9 Up-And-Coming Artists of 2024
2023 marked the birth (or, in some cases, the rebirth) of numerous incredibly talented artists from various genres. With 2024 rapidly approaching and preparing to close the door on another year of music, it begs the question of what will come in the next 12 months.
We’ve compiled a list of artists essential for any diverse music lover’s ear, those who are crossing the bridges their predecessors laid out for them and simultaneously laying the stepping stones for the next generation of musicians.
poptropicaslutz! has established themselves as the new face of nostalgic emo and hyperpop in the aftermath of their debut album "Face For The Radio". Showcasing their underappreciated lyrical talent, the duo receives many praises and honorable comparisons for their efforts of the revival, and their opening track, “Fallin’ Apart in Halftime”, is a subtle ode to their emo predecessors, Fall Out Boy, leaving trails of Easter eggs laced in the lyrics. The group could head to similar stardom in the forthcoming months with a discography like this.
hemlocke springs is the ray of sunshine in the alt scene— a new perspective and revival that the genre needs. If you didn’t get the chance to hear “girlfriend” when it circulated its way around TikTok and the Top Hits charts, now’s your chance. Now taking the reigns with her debut album “going…going…GONE!” Hemlock is reviving the synth-alt-pop genre with bright colors and untraveled paths and will continue into the new year.
OTR holds Friko near and dear to our hearts for good reason. “Crashing Through” and the accompanying video made it’s way into the playlists of November, proving itself as a new form of rock. Combining their known talent of poetic lyricism with the track's intensity makes for an ear-catching listen. In the wake of their upcoming album, “Where we’ve been, Where we go from here”, Friko is showcasing the platform they’ve built over time and creating a space for themselves as a household name of post-punk bands coming out of Chicago in 2024.
JMIKE is one of those artists you stumble upon, maybe from a Spotify shuffle or on your For You Page, but once you get a first listen, you never stop indulging. His most recent release, “NAKD_demo”, made its rounds in October and became one of two on Spotify and his only non-featured release. It’s a sultry and slow song about the frail balance of vulnerability and confidence, and it lyrically puts the pieces together over the entirety of the track. While we’ve only gotten a small snippet of what JMIKE has put out, this sound is recommended for fans of Mk.Gee or similar R&B-indie artists looking for fresh sounds in the coming year.
Just like a hidden treasure, Matilda Marigolds is an unearthed gem. The 2023 release “Jesus Christ” is a meticulously produced tune that showcases Marigolds’ talent and vocal range, and the harmonies alone are one of a kind and pair well with the distinctive and encapturing backtracking. In just over five minutes, she captures her well-polished lyricism into a graceful release of her innermost feelings—emotions that are usually difficult to confront. A few live versions of Marigold’s discography are available through Audiotree, a close second for those unable to see her live, which should be a bucket list item for all in 2024.
J Solomon's voice has a unique tone and cadence that transcends and unites all of his music, even with contrasting sounds. He shows both sides of his capabilities through releases like “Gossamer”, a savory autumnal sound, and “Trick”, an indie sleaze track that fits well among sounds similar to Peter McPoland or Wallows. His duality is a coveted talent that is very necessary for this day and age of everchanging trends and varying popularity, but he manages this in a way that is genuine to his style— subsequently, also a talent that is needed in this industry and one that is sure to bring him even more success in the near future.
Levi Roth reeled in listener’s attention with the release of “Competiton Kissing”, an unhurried and soft-spoken song released in mid-2022, and while we didn’t hear much of him this past year, he made a stark return with “Cowboy Belt”. His discography is stacked full of significant guitar-strum moments that are precisely counterbalanced with the overlaying tenor vocals. He leaves his audience hopeful to hear more from him in the New Year as he still holds a special ranking in the indie scene.
Ryan Beatty has been in the music game for a long time but still goes laboriously unrecognized. He switched his sound from pop in this last decade, stepping away from his untraditional claim to fame he once had and slowly making his way into the alt-indie platform, at one point even collaborating with big-name artists Brockhampton and Tyler, The Creator. His latest album, “Calico,” concluded his nearly 3-year hiatus. With an innovative yet mellow end to the silent streak, “Bruises Off The Peach” and “White Teeth” are soothing tracks that paint the beautiful narrative of the album and show that Beatty is returning to the scene with focus and intention and hopefully even more so in the New Year.
Couch Dog are nothing short of an attention grabber. The garage rock group, hailing from California's central coast, is revolutionizing the concept of a “local small-town band”. Before releasing their 14-track album "How To Ruin Your Life Fast," the trio released three songs that effectively captured their punchy, consistent sound. A reigning OTR fave is “SBJL”, a raspy guitar-focused song that alone conveys their prominence as a talented group and speaks much about their ability. They are on the up and up again, recently opening for Dayglow on his stop at Cal Poly, and in 2024 they will undoubtedly draw much greater attention.