PLAYLIST : 19 artists to get to know in 2019
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Maggie Rogers
Since her song "Alaska" was introduced to Pharrell Williams in a masterclass at NYU in a video that went viral, Maggie Rogers has been steadily attracting attention. The 24-year-old American artist has been writing music since her early teen years, drawing most of her inspiration from folk music until a trip to France introduced her to electronic dance styles. Now having just released her debut album, Rogers has developed a unique blend of these diverse influences, all held together by her stunningly silky falsetto and breathtaking melodies that make you feel like your feet will never touch the ground. Heard It In A Past Life is an exquisitely introspective flight of self-discovery that gives an honest exhibit of the young artist's ability to come out of an overnight viral success with an immense staying power.
listen to : "Fallingwater," "Light On," "Overnight" |
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Valley
A few years ago, two bands were double-booked for the same studio time. Those two duos soon became Valley, and the rest is history. The Toronto quartet gathered praise with their 2016 album, This Room Is White, and have recently burst back onto the scene with their first release since then, an electrifying new EP, MAYBE - Side A. The EP has gathered attention all over the internet, earning the quartet a spot on many prestigious Spotify playlists. In Spring 2019, Valley is gearing up to release the MAYBE B-side, and I absolutely can't wait.
listen to : "There's Still A Light In The House," "Namedropper," "You" |
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The MarÃas
This five-piece fuzes together everything from jazz to psychedelic rock for a hypnotically fresh sound. Led by boyfriend-girlfriend team MarÃa and Josh, and backed by three of their best friends, the five-piece conceived an effortlessly dreamy signature sound in their first two EPs, Superclean, Vol. I and Vol. II. MarÃa's velvety vocals offer both English and Spanish lyrics, dancing around twinkling guitar lines and retro horn solos. The group is now teasing that 2019 will be the year for their debut album, so keep your eye out.
listen to : "Clueless," "I Don't Know You," "Drip (feat. Triathalon)" |
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Cub Sport
After the successful release of their first two albums, this Aussie alternative pop four-piece are ready to be their best yet with their glossy self-titled LP, just released on the 18th. A lot has changed for the group since 2017's BATS, which was an album coloured by darkness and adversity, namely the struggles that bandmates Tim Nelson and Sam Netterfield both had in coming out and dealing with their relationship. In 2018, with the change in Australia's marriage laws, the two were able to happily marry, and Cub Sport is a testament to that happiness. Cub Sport's third album offers a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, fostered by impressive experimentation with R&B influences and Nelson's vocal talents, creating a sound that's more developed than ever before.
listen to : "Sometimes," "Party Pill," "Good Guys Go" |
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Kid Bloom
California quartet Kid Bloom have been entrancing us with addictive guitar lines since their first EP, A Different State of Mind, in 2016. After 2017's successful LP A Long Kiss Goodbye, the group is getting ready to release another EP this year, and if single "Prom?" is any indication, it's going to be fantastic. Dreamy synths glimmer at a mid-tempo in a song that would fit perfectly under a wash of colourful lights and the uncanny nervous energy of a high school dance floor. The most recent single from the forthcoming EP, "Sugarcoat," was just released.
listen to : "Prom?," "Lately It Feels Alright," "Sugarcoat" |
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Ten Tonnes
Ethan Barnett first picked up a guitar at just six years old. At 22, the British singer-songwriter now known as Ten Tonnes is about to take the indie rock world on by storm. Barnett has been crafting big time bangers packed with anthemic choruses and compelling guitar work since his Lucy EP in 2016. His uniquely breezy yet incredibly powerful style offers just the right positivity you need for the new year. Ten Tonnes is set to release his debut self-titled album this April, so be sure to check it out.
listen to : "Better Than Me," "Silver Heat," "G.I.V.E." |
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Amanda Tenfjord
Amanda Tenfjord is a pop sensation in the making. The singer-songwriter grew up in a small town in Norway, and now at 21 years old she's already drawing comparisons to iconic vocalists like Adele and Sia. With her debut First Impression EP, the young artist definitely delivers what the title suggests, introducing the world to her polished and versatile vocals, catchy synths, and poppy accents of acoustic guitar. If her debut EP is creating this much buzz, you're going to want to keep an eye on this rising star.
listen to : "No Thanks," "Pick a Card," "Let Me Think" |
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Mainland
American three-piece Mainland have been putting out bangers since 2014. Their huge choruses, dynamic melodies, and captivating vocals produce a sound that makes you feel like you're right on the edge of something big. And with the hints that they've been dropping on social media about an album due this year, I think the band itself is on the edge of something enormous. Their latest release was last year's Villains EP, which is a must-listen while you wait for what's to come in 2019.
listen to : "Hometown," "I Found God," "Villains" |
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Lala Lala
Lillie West was born in England, grew up in LA, and now bases her alt-rock project, Lala Lala, out of Chicago. The artist has two albums to her name so far, 2016's Sleepyhead, and 2018's breakthrough The Lamb. This latest work showcases growth as West details her experiences with addiction, loss, and many other difficult topics. West originally began writing music as Lala Lala as a way to share the things "she could never say out loud," according to her label Hardly Art, and The Lamb is an incredible testament to her honesty and vulnerability.
