Playlists

New Indie Music from Finland

Words by Music Finland

Published 13.6.2023

The Finnish indie music scene is blooming with versatility! Some of the internationally known names in the genre are Bobby Oroza, Pearly Drops, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Knife Girl and Jesse Markin, while labels such as Soliti, Playground Music, Svart and Solina bear the torch for Finnish independent music.

Under the admittedly vague umbrella of Finnish indie, you can find anything from 60s influenced psych jangle to gleaming synths and beats, adventurous art rock, laidback alt-country, melancholic shoegaze, lo-fi bedroom soundscapes, otherworldly dream pop and everything in between.

The playlist, available on Apple Music and Spotify, is updated frequently. Please scroll down for artist biographies.

New Indie Music from Finland on Apple Music

New Indie Music from Finland on Spotify

Carla Aakre

Singer-songwriter Carla Aakre explains that she uses her imagination as a versatile tool in songwriting, seeking to expand upon her creative abilities and pushing boundaries for her brand of indie folk/pop music. By collaborating with her friend, producer/mixer Roni Ylhäinen, Carla Aakre's music was influenced by the analog sound as they recorded demos, many of which ended up as final takes. After completing the musical groundwork at his studio, the duo added string and horn arrangements led by Aakre’s sister Milla Käyhty. Carla Aakre's debut album was released in May 2025.

Colorblue

Melodic pop-rock quintet Colorblue was formed in 2014. Their debut album "Beyond the Greatest Oceans" (2017), blended contemporary electronic sounds with classic pop-rock anthems. They returned in 2021 with a second full-length, "The Path to Nowhere", an even more arena minded record with anthemic songs that drew from Coldplay, Muse, Mew and the like.

Sophia Mitiku

Sophia Mitiku is a singer-songwriter, producer and a self-taught guitarist who plays with live loops that build her sound to fill the room. In her own words, her music "reflects on liminal spaces of daydreams and desire, pink noise, the glitch of nostalgia – a requiem for love". Her musical style is fluid between experimental r&b and avant-pop, drawing comparison by critics to Kate Bush, FKA Twigs, Anohni. Sophia Mitiku's debut album "Copacabana" was released in late 2022.

Tinyhawk & Bizzarro

Experimental rock band Tinyhawk & Bizzarro is led by composer and guitarist Jenni Kinnunen. Sometimes referred to as "the Finnish Khruangbin", Tinyhawk & Bizzarro's sound incorporates elements of surf, psychedelia, spaghetti western soundtracks as well as West African desert blues, smooth and polished American 80s AOR – and even Japanese instrumental rock.

Airi's

Indie rock band Airi's, founded in 2019, is influenced by Brit rock, grunge, and prog. Their songs tell relatable stories about the emotional storms of life, from devastating anxiety and crushing depression to infatuation and love. The Espoo-based band’s debut album “Kind Little One” was released in 2022, followed by the sophomore full-length "Sea of Your Thoughts" in 2024. They have played as a support band on Erja Lyytinen's Finnish tour dates, as well as toured abroad in Sweden and the UK.

Janita

Even compared to icons such as Annie Lennox and David Bowie, the New York based singer-songwriter Janita blends alternative rock, jazz, and pop. Originally known as a 90s teen pop star in Finland, Janita started her career singing in Finnish, but has switched to English after moving to United States. On her latest album "Here Be Dragons" (2021) Janita has a new, more alternative sound compared to her previous music. Janita’s music leans on strong melodies and soulful vocal delivery as well as storytelling with thought-out lyrics.

Grande Mahogany

Grande Mahogany is the alter ego of Finnish-Ghanaian guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Jesse Essel, who claims to "definitely sleep with wah-wah pedals under his pillow". Born and raised in Finland, his family migrated to Manchester, UK at the age of 11 and he became a sponge to all kinds of music. Infusing funk, rock, r&b and psychedelia, Grande Mahogany describes his music to be "a wah wah flurry, groovy with a soulful booty, funky swang with the rock thang, fuzz ’n’ rnb on top". Now based in Helsinki with his live band, Essel switches back and forth between Finland and the UK.

Ghost World

In the beginning of their career, Ghost World drew heavily from the 1990s fuzz-guitar oriented indie landscape: from bands such as Dinosaur Jr and Sebadoh. On their second album, "Spin" (2018), the band’s raw and emotional tone and soulful approach grew by miles, and 2019's "Altar" (officially filed as "mixtape") showed even more versatility. Their 4th album, "Armadillo Café" (2025), is a more mellow affair, at times even reminding of The Cardigans' loungey 90s output.

