PLAYLIST : 20 artists to get to know in 2020

cover image : beabadoobee
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As we move into a new decade, the music industry is evolving faster than ever before. Young artists are making their voices heard, writing songs about changing the world, and releasing them from their bedrooms. These upcoming artists are propelling us forward into the future by creating new genres, defying social expectations, and calling out important social issues, each with their own sound. These 20 artists are set to have an amazing 2020, and you're going to want to be a part of it.

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Sam Fender

Drawing endless comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, this UK artist blends classic rock sensibilities with a stark social conscience for a refreshing take on the return to rock 'n' roll.

catch up: Sam Fender's debut album, Hypersonic Missiles, was just released this past September.

listen to: "You're Not the Only One," "Dead Boys," "Will We Talk?"

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beabadoobee

Beatrice Kristi broke out as beabadoobee with her folk-twinged EPs in 2018, and now she's bringing unabashed '90s alternative rock into 2020. 

watch out: after releasing her Space Cadet EP in 2019, Kristi has hinted that her debut album will be coming out this year.

listen to: "Space Cadet," "I Wish I Was Stephen Malkmus," "Disappear"

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Zuli

This New York City artist layers dreamy '60s rock influences with clever tempo changes and a modern sensibility for a sound that will take you away.

watch out: after releasing a new single this past summer, a new album is likely on the way for this year.

listen to: "Ur Mistaken," "follow you," "neither am i"

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The Undercover Dream Lovers

Since 2016, Matt Koenig has been releasing songs just as psychedelic as his band name, delivering lush synths and dreamy falsetto. 

watch out: the band's debut album, It's All in Your Head, will be released on February 27th.

listen to: "You Don't Have to be Lonely," "Plane Ride," "I Don't Know Your Name"

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Beach Bunny

This Chicago surf-pop act have come a long way since frontwoman Lili Trifilio self-released her first EPs as a singer-songwriter, and now signed to Mom + Pop Music, this band is getting ready to make waves.

watch out: the band's debut album, Honeymoon, is set for release on February 14th.

listen to: "Dream Boy," "Cloud 9," "Sports"

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Lou-Adriane Cassidy

After being on the Quebec TV show La Voix in 2016, Lou-Adriane Cassidy is now making a name for herself with her mesmerizing new music.

catch up: Cassidy's debut album, C'est la fin du monde à tous les jours, was just released in 2019.

listen to: "La pluie ne tombe jamais sur toi," "Respiration," "Poussière"

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Hate Drugs

California five-piece Hate Drugs create surfy indie pop with dazzling guitar lines and warm vocals that will make you feel like sunshine all the time.

catch up: this past year, Hate Drugs released their sophomore album Tsunami Soul I, as well as their 2014 EP.  

listen to: "Take a Look Around," "Out of Touch," "Love & Typography"

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Bantug

Nashville's Amanda Bantug crafts captivating dream pop with luscious vocals, enduring melodies, and otherworldly synths. 

watch out: after releasing two successful EPs, here's hoping a full-length from Bantug is on its way soon.

listen to: "Teary Eyes," "Wine Beeline," "Do U See Me"

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Arlo Parks

Blending influences from modernist literature and jazz music with modern alt R&B style, this young British artist consciously analyzes the societal problems that teens are encountering today.

watch out: after releasing her Sophie EP this past year, Parks has been dropping hints of an LP for 2020. 

listen to: "Sophie," "Paperbacks," "Cola"

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Josh Gilligan

After collaborating with artists like Liza Anne and Thad Kopec, and being a member of Model Tenant, this innovative Nashville songwriter has released a collection of singles of his own.

watch out: after releasing a string of singles, an EP or an album will hopefully be out sometime soon.

listen to: "Slowly," "Absent Mind," "Quiet Together"

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Hazel English

Australia-born, California-based artist Hazel English stood out in 2017 when she released her charming shoegaze double EP Just Give In / Never Going Home. 

watch out: English just announced that her debut album, Wake UP!, will be released on April 24.

listen to: "Shaking," "Off My Mind," "I'm Fine"

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Alfie Templeman

17-year-old Alfie Templeman is already making a big name for himself, putting out jangly guitar tunes since he was just a young teenager.
catch up: Templeman's latest EP, Don't Go Wasting Time, was just released in November.
listen to: "Who I Am," "Sunday Morning Cereal," "Used to Love"

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Carroll

Philly-based four-piece Carroll makes synth-driven, cosmic indie pop that will make you feel like you're floating across a starry night sky.

watch out: the band's third album, Leap and the Net Appears, is set to be released on February 28.

listen to: "Fern," "Red Giant," "Bad Water" 

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Mallrat

Australia's Grace Shaw refuses to be defined by just one genre, as she effortlessly fuzes elements of indie pop, electronica, rap, and rock under the name of Mallrat.

catch up: Shaw's third EP, Driving Music, was just released in September.

listen to: "Circles," "When I Get My Braces Off," "For Real"

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RALPH TV

Brighton, UK-based RALPH TV dreams up laid-back, coastal synth pop, that range from balmy slacker-rock to easy R&B. 

watch out: after a successful self-titled EP in 2018, the band recently came out with a new single, hopefully indicating more on the way for this year. 

listen to: "Loverboy," "Honey Honey," "Taxi Boy"

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Raveena

New York's Raveena grew up on Bollywood and jazz, and now brings these sounds into her tranquil, enrapturing R&B style, all while creating representation for South Asian women and LGBT people.

catch up: Raveena's debut album, Lucid, just came out in 2019.

listen to: "Still Dreaming," "Headaches," "Nectar"

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Barrie

Brooklyn-based Barrie Lindsay makes tropical-tinged dream-pop with soft vocals and unpredictably clever melodies.

catch up: Barrie's debut album, Happy to Be Here, was just released in 2019.

listen to: "Darjeeling," "Chinatown," "Human Nature"

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Marsicans

Indie rock foursome Marsicans have been attracting attention over the past few years with their endlessly fun singles, driven by buoyant vocal melodies and irresistible instrumentals.

watch out: the band has finally announced that their debut album is due for this year.

listen to: "Can I Stay Here Forever (Pt. II)," "Too Good," "Friends"

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Will Joseph Cook

UK indie pop star Will Joseph Cook has been putting out unbelievably catchy melodies since his first EP in 2015, and now he's bringing his sound into the '20s, with a new single tackling climate change.
watch out: as 2019 saw the release of two new singles, and he's been hinting that more is to come, it's likely that Cook will be serving up a new album this year.
listen to: "The Dragon," "Take Me Dancing," "Hey Brother"

Listen to all of these wonderful artists in one place in the Spotify and Apple Music playlists.

*19 October 2020 edit: A previous version of this post included an artist who has since been accused of abuse. roseplaylist absolutely condemns any actions of this kind and will not be supporting this artist in the future.