14 Musicians You Should Seriously Start Paying Attention To, Like, Right Now

*queues all songs expeditiously*

Have you been absolutely foaming at the MOUTH for some good new music?! Well, lucky for you, I've rounded up 14 artists who I'm super, super excited about and think you should be too. Check them out!!!!!!!!

NBA / giphy.com

1. MUNA

@whereismuna / instagram.com Photographer Instagram: @isaacs_b_sides

A queer trio based out of Los Angeles, MUNA never fails to serve us pulsating electropop bangers, only theirs are backed by achingly relatable lyrics, like "So it happened again / I loved someone who's indifferent" ("Pink Light") and deeply self-reflective lines, such as "You're gonna clean out your drawers / You're gonna feel much more / Like God is a mystery / And Jesus is a metaphor" ("You're Gonna Be Okay, Baby"). Basically, if you want something to sob on your local dance floor to, make it MUNA.

For fans of: The 1975, Robyn, The Japanese House

Song to start with: "Stayaway"

2. Remi Wolf

@remiwolf / instagram.com

When I say no one is doing it like Remi Wolf, I sincerely mean no one is doing it like Remi Wolf!!! If you've been on TikTok, chances are you've heard her contagious song "Photo ID," which sounds like sunshine and pop-funk deliciousness — it's basically the perfect soundtrack for any art school grad's pool party (in the best way!!!). All I know is you can't listen to anything Remi Wolf and not feel completely and utterly ELECTRIC.

For fans of: Dude, I honestly don't even know.

Song to start with: "Photo ID"

3. CHIKA

@chikalogy / instagram.com

I became a CHIKA fan as soon as I watched her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which, if you haven't seen it, you should REALLY do so right now! To CHIKA, rapping is clearly second nature, as is actually writing her own verses. Easily switching her flow in her song "Industry Games," she raps: "I am the one from the stories that got you excited / Rhythmic flow is ignited / How it's so easy for her to recite it? / Can do this shit while I'm asleep 'cause I write it." Besides rapping, CHIKA also crushes her own RnB vocals, proving that she really can do it all.

For fans of: Chance The Rapper, Ari Lennox, Noname

Song to start with: "Industry Games"

4. Pale Waves

@palewaves / instagram.com / Photo Instagram: @tompullenphoto

Pale Waves is like if 2000s Avril Lavigne transported to 2021 and started singing unabashedly honest queer love songs. Their entire track list is infectious and nostalgic, while still making pop punk feel like "the next big thing." Plus, they gave us what I consider to be the most screamable bridge maybe EVER in their song "Change": "Now you act like I'm nobody / But you still wanna go down on me." Despite a theme of bitterness or anxiety when it comes to love, Pale Waves also prove to be quite the romantics — especially in their song "Easy" when their lead vocalist, Heather Baron-Gracie, sings, "I can't believe / How can it be / That you're alive at the same time as me?" Whatever emotion you're feeling, there's a Pale Waves headbanger for that.

For fans of: Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch

Song to start with: "Change"

5. Samia

@samiatheband / instagram.com / Photographer Instagram: @sophiamatinazad

Singer-songwriter Samia is truly the princess of rainy day music. Tinged with growing pains, Samia songs all seem to long for little vignettes from the past, but remain big-eyed and hopeful. Clearly a fan of poetry, Samia's lyrics are the kind you have to sit in to fully feel. However, one of my favorites lines of hers is direct, affecting, and all too relatable: "Is there something in the movies that's better than my love?" When Samia sings this question in her sensitive soprano, you can't help but hear her vulnerability, and you feel it resonate in your chest.

For fans of: Phoebe Bridgers, Soccer Mommy

Song to start with: "Big Wheel"

6. Dijon

@dijondijon_ / instagram.com / Photo Instagram: @daniel

If you're into taking the AUX and implementing chill, rainy summer evening vibes, then I definitely recommend checking out Dijon. The best way I can describe his voice is probably that if he serenaded me, I would most likely develop feelings for him. One of my friends described him as "if Frank Ocean and Bon Iver had a lovechild," so if that doesn't whet your appetite, I'm not sure what will!

For fans of: Frank Ocean, Kevin Abstract

Song to start with: "Skin"

7. Leikeli47

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I first discovered Leikeli47 when I saw the movie Booksmart and a couple of her songs were in it. Her music is infectious and will always amplify your mood by, like, 100,000%. My personal favorite song is "Money," which will convince you that you're the baddest bitch society has ever seen — and I mean that. Honorable mention goes to "Post That," an ode to posting thirst traps on social media. IDK what else to say...I just f*cking love Leikeli47!!!!!!!!

