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There's a reason we begin each year making resolutions. The start of a year speaks to untold promise, the idea that anything is possible and the future is an unknown being written in real-time. It's for that exact reason we begin every year highlighting a host of artists with that same feeling of unmatched promise. 2024 is just beginning, but it already very much feels like these rising artists year. These are the top 25 artists you need to be watching in 2024. 

The Last Dinner Party

The Last Dinner Party is a British indie rock band from London blending '70s art-rock influences with gritty femininity. The band consists of Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies, and Aurora Nishevci. Having met at university, bonding over their passion for London’s underground music scene, they quickly fell into synchronicity, crafting their uniquely theatrical, left-of-center take on modern rock. The band dons their originality with artistic Victorian-era-meets-grunge fashion, often sporting petticoats and corsets contrasted with fishnets and smokey eyes. The band was just awarded the title of BBC Radio 1’s Sound Of 2024, joining the likes of Adele, PinkPantheress, and Sam Smith, and making history as the first guitar band to win since Haim in 2013

Although the quintet has yet to release their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, they’ve already supported Florence + the Machine and Hozier on tour, performed at major festivals, and scored a top 10 alternative hit with their debut single, “Nothing Matters.” The single is a prime example to look to for The Last Dinner Party’s melodramatic rock flair. Beginning with a modest, opera-tinged vocal delivery, the arrangement is decorated with orchestral flourishes and foreshadowing guitar licks. The group leans into the slow burn of the theatrics, letting listeners earn the cheeky snark of a chorus that follows. Then, the true spirit of The Last Dinner Party is revealed, with wide harmonies, disco-adjacent drums, and melodic guitars. Lead singer, Abigail Morris, lets a slight snarl curl at the edge of her vocals, channeling femme rock inspirations like Siouxsie Sioux. The Last Dinner Party is currently unfurling Prelude to Ecstasy one delicious single at a time—each one a spectacle of fierce femininity, art-rock genius, and spunky surrender of status quo pop boundaries.

-Abby Kenna

Artemas 

Dark pop just got a few shades darker with the rise of London’s very own Artemas. Jagged and unrelenting, the intoxicating musician can’t help but be sinister, teasing you with his unwillingness to ease. Reminiscent of 2012 The Weeknd vibes, there’s a bite to his work that lingers after you first listen. His 2023 breakout single “if u think i’m pretty” is 28 million streams deep, on Spotify alone at the time of this writing, perfectly encapsulating the raunch of his art, though this certainly isn’t who he always was. His recent releases, from “just want u to feel something” and “prettygrunge.wav” are a departure from the alt-pop he introduced himself as artistically, though it settles even more authentically. Rebirth is the true mark of artistry, and as he strays from the electronic and alternative shades that once promised an emerging pop star, in turn, we’re introduced to something more deeply seeded, and ultimately, more hypnotically alluring.

While he once described his music in 2021 as "A rainy day in the sunshine state," he's leaned much more into inescapable dread. With a devout European fanbase demanding him in cities from Tilburg to Rotterdam, his crossover to the USA is imminent, making him one of the most coveted artists to watch in 2024. As his Instagram bio reads “You’re really early….,” even he is keenly aware of his impending stardom. Racking up millions of streams as an independent artist isn’t a feat to downplay, speaking to the eccentricity of Artemas’ sound. His crooning vocals and production seem to only mature as he steps into an even grander iteration of himself. With his first-ever headline show slated for Valentine’s Day at London’s The Lower Third, Artemas is only getting started.

-Jazmin Kylene

Jersey 

We are in the midst of a dance music renaissance and sibling duo Jersey is the latest act adding their name to the genre’s hallowed, sweat-soaked halls. While you may have heard of the rapidly rising French duo from their string of viral TikTok videos or Fred Again.. playing them during his run of UK DJ sets last year, their origins are much more humble in nature, tracing back to their family’s home off the Normandy coast in France. What started as a shared dream between brothers would take Jersey from basement act to the underground clubs of Paris they would frequent post-high school to this very moment where their years of practice, innate ingenuity, and love for feverish dance music all seem to be aligning. 

