alt-J

alt-J is an English indie rock band formed at Leeds University, originally consisting of vocalist and guitarist Joe Newman, keyboardist and bassist Gus Unger-Hamilton, drummer Thom Green, and bassist Gwil Sainsbury, who left the band in early 2014. Before signing to a label, the band recorded early material using GarageBand and released it under the pseudonym ∆, the delta symbol produced on a Mac keyboard by pressing Alt and J together, which became the band's name.

Their music is known for intricate, layered arrangements, unconventional song structures, close vocal harmonies and a distinctive blend of folk, electronic textures and occasional hip-hop-influenced rhythms, resulting in a sound that is both experimental and melodically accessible. Songs like «Breezeblocks», «Tessellate», «Fitzpleasure» and «Left Hand Free» showcase this eclectic approach, moving fluidly between delicate acoustic passages and denser, rhythmically complex sections.

Their debut album An Awesome Wave established them as one of the standout British indie acts of the early 2010s, earning critical acclaim including the Mercury Prize, and they went on to build a body of work, including This Is All Yours and Relaxer, that has kept them at the forefront of inventive contemporary indie rock.