For fans of: Princess Nokia, Tierra Whack

Song to start with: "Money"

8. Lido Pimienta

@lidopimienta / instagram.com / Photo Instagram: @hadadebarro

Fusing synthpop and Latin American music, Lido Pimienta's songs explode with rich color, textures, and a strong connection to her Colombian roots. Her narratives are usually from the perspectives of oppressed people, with lines that hold hard truths. In "Nada," Pimienta sings, "Soy mujer y llevo / el dolor adentro," which translates to "I'm a woman and carrying pain is what I do." Between her battle-cry lyrics, clear and elastic vocals, and traditional Colombian samples, there is an inherent spirituality in Lido Pimineta's music. Also, she calls herself the "Colombian Sailor Moon," so you know she's an icon!!!!!!

For fans of: Sylvan Esso

Song to start with: "Eso Que Tu Haces"

9. Tomberlin

@tomberlinnnn / instagram.com / Photo Instagram: @toldslant_felix

If you have Main Character Syndrome and are in need of a song to walk around your city to while pondering life, then you need to listen to Tomberlin. A folk songstress extraordinaire, Tomberlin makes music that belongs in bittersweet scenes in indie films. Each track creates its own cozy, sonic world with heartstring-grabbing lyrics to match. She approaches lines about love pretty soberly — on "Seventeen," she sings with her voice raw: "I walk in the breeze / Like I am seventeen / Love is mostly war / And love, what is it for?" Tomberlin has simple lines for big concepts, and in my opinion, that makes them hit even harder.

For fans of: Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus

Song to start with: "Wasted" or "Seventeen"

10. The Beths

instagram.com

Hailing from New Zealand, the Beths are an indie pop group whose music sounds like driving to the beach in the summertime with the TOP 👏 DOWN!!! 👏 Their songs are full of driving drum patterns, shimmering guitars, and cheeky lyrics like "There's something about you / I wanna risk going through / Future heartbreak / Future headaches" ("Future Me Hates Me") and one-liners like "You make me feel three glasses in" ("Little Death"). Basically, the Beths are perfect for any summer road trip playlist!!!

For fans of: Best Coast, Soccer Mommy

Song to start with: "Future Me Hates Me" or "Little Death"

11. VanJess

@vanjess / instagram.com / Photo Instagram: @trippydana

VanJess is the sister duo of Ivana and Jessica Nwokike, aka your newest source for countless bedroom-electro-RnB BOPS!!! These ladies are fantastic on their own, but are also Collab Queens™ in their own right — they've shared track time with KAYTRANADA ("DYSFUNCTIONAL"), Kito and Channel Tres ("Recap"), and many others, simply proving their versatility and ability to add some ✨spice✨ to any song. They're also a fun follow on TikTok, where they constantly prove they're fashion ICONS and have even written their own verse to "Do For Love" by Tupac!!!

For fans of: Toni Braxton, Brandy, Monica

Song to start with: "Recap" with Kito and Channel Tres, or "Slow Down"

12. Trousdale

@trousdalemusic / instagram.com

As far as vocals go, never in my life have I heard a trio blend as FLAWLESSLY and seemingly EFFORTLESSLY as the ladies of Trousdale. When they're not being adorable on TikTok, these gals are in the studio making some of (what I consider to be) the most singable indie folk songs out there. I'd be lying if I said I haven't ugly-sobbed to their song "Wouldn't Come Back" or felt extra weight in the lyrics of "Better Off": "What if I'm better off / Telling the truth / Maybe I never was / Good for you." TL;DR: Trousdale makes amazing music for AMAZING therapeutic cries. 11/10 would recommend!!!

For fans of: The Chicks, The Staves

Song to start with: "Wouldn't Come Back"

13. Talker

@talkerceleste / instagram.com / Photo Instagram: @shutterhappyjose

If you've been looking for new songs to scream-sing while driving sliiiightly above the speed limit on a highway, then let me introduce you to pop-punk princess Talker. All of Talker's songs offer a sense of relief with just how intoxicating her choruses are. I mean, who wouldn't want to yell "I'm kicking and screaming / Blue in the face from keeping it in / I'm finally breathing / Bottled it up, but I'm learning the feeling" while punching their steering wheel? Sign me UP!!!

For fans of: Paramore, Fall Out Boy

Song to start with: "Suck Up"

And conveniently, here's a playlist of all these artists!!! Enjoy and happy listening! 💖

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