Releasing their debut EP, The World I’m Searching For, at the tail end of 2023, Jersey’s futuristic blend of house, UK garage, and drum ‘n’ bass quickly gained a foothold online via a series of 360-degree videos and AI-generated visuals. Yet, arguably, what cemented Jersey’s rise was their Boiler Room-esque parties hosted in Parisian apartments (best captured in the aptly-titled “we play music until someone breaks our synths” video). As intimate crowds go wild and brandish floor lamps as makeshift totems against the backdrop of Europe’s largest highway interchange while Jersey’s music blasts out from every square inch of a Paris apartment, two facts become readily apparent. Jersey is the party, and 2024 is their year. 

-Maxamillion Polo

Juliet Ivy 

The soundscape of Juliet Ivy is composed of everything that is right in this world: dreamy melodies, tongue-in-cheek writing, indie-pop, hyperpop, and a childlike sense of wonder that never seems to go away. If you could bottle Central Park picnic on a bright summer day, I think this might be what it sounds like. Whether it be in “boytoy,” where Ivy plays out a fantasy of having a silly little boy to take on silly little adventures, or “we’re all eating each other,” which ponders mortality and how interconnected we humans really are, Ivy presents a sincere level of intellect within her writing, weaving existentialism through a bubbly and whimsical backdrop. If you are the kind of person who appreciates the little things in life – like sunlight reflecting off a window, a perfectly poured cup of coffee, or a rainbow at the end of a storm – Ivy is the artist for you. Growing up in a Colombian-Chinese household in NYC, Ivy’s songwriting pulls influences from all over the world that ultimately trace back to her day-to-day experiences in the Big Apple.

-Tatum Van Dam

Flyana Boss 

Composed of Detroit’s Bobbi and Dallas’ Folayan, Flyana Boss are the besties everyone wishes they could have a slumber party with. Carrying out the mission preceding acts like Missy Elliott, Leikeli47, and Nicki Minaj catalyzed, Flyana Boss is theatrically uninhibited. Making art solely sourced from Black joy, they’re playing dress-up, reclaiming their bodies with reverence, and redefining the fracture between silly and sultry. Whether it’s through Reels, TikTok, or projected on the back of your eyelids, it’s been impossible to escape the all-consuming intoxication of Flyana Boss. Their signature running-and-rapping landed them on every rap radar and earned them cosigns from the greats, including Janelle Monáe, who brought them along as openers for her North American 'Age of Pleasure Tour.'

With their breakout single “You Wish” gaining nearly 35 million streams on Spotify, prompting brand deals galore, Flyana Boss is experiencing the kind of success that can awaken anyone’s will to chase their dreams. What’s most important to note is that their childlike essence is at no expense to their lyrical ability. Many may try to box them within their viral running antics, confusing them for fleeting internet acts trying to capitalize off sudden steam. The truth of the matter is Flyana Boss can rhyme circles around anyone foolish enough to doubt them, pairing seasoned wit with an unforgiving bite. With synchronized responses and mirroring astrology, the secret ingredient to their inevitable stardom is home-cooked love. With blinding smiles and eyes full of wonder, they keep the inner children within each other safe and leave everyone around them drunk with giggles. With raps that uplift any Goddess into feeling her most divine, Flyana Boss is by the girls and for the girls.

-Jazmin Kylene

David Kushner 

Singer-songwriter and social media phenom David Kushner held our hearts in his hands and tore them to pieces time and time again with his exquisite lyricism and musicality, leaving fans feeling a thrilling blend of heavy and empowered—a feeling Kushner is continually getting better and better at capturing. Starting 2023 off with the release of his single "Elk Grove," taken from his forthcoming LP Daylight, the Chicago native painted a vivid picture of the struggle between love and loss in the lives of two individuals, one of whom eventually comes to terms with the inescapable reality of their parting. Next, the 23-year-old breakout star released his hit single "Daylight," a powerful and deep musical paradox that begins with barebones piano and honest vocals, immediately capturing your attention. The Elton John-approved song ultimately comes together as one grand crescendo, as vocal distortion, acoustic and electric guitars, and drums surge alongside one another. The song's composition underscores the passionate lyrics. As the final chorus explodes, mirroring a release of bottled-up emotions, we are left with a cathartic exhale, reeling over everything that came before. It is a wellspring of sound and emotion that engulfs and frees listeners in the same breath.

