” (aka the most underrated Christmas song of all time).
Selected by Claire
2. Scott Helman
Scott Helman isn’t afraid to write weird. Writing a song about coming out to your wife that you're bisexual is original, bold, and deserving of accolades. His music is honest, well-written, and clever throughout.
Selected by Travis
3. Isaiah Stone
When I first heard Isaiah Stone’s music, for a minute I questioned whether Prince had been reincarnated. “Get Down” is one of those songs that’s pure fun, with just the right amount of bass, funk, and Stone’s belty vocals to make it impossible not to dance along.
Selected by Claire
4. Tom Abisgold
Tom Abisgold is UK pop perfection. An artist at this stage of his career has no right serving up the worldbuilding and visuals he strives to deliver. He’s an insane guitarist, and his round, beautiful vocal tone is something to behold. “Totally Unqualified” exudes all of that in such a magnetic way. Definitely one I’d be keeping an eye on.
Selected by Travis
5. Khallil
Fans of Frank Ocean and Khalid need to drop everything immediately and listen to Atlanta-based artist Khallil. His rap/R&B track “Stranger In A Friend” is a slow burner about the reality-shattering discovery that someone you loved wasn't who you thought they were.
Selected by Claire
6. MARIS
Saying that MARIS has a voice is an understatement. She sits in the vein of Chappell Roan or Rina Sawayama but exists in a world all her own. MARIS's cover art is every bit as explosive as her voice. “Mary + I” is the song of the summer you just didn't know about.
Selected by Travis
7. Hannah Rand
Figuring things out in your late 20s can be a harrowing experience, and I truly don't believe there are enough songs about that time of life. “lost cause” by Hannah Rand is about not being where we thought we'd be, and the fear of letting our younger self down. But sometimes getting lost can lead us to life's greatest surprises, and this indie folk track captures that hopeful shift.
Selected by Claire
8. Annika Bennett
When I first heard “Strong Enough” by Annika Bennett, I was surrounded by songwriters I know and respect at an industry event in an Eastside LA backyard. The first unspoken rule of being a songwriter at an industry event is to keep your cool. We couldn’t when she debuted it. Heads were in hands and minds were blown. Annika's songs do that frequently. Despite having written hit songs like “Sally (When the Wine Runs Out)” and “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" for the likes of Role Model and Chappell Roan, she very well may have saved the best of her writing for herself.
Selected by Travis
9. Amouri
Brooklyn-based artist Amouri’s vocals carry so much warmth that despite the vulnerability and rawness of “Orbit,” you can't help but feel comforted after listening. The lyrics are vivid and poetic, as the alternative R&B artist sings about finding someone who is meant to be in your universe, in a world of people who come and go.
Selected by Claire
10. Dylan Davidson
Dylan Davidson has one of those types of voices that draws you in. He’s got a strong sense of self and a presence as a performer. “Escape Artist” embodies many of the best things he brings to his musical style, paying homage to The Fray, Coldplay, and nostalgic early 2000s rock.
Selected by Travis
11. Jessica Healey
We’ve all had mixed feelings about AI, and Jessica Healey eloquently captures these misgivings in her anthemic indie folk-rock single, “The Wheel.” Her voice channels a raw magnetism against an arrangement that evolves with the story, as the lyrics zero in on the inner conflict of being among the last generation to grow up without AI.
Selected by Claire
12. Ber
“Middle of Nowhere” is an older song of Ber’s, but it's a favorite of mine. The song’s lush production, beautiful vocals, and emotionally cathartic landing line hit me just as hard on every listen, especially “I loved you right there, in the middle of nowhere.”
Selected by Travis
13. Appleby
I discovered Appleby while scrolling through Instagram one day and haven’t been able to stop listening to “Without You” ever since. With one of the most memorable voices I’ve heard in a while, he manages to show the anxiety of having to grow up too fast in a way that's still catchy and fun to listen to.
