As we lay 2020 to rest (thank the lord), we enter into a new and improved year. While gatherings and live music were deemed dangerous, we had plenty of time to discover new music on our own through playlists, blogs, and even TikTok. We recognize drive and authenticity in a musician's craft, so we put together a list of artists who are sure to erupt in this new year. We present our list of 13 artists that you should check out and follow in this new year (in no particular order).
1. Khamari
Khamari has been on our radar since his first release back in June. Not only did the song instantly hook listeners like me, but also Spotify playlist editors as he landed in the top quarter of New Music Friday with his silky smooth R&B debut ‘Jealous.’ Since then the hype train for the mysterious artist set the course and continued to deliver. His sophomore single, ‘The Heat,’ saw the artist land in the Top 10 of NMF and has accumulated nearly three million streams, becoming the most streamed song in his catalog this year. Khamari continued to deliver single after single of hypnotic soul-pop hooks and velvety sonics leading up to his debut EP Eldorado released in October. The six-song project has no skip tracks and showcases the artist’s songwriting and production talent, he’s truly the whole package.
His mystique and lack of social media presence (he has a scare FOUR posts on his Instagram) contribute to the fascination and desire to dissect his lyricism to understand him fully. The glimmers of information you can find on the artist are sprinkled within the music itself which is something Organized Chaos admires and upholds. A few things we uncovered during our research and outreach are that he’s from the suburbs outside of Boston, he is a trained pianist and guitarist, and his influences range from The Beatles to Frank Ocean. The rest of Khamari’s background is embedded in between the lines of his radiant, catchy tracks that blend genres and puts those listening in their feels.
Be sure to check out Khamari’s debut project Eldorado and keep an eye on his future releases this year. We are sure to see him tearing up the festival circuit in the next year.
2. Hether
Hether splashed onto the indie-alt scene out of nowhere last summer and delivered a solid showing of tracks to get us through a year nobody saw coming. Rarely does an artist deliver a debut so monumental and irresistible as the San Diego-native’s song “When U Loved Me.” Hell, even Kendall Jenner shared an Instagram story backed with his track out to her hundred million something followers. The singer hones in on his wistful falsetto voice and obvious psychedelic upbringing to set a high precedent for his future releases. The singer did not disappoint. Hether beat the curse of the sophomore slump by putting out a sequel to his debut with ‘Shy.’ After hearing ‘Shy,’ the artist solidified himself as a true indie player with longevity and style.
The singer shared his debut project Hether Who? with the world last November. The project was flooded with beach jams, nostalgia and vintage vocal layers. It’s hard to put your finger on which era Hether’s music belongs in from track-to-track. He sounds like he could be a cross-breed between modern indie sweethearts Tame Impala and Whitney, a trippy and tranquilizing experience. Hether Who? was one of the strongest debut EP’s I had heard in years and I thought that 2020 was going to be momentous in terms of being treated with new music from Hether’s vault, I thought wrong. We saw just three new tracks from the artist this year but they were just enough to keep the momentum afloat and our mouths watering begging for more.
As September closed in, we hadn’t heard anything new but then on the first day of October, Hether reemerged with ‘Twinkle.’ The track is sonically molded by a refined sharpness and California beach bum swagger that first brought him to light. Listening to the polished Hether is reconnecting with a friend after months of not seeing each other and you swing right back into the groove of the bond. ‘Sex Wax’ was put out a couple weeks ago to round out the quiet year and it’s another strong addition to the catalog of slow burn psychedelics. We would put money on 2021 being the year that Hether’s music blares through the speakers of kids and adults around the world. Alas there will be more new music as his new EP Whoops Demos is released January 15th. Be on the lookout for the soundtrack of your year and a preface to festival season.
Hether gave us the lowdown on his unpredictable 2020 and what he’s most excited about moving into the new year. Of this year, the singer says, “the most important thing I learned this year musically was probably that a mix can’t save a poorly tracked song, and that sometimes things need to be re-recorded. I spend so much time trying to polish turds, but this year, I have been focusing on planning the recording process more intelligently, so I don’t come across big hurdles to jump in the finish line. Also, trusting my gut, if something doesn’t feel right to me, I don’t see how it will appeal to anyone else. Less is more, and in the words of Gabriel Roth, shitty is pretty. I am always finding a balance.”