For the remainder of 2023, Kushner brought his intoxicating energy to the stage, dropped more music and reimaginings of his most famous song, and joined forces with several artists and producers for his upcoming album, including The Lumineers' Wesley Schultz, David Baron (Matt Maeson, Shania Twain), and Rob Kirwan (Hozier, PJ Harvey, U2). Fans can only hope that Kushner will continue showcasing how talented and methodical he is in his writing and why his music has resonated in the hearts of so many in such a short time.

-Alessandra Rincon

Chappell Roan 

Take a pink cowboy hat, holographic lip gloss, a handful of rhinestones, a stolen shot glass, a pair of stilettos, a singular fake eyelash, and last night’s regrets, put it in a purse, mix it up with a wand, and what comes out might be something along the lines of Chappell Roan. She’s extra AF, she’s the life of the party, and she is undeniably the next big thing in pop music. Roan’s debut, no-skips album—one of our personal favorites of 2023—The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess, follows the 25-year-old’s experience of growing up in a religious small town in the midwest, only to realize that “home” was waiting for her in Los Angeles, on Sunset Strip, at the Pink Pony Club. Roan’s songwriting abandons all rules and what results is something truly magical. From the ballads to the bangers, Roan writes with clever humor—and an overt horniness—that feels hilariously refreshing to hear. This year, Roan will be accompanying Olivia Rodrigo on the 'GUTS: World Tour,' and we couldn’t imagine a better duo for the teenage girls in their twenties.

-Tatum Van Dam

Bb trickz 

When future civilizations uncover relics of last year, one thing will be abundantly clear to them; 2023 was the year of Bb trickz. From her early days making viral waves with “Bambi” to her second EP of the year Sadtrickz, nothing in hip-hop made a mark quite like the young Spanish artist. In spite of her TikTok virality, there was something about Bb trickz, née Belize Kazi, that was so decidedly not-TikTok. She had a personality that couldn’t be reduced to a seven-second video and a unique style of music that didn’t just capitalize on trends like many of her peers; it pushed the culture forward. Tracks like "VIVA ESPAÑA !!!" and “Ah!” showcase unyielding charisma and creative spirit, providing listeners with a glimpse into what hip-hop’s uncertain future might look like as geographical and genre barriers blur.

-Carter Fife

Wisp 

Wisp is a 19-year-old artist based in San Francisco who, with only three songs to her name, has already found her footing in the new wave of shoegaze and slowcore revival. Her debut song, “Your face,” shot to popularity on TikTok overnight, and now sits at over 31 million streams on Spotify after less than a year since its release. Listeners are drawn to the roaming guitars and guttural distortion of Wisp’s sound that weave a dark foundation for her nebulous vocals. Shrouded in effects, Wisp’s vocal delivery is exactly as her name would predict, wispy and faraway, as if we’re hearing her sing from a hazy memory. Her most recent single, “Once Then We’ll be free” dips a toe into pop, with a bright and catchy guitar riff melding into her usual stormy arrangement. The murky pairing of instrumental grit and ethereal vocals has become a signature in the young artist’s style, shrouded in mystery.

She told Pigeons and Planes that she’d like her music to sound like, “being underwater… an experience, immersive, and hard-hitting.” The “Your face” music video does just that, piecing clips directed by Boni Mata into an ethereal parade of bodies and seaweed. The end credits even depict blurred-out names, adding, once again, another layer of intrigue to the dark shroud of Wisp. The rising artist’s enigmatic flair doesn’t stop with her coveted vocal style and all-consuming, atmospheric sound. Even with a devoted cult following, Wisp keeps her face obscured on social media, maintaining mystery despite her staggering rise to popularity. As the artist beginsn to play her first live shows, audiences are hungry to get to know this new staple of shoegaze. Centered around a cryptic musical persona, Wisp is like a ghost of slowcore’s past, come back to haunt the alternative scene with a gloriously atmospheric revival of the genre.

