You’ve probably heard of music—I don’t know if there exists a topic as loved and debated over as one’s taste in music. Who’s your favorite band? Who’s your favorite artist? Who’s THE best artist? Starting a discussion about music happens to be the easiest way I’ve found to rile anyone up (and bring people together!), so hopefully, when you find (or don’t find) your favorite musician on the list below, some strong emotions will be felt. After all, that’s the intention behind this article. 🙂

This article’s data was taken using a survey of 133 students to whom I posed the question, “Who’s your favorite artist/band?”

10: Laufey

Not surprisingly, Laufey squeezes her way onto the list in tenth place. Despite not being the most popular artist, her music feels uniquely nostalgic and original, while still maintaining an enchanting feeling in many of her songs, such as “Valentine,” due to the beauty of her voice. There is a mix of jazz instrumentation, pop themes, and a hint of freshness that, when combined, gives her music that sophisticated touch that I and many others enjoy.

9: Queen

An icon of 1980s rock, Queen—consisting of drummer Roger Taylor, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon, and vocalist Freddie Mercury—finds itself in ninth place. Regardless of how into rock you are, it’s guaranteed that you’ve heard at least one of their songs: “Under Pressure” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” are common household names, and the theatrical feel of many of these songs, combined with Freddie Mercury’s extremely iconic and powerful voice, gives them an amazing replayability. 

8: The Beatles

If you asked most people to name the one band with an irrevocable influence on modern music, The Beatles would almost definitely be the most popular answer. Consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, The Beatles pioneered recording techniques such as multitrack recording and vocal double-tracking, which had lasting impacts on the music industry. They also popularized the concept of the album, as opposed to traditional singles. Their music has been acclaimed for its synesthesia, catchiness, and eclecticism, contributing to their ability to stay relevant even 50 years after their prime.

7: Lana Del Rey

In seventh place comes the only traditional “pop” artist on this list: Lana Del Rey. Del Rey’s ability to create melancholic melodies along with unique and boundary-pushing lyrics (see “Cola”) gives every song a story-like element. Her style of music is incredibly emotional as well, with generally slow lyrics and relatable themes, such as Americana, romance, heartbreak, and glamor. Taking into account all of these factors, it makes sense why her fanbase is so passionate about her. 

6: Enhypen

In sixth place comes the first K-pop group on the list, that being Enhypen. Their music has been described to be catchy and powerful, blending pop, R&B, and rock influences. However, the group’s visual appeal, choreography, the personalities of the members, and the dynamic that many of the members have with one another undoubtedly play a large part in giving the group an authenticity that makes them so loved among their fans. 

5: Nirvana

In fifth place, consisting of lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Chad Channing (later replaced by Dave Grohl) is Nirvana. Known as the pioneers of grunge, Nirvana’s music has been characterized as both raw and soft at the same time, capturing the angst many teenagers feel, despite having relatively simple instrumentals. Their confrontation of many controversial topics put Nirvana ahead of their time, and it’s really mind-blowing how much of an impact they had despite only being active for 7 years.

4: The Strokes

In fourth place, consisting of lead singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti, sits The Strokes. I really did not expect this band to pop up as high as it did, but The Strokes have an undoubtedly unique quality to their music that I can only describe as fuzzy, distorted, and slightly psychedelic. Their music strongly captures many teenage emotions, notably those of anxiety and the feeling of needing to make the most of one’s teenage years. In particular, their debut album, Is This It, and their latest album, The New Abnormal, are two of the best albums in indie rock and must-listens for sure.

3: Stray Kids

In third place comes Stray Kids, a K-pop band that incorporates elements of hip-hop and rock, which gives their music a diverse feel as described by many listeners. Similar to Enhypen, and a trend in many K-pop groups, the personality of each member as well as their relationships with one another are heavily emphasized. They are as much a music group as they are a content channel, streaming reality shows and vlogs on YouTube and their website, CHANNEL SKZ, contributing to their popularity among their fans.

2: Paramore

In second place, consisting of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, drummer Zac Farro, and lead guitarist Taylor York, is Paramore. A blend of emo, pop, and rock, Paramore embodies the introspective sensations felt by many teens extremely well, while being relatively easy to access. Hayley Williams has a truly amazing voice, and their music is incredibly diverse, ranging from songs such as “Still Into You” that are clearly pop to more punkish songs such as “Ignorance” and “Misery Business,” allowing them to cater to a large audience. Paramore’s intensity and energy are palpable, and they don’t have any filler tracks, leading them to be a favorite of many. 

1: Radiohead

In first place, the band most popular amongst HSMSE students is Radiohead—consisting of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway. This English rock band covers the broadest spectrum of feelings and styles I’ve heard from a band yet. Love melancholic, electronic, experimental music? You’ll know where you are with OK Computer. Love an indie, alt feel to your music? Just listen to The Bends. Love weird noses and psychedelic sounds for some reason? That’s Kid A for you. Love absolute peak? Of course you do—listen to In Rainbows. Listening to Radiohead might just complete your life, like a jigsaw falling into place. Although many of the buildups in their songs are slow, the payoff is definitely worth it; few bands can capture emotion as well as Radiohead.