As we enter into a new world, musically and socially post-pandemic, Hether plans to "achieve a higher output but without compromising quality. I look up to guys like Ty Segall, John Dwyer (Frontman of Oh Sees) who can crank out so many records yet never seem to devolve in any way. They keep getting better. I've definitely hit some pretty crazy points this year where things have started to click in my head; I'm like, 'ahhhh this is how it's supposed to go.' Making records is not only an art; it's a science, and some formulas have been laid out from the legends. I think writing the music before recording it can yield great results. I think some of that is missing in today's plethora of music. Though I'm guilty of the latter, of course."
3. Turbo
Turbo is absolutely what our post-apocalyptic world will seek out and indulge in once like resumes back to the norm of dancing in bars and swaying at live shows. Nicolas LaMonaca, aka Turbo, has already had a momentous year. Some of his few achievements include releasing four singles, signing to 10K Projects (label of Trippie Redd and iann dior), and partnering with Internet Money Records, the mastermind producers behind the smash hit 'Lemonade'. The series of tracks released this year prepares the singer-songwriter for an eruption onto the hip-hop scene and the country scene. Organized Chaos covered earlier this year is the success of country-crossover music, and Turbo is the prime example of a country-pop hitmaker.
The Canadian singer-songwriter quietly made his debut with his catchy bop "Heart Stop," a track that sounds like a sibling of Post Malone's bass-infused country-pop sound. His access to now-renowned producers Internet Money is evident 'Heart Stop' and the tracks to follow as 808s and guitar riffs evade headphones and speakers of a range of music fans. Each single that Turbo has put out this year has stylistically differentiated and blossomed from the one prior. Some are more pop-influences, some more country/folk, but all have the hard-hitting blares of perfectly executed kickdrums and bass.
Turbo ran us through his roadmap and musical goals for the next year. We can't wait to hear the evolution of Turbo as he gears in the direction of his early roots and passion for country Americana sounds. With the backing of Internet Money's polished production, raspy vocals, and emotionally scarring lyrics, he is a surefire superstar. We are eager to introduce Turbo to our audience and advise you to begin to pay attention now so that you can experience his blow up along with his.
Turbo reflects on this past year saying: “The most important thing I’ve learned from 2020 is patience. When days turn into months, and months turn into a year, it’s hard to stay focused. I just gotta keep busy and constantly remind myself that it’s all going to work itself out.” He goes on to tell us his goals for the new year: “I want to perform shows and meet more Turbo fans. Seeing people fuck with you in person is very inspiring. It’s tough being a rockstar through an iPhone.” When we asked what artist got him through this year he replied: “I really latched on to Kid LAROI this year because he has such a powerful voice and his sound is timeless.”
4. Postcard Boy
Postcard Boy has been spilling his heart out in forms of low-key ballads since 2018 but this year he has been a constant pinpoint on our radar. The 20 year old singer/songwriter and visual artists somber vibe resonated with us through times of isolation and uncertainty made us feel comfort and warmth. In July, Garrett Seamus released Limbo, a six song collection of emo stunning tracks that emerged at a fitting time when the world was emotionally exhausted but summer retained some optimism. Seamus uses this project to showcase his sometimes raw and computerized vocals backed by gorgeous experimental production sprinkled throughout each song. It’s a truly special moment when we connect with an artist through a shared feeling or experience at simultaneous moments creating an unspoken bond and fan in ourselves. We have found ourselves here with Postcard Boy.
Seamus first became intertwined in the alternative music space six year ago as a photographer and videographer working with LANY and Gus Dapperton. Once he got a taste of the scene, he decided that he needed to tell stories based on his own upbringing and nostalgia. Ironically, Seamus’ first single that he put out back in 2018 was titled ‘I Hope The World Doesn’t End,’ which feels like a perfect preface to the music he has released up until this point. Once we dove deeper into the full catalog, we were instantly hooked on each song and the easy listening experiences each provided. What is especially impressive is that he can take on the role of a one-man operation: producing and writing his own tracks with self-directed music videos to accompany as well.