-Abby Kenna

Snow Strippers

Snow Strippers feel less like electronic music’s saviors and more like the genre’s latest act of anarchic revolution. The knee-jerk comparisons to Crystal Castles and indie sleaze’s lauded revival readily come to mind, but Snow Strippers is inarguably its own brash, haunting creation. While the Detroit duo is currently in its relative infancy, sporadically releasing mixtapes that feverishly run through a gamut of sights and sounds—from the frenetic, breakneck party of the Lil Uzi Vert-assisted “It’s A Dream” to the blood-pumping siren call of “Just Your Doll”—their music remains anything but easily defined, often defying simple classification and convention. 

The vision behind Snow Strippers feels meticulously haphazard, favoring visceral expression at all costs. At no point throughout the duo’s catalog, including their most recent EP, Night Killaz Vol. 1, does it ever feel like the idea of playing it safe has ever existed as a remote possibility for the duo. Rather, Snow Strippers make the sort of music that claws at its very edges. It’s a hypnotic, trashy, and infectious joyride where frenzied, dance-inducing bouts of catharsis thrive alongside lucid moments of raucous hyper-processed self-expression.

-Maxamillion Polo

HorsegiirL

While there are many artists to watch in 2024, there is no other artist even remotely near the absolute camp that is horsegiirL. A bold declaration of sleigh, her avant-garde performance art is impossible to understand, and that’s exactly why the world is so enthralled. The Berlin-based DJ and producer is singlehandedly reviving techno with her happy hardcore and infectious hyperpop, garnering over 15 million streams on Spotify at the time of this writing for her viral single “My Barn, My Rules.” With one of the most lively Boiler Room sets in recent memory, she’s become one of the hottest names globally, spinning her hooves at events like Berghain, Art Basel, and Marc Jacobs afterparties. Even if her set starts at 4 a.m., it is impossible not to come fully alive at the witness of her glamour.

The kind of act the industry only has the privilege of welcoming once every few decades, horsegiirL takes “commitment to the bit” to new heights. Nothing is known about the DJ outside of the fact that her name is Stella and that she was discovered at a harvest festival by famous pop singer Whitney Horseton, and yet somehow, that’s all we really need to know. With no plans to reveal her true identity, the music can only speak for itself, and it’s certainly saying quite a lot. From forbidden love across the farm to begging Santa for a new lover, there isn’t much the rave-ready stallion leaves to the imagination. So what’s her take on this newfound world of human fame? In horsegiirL’s own words, “I’m just a girlie from the barn that is increasingly enjoying city life and the world of fashion.”

-Jazmin Kylene

Alexsucks 

Los Angeles-based band ALEXSUCKS hit the ground running this year with a series of singles that led up to the release of their highly-anticipated debut album, The Gutter. In March, the band released the sonically compelling "Can We Forget." The spikiness of the instrumentals overlaid with the catchiness of the melody, especially in the chorus, was a stellar sneak peek into the new chapter of the band's sonic lore. In one of the few quotes from the enigmatic band, Alvarez shared with All Access, "This song is about the on and off relationship I had with my ex where we kept hurting each other but still coming back and it getting harder and harder each time but wishing we could forget all the bullshit." After that, the band dropped two more singles, "Go" and "See You In Hell," before finally releasing their long-awaited, infectious debut effort, The Gutter.

Produced by the famed Brenden O'Brien, who has worked with bands like Pearl Jam, Incubus, and Rage Against The Machine, the nine-track body of work is an alt-rock thrill ride fueled with thrumming bass lines, crashing percussion, and catchy, sun-soaked guitar riffs. Standout tracks like the title track "The Gutter" and "6 Pack and Cigarettes" further showcased the band's ability to create highly addictive, rambunctious music brimming with clever, engaging lyricism that leaves listeners rushing for the replay button after its less than 25-minute run time ends. In the new year, the four-piece has no plans of slowing down, with plans to head out on tour with Canadian phenomenon EKKSTACY, stopping in major cities like New York City, Philly, and Miami before wrapping up in their home base of LA at The Regent Theater.

-Alessandra Rincon 

Brenn! 

