10 Underrated Alternative Pop Music Singers Of The 2010s

2. Declan McKenna

Possibly an unfamiliar name, but if you use TikTok, you are probably aware of his song Brazil.

Declan McKenna's music takes on an indie sound, intertwining rock with dream-pop elements, resulting in songs that diverge from your average radio airplay. He addresses cultural topics in his songs in an approach reminiscent of M.I.A.'s songs from the 2000s. Covering issues such as fake news and social media, McKenna has indeed taken contemporary problems and enhanced them with his unique spin. However, while having a loyal following, McKenna still doesn't get the credit he deserves.

With a passion for songwriting, McKenna independently released Brazil in 2014, a song that protested FIFA. However, it didn't gain much traction until 2022, when TikTok propelled it onto the UK charts. With his incredible talent and originality, McKenna should have already been established as of the prominent figures in alt-pop. Yet, unfortunately, there's still some work to do.

Contributor

James joined WhatCulture in early 2022. He is an expert on Doctor Who (well, the modern era) and Harry Potter. Currently, James is studying media, film, and communications at the University of Otago in New Zealand.