I’ve been driving a work truck at a new job that only has a radio. Yeesh. It’s been interesting to re-enter top 40 stations after so long of controlling the music I consumed. Interesting, as in I’m over it already. So I’m taking action!
While Christian radio largely keeps churning out a lot of the same sounding top 40 pop/worship hits, the independent scene is a treasure trove of diverse sounds. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but if you, like me are looking for some top notch music that you won’t hear on the radio… look no further. It’s tough to know where to start with the overwhelming amount of options so here’s my attempt to narrow it down to what I think is the cream of the crop. So without further ado, and in no particular order, I present… “The Top 20 Indie Artists of 2020 You Should Know.” (Although technically a few of these may not be independent anymore, but you get what I mean…)
Lastly, there will also be a playlist of the songs I enjoyed the most for a taste of each to get you started. Hope you find something new to love!
NAMO – Self-Titled
My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/NAMO.asp
Chase Tremaine – Unfall
Alternative/Emo: JFH’s Scott Fryberger’s thoughts here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/Unfall.asp
Benjamin Daniel – Shaping Season Vol. 1
My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/ShapingSeasonVolume1.asp
Charming To The Last –
My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/ItstheLittleThings.asp
Jonathan Ogden – 24
A review from JFH’s Mason Haynie: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/TwentyFour.asp
Ella Mine – Dream War
Review likely coming soon!
FMA Promise – New Revival EP
Jon Guerra – Keeper of Days
My 5 Star review at Jesusfreakhideout.com: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/KeeperofDays.asp
Grandpa Loves Rhinos – Searching The Sarchasm
Review from JFH’s Scott Fryberger here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/SearchingintheSarchasm.asp
Levvy – Better Than I Was Before You EP
My review thoughts here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/BetterThanIWasBeforeYouEP.asp
Legend Ozora – Departing One EP
My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/DepartingOneEP.asp
Pen Pals – Let’s Pretend
Whale Bones – Close the Blinds, Lock All The Doors, Say No One’s Home EP
Scott’s thoughts here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/CloseAllTheBlindsLockAllTheDoorsSayNoOnesHome.asp
Chris Renzema – Let the Ground Rest
My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/LettheGroundRest.asp
Medical Morning – Ghost Riot Vol. 1
A review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/GhostRiotVol1EP.asp
Skyskraper – Floor One EP
My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/FloorOneEP.asp
Mission House – I Heard A Song I Can’t Ignore
Common Hymnal – “Black Boy Run” and “Rose Petals”
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1q6xQXmuTccwh7gBR7ToUN?si=r7Us7MgLTR2tTvBfC6hC5g
Isla Vista Worship/John Jin Han – Carried
https://open.spotify.com/album/2ae612G873GaK4EoWE9pYw?si=ko_8YlZ7Q_2Y4UI0i196Jg
Urban Doxology – “God Not Guns”
https://open.spotify.com/album/0fDE846TxiDDBjChMvTa7f?si=fXO-daHAREynH8hZO9gQPA
Honorable Mentions/Hoping for a 2020 release:
John Van Deusen – I Am Oragami Pt 3: A Catacomb Hymn (2019)
The Porter’s Gate – A double album of songs on lament and justice is coming in Sept. can’t wait!
Jess Ray – Parallels & Meridians (2019)
Future of Forestry – Union (2019)
And lastly, here’s the playlist for a little taste…
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TjBHiW1tV8pXmJn7Smhhs?si=pVPcyY49ReWQyatIlry-dQ
Happy listening!