Coming of age. Camping. Carhartt (but in a good way). These are the first three words that might come to mind when you listen to Brenn!, the rising folk-pop artist based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. At only 19 years old, Brenn! has already won over the hearts of the South and is quickly amassing hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide through his love for songwriting and the South. With only seven singles out to date, including “4runner,” the teenage anthem that makes you want to run as fast as you can into the sunset (think: the energy of “Ribs” with the sound of “Freakin’ Out on the Interstate” but with a sprinkle of Southern charm), this is only the beginning of what we imagine will be a lifetime of storytelling for the self-proclaimed King of the South.

-Tatum Van Dam

julie

As shoegaze, noise, and post-punk make a sweeping modern-day comeback, let us present julie for your consideration. The early-20s trio is made up of Keyan Pourzand, Alex Brady, and Dillon Lee. Hailing from Orange County, CA, the members of julie clicked over a shared love for '90s alternative rock bands like My Bloody Valentine and the local house show scene. Their roots in the OC house show scene can be heard in the DIY soul of julie’s sound. Though the music is masterful in its intricacy, it’s that gritty, bouncing-off-the-cement-walls-of-a-basement-venue edge that sets the band apart from other noise acts. Now based in LA, julie is blossoming in the world of alternative, having toured Europe and being invited to play Camp Flog Gnaw all within 2023.

Their recent single, “catalogue,” is a blissful introduction to the band’s singular style. Brady’s bewitchingly dissonant melodies wind over the surge of picked guitar chords and a cascading bass line. The drums are gut-punching, skillfully toeing the line of chaos and composure. julie has mastered the ebb and flow of a three-piece band, constantly tossing the torch between members: Lee punctuating phrases with a crash, then Brady melding the bass into the melody, while Pourzand makes storm clouds out of a gritty guitar riff. The vocal play between Brady and Pourzand stands out in their debut single, “flutter,” kicking off their now-12 song discography in 2020. The two singers’ contrasting tones create a feeling of nonchalant defiance as they span opposite ends of the mix, the delivery landing somewhere between soft and dark. Each song julie creates is a cavernous soundscape of organized rebellion, slathered in distortion and then carefully carved into moments of intimate lows and boundless highs. Although the noise band is already accomplished, this is just the beginning for julie.

-Abby Kenna

Kanii 

Few artists combine forward-thinking iconoclasm with refreshing originality like D.C.’s Kanii, and in 2023 he did little else besides take over the world. Through his undeniable synthesis of jersey club and dance-pop, Kanii has spent the better part of the last two years soundtracking the Gen Z experience while effortlessly achieving viral success at every moment. From the cathartic explosiveness of "Go (Xtayalive 2)" to the heartfelt yet upbeat energy of "I Know," Kanii's music is just as inescapable as it is boundary-pushing. Over the past year, Kanii has treated fans to two full-length EPs, collaborations with cultural juggernauts like Odetari and Trippie Redd, and countless remixes and edits designed to deepen the world that he’s building for his fans. In 2024, watch as Kanii and his influence take over the mainstream and breathe life into a culture that needs it more now than ever.

-Carter Fife

Searows 

In a world of sped-up songs lasting no more than two minutes, Searows, the musical alias of Alec Duckart, opts for something more substantial. Crafting indie-folk lullabies that typically surpass four minutes, and oftentimes, five, Searows finds beauty in the act of lingering in the present moment, carefully crafting poetic moments of solitude for those who are willing to sit with him. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Searows’ music serves as a reflection of the environment surrounding him. The mountains, changing seasons, and hometown stories paint a tranquil, nostalgic, and somewhat eerie backdrop for the listener to get lost in. In “House Song,” traumatic events are processed through the lens of a creaky childhood bedroom, and “Older” serves as an attempt to navigate loss and heartbreak. Heavily inspired by the human experience, a typical Searows song will leave you shedding a single tear, silently contemplating the world around you, in all its beauty and horror, and perhaps that is exactly what he intends us to do.