Selected by Claire
14. Devon Again
Devon Again is primed for star power. I’ve featured my personal favorite song, “Gum,” which overflows with style and personality and is a perfect display of the spinning train of thought that makes up her music.
Selected by Travis
15. The Rose Hips
With one of the coolest melodic hooks at the heart of the guitar riffs and vocals, “Spacey” by The Rose Hips is definitely a summer favorite. With a feel-good sensibility similar to Royel Otis, this track is a must-listen for anyone who refuses to stop ruthlessly chasing their dreams despite the setbacks.
Selected by Claire
16. Cloudy
The first time I heard “high highs low lows (feat. SAYAK DAS & Brooke Williams),” I was transported back to the storytelling of EDM classics like Zedd’s “Clarity” and “Stay the Night.” It's anthemic, perfectly put, and simultaneously a frame of a moment and a world. I’m excited for whatever dance smash Cloudy rains on us all next.
Selected by Travis
17. LEW
Set to bubbly electropop production, “Eye Candy” by LEW is just pure fun to listen to. The candid lyrics capture the inner dialogue of being struck by a stranger's beauty and wanting to be noticed by them while fearing their glance.
Selected by Claire
18. tOOjim
tOOjim’s “Never Gonna Let This” isn’t something you hear every day, in the best way possible. An evocative blend of breakbeat, house, and lo-fi textures with post-punk-inspired vocals, this track explores themes of emotional suppression and was written during a period of shock and grief following the loss of his mother. The magnetic looping vocal refrain has easily made this song one of my favorite submissions to the Indie 50 yet.
Selected by Claire
19. Labit
Labit’s just got sauce. He’s got such a soft, vibrant vocal delivery, great writing, a guitar-driven R&B influence, and a proper balance of yearning, whimsy, and freshness you want from an artist on this list. “nine ten” is one of my personal favorites of his.
Selected by Travis
20. M. Roomie
M. Roomie is a Raleigh, NC duo whose harmonies complement each other effortlessly. Their track “Habitat” is an atmospheric blend of guitars and strings that sounds like it’s about a turbulent relationship, but they really wrote it from the perspective of their pet lizard, Gus.
Selected by Claire
21. Vaultboy
“Fade Away” by Vaultboy is a captivating song. The chord movements, strings, and even tempo changes hit emotionally in a way few pop songs achieve. The production is lush, the writing is descriptive, and the melodies are strong hooks.
Selected by Travis
22. Syd Taylor
Syd Taylor’s vocals and tone are mind-blowing. Self-producing and solo-writing an entire album that’s got the whole industry abuzz is quite the feat, and she’s done it with ease. I'm so excited for whatever comes next from her.
Selected by Travis
23. Garret Elias
Garret Elias shows incredible range in “Freeway Ballerina,” from the low notes in the verses to the chorus that feels like a release and a breath of fresh air at the same time. This track is exactly what I imagine a midnight adventure would feel like, “dancing in the street lights,” as Elias sings.
Selected by Claire
24. Sofia Marcella
I grew up listening to Sara Bareilles, so I immediately loved Sofia Marcella’s warm vocals in “Jealousy.” She wrote the track about the self-sabotage this pervasive emotion can cause, moving from the heaviness of trying to outrun it to a chorus that feels like a cathartic sigh, accepting the impact it has on our lives.
Selected by Claire
25. Ryley Tate
Ryley Tate’s voice hit me the second I heard it. “Norway” in particular shows off so much of his vocal range, sitting atop beautiful, lush acoustic pop production. It’s magnetic in the most subtle way, and I’m excited to see where he goes from here.
Selected by Travis
26. Ruby Plume
Ruby Plume’s “Cobalt Blue” is captivating, filled with lush strings, beautifully poetic lyrics, depicting what it feels like to truly be a perfect match for someone. She’s got a beautiful sense of artistic identity and a voice to match, and I’m thrilled to see what’s up next for her!
