Originally published: 2014
Updated for 2026
Looking for the best songs by BANKS or similar artists with that same dark, emotional alt-pop sound?
In this guide, we break down BANKS’ best tracks, rank her albums, and recommend artists you’ll love if you’re a fan.
WHO IS BANKS
BANKS (Jillian Banks) is a California-based singer known for her moody, atmospheric blend of alternative pop and R&B. Emerging in the early 2010s, she quickly built a cult following thanks to her raw lyrics, minimal production, and haunting vocals.
Her music often explores themes of love, control, vulnerability, and identity, making her one of the most distinctive voices in modern alt-pop.
🎵 Best BANKS Songs
If you’re just getting into BANKS, start with these essential tracks:
1. Beggin For Thread
A breakout hit with sharp production and defiant lyrics.
2. Waiting Game
Minimal, emotional, and one of her most recognisable songs.
3. Gemini Feed
Dark, intense, and full of attitude.
4. Contaminated
A slower, more vulnerable track with a haunting atmosphere – ALSO the live version of this is incredible on Spotify.
5. Drowning
One of her earlier songs that helped define her sound.
6. The Fall
Stripped-back and emotionally heavy.
7. Brain
Smooth production with a hypnotic rhythm.
8. Stick
Raw and aggressive, showing a different side of her style.
9. Alaska
Dreamy and melodic, with a softer edge.
10. Goddess
The title track that perfectly captures her identity as an artist.
💿 BANKS Albums Ranked
Here’s a breakdown of BANKS’ main albums, ranked:
1. Goddess (2014)
Her debut and most iconic project. Dark, minimal, and full of standout tracks — this is where it all started.
2. The Altar (2016)
More polished and emotionally layered, with stronger production and storytelling.
3. III (2019)
A more experimental direction, showing growth and creative risk-taking.
Here’s our original review of the album when it first released:
Eleanor Stammeijer chats about the ‘GODDESS‘ Banks album……
★★★★
Dubbed as ‘Artist to Watch’ by Foxweekly’, has released her debut album via Good Years in the UK and Harvest Records in the US. Named after her song ‘Goddess’, the album features nine new tracks among the familiar tunes of ‘Waiting Game’, ‘Brain’, ‘Change’, ‘Warm Water’, and ‘This is What it Feels like’.
We featured Banks as our artist of the week (see here) back in May 2013 and now good things finally have come to those that wait.
You only have to listen to Bank’s tender voice to recognise that her influences come from Lauryn Hill and Fiona Apple.
She resembles Fiona’s powerful tones and Lauryn’s raspy R&B beats. So, it’s thanks to Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs that this elusive human will become a lot more visible in the music charts.
A star in the making in this new generation of artists, Banks has made a name for herself with two consecutive sold out headline shows at London’s Koko and has been recognised by everyone from Time Magazine to the Guardian. Produced by Lil Silva, this album has powerful bass, haunting melodies and enchanting lyrics.
The album mirrors the gripping fragility that Banks first presented to us in her track ‘Waiting Game’. The intimacy within the song demonstrated the power that a soft voice can hold, her husky voice creating an emotional intensity.
On a whole the album felt perfectly produced with so many elements in each song that succeeded to flatter the singer, banks has welded together complete musical cohesion. The L.A songstress has managed to establish herself as a unique singer that can paint realistic pictures of relationships through her lyrics.
Overall, this album is delivered with a confidence, nothing sounding forced or uncomfortable, Bank’s creativity and higher focus on melody, was matched with so many elements that made her debut compilation worth the wait. Listen to our top tracks below……
🎧 Artists Similar to BANKS
If you like BANKS, you’ll probably enjoy these artists:
FKA twigs
Experimental, artistic, and emotionally intense.
Kelela
Blends R&B with electronic production in a similar atmospheric way.
Sevdaliza
Dark, cinematic, and deeply conceptual.
London Grammar
More indie but shares that emotional, moody sound.
Billie Eilish (early era)
Minimal production and introspective lyrics.
Jessie Ware
A more soulful take, but still refined and stylish.
Shygirl
Edgier and more club-influenced, but similar attitude.
What Makes BANKS Unique?
BANKS stands out for her ability to combine vulnerability with strength. Her music is often stripped back, allowing her voice and lyrics to take centre stage.
Key elements of her sound that we have always loved include:
- Dark, minimal production
- Emotional and honest lyricism
- A blend of alt-pop, R&B, and electronic influences
The kind you need to hear when you’re going through a break up maybe!
THE LOW DOWN AND THE FAQ
What genre is BANKS?
BANKS blends alternative pop, R&B, and electronic music.
What are BANKS’ most popular songs?
Some of her most popular tracks include Beggin For Thread, Waiting Game, and Gemini Feed.
Who sounds similar to BANKS?
Artists like FKA twigs, Kelela, and Sevdaliza share a similar dark, atmospheric style.
What is BANKS’ best album?
Most fans consider Goddess (2014) her strongest and most influential release.
Final Thoughts
BANKS has built a unique space in modern music, combining emotional depth with minimalist production. Whether you’re revisiting her older work or discovering her for the first time, her catalogue offers a consistent and distinctive sound.
If you’re into dark, atmospheric pop with real emotional weight, she’s an artist worth diving into.