Artists You Should Be Watching

We heard you loud and clear, its been a minute since we provided you with a listicle so here is an A - Z list of artists you should have on your radar!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoZzd-sf6iU

Ali Whitton’s body of work reflects the spirit of a traveler, someone navigating both the outer world and his own inner landscapes. On his debut album, tracks like "Quiet My Heart," "Hopeful Heart," and "Forever" explore themes of love, loss, and longing, anchored in both geography and emotion. "Forever" stands out for its sense of hope, blending gentle melancholy with warmth and sincerity. The track captures the mood of late-night contemplation, drawing listeners into Whitton’s personal journey. His music invites reflection and connection, and it will be exciting to see how his debut album unfolds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzgsmo-ceCM

In a scene buzzing with digital noise and genre-blurring experimentation, BADTAB emerges as a breath of raw, analog-infused air. With a love for soul, psychedelia, and everything a little bit offbeat, this band is carving out a space of their own. Where imperfection is the magic and community is everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFQOU1QPPQA

Castaway is a band of brothers brought together by their music. Beginning in a Christchurch university flat, this pop-rock band  is made up of Austen (bass), Jack (saxophone, keys), Jackson (vocals, keys, guitar), Joe (vocals, drums), and Rhys (guitar). The drums are so catchy, the pre chorus feels similar in vibe to Calum Hood's Dark Circles, the references to bands before them are amazing and overall its clear that Castaway is the pop rock band revival NZ needed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKmxcOCHsCk

A modern nostalgic 70s pop sound (evidence in the Queen reference) if Djo isn't already on your radar this addition is sure to warm up your playlist and get you dancing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zzv0vYECWQ

If you are searching for a modern Elvis vibe Elliot James Reay is exactly who you need on your playlist.. Vibes wise he sits nicely between Laufey and Stephen Sanchez!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75o0FuwCdaA

Freya Skye is a British singer, songwriter, and actress from England, known for representing the UK in the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This song is a very honest way of describing what love and heartbreak can be like in an all to familiar story with lines such as "9.02 on a Thursday when you picked up your phone. Do you miss me or are you scared to be alone?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEOzUyYseQs

Greta van den Brink is a kiwi Actress and Musician and this perspective especially as a stunt double heavily influenced her song Bodies. "this is so much about being a stunt double, which is what I did for quite a while, to be this replaceable body. It is such a cool job, and I really enjoyed my time, but there were occasions on set where you’d go, wow, I am really the thing you can throw into the wall, and if I break, you’ll just go and get another one. I really just feel like another body."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oty-POynR6k

Holly Humberstone (born December 17, 1999) is an English singer-songwriter known for her dark, alt-pop music and candid, conversational songwriting. upbeat with a steady rhythm and drumbeat this is a vintage love story music video with a color grade that feels so melancholic, just as the lyrics do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrXlDDvft8Q

Ichiko Aoba is a celebrated Japanese folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for her ethereal, dreamlike music, featuring delicate nylon-string guitar and intimate vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfaVZxJSUQ

Jamie Campbell Bower is an English actor and musician famous for his roles in major fantasy franchises, most notably as Vecna in Stranger Things. this song is a very bittersweet track with slow and somber vocals and a soft piano backing, when the beat drops and the vocals gain power you will be absolutely hooked!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29gV6qTPhiI

Kaylee Bell is an award-winning New Zealand country-pop singer-songwriter and one of Australasia's most-streamed female country artists. “Song for Shania” is pretty much what you’d expect: a fan love letter that turns into a full-on singalong. The references pop up like little moments of joy (“Still the one playing on the radio,” “Man I feel like Shania”), but it never feels like copying, more like pure appreciation. There’s this quiet message underneath it all too, that being inspired by someone doesn’t mean losing your own voice. It also shows how Bell can balance both sides of her world, the big, glittery stage moments and those softer, late-night feelings when everything’s a bit quieter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtRNT-JYg1w

Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey is Known for her ability to blend jazz, pop, and timeless storytelling. Slow and ethereal, “How I Get” feels like it exists in a hazy in-between space. Laufey continues to lean into that romantic, almost vintage softness she does so well. The vocals are delicate but intentional, floating over gentle instrumentation that allows every lyric to land quietly. A late-night, headphones-on kind of listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UidJQnAkk54

Coming from a musical Family (you probably know her brother Calum Hood from 5sos) and 1/2 of AR/CO (an emerging electronic/dance music duo consisting of singer-songwriters Mali-Koa (Australian/Māori) and Leo Stannard (British) ) Mali-Koa Hood, is a Grammy nominated Aussie singer/songwriter whose soulful voice and uplifting music have resonated with audiences worldwide. creating a path for herself, her solo work has a very upbeat sound that is so easy to dance along to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKs80r2Lp34

