Artists to Spend Hours Getting Lost In

I like it when an artist has more to offer than just a few hits. I like when they have a universe of their own, more or less. Today, I wanted to do something a little different and compile a list of artists I find unique for the dense musical worlds they create. Some release across multiple projects, while others span an incredible range within a single discography.

Regardless, I hope there's a name here you haven't encountered before, and I hope you feel compelled to give them a shot. In no particular order:

1. Dean Blunt

Dean Blunt has had a very interesting career in all aspects. Originating in the electronic duo Hype Williams, he got his start making underground beats with all kinds of mysterious allusions. It started building the image he'd run with throughout his solo career, refusing any sort of conformity with his identity.

Dean Blunt has a discography full of things you'd least expect to be listed next to one another: folk, rap, dream pop, ambient, and the list goes on. His vocals stand out as a calming presence over often very abstract beats. Many tracks are fully instrumental, and lots of them don't feature his own vocals, but those of collaborators spanning names like A$AP Rocky and TYSON.

You may recognize some of his more popular work, such as "9," "100," or "Galice," all of which sound completely different from one another while still falling under his folk umbrella. They all undoubtedly carry their own unique flair, though, and that's why Dean Blunt is so special. His work is predictably unpredictable.

Dean Blunt is one of the strongest creative visionaries in music right now, and one scroll through his catalog makes that abundantly clear. He's on this list not only for the variety in sounds he provides, but for just how expansive his body of work has become, releasing music consistently since the late 2000s. Despite this, no two tracks sound the same. Stylistically, he has proven to be a master at a craft nobody else has dared to fully commit themselves to.

2. King Krule

King Krule has worked his way up the rankings over the course of his career to become the household indie name he is today. Regardless of that, he has so much work that has slid under the radar, so many tracks unavailable on streaming services, and so many side projects that the decision for him to be on this list was black and white.

King Krule's career can debatably start in many different places. You can trace old footage and deep cuts of his early work under the alias Zoo Kid. For simplicity's sake, we'll mark the start at his debut album Six Feet Beneath the Moon, released in 2013 on his nineteenth birthday. The album was startling. The fact that a nineteen-year-old could produce something so raw, well-crafted, and emotionally mature surprised anyone who gave it a proper listen.

The Ooz followed. While some fans still prefer Six Feet Beneath the Moon, I personally think The Ooz is one of his strongest records. I think it does everything from his debut in a more expansive manner, though I can't say it beats the charm of that first release.

While his main discography alone is a knockout success, there's more than meets the eye. If you go on SoundCloud or YouTube, there are a handful of tracks not officially available on streaming services that personally blow my mind. "Octopus" and "Little Wild" both stand firmly in my top five, and that says something considering he doesn't seem particularly bothered with properly capitalizing on them.

His many side projects include, but are not limited to, Archie Marshall (his legal name) and Edgar the Beatmaker. Both lean further into hip-hop and have largely flown under the radar, but they shouldn't be overlooked.

Defined by jazz chords, unpredictable and soft-spoken drum patterns, and a distinctively honest voice that admittedly takes some getting used to, King Krule is a name that I think anyone interested in the kinds of artists covered on Soft Static should familiarize themselves with.

3. Alice Phoebe Lou

The single "Witches" was my introduction to Alice Phoebe Lou in 2020. The arpeggiated synth line that recurs throughout it was something so new and profound that I instantly dove into the rest of her music. At the time, there wasn't nearly as much to her name as there is now, but there was still plenty to keep me entertained.

That said, with the full scope of what she's released today, there's so much to appreciate. While songs like "Witches" and "Dirty Mouth" maintain an upbeat and infectious energy, she also knows how to put you through an emotional whirlwind with slow burns like "Mind Reader" and "Lover / Over the Moon."

Alice Phoebe Lou is also incredibly good at cultivating a sound that feels uniquely hers. A personal favorite of mine is "Only When I." There's this unsettling touch of vibrato to her vocals, creating a haunted atmosphere that's initially occupied by sparse piano chords. Then the drums hit, introducing these descending synth lines.

Man, I could talk about it all day.

But, in keeping with the theme of this article, you might be looking at her discography and thinking, "Well, there's substance, but not nearly as much as the other names." I put her here because, like our other picks, Alice Phoebe Lou has released under multiple aliases. Strongboi is a duo comprised of her and her keyboardist, Ziv Yamin. Formed in 2019, it's slowly but surely become an extension of her main catalog, consistently releasing songs that easily stand alongside her solo work.

Alice Phoebe Lou is incredibly well-rounded. She's opened for Clairo and Laufey, proving her recognition among some of the biggest names in modern indie music. She had humble beginnings busking on the streets and has gradually built her career through consistently excellent releases. I'm excited to see where she takes her music next, and I hope you give her a shot if you haven't already.

4. The Garden

I'm surprised I made it this long without mentioning the Shears twins. Formed in Orange County in 2011, the duo began experimenting with short-burst punk releases before dropping their debut album, The Life and Times of a Paperclip, in 2013.

Personal bias aside, their immense range alone proves that them being fourth on this list is by no means a testament to ranking. I'd argue they have the largest body of work of anyone mentioned here. Aside from The Garden itself, you may have heard of each twin's individual project: Fletcher Shears performs as Puzzle, while Wyatt Shears records as Enjoy. Each project carries the same DNA they bring to The Garden while expanding on it in completely different directions.

The rabbit hole goes even deeper with their other band, The Romeos, and the widespread speculation that Wyatt is the mind behind the TikTok-prominent Macabre Plaza. They also founded the Vada Vada label, which is home to many unique artists carrying that same "anything goes" philosophy they've always embraced.

The Garden has evolved sonically and aesthetically tenfold over the years, and I always seem to be impressed by whatever they have in store next. Personally, I'd say nothing beats the iconic Mirror Might Steal Your Charm jester era, but to each their own.

From headlining festivals and selling out shows to appearances at Coachella and Camp Flog Gnaw, The Garden has truly grown into the name they always hinted they could become. They've earned praise from countless artists and collaborated with all kinds of industry names. Their upcoming album, Bootleg, is another reminder that they're still pushing themselves creatively, and I hope if it wasn't on your radar before, it is now.

Honorable Mentions

I wanted to give this a little added flair and speak up for the underdogs, if you will.

The group that inspired me to make this list was Triptides. Their washed-out surf undertones and psychedelic songwriting have quietly remained consistent for well over a decade now. I was shocked by just how much music they had to offer. On top of that, for how little I hear people talk about them, I think they're fantastic. They've remained remarkably consistent, continuing to release new music at a steady pace to this day. If you have any interest in gritty coastal or psychedelic rock sounds, give them a spin. I'd recommend Azur as the place to start.

Lastly, Part Time. Part Time encapsulates a vintage '80s sound throughout much of his work that not many artists pursue anymore. He executes it incredibly well, and there's all kinds of sounds to unpack throughout his catalog. Like Triptides, he's been releasing consistently for over a decade and has a deep body of work worth exploring. If you're looking for a starting point, I'd recommend Spell #6.