-Tatum Van Dam

Kenya Grace

Few artists’ ascent have felt as meteoric and assured as South African-born, UK-based Kenya Grace. Releasing her first standalone single in 2022, 2023 saw the vocalist and producer emerge as not just a breakout phenom in dance music but as one of the most listened-to artists in the world. Last year was undoubtedly a major one for the artist with the release of her breakout single “Strangers,” which skyrocketed to the top of the Dance Radio, Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, and UK charts. The worldwide success of “Strangers” makes it both the “first time ever that the Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart has been led by a track solely written, produced, and sung by a woman” and, in the UK, Grace has become “the only female artist besides Kate Bush to hit #1 as a sole writer, producer, and performer.”

Beyond all the chart-topping accolades, Grace’s infectious brand of drum ‘n’ bass-infused pop music proves she’s anything but a one-hit-wonder. The lucid dream “Paris” and the pulse-racing “Only In My Mind” revel in the artist’s trademark dance-inducing, radio-ready pop musings, urging listeners to give themselves over to the catharsis that exists just beyond the flashing lights and pulsing dancefloor. If we had to gamble on one artist bridging the world of Gen Z dance music and international pop star success in 2024, we would have little trouble going all in on Kenya Grace. 

-Maxamillion Polo

ivri 

Glitchy and dreadfully melancholic, if New York City’s dark indie rockstar ivri was going to make a love song, it would only be about the flesh-eating kind. Soundtracking solemn nights and the haunting of our own looming shadow, ivri is a champion for the lonely and wistful. A pleasantly unpleasant surprise, no one saw ivri’s emergence from the shadows coming. Singing of forbidden love, regret, and longing, her pain is of no discredit to hope. The dread doesn’t eclipse the romance of her poetry; if anything, it enhances it. Using reversed vocals and hypnotizing melodies, she can make even decay alluring, dizzying with feeling. With her 2020 hit “glow worms” garnering over 30 million streams on Spotify alone at the time of this writing, ivri has been frequenting Spotify playlists like "Lorem" and “Indie Frequency,” as one of indie music's most promising artists on the rise.

With a tiny voice, head full of curls, and infatuation for the unseeable, ivri has built herself from SoundCloud uploads to a global impact at only 21. Even she is in awe of the world’s response to her, sharing “This year, things that I’ve only seen happen in my dreams and nightmares have happened in real life. I’m thankful for all of it and I’m slowly sprouting into who I want to be as ivri (super cool rockstar artist) and also ivri (human girl who eats pokemon cards for lunch and goes bowling 3 times a week.)” Her debut EP the star factory feels like it was downloaded from another nebula, galaxies away. The project travels through a narrative of feeling dissociated yet yearning for grounding, with a sense of futurism threaded throughout every far-flung, otherworldly journey. A true mark of talent, ivri does a lot by doing a little. She walks humbly while sharing the darkest trenches of her psyche, and that’s the magic of her poison—a soft-spoken vessel that lures you in and packs an unforgiving bite.

-Jazmin Kylene

EKKSTACY

Vancouver's biggest rising star EKKSTACY had one hell of a 2023. Starting the year off with the release of "Problems," featuring hip-hop heavy hitter Trippie Redd and a grand celebration with the announcement of his new self-titled album, the alternative artist delved further into the meticulous and dynamic new direction he plans to take his music. Prime examples of this direction include singles like "bella" and "i can't find anyone." On "bella," amid a collection of warm, brooding instrumentals, he describes a mysterious girl who has captured his heart at first sight. His enigmatic vocals weave in and out of the bouncy surf and garage rock-infused amalgamation effortlessly.

Meanwhile, "i can't find anyone" juxtaposes the brighter and bouncier sounds of "bella" with a dramatic shift in tone and sonics that mirror the feeling of spiraling into a pit of despair. Surrounded by persistent percussion patterns and gnawing guitar riffs, EKKSTACY reflects on how haunted he feels and laments how he "can't find anyone." The upcoming record, out January 19, will follow up the artist's sensational 2022 album Misery. A press statement stated, "the album is an autobiographical reflection on [EKKSTACY's] life as a musician and the highs and lows of the solitude that comes with creating art and touring." This past summer, EKKSTACY embarked on a summer European tour, including performing at Reading and Leeds, playing shows that brought his post-punk, dream-pop, and indie blend to global audiences. In the new year, the breakout alternative star will head out on tour with ALEXSUCKS, stopping in major cities like New York City, Philly, Miami, and LA.

