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The best and worst side projects from popular artists

Beyond the main discography, side and solo work measure true individuality

Gaaon Kim, Writer and Illustrator

February 9, 2026

Gaaon Kim

Side projects test whether the true vision of an artist can stand alone—either a proof of concept or merely an attempt.

Discovering a hidden gem from your long-time favorite artist feels magical – from the goosebumps during the opening notes to the thrill of the final fading strum. But what happens when there’s nothing left to discover?

Side and solo projects exist if you’re chasing that rush. These ventures give artists the chance to reset, experiment, or explore sounds that don’t quite fit into their main discography. Unfortunately, not all manage to sound perfect.

The best and worst side projects from popular artists Infobox

The Smile—Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with drummer Tom Skinner—lean into dreamy phantasm. (Gaaon Kim)

The Smile’s “A Light for Attracting Attention” (2022)

Out of the myriad of side/solo releases Radiohead’s members have had, The Smile undoubtedly tops the list. Composed of Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, Thom Yorke, and drummer Tom Skinner of Sons of Kemet, their songs combine the pros of both bands—sharp modernity, flowy falsetto, and airy production.

“A Light for Attracting Attention” certainly bears a coherent theme illustrated by ghostlike decay, and lyrics that yearn for connection amidst chaos. “The Same” opens those themes with haunting repetitions of the synthesizer. Continued, the project peaks on "Thin Thing," where Yorke’s melancholy vocals and Greenwood’s percussive guitar technique mix wonderfully with Skinner’s snappy groove. The finale, “Skrting on the Surface,” a new offbeat classic with an absurd 11/8 time signature, leaves listeners moved.

Gorillaz turns genre-hopping into a band—drifting from detached dystopian tunes to groovy anthems that defined 2000s pop culture. (Gaaon Kim)

Gorillaz’s “Demon Days” (2005)

Gorillaz wasn’t always an icon—they used to be a side-project for the lead singer of the Britpop band Blur. The band boasts a myriad of signature anthems such as “Feel Good Inc,” a track recognizable from its thick bassline and its resurgence in social media.

Outside of hits, “Demon Days” also contains other addictive gems that encapsulate the rebellious, mischievous spirit of Gorillaz—such as “El Mañana” (Spanish for “The Tomorrow”) with its calm, emotionally powerful shell, and “Dirty Harry” with a retrofuturistic synth beat to a 60s funk & soul riff.

Despite their best attempt at a collaboration, the otherwise incredible talents, Lou Reed (of the Velvet Undergrounds) and members of Metallica, crash and fizz away. (Gaaon Kim)

Metallica and Lou Reed’s “Lulu” (2011)

It’s difficult for a mashup of celebrated artists to sound off, but this one did. Metallica, the father of thrash metal and Lou Reed from the Velvet Underground, a mastermind in the art rock genre, originally outshine their competitors. But this project that Metallica and the Velvet Underground’s lead vocalists co-wrote, “Lulu,” tells a different story.

This record failed spectacularly. Lou Reed’s vocal style, suited for whispers and ambient guitars, mixed with Metallica’s intensity as nicely as oil on water. From the opening track, “Brandenburg Gate,” to the last, “Junior Dad,” the sounds constantly drive away from each other.

Regardless of their individual talent, their soundscape lacked the harmony for a successful blend. For now, only a minuscule fraction of the niche remains fans of this album.

After One Direction’s lengthy hiatus, Liam Payne’s solo debut LP1 aimed for modern pop polish—but many felt like it lacked a clear identity.

Liam Payne’s “LP1” (2019)

The boy band One Direction’s glory elevated Liam Payne to one of the biggest stars of the 2010s. But their praise didn’t last forever; an indefinite hiatus hit, and the band scattered. Members pursued solo careers, and so did Liam Payne.

“LP1” hit in a time of despondency from fans and Payne. It made old fans wonder: after all these years, what could the once-teen star possibly release?

While the potential peaked, this album disappointed fans. The starter, “Stack it up,” feels insensitive and shallow, both lyrics and production-wise. Shallow innuendos, hollow lyrics, and vocals that are unsuited for the rough, cough-like features of rappers fill the work—a severely one-dimensional depiction of pop. After all, fans liked Payne because of his maturity and leadership in One Direction, not senseless vulgarity.

A year ago, Damiano David was belting raspy high-notes with his band Måneskin. This time, his pop recipe reveals itself—melodic, undistorted and polished. (Gaaon Kim)

(HONORABLE MENTION) Damiano David’s “Funny Little Fears” (2025)

A stark contrast from Måneskin’s punky bite, the band’s lead singer Damiano David released a pop album in spring 2025. The record swaps gritty distortion for cleaner vocals, smoother production, and more of a sentimental tone.

Some Måneskin enthusiasts criticized it for “turning too generic” and sounding like mainstream pop, but the album has still drawn plenty of fans who prefer Damiano David as a solo pop star. For them, it delivers personal drama and vulnerability rarely seen with Måneskin. For lifetime enthusiasts who came for Måneskin’s daring attitude and their Eurovision-era power, the energy can feel unexpected—even anticlimactic. Still, taken on its own terms as a pop album (not as a Måneskin sequel), tracks like “Voices”, are still enjoyable.

Most side/solo projects either revive the uniqueness of an artist or introduce a new creative soundscape, while some fail to deliver any listenable substance. Especially in a solo project where the specialty of the artist is supposed to shine alone, watching it fall flat strikes unforgettable disappointment. But despite that awful feeling, a new favorite might be a click away; taking the risk is well worth it.

About the Contributor

Gaaon Kim, Writer and Illustrator

Gaaon Kim, a new member of the DIS family, joins the Flyover to express his creative passions. With a drive to cover the inspiring work of creative minds, Gaaon finds his footing in the Arts & Entertainment section of the news site. Adept in art, debate, photography, and rocking out as the new guitarist for the DIS rock band Rocking Tangerines, Gaaon contains multitudes, as he invests in a manifold of nifty outlets.

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Eddy • Feb 12, 2026 at 6:29 pm

I really like Gorillaz’s Demon Days, and Feel Good inc is one of my favorite songs OAT! I didn’t know that the whole band was a side project tho


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  Gaaon • Feb 20, 2026 at 6:59 am
  
  Yup, it’s a very intentional new project of Damon Albarn 😀
  
  
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