Selected by Travis
27. Dylan LeBlanc
Dylan LeBlanc makes atmospheric Americana, with soulful, haunting vocals and slow-burning emotion. He wrote “Cautionary Tale” back in 2016 while struggling with alcoholism and walking away from a major label contract to step back and heal. Ten years later, he’s revisited it as “Cautionary Tale (Revisited),” looking back on that dark reckoning with the clearer eyes of an artist who's come out the other side.
Selected by Claire
28. CARV
CARV’s vocal performance on “MISERY” shows off a melancholic register that sits so beautifully within the song’s meaning. He’s got tone for days and is a breath of fresh air that country music needs right now.
Selected by Travis
29. Allison Leah
“I Didn’t Know I Was Growing Up” is the younger relative of ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers” for a different stage of life that I didn't know I needed. Nothing solidifies the feeling of saying goodbye to your childhood quite like packing your bags for college, and Allison Leah’s heartfelt folk pop song nails it. The grief of life passing us by too fast doesn’t have an age limit.
Selected by Claire
30. Cate
Cate’s music is a hilarious, earnest, charismatic country-pop crossover. I had the pleasure of seeing her perform “Cause I Care!” live, and she had us enthralled. She writes her songs in a voice any girl can sing along with, relate with, and occasionally stoop to the level of: “I’m only crazy cause I care. Yes I do. Say it back.”
Selected by Travis
31. The Family
There’s camaraderie in “The End,” a single from Muscle Shoals four-piece The Family’s album, Delusions of Grandeur. A groovy, ‘70s-inspired vibe undercurrents the song, giving a surprisingly warm feel to a track about life’s illusions and disappointments.
Selected by Claire
32. My Name Mitchy
My Name Mitchy’s bouncy vocals and feel-good instrumental backdrop almost disguise that “American Pie” is about finding love despite the exhaustion of a hot-and-cold relationship where someone you love refuses to take accountability. It’s a party-ready track for your summer playlists that still makes you feel seen, with lyrics like “You took all my good all my bad / Mixed it up and made a batch / Of your famous I did nothing wrong.”
Selected by Claire
33. Ryce
“ALL IN” is one of those songs that just makes you grateful to go confidently in the direction of your dreams, and Ryce’s introspective verses make you feel like you're getting a pep talk from a close friend. Whether it’s happened slowly or in one swift movement, this track perfectly embodies what it means to find peace.
Selected by Claire
34. Sharard Baker
You can’t help but have a good time listening to Sharard Baker. On his single “What U On,” the LA-based rapper, actor, and director performs with contagious charisma, rapping fast-paced verses with sharp storytelling underneath. It’s got a block-party vibe, and I can’t get enough of the horns.
Selected by Claire
35. SS Jay
“Life Can Wait” by SS Jay is just as much the perfect song to throw on for a summer drive as it is a reflective track that makes you stop and think. While he raps about not wanting to feel pain in the face of life’s grief and struggle, this song feels like more than just an escape. It’s permission to give ourselves grace and to create despite of what life throws at us.
Selected by Claire
36. Ark Woods
Ark Woods’ “American Dream” distills the experience of a generation whose reality fell short of the fantasy sold to them. With smooth verses that almost remind me of a sped-up Earl Sweatshirt, the track explores the struggle of trying to make room for a real life in modern-day America. While the lyrics have a subtle doomsday vibe, they’re oddly comforting for anyone who feels like they’re going through it alone.
Selected by Claire
37. KWONIX
KWONIX is the collaborative project of Kwo and Unïx, and their debut single, “FULL SPEED,” makes for a robust listen full of lush, jazzy textures. A playful, eclectic rhythm drives the song forward as the lyrics describe the experience of spreading your wings on a path you've paved outside the traditional narrative.
Selected by Claire
38. Claire Ernst
“Nice Things” by Claire Ernst is a great song for anyone who’s bought something or been in a situation where they messed up something nice. While this R&B pop song is about a frustrating life experience, it carries a warmth and witty lyricism that makes you can’t help but smile.