-Alessandra Rincon

Rozie Ramati      

My life thus far has been made up of two equally important and distinct eras, and the moment that separates them was the moment I first heard “Drown in the Clouds of Dew" by Los Angeles singer-songwriter Rozie Ramati. That was around eight months ago, and since then I have been walking around with a constant beam of light shooting out of my chest that only a song like that could create. Over Sega Bodega production, Ramati’s angelic vocal layers work in sacred harmony to create something delicate, airy, and ephemeral. No amount of eleven-letter words can describe the appreciation I have for tracks like this, or the skittering and mechanical “Grapevines”, or even the Alé Araya-assisted 2022 banger “Orange Juice.” Singing from a perspective of almost paradoxical fragility, every release from Ramati works in tandem to build out her world and reveal herself to fans. Will 2024 be the year of the debut Rozie Ramati project? One can only hope, but if anything can be gleaned from Ramati’s 2023 releases, it’s that new music is always worth the wait.

-Carter Fife

INJI 

Both a pop star and your best friend, internet sensation INJI makes music that elicits the kind of safety you only feel in the girl’s bathroom at the club. From fake accents to vibrant colors, she’s stayed in flow with her inner child and managed to rack over two million monthly listeners on Spotify, taking over dance music simply by playing. Making tidal-sized waves in the club scene, INJI has made her soul’s mission very clear—to ignite every girl and gay to wear the tightest clothes, brightest eyeshadow, and reclaim their rightfully owed space. The Turkish-born songstress accidentally fell into her viral fame, releasing the single “GASLIGHT” for no reason other than to share amongst her friends, and that’s exactly why it worked. She wasn’t chasing recognition, but rather, creating from a space of fun and purposelessness, a feeling foreign to those of us entrenched in adulthood yet one we knew intimately as children.

Featuring hit singles “GASLIGHT” and “THE ONE,” her debut project LFG is suited for the pregame, Uber ride, party itself, and the afters. It’s liberation embodied, an invitation to put life on do not disturb and run feral with friends who feel like medicine. You can tell that beyond the dance genre, INJI is simply in love with music and the way it makes you feel, with a sultry voice disguised by witty one-liners and lyrics begging to be Instagram captioned. She’s a girl’s girl, giggling through life and jotting down all the moments she hopes little her never forgets. Her most recent single “BELLYDANCING” pays homage to her Turkish roots, incorporating hints of traditional Mexican and Middle Eastern music and integrating both cultures with the utmost reverence. Fully surrendered to the ride, every cover to INJI’s singles features a small but legible paragraph that begins with “In the name of a nobler womanhood,” paying honor to the reason why she’s doing it in the first place: the sisters, mothers, aunts, and little girls needed to be reminded that men should only be giving you love or expensive gifts. Preferably both.

-Jazmin Kylene

Olivia Dean 

Olivia Dean hardly needs an introduction; born and bred in East London, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter captures the messy experience of being young and in and out of love in a city that never seems to slow down. Her debut album Messy reflects its cover art, presenting itself to the world as a beautiful blur. Dean’s genre-bending sound weaves together pop, jazz, R&B, and soul, almost as if Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Nat King Cole decided to hop in the studio and see what happens. With a voice as smooth as butter and relatable lyrics that feel like a warm hug, it would be a challenge to not find a piece of yourself within Dean’s music. Dean grew up singing in gospel choirs at age eight, would frequently busk on the streets of Walthamstow, and eventually, she found herself collaborating alongside U.K. trailblazers Rudimental and Loyle Carner (and deservedly so). It is evident that Dean was born to perform, and we cannot wait to see where 2024 takes her.