Job

Previously known from the electronic pop duo Shine 2009, Sami Suova released his first solo album under the title Job in 2021. Written, performed and produced by Suova, the record takes influence from British pop music and creates a melancholic, nostalgic mood – best described in the liner notes: "Suova pairs his husky vocals with songs that never light up in flames, preferring a sustained warmth instead. Combining a sterile, 90's-sexy dryness with MIDI programming that communicates Lutheran modesty, Job is Steely Dan for the precariat". In 2023, Job returned with new a four track EP, "Fun Town Lore".

Moonwards

Helsinki-based indie rock quintet Moonwards’ music speaks to the themes of yearning and wanderlust. Drawing much of its inspiration from alternative, shoegaze, and new wave acts of the 80s and 90s, Moonwards offers its own brand of left field rock music soaked in layers of melodic guitar and the occasional progressive rhythmic pattern. Founded in 2022, the band is due to release their first batch of singles in the winter of 2023–2024 followed by their self-titled debut EP in February 2024.

Pearly Drops

Pearly Drops (formerly known as Femme en Fourrure) is the electronic indie pop duo consisting of Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin. With concise and sparse compositional methods, ethereal vocal performances underlined by dreamy, precise synths and percussion, Pearly Drops explain to be "in the process of weaving - something made for keeping the hope inside and the unmeaningful at bay". Pearly Drops’ nostalgic soundscapes have been said to create a “sense of time and placelessness in a world of strange and softly smudged pop music”. The ethereal synth pop duo released their sophomore album "A Little Disaster" via Cascine Records in April 2023.

Louie Blue

Louie Blue (Alec Moborg) is a singer-songwriter from Turku, who entered the Finnish pop scene in 2019 with a string of singles, stirring up interest in media and listeners alike. His debut album "Notes" saw the light of day in 2020 and was followed with "Division 8" in 2022. His 3rd album will be out in 2025. Louie Blue’s music is a combination of smooth r&b and soulful indie pop, with serious hints from yacht rock and the late 80s and early 90s sophisti-pop scene.

Pastis

Pastis is a five-man band from Helsinki drawing influences extensively from genres such as 60s merseybeat, 90s britpop as well as the current indie landscape. Pastis released their debut EP "Four Stories" in 2017, which was followed by the album "Circles" in 2019 and their eponymous sophomore full-length in 2023. The band has already found their way into BBC's Steve Lamaq's show, among other accomplishments.

Jimi Tenor

Composer and musician Jimi Tenor needs no introduction: after more than 35 years of career as an established artist, Tenor has redefined his style and sound over and over again and moved from 60s and 70s jazz, psychedelic soul and African funk to techno and experimental rock. Tenor continues to release music in different formats and through different labels at a formidable pace. In 2024, Jimi Tenor teamed up with retro-soul label Timmion's amazing house band Cold Diamond & Mink and made perhaps the most soul-influenced album of his career, "Is There Love in Outer Space?".

Thelma's Dream

Helsinki-based dream pop quartet Thelma's Dream released their debut EP "Days of Bloom" in 2021, which was followed by the single "Rooms" in March 2023. Their contemporary dream pop sound is influenced by 90s shoegaze and a bit of americana.

Jean Ramsay

Music journalist and writer Jean Ramsay started his solo career well into his 40s, after decades of working with DIY indie bands. His solo music, which was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, has its roots in acoustic folk, blues, country, and Americana. After a string of solo gigs and single releases, his debut album "Between the Briar and the Rose" was released in early 2025.

Alexandra Lumme

Alexandra Lumme is an indie singer-songwriter based in Vasa. Her inspiration comes from handpicked stories from her own life. Lumme released her debut EP, ”Depart” (2024), as one part of the duo Indigo Trails – the recording was described as a multifaceted mix of indie, rock, and pop with traces of jazz. Later, the duo disbanded, and Lumme released the songs as her own solo material.

Ina Forsman

The internationally recognized singer and songwriter Ina Forsman has toured both sides of the Atlantic. Originally from Helsinki, Forsman lives now in Berlin and has released three studio albums (2022's "All There Is" being the latest) along with one solo and two collaborative live records. Forsman’s music intersects the sounds of blues, soul, jazz and old school r&b, accompanied by her strong and expressive voice.