listen to : "I Get Cut," "Water Over Sex," "Destroyer" |
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Strawberry Generation
Balancing college and writing indie pop-rock tunes isn't easy, but American quintet Strawberry Generation proves that it's definitely worth it. The group's name comes from a Chinese phrase that suggests that young people are fragile and "can't take the heat," but frontman Luk Yean says that they're embracing it. Their innocent melodies capture the fumbling sense of trying to figure out adulthood, dating, and everything that young people are faced with today. The charmingly candid and relatable narrative that is revealed throughout their 2018 Losing Our Way EP shows that these college students aren't going to pretend to be anything they're not.
listen to : "Call U 2," "Coffee," "Into The Darkness" |
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Girl K
Kathy Patino is making waves in the Chicago scene with her intimate and emotive indie rock. Girl K started as her solo project in 2017, with her debut album, Sunflower Court, being released that summer. Taking inspiration from acts like Grouplove and drawing comparisons to greats like Alvvays, Patino's sound is full of unforgettable guitar lines, melodic choruses, and sincere vocals. Now that Girl K has become a four-piece, the band is set to release their second album on March 15, and it's not one that you'll want to miss out on.
listen to : "Dog Year Lungs," "Neighbors," "Cinnamon" |
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Hatchie
Hatchie is the family nickname of Australian artist Harriette Pilbeam. After making her way through a few different bands, Pilbeam's leap into her solo career as Hatchie is what's really making a statement. In 2018, her debut Sugar & Spice EP was released, introducing her soaring falsetto, mesmerizing melodies, sparkling guitar work, and undeniably catchy pop sensibility. Hatchie is definitely one of the brightest talents for this year.
listen to : "Sure," "Bad Guy," "Sugar & Spice" |
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Conan Gray
In 2019, we're now well aware of the power that Youtube has to make young people famous. Yet once again I'm surprised by the immense talent that emerges from the site. 20-year-old Conan Gray started uploading videos in 2013, and since then, his fanbase has steadily grown. His debut EP, Sunset Season, was released this past November, showcasing his breathtaking vocals, clever lyrics, and effortless pop songwriting skill. With songs like "Generation Why" taking on stereotypes about young people and "Crush Culture" letting out the frustrations of the pressure to be in a relationship, Gray is quickly coming to define a generation, and enforcing the importance of telling your story.
listen to : "Generation Why," "Greek God," "Crush Culture" |
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BETWEEN FRIENDS
Brother and sister Brandon and Savannah Hudson are starting a fresh DIY approach with their newest project. After making a name for themselves as The Heirs, the siblings are branching out as BETWEEN FRIENDS, along with drummer Brennan Benko. With four singles to their name so far, they're already conceptualized an an endlessly fun, synth-driven new sound, priding themselves on doing it all themselves, including directing their own music videos.
listen to : "better friends," "iloveyou," "suburban wonderland" |
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Paul Cherry
After wading his way through the Chicago music scene for a little while, Paul Cherry's debut album Flavour has put him on everyone's radar. His eccentric retro synths and lovesick psychedelia are reminiscent of 70s favourites like Paul McCartney, which actually is who he was named after. Cherry brings his sound into the 21st century with his all-too-relatable lyrics, confessing stories of online life and dating worries, all while maintaining a velvety, laid-back atmosphere.
listen to : "Like Yesterday," "Hey Girl," "So Easy" |
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Palace
UK's Palace picked up attention with their stellar debut LP So Long Forever in 2016. The band's uniquely intimate yet hugely atmospheric sound has earned them a lot of praise, however up until recently, they'd gone a bit quiet. But over the past few months, they've released a couple of new singles, and it's so good to hear their profound vocals and warm instrumentals once again. After these new songs, I'm so excited to hear what 2019 has in store for this band.
listen to : "No Other," "Heaven Up There," "Bitter" |
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King Shelter
California band King Shelter describe themselves as "salad-rock," fostering their very own brand of impossibly catchy yet dark and brooding rock since their successful EP, Failure. Just last year, the group came out with their debut album, $hame, and they're now about to drop another EP, Sellout, on February 1. The lead single from the forthcoming EP, "Elixir," is exemplary of their ominous and addictive sound. So, whatever "salad rock" is, you're definitely going to want to be a part of it.
listen to : "Elixir," "Gholy Host," "Pick Your Poison" |
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The Regrettes
California three-piece The Regrettes is leading a revolution. Using elements of punk, rock, grunge, and even 60s girl-group pop, the band is making statements about vital issues surrounding women, youth, and almost anything else that frontwoman Lydia Night wants to speak her mind about. 2017 saw the release of their debut album, Feel Your Feelings Fool!, followed by the 2018 EP Attention Seeker. Since then, the group has graced us with a handful of singles, including Night's response to the #MeToo movement, which cleverly satirizes the idea that it's a "scary time for men" right now. On Instagram the band announced that they will be releasing another album this year, so get ready.
listen to : "Poor Boy," "Seashore," "Don't Stop Me Now (Queen cover)" |
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Del Water Gap
S. Holden Jaffe has never been to the Del Water Gap. However, the name seems perfectly fitting for his mellow, inspiring brand of folky alternative rock, which would fit beautifully against a backdrop of lush greens and deep blues. In 2017, Jaffe released his EP, 1 (646) 943 2672 – a number you can actually call and leave a message for him – and now returned this past November with a soulful single, "Laid Down My Arms." Hopefully this single means there's more on the way for 2019.
listen to : "Laid Down My Arms," "High Tops," "Let's Pretend"
Find all of the artists in the Spotify or Apple Music playlist.
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