From the Site
The Top 101: Celebrating Black Excellence
February 23, 2026
Celebrate Black History Month with a few of the voices that shaped OnesToWatch.
Author:
Ones To Watch Staff
Bella Litsa’s “Drasticism” Is Mysterious, Inevitable and Undoubtedly Your Next Obsession [Q&A]
February 20, 2026
I sat down with Bella on a lovely December day to unravel the secrets of "Drasticism" over coffee, understanding the passionate journey that went into creating this incredible debut record.
Author:
Giselle Libby
Novulent’s VOL. 3 Is A Feature Film with A Carefully Crafted Script [Q&A]
February 20, 2026
Novulent captures the essence of intense attachment, heartbreak, and ultimately finding and bettering oneself in the wake of a prolific relationship.
Author:
Noah Wade
Inside Ally Evenson’s “SPEED KILLS” Short Film Debut at Brain Dead Studios [Q&A]
February 20, 2026
Minutes before her moment, we chatted with Ally about the genesis of the film, its inspirations, and of course, her Letterboxd Top 4.
Author:
Giselle Libby
Sports Hits a Career-Defining Home Run with their First Fully Self-Produced Album
February 20, 2026
Written, recorded, and entirely self-produced in a home studio they built themselves in Tulsa, the self-titled record Sports marks a creative reset for the duo, returning back to the spark that first defined them as artists.
Author:
Polina Cherezova
Welcome to Paracosm: Absolutely’s Universe of Limitless Childlike Wonder
February 20, 2026
Absolutely, a member of Ones To Watch’s class of 2026, has released her second album Paracosm, a meticulously crafted universe of whimsy that blends pop, electronica, jazz, and R&B.
Author:
Chancey Stefanos
Punk Meets Alt-Pop Meets Metal Guitar Riffs in Noshows' Double Single [Q&A]
February 20, 2026
Including tracks "FOMO" and "Last Resort," the band explores anxiety, addiction, growth, and everything in between.
Author:
DJ Connor
Genre Bending Gomeroi Artist Rox Lavi pushes boundaries to find his sound.
February 18, 2026
Raised on mum’s singing, Rox Lab has become an artist who moves between rap and indie rock with ease, carrying his story in every line.
Author:
Caitlyn Sinclair
Getting the Car Started: How Marfa Is Driving Toward Stardom
February 18, 2026
Indie rock/Americana duo Marfa, made up of Bryce Menchaca and Kellen Wall, is steadily building both a catalog and a nationwide fan base since their 2025 debut.
Author:
Taylor Brooks
Alexander 23's "I Hate You So Much" Is a Portrait of Ominous Pop Perfection
February 12, 2020
"'I Hate You So Much' is about being emotionally haunted by someone you desperately want to despise."
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Ashe Captures the Multiplicity of Life in "Cold in California"
July 19, 2019
"Nothing is ever one-sided or perfect or right all the time."
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
The 25 Best Albums of 2021 | Ones To Watch Staff Picks
December 14, 2021
These are the projects that soundtracked one hell of a year.
Author:
Staff
Fred Again.. Enlists Romy of The xx and HAAi For the Ephemeral Rush of "Lights Out"
January 20, 2022
"Romy's lyrics and voice are just like a hug from a rave angel."
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
Felix Ames Is an Artist in Full Bloom
March 11, 2022
Ames' music is akin to the faint background of a barbecue buzzing with life and laughter.
Author:
Jazmin Kylene
Laufey's 'Bewitched' Is an Enchanting, Generation-Spanning Triumph
September 11, 2023
The breakout jazz-pop star delivers her most breathtaking body of work yet.
Author:
Alessandra Rincon
Latinx Psych-Rockers of Inner Wave Reflect on Their Journey to Fame in Wavy 'wya'
May 27, 2019
+ Catch Inner Wave on tour now!
Author:
Alissa Arunarsirakul
Riovaz's "Leaving You" Is an Intoxicating Dance Departure For the Rising Star
August 23, 2021
"Leaving You" is a mesmerizing tour de force that utilizes the inherent repetition of club music to its full potential.
Author:
Maxamillion Polo
quinn Liberates Herself in Unapologetic Self-Titled Album
July 25, 2022
From dysphoria, to mental health, to racial inequality, quinn speaks on truths no one else will dare to utter.
Author:
Jazmin Kylene
Steve Lacy Breaks His Silence with the Waviest of R&B Jams, "N Side"
April 8, 2019
Two long years since his last solo release, The Internet's Steve Lacy proves that he still has the magic touch.
Author:
Alissa Arunarsirakul