Postcard Boy got the chance to tell us what he’s learned through this year and what he looks forward to pursuing once the new year rolls around. Postcard Boy said of this year: “There’s been a lot of learning about myself for good and bad, but I think the best shift for me was realizing that I had been living in a world that didn’t exist yet. What I mean by that is that I was so focused on making the next song or the next film and then sharing that and then hopefully playing a tour in the future and then being able to meet all these new people and then onto the next thing. Ironically, when the whole world was forced to be online and virtual, it was the time where I stepped away from crowding my headspace with that. I’ve reset my values towards things I should’ve always been more focused on: good health, checking in on my family and friends, and approaching every day as its own. I still have goals and the same, if not more passion towards making art, but it’s not the sole decider of my mood anymore. I’ve started going on a lot of walks and writing a lot more consistently as well as surfing again. My sister and my mom had gotten into pottery over quarantine and are now teaching my dad and I how to throw on the wheel as well. I’m learning more everyday.”
With values reset and self-care prioritized, he elaborates on the personal and career goals he plans to achieve in the new year: “I’ve got some good friends in New Zealand, and I’ve been telling them I’m coming for a couple years now. I’d really love to go visit them. It’s a tough question because for me there’s this fresh desire to go do even the most minute things. I haven’t seen a lot of friends and family that I would’ve normally, so I’m really looking forward to just being with those people. There’s also a ton of restaurants I’d like to go try. I’ve been watching so many past live shows on YouTube. I can’t wait to go to a show and be able to enjoy live music again. I definitely want to play my own shows, too. I still haven’t played one as my side project “carwash” and I know that would be a fun one.”
We can’t wait to hear Postcard Boy continue to innovate on his tracks musically and visually. Check out his self-directed video for his latest single ‘Skydive’ below.
5. renforshort
I remember initially discovering Ren (now renforshort) in the spring of last year (2019) fresh off the release of her debut single ‘Waves’. As an A&R intern, Ren has the voice and look that every record company dreams of for a signee. Her wispy whispers are haunting and bewitching but have soft rawness to them that reminds one of Billie Eilish or Tate McRae. The 18-year-old Toronto-native has steadily shaped the punk-pop aesthetic that she grew up with and embodied for herself. Her nostalgic grungy influence landed her a record deal with Interscope last November and some big time collaborations since. This year was a big year for renforshort and she made sure she set herself up for success prior to the pandemic. In January and February, Ren set out for an international promotional tour put on by Interscope in Australia and Europe opening for Two Feet, respectively.
With an EP released earlier in the year and some of her strongest work delivered with her most recent singles, Ren is a powerhouse and constantly hits the bullseye. She landed a re-imagination of her angsty single ‘i drive me mad’ from Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda provided some added rock flair into the piece. Her three best songs happen to be the most recents. Ren matures and revamps herself on ‘fuck, i love my friends,’ and ‘nostalgic (luvsick),’ each self-assured and refined for a flawless balance of punk and alt-pop. Her most personal and sentimental moments fall in ‘afterthoughts,’ her promotional single for the Disney film Clouds. The gentle lullaby puts the singer at her most vulnerable and proves that she can blend styles effortlessly.
Ren walks us through her coping mechanism for a year that started off strong and promising but took a turn. The singer admits: “2020 has taught me that I need my friends and family more than I thought I did. I feel like before quarantine, I never left my room or went out really and I was sad most of the time as a result. I was uninspired and groggy and I wasn't making good music because of it. As 2020 went on I started reaching out to my friends more often, I'd spend hours on FaceTime with them and feel a million times better after I’ve talked to them.”