Noah Kahan's presence continues to feel like a soundtrack for emotional clarity and quiet processing, for moments where you are not falling apart but you are not fine either. It is honest, human, and deeply relatable, which is exactly why it sticks. The Great Divide is the best example of this vulnerability that will have you instantly connecting to his music!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hgu16lRfbQ

Olivia Dean is a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful, pop-infused music. her album the art of loving is the perfect title to explain her delicate tracks and the sweet feelings it leaves you with, the moments you reflect on after hearing I've seen it are enough to convince you to add her discography to your playlist!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LlErbOOUb8

Paris Jackson is an American model, actress, and musician, known as the only daughter of Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe. Following her father's death in 2009, she has established her own career in acting and music, zombies in love is slow track with soft vocals this track feels like it should be used as a soundtrack for a tragic romance film!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl9ayWtoWmw

Is it cheating to put 3Quency under Q? either way they need their own category!! 3Quency is an American girl group, winners of the Netflix series Building the Band (2025), composed of Brianna Mazzola, Nori Moore, and Wennely Quezada. Known for their vocal chemistry and grit. Honestly, is this Destiny’s grandchildren? The harmonies, the bounce, the fun factor. It feels like a modern take on classic girl group energy, wrapped in a glossy, upbeat package. It is playful and catchy in a way that makes you want to immediately send it to your group chat. The video feels so TLC, Rihanna and classic girl group coded so clearly they know what they are doing!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK5TyISxZ_M

RAYE is a critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter and producer known for her soulful voice and genre-blending sound (pop, R&B, jazz) and if you've tuned on the radio in the past little bit you have probably heard her song WHERE IS MY HUSBAND.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eVO0fBS8zo

SZN4 is a breakout musical group formed on the Netflix reality competition series Building the Band, which premiered in July 2025. Although they finished as runners-up to the group 3QUENCY, SZN4 gained significant popularity for their unique, soulful sound and strong vocal harmonies, and they have continued to produce music together after the show. closer is very reminiscent of Queen in the music video style, but the song itself is uniquely them, with hints of contemporary R&B and soul! It’s just one more example of how today’s artists keep stretching boundaries, blending influences from past and present to create something new. Genre lines keep blurring, making each release feel like a fresh adventure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UPDBODtxzw

Tame Impala is the critically acclaimed psychedelic music project of Australian singer, songwriter, and producer Kevin Parker, formed in 2007 in Perth. Known as a "one-man band," Parker writes, records, and produces all studio music, often blending 1960s-inspired psych-rock with modern pop, R&B, and electronic elements. The Jennie remix of Dracula is upbeat, fun and makes you want to move! Their voices mix so well together and we enjoyed every minute of it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3-5YC_oHjE

U2 is an iconic Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976, renowned for anthemic soundscapes, the Edge’s chiming guitar, and Bono’s socially conscious lyrics. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2 is a 1987 gospel-influenced rock song that explores spiritual longing, doubt, and the restless search for meaning which is exactly why its still so relevant today and needs to be on this list!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prv3wl3X9O4

Another blast from the past The Vengaboys are a Dutch Eurodance group formed in 1997 in Rotterdam, renowned as a top 90s party act. one of their most notable hits is Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom which will have you killing it on the dancefloor!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCL9cUN7TsI

Waterparks is an American pop-rock/electropop band from Houston, Texas, formed in 2011, featuring Awsten Knight (vocals/guitar), Geoff Wigington (guitar), and Otto Wood (drums). Known for a genre-bending, high-energy sound. If lyrics were confidential is a very honest song about fan behavior, the tough parts of the industry and the world generally burning. Overall this band will have you wearing your tinfoil hats and theorizing over their next moves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duBB_e7d5zg

Xzibit is a renowned American rapper, actor, and television host, known for his impact on the West Coast hip-hop scene and hosting MTV's Pimp My Ride. Rising to fame with albums like At the Speed of Life (1996) and Restless (2000), he is recognized for his gritty lyrical style and collaborations with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw8x7uE_BEY

Yungblud is a English singer-songwriter known for his energetic fusion of rock, punk, and hip-hop that addresses themes of mental health, identity, and social non-conformity. Born in Doncaster, he has built a massive cult following and is considered a prominent voice for misfits. time is vocally so strong ... if you were not awake before you certainly are now! what is also interesting about this track is whilst most previous tracks on this album have reference to one of his "idols" earlier eras and sounds with this track it is reminiscent of an early Yungblud sound but with a modern day Yungblud twist, almost as if in this stage of the album finally he himself is the idol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ4noGB54a8

Zayn is a British singer-songwriter who gained global fame with One Direction before launching a successful solo career. Known for his R&B-infused sound, He is recognized for his distinctive vocal range and fashion influence. With this track Zayn is back at it with the vocals we love and a chilled pop rhythm that will become an instant earworm!