-Tatum Van Dam

Ray Bull 

Ray Bull is an indie-pop duo based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The band, comprised of Tucker Elkins and Aaron Graham, intertwines modern alternative innovation with nostalgic traces of '80s and '90s influences. Ray Bull’s recent EP, Easy Way To Lose, embodies the band’s dauntless originality. There’s a heartbeat of '80s inspiration at the core of the EP. “Know By Now” showcases this beautifully, with an arpeggiating synth and flute-like keys taking the place of guitars in the instrumentation. Ray Bull pairs these punctuated, electronic sounds with a lamenting vocal delivery, panning back and forth between Elkins and Graham. Then, tracks like “Name Something Better” hail to the '90s, with the intricate simplicity of a guitar riff, booming drums, and lyrics that sway between adoring and devastating. “The New Thing Dies” persists in '80s sounds, and has captivated TikTok audiences with its retro feel. The duo has taken to posting short clips of their reverb-laden harmonies and narrative-driven lyrics, and listeners have latched onto the cinematic ambiance of “The New Thing Dies.”

Further, audiences are charmed by the jesting chemistry between Elkins and Graham. In addition to being a transformative songwriting duo, Elkins and Graham are innovative content creators. Having met in art school, with Elkins being a filmmaker and Graham a digital artist, the pair has a collective background in visual art and digital media that shapes their unique perspective in the music industry. Ray Bull laces an authenticity and tongue-in-cheek edge throughout their content that is irresistibly charming, pairing perfectly with their intelligent social strategies. They’ve amassed a following of nearly 600k followers on their TikTok page through a series called, “Songs That Are the Same,” where they create pop culture mash-ups with songs such as “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap and “Oblivion” by Grimes. Ray Bull has accrued millions of views with clever use of their musical talent and now continues to enthrall their audience with their original music.

-Alessandra Rincon

LIA LIA

Introspection and existentialism exist hand in hand and at the center of LIA LIA’s ethereal music. Culminating 2023 with the release of her sophomore EP, Angst, she delivered a “big fuck you to anxiety, depression, and sickness!!” The five-track body of work feels akin to a waking dream, or perhaps a nightmare based on how you shift the looking glass. Opening on “I ride a bike,” LIA LIA takes on a siren-like quality, guiding us through the twilight hours where the divide between reality and the other side is at its weakest. Then there are tracks like “Angst” and “I cry in my Mercedes” which are more firmly rooted in the alternative sounds of early ‘00s alternative, masking LIA LIA’s fresh wounds with a delicate coat of noise and distortion.

Yet whether LIA LIA embodies an otherworldly, fairy-like entity or takes up the mantle of nostalgic alternative purveyor, her lyricism that sways between poetry and diary entry remains an anchoring point. In placing her still-beating doubts, fears, anxieties, and more into her music, she manages to craft music that goes beyond the deeply personal and steps into the realm of the universal. LIA LIA’s music is for anyone who has ever looked up at a nearly empty night sky and saw themselves reflected back in the sliver of the twilight moon.

-Maxamillion Polo

Sekou 

Leicester-born, London-based 19-year-old Sekou is an undeniable rising force. Having first kicked down the doors of the R&B scene at Glastonbury 2022, he continued to smash expectations with the release of his hit single, "Better Man," in March of 2023, which now sits over 5 million streams on Spotify. On his quest to blaze a trail for himself, he released his highly anticipated debut EP, Out Of Mind. Opening with the breezy and light "Forgiving Myself," the track sets the stage for what will become Sekou's trademark blend of smooth vocals and seamless production, with layers of instrumentation flowing effortlessly into each element, adding depth and texture to the overall sound. Listeners are then transported to the slow and steady world of "Better Man," the jazzy and dexterous "Be With You," and the piano-led "You And I" before coming face to face, or I guess ear to ear with his closer "Too Young." The brilliant piano ballad finale proves there's no shying away from the hard truth and sees Sekou pivot back to muted melodies and details the story of a young and complicated relationship over the soft keys, admitting, "I'm so scared of getting older / And you're scared to stay the same / A heart ain't too young to love / If it's old enough to break."

Out of Mind exhibits Sekou's breathtaking range and ability to fuse jazz with R&B, injecting pop with left-field aspects. With such a unique sound, Sekou has quickly emerged as one of the UK's most promising rising artists. Despite being so early in his career, the future looks undeniably bright for this budding star. With the ability to blend genres such as jazz and R&B with pop infusions, Sekou is a newcomer you need to keep both your eyes on.

-Alessandra Rincon