When asked about what artist was her saving grace during this time she said: “Phoebe Bridgers, 100%! She spent most days with me, haha. I got way more into her and she helped me figure out my emotions a bit. I love Phoebe, thanks Phoebe!” I’m right there with you on that one Ren. In terms of her goals for the new year: “I hope I'll be able to do a headline show if that’s possible again, that was something I was really excited for in 2020 that didn’t end up happening. I really want to be able to go out and perform and meet the people who listen to my music and enjoy it and just vibe with them.”
6. spill tab
Spill tab is an artist that we covered earlier this month but they are one of the most surefire acts to blow up this year so we couldn’t leave them out of this list. The pair have had a successful year of releases and recognition. With only one under their belt before this year, they have consistently delivered with their short and sweet jams, most of which fall under two minutes. Chicha has mastered the ability to recite bi-lingual tunes in English and French gracefully. One song that makes an enormous impact is the ukulele lullaby 'Cotton Candy.' The song begins simply with the lead singer's voice and uke then sonically grows into a dreamlike trip. The duos left-of-center approach to tracks like this has landed them on playlists like Lorem and New Music Friday.
The duo is lead by French-Korean singer Claire Chicha and producer marinelli. Marinelli has also garnered recognition recently with his solo project. His latest single, 'Christmas,' is a festive bedroom-pop tune with some emo undertones. Having listened to this song on repeat since he released it back in October, it was a pleasant surprise when I found out that he was a part of spill tab but made total sense based on both projects' excellence. The duo came out with their most self-assured project yet with their new EP, Oatmilk. The four song tracklist packs a punch with three previously released songs and the brand new single 'Name,' which is arguably their most mature work to date. Each track is short and sweet yet checks all the marks for what any listener could ask for in their tripped out, youthful sound.
When we asked spill tab about this year and how it shaped their music they referred back to the recent project Oatmilk. Chicha says: “This EP emcompasses my entire year of 2020, it's every spill tab song that has come out in the past 12 months, plus a new one that I co-produced with the homie marinelli, my main collaborator. I decided to name it Oatmilk ‘cause I am so goddamn lactose intolerant, so my lifeblood during quarantine has been Oatly and Chobani oat milk. I live on that shit, I‘ve probably been going through like 3 gallons a week.”
7. Q
Although Q is already rising fast, we think he has plenty of room to run and definitely underappreciated. The project is a one-person operation with Q playing all instruments: drums and guitar. He also self-produces all of his songs, which reflects his dedication as an artist. Although his instrumentation is simplistic, the range of sounds that Q can deliver from such a small palette is impressive. He has mastered the production and control over both instruments and adds his groovy, dreamy vocals as the cherry on top.
The Shave Experiment is his first release after signing with a major label, Columbia. Don’t let the mainstream stamp give you pause. Q remains true to his sound and delivers even more smooth, forward-thinking R&B on the latest album, albeit more developed. For such a young artist, Q is quite mature and exacting. The mastery he displays on his albums makes me look forward to what he can deliver us this year.
You might wonder how far an artist can go with just two instruments and some vocals. The White Stripes have done fine, and Billy Bragg remains successful to this day. But I think the greatest argument for Q’s future success is that if this is what he can give us with barely anything at all, imagine what he can provide in command of a whole suite of artists and possibilities--exciting stuff for sure.
8. Alaina Castillo
Unless you've had a few years of high school Spanish classes, you might have some trouble reading Alaina's bio on Spotify; however, the Spanglish is just what you need to read to understand her musical personality. Her voice is beautiful, and the crisp, clean pop melodies from her last few singles are the pick-me-up you need to get over the post-holiday funk.
Alaina's most recent EP, the voicenotes/mensajes de voz, was released in both English and Spanish. Both highlight her delicate yet mature voice. At times she shows her vulnerability but comes back with a soulful depth of a mature singer. The EP features just the vocals and accompanying guitar, which is all we need to appreciate her lyrics' richness and get goosebumps from her singing.