Ada Aik

Ada Aik is the alter-ego for musician Karin Mäkiranta, known from bands such as Karina and Babel, as well as her work on film music and theatre. Her full-length debut, "The Mysterious Life of Ada Aik" (2022), was a concept album with each track representing a room in her dollhouse. With a more electronic-focused sound, Aik released the follow-up EP "Medeia" in 2024, and the delicate, more ambient-leaning album "5 Hours of Light" in 2025.

Klara LaFleur

Indie pop group Klara LaFleur's music combines the sensitivity of Japanese pop and the dreamy rawness of shoegaze. In the band's versatile compositions, you can hear influences from the 17th century to the present day. According to the band, the five-song EP "Mind Sketching", released in spring 2023, is an interesting story about change, self-discovery and letting go. Klara LaFleur's debut album "And She Caught a Glimpse of The Ocean" was released in March 2024.

Chione

Chione is a singer-songwriter who delves into the world of dark-toned pop. Her debut single, "Light," was released in August 2018, which has since been followed by a good handful of releases, such as the singles "Hey You!", "Paradise," and "Bohemian." Chione studied music production at the prestigious Point Blank Music School in London and graduated as a singer from Laajasalo Institute in Helsinki in 2017.

Rosettes

Already hailed as "Finland's answer to Khruangbin" after their debut single, Helsinki-based quintet Rosettes have found a lot of domestic media interest. Their sound owes a lot to 60s and 70s classic soul, but dipped in soft psychedelia and hazy effects and iced with Tytti Roto's (also known as Ty Roxy) pop sensible vocals. Quite surprisingly, two of the band's musicians are also familiar from the thrash metal band Foreseen and one from hardcore greats Kohti Tuhoa.

Anni Pohto

Anni Pohto is a singer-songwriter whose music draws from both traditional songwriting and 90s hip hop, with a touch of contemporary pop music. After a project in Finnish, Anni Pohto started making music in English in 2013, and she has released a steady string of ep's and singles ever after. In addition to being a musician, Anni Pohto is a political scientist who speaks passionately for women's and peace issues, and believes in the power of music and emotional intelligence to empower both individuals and communities.

Suad

Suad is a Helsinki-based artist with a cool, soft voice and years of experience in recording and performing. She has been appearing in projects such as Finns Uusi Fantasia to the UK producer Cantoma and in cooperations with Jaakko Eino Kalevi. Now Suad focuses on her solo career: her debut ep "The Call" came out in 2017 and has been followed with singles through 2019–2020. Suad's debut album "Waves" was released in 2021 via Svart Records.

The Moontwins

PK Keränen is best known as the lead singer, guitarist, songwriter, lyricist and founder of Finnish indie mainstays 22-Pistepirkko since 1982. Keränen founded the indie rock duo The Moontwins together with accordionist and singer-songwriter Leija Lautamaja around 2022.

The Snake

The Snake’s charisma stems from a passion for a heartfelt, strong guitar sound, bright vocal harmonies, and lyrics straight out of a diary. This group of old and new friends quickly found a meaningful connection with each other and started creating. Having released two singles and played a handful of shows before their debut album "Always Bites Back", The Snake has built an engaging reverberant world under the influence of music from the 60s, strong fuzz, and simple 90’s echo and hints even from country music.

Jolly Jumpers

Garage/desert rock legends Jolly Jumpers started their career already in 1980, but waited 8 years to release their debut. Their original run ended in 2007, when Jolly Jumpers split up for the first time. After a 10-year break, Jolly Jumpers returned with the addition of new guitarist Jukka Nousiainen. Their 2024 comeback album "Rural Slang" has been met with rave reviews. Recommended if you like: Dead Moon, Neil Young, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Gun Club, and Tom Waits.

Cats of Transnistria

Cats of Transnistria, formed in 2014 by sound designer Tuomas Alatalo and vocalist/keyboardist Henna Hietamäki, builds slowly swelling guitar and violin feedbacks and melancholic melodies that bring to mind a feverish dream. Their unique style of delicate, slow and experimental pop music has been influenced by post-rock, classical minimalism, shoegaze, dream pop and sound art, resembling something akin to the works of Slowdive, Cocteau Twins and Grouper. After their third album "Aligning" (2019) the duo went on a hiatus, only to return in 2024.

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