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

Indie Pop collective

My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/NAMO.asp

Chase Tremaine – Unfall

Alt/Rock/Emo with fantastic guitars

Alternative/Emo: JFH’s Scott Fryberger’s thoughts here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/Unfall.asp

Benjamin Daniel – Shaping Season Vol. 1

Indie/Folk with strong lyrics

My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/ShapingSeasonVolume1.asp

Charming To The Last –

For fans of “dad punk”

My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/ItstheLittleThings.asp

Jonathan Ogden – 24

Lead singer of Rivers & Robots goes solo with an ambient worshipful vibe

A review from JFH’s Mason Haynie: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/TwentyFour.asp

Ella Mine – Dream War

Rare is the album that strikes me so hard as to say, wait, what am I hearing? What is this? I’m currently enamored. Moody atmospheric alternative with classical piano foundation.

Review likely coming soon!

FMA Promise – New Revival EP

Chill, ambient tones, some hip hop influence

Jon Guerra – Keeper of Days

The rare/elusive 5 star album. It’s all here. Devotional indie/worship/alt pop

My 5 Star review at Jesusfreakhideout.com: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/KeeperofDays.asp

Grandpa Loves Rhinos – Searching The Sarchasm

Pop/punk/alt rock

Review from JFH’s Scott Fryberger here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/SearchingintheSarchasm.asp

Levvy – Better Than I Was Before You EP

Technically out late last year. Strong indie rock

My review thoughts here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/BetterThanIWasBeforeYouEP.asp

Legend Ozora – Departing One EP

Whispery worship for shouting into cathedrals

My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/DepartingOneEP.asp

Pen Pals – Let’s Pretend

Indie musicians Heath McNease and Jetty Rae (also both worth checking out) team up for delightful folk/pop tunes

Whale Bones – Close the Blinds, Lock All The Doors, Say No One’s Home EP

Acoustic/Emo

Scott’s thoughts here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/CloseAllTheBlindsLockAllTheDoorsSayNoOnesHome.asp

Chris Renzema – Let the Ground Rest

4.5 stars from a new favorite lyricist

My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/LettheGroundRest.asp

Medical Morning – Ghost Riot Vol. 1

Shoegaze worship done up proper. Drown in the waves of guitar

A review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/GhostRiotVol1EP.asp

Skyskraper – Floor One EP

Sugary sweet pop/rock

My review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/FloorOneEP.asp

Mission House – I Heard A Song I Can’t Ignore

Low-fi acoustic guitar based worship from Jess Ray and Taylor Leonhardt. Not to be ignored.

Common Hymnal – “Black Boy Run” and “Rose Petals”

This collective of artists is less about albums than songs. Strong ties to social justice and racial reconciliation run through their tunes. It’s what we need right now.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1q6xQXmuTccwh7gBR7ToUN?si=r7Us7MgLTR2tTvBfC6hC5g

Isla Vista Worship/John Jin Han – Carried

Outside the box worship collective

https://open.spotify.com/album/2ae612G873GaK4EoWE9pYw?si=ko_8YlZ7Q_2Y4UI0i196Jg

Urban Doxology – “God Not Guns”

Urban Doxology is a ministry of that writes the soundtrack of reconciliation in the racially diverse and gentrifying neighborhood of Church Hill, Richmond, VA.

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!