VIBE's Top 10 Indie-Electronica Acts

February 25, 2013 - 6:00 pm by Bianca Mukhi

On every side of the EDM flare-up is a fusion with another subgenre, bursting with underrated artists whose names we would never know without the help of the ever-fruitful internet.

Here's our 10 favorite Indie-Electronica producers who either are, or should be, thrown into the spotlight for more than a few fleeting clicks of online fame. -->

Robert Delong Delong's name has been buzzing over the last few months, and not for naught! His eclectic taste in sounds meet in his debut album, “Just Movement”, including a moombahton-infused alt-rock tune with a sexy, get-on-the-floor hook. If he’s not on your radar yet, tune in to his channel and don’t change it because his music is prime time stuff! Get down with “Global Concepts”. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Alt-J With only one album under their belt, it’s clear that British band Alt-J is on a winning path. The deep, psychedelic alt-rock tunes that make up their debut, An Awesome Wave, was written with lyrics that make you think and beats to make you dance. Billed for D.C.’s Sasquatch Festival and Coachella this year, they’re an infectious force to be reckoned with. Check out the music video for their deep and cerebral “Fitzpleasure”. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Flume When Aussie producer Harley Streten’s debut album was released it flew straight to the top of the Australian iTunes charts, and found it’s way to our shores by way of a RipCurl video. He's barely legal, but has been producing for a decade, and the maturity of his tunes show through unique blend of funky, house-flavored electronica. Have a taste with “Holdin On”.

Disclosure London duo Disclosure have been doing damage from the UK to the US with their soulful brand of house music, and the fact that they are brothers comes as no surprise when the seamlessness of their sound is recognized. If this addition to the slew of young producers busting up the scene hasn’t found its way to your headphones, then these peanut butter vocals and jelly beat will satisfy that missing piece of your collection. Get hooked with “Latch”. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Purity Ring Their first album was released in July 2012, and this Canadian twosome has already seen impressive exposure, having just toured with the Dirty Projectors. They have built a bridge between the esoteric and the mundane, capturing the delicacy of energies in their languid but potent tracks; their dainty melodies and futuristic harmonies are a throwback to 90s electronica and play like a black-lit dream. Peep this vid for "Obedear" for an audio-visual adventure. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

STRFKR An immediate comparison can be drawn between their catchy pop hooks and those of Foster the People’s, but STRFKR seem to prefer a low-down disco vibe to electro-pop hype, and their funky sound is testament to their ability to jive with style. The Oregon four-piece is currently getting ready for the release of their third album, Miracle Mile (out Feb 19th). Get jiggy with “While I’m Alive”.

Jessie Ware This leading lady’s dove-like croon doesn’t need much dressing to tickle our musical taste-buds to a state of bliss. She is more than impressive with chops comparable to the late Whitney Houston’s, and her downtempo loungey licks perfectly accentuate her soft, soulful voice and relatable lyrics. Try her on for size if you haven’t yet. Share in one of her “Wildest Moments”. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

XXYYXX At only 16, Marcel Everett has made quite a name for himself in the industry, albeit a bit of an odd one. His super dope, lo-fi, moody beats are a product of sounds and synths that he makes on his own from scratch. This kid has something otherworldly going on, and in a few months (or even weeks – you know how the internet works), we’ll probably be hearing his weird name and even weirder beats all over the radio. Get to learnin’ with “About You”! [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Goldroom Goldroom, AKA Josh Legg, spent summers in Cape Cod growing up, and the oceanic influence is refreshing on every track. The “tropical disco” producer manages to remind electronic music lovers that there’s love and life outside of the club, and bring back 80s basslines right out of songs like Men at Work’s “Land Down Under” without a hitch. Let Goldroom serve as your first tropical cocktail as you get ready to dip your toes in to this year’s potent musical waters as we fall into Festival Season. Cheeeeel out with “Fifteen” featuring Chela.

The Neighbourhood The Neighbourhood is a Californian dance-rock five-piece, specializing in haunting melodies and anxious riffs, but anxious in such a good way. Ranging from expectant pop tunes, to slow burning regretful jams, their sound covers the spectrum with contemplative lyrics and hopeless realism that remind us that life isn’t always filled with rainbows, and that music doesn’t have to be relentlessly uplifting to be devastatingly good. Take an aural stroll with their 2012 release, “Sweater Weather". [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]