Selected by Claire
39. QUIETLOVE
QUIETLOVE is a Toronto-based artist who writes, produces, and records everything from his home studio, and his catalog runs deep enough that picking one song to feature was tough. “My Regards” starts candidly, like a vent about a dead-end relationship, then opens into an expansive chorus with immersive layers of vocals that push the story toward something empowering and hopeful.
Selected by Claire
40. Susannah Joffe
“Die Your Daughter” by Susannah Joffe has a classic indie pop sound I’ll never get tired of, with the moody, cinematic feel of Lana Del Rey. It’s a song about all-consuming devotion that blew up on TikTok through the Yellowjackets fandom.
Selected by Claire
41. Buffy
Buffy’s “Daybreak” is a dreamy yet haunting indie pop track with a bittersweet contrast. While the verses recount the ways she was wronged, the chorus opens into an unforgettable melody, filled with echoes of regret and a longing to stop dreaming of a version of the relationship that never came to be.
Selected by Claire
42. Steinza
Steinza is one of the greatest voices coming up in folk these days. Beyond producing and writing for the likes of Dasha and Adrien Nuñez behind the scenes, his own artist project conveys serious depth, gravitas, and beautiful vocal performances. “Shivers” really embodies that for me. The chorus opens with the anthemic line “I broke the heart of the only girl that felt like home,” which descends into his own regrets about his inability to hold onto connection. It hits in the gut, like all his great songs do.
Selected by Travis
43. Sophie Ali
Sophie Ali’s lyrics unfold like part poem, part storybook, and her voice has a warmth that fans of Phoebe Bridgers will love. “You can feel hot" was inspired by feeling detached from having to cater to the male gaze, and the song is a somber farewell to her expectations of a simpler romance she had growing up.
Selected by Claire
44. Grace Greenan
“Elephant” by Grace Greenan is a song I’m genuinely surprised isn’t already being played everywhere. The subdued verses lead to an explosive chorus, one of my favorites I’ve heard in a while, as she sings about love's double standards and facing the elephant in the room once and for all.
Selected by Claire
45. Thehiz
Thehiz has one of those voices that's soothing to listen to regardless of what the lyrics are. The Ethiopian alt-pop artist's groovy song “Breathe” makes you feel like you're floating above a field of daisies, transporting you to another world that matches its cover art.
Selected by Claire
46. zoloft
zoloft is an indie rock band from Jefferson, OH, with a sound beyond its six members’ years (who are all in high school). With an eclectic mix of 90s grunge and 60s psychedelic influences, their track “cats” is overflowing with ear candy that fans of Weezer and Peach Pit are sure to love.
Selected by Claire
47. Irma
Irma is a prolific songwriter, releasing a new song every month until her album Black Sun arrives. “Lost and Found” is a grounded, comforting listen for anyone tired of falling in and out of love. The repeating guitar riff is the backbone of the song and illustrates the cyclical nature of relationships.
Selected by Claire
48. Senseless Optimism
I wish “HEAT” by Senseless Optimism were twice as long because it’s just that much fun to listen to. The lyrics capture a one-sided relationship held together by convenience, packed full of clever lines like “I’m not a Pokémon you’ll lose.”
Selected by Claire
49. Jenny Baker
“Joy” by Jenny Baker is a song that could make you cry or dance depending on what mood you’re in. This emotional track has a beautiful transparency to the lyrics, which touch on changing friendships and watching someone who walked out of your life carry on without you. And you’ve been warned: the bridge of this song will hit you deep.
Selected by Claire
50. Cala
Cala is a Scottish post-traditional band from Inverness, and their track “Mouse” has more cool instruments and melodic twists than you can count. From their second studio album, it’s an uplifting blend of old and new that's enough to get you out of any funk.
Selected by Claire
This concludes our Summer 2026 edition of the Clarity Indie 50, but we’ll be back soon this fall with 50 more artists who are racing their way to the top.
If you love discovering and supporting independent artists as much as we do, check out our past editions and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when our next Indie 50 is on the horizon.
Submissions are open year-round to independent artists of any genre, anywhere in the world. If you make great music or know someone who does, send it our way.