The 20-year-old singer comes from Texas, and she packs as much of her Mexican heritage as she can into her music. Alaina began singing in her church choir and made ASMR videos on her YouTube channel before deciding to pursue music as a career. In a few short years, she has exploded on Spotify with the help of heavy-hitting producer RØMANS. With close to 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Alaina is definitely established, but she's still on our list to watch out for. You won't want to miss her inevitable rise.
9. Unusual Demont
Fresh out of “vanilla Wisconsin” comes Unusual Demont. This up-and-comer combines myriad genres hoping to push boundaries and be truly himself. His vocals range from a crooning tenor to a raspy bass reflecting the range of his obvious talent. A “self-professed weirdo”, Demont credits several influences for his unique style including his grandfather who played drums and toured with the legendary Curtis Mayfield.
The eclectic, funk-inspired ‘Amber’ is the only track Demont has available on Spotify at the moment. The track is off the upcoming EP Hues which is a memoir of failed relationships and loves. The single tells of a one-night-stand turned into an ongoing relationship due to loneliness and lust. Coming out of quarantine, we might all resonate with relationships we let stay because of convenience.
To get a deeper sense of his character, check out Demont’s SoundCloud where he has two demo albums. We are excited to see what new ground this artist breaks in the new year. We talked with Demont and some of the things he learned about himself this year consist of: “Say yes - think later. Stay true to yourself. Keep your circle tight. “Say yes - think later.” definitely the lesson I’ve used the most though.” We also asked what artist was a bright light for him through the year: “TWICE. Whenever I get super overwhelmed, which was a lot this year, I can throw them on and I’m able to chill out.” When asked what he was looking forward to in the new year, he told us: “It would be sick to do a live show with my songs for the first time. The call and response on Amber would be so wild in person.”
10. Terrell Hines
A true showman and renaissance man comes along rarely and I get the sense that Terrell may be one of those to watch out for in the next few years. Think of a postmodern Kanye with all the bravado, genre-mashing, and cheeky lyrics: that’s what I hear in Terrell.
His latest single ‘We’re All Gonna Be Killed’ starts off as a soft ballad calling for smiles in the face of chaos. It quickly turns to a sliced-up sample mashup with Terrell skillfully rapping. The ending is just as surprising with a big-band outro with Terrell as ring-leader. If that sounds crazy, give it a listen and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Hailing from Georgia and now based in LA, Terrell wants to give each song its own ecosystem with a complete sensory engagement. His formal music education from Berklee gave him a solid foundation, but his true genius was honed through multi-disciplinary work with MIT students and cosmopolitan exposure across the US. Terrell gets inspiration from anywhere: architecture, nature, current events, personal experience. The synthesis of all his experience into music is his true talent.
The bleak world that Terrell envisions and describes in his music may put a damper on your hopes for a post-2020 glow-up, but it might just be the katharsis and recap you need to start the year off right. Queue him up and be prepared for his artistry right out of the gate. Terrell had a lot of things to reflect on in this chaotic year and he told us that he framed his year around the question: "If shit popped off and society had to be rebuilt, how would I do it?" He continues: "I wanted to explore survival. What does it mean to survive? What would we have to survive from? What would last? What wouldn't? And within those facts and this dark space, how do you put some beauty on it?”
11. contradash
Music this past year has been all about genre blending and pushing the limits to find something unique. Contradash embodies this trend with his mix of pop, rock, hip-hop, and rap. The Los Angeles-based artist signed with Interscope back in July after his independently released single ‘blocked’ blew up. This artist has rich, full production and a fun sound that tees up a hopeful recovery from last year’s mess.
Gen Z is best known for being independent creators, and contradash is the embodiment of the bootstrapping mentality. At just 22 years old contradash has already established himself as a serious artist poised to rocket in 2021. Like the rest of his peers, contradash levered the Internet to discover new music as he developed his unique sound, and through connections with established artists such as Dominic Fike, he learned to produce his own music at home. In addition to his music, contradash has talent in graphic design where he designed the album artwork. His dedication to all things art is a testament to his goal of becoming a jack-of-all-trades, but a “master at all that shit”.
When we asked got the chance to ask contradash about what he was most looking forward to as we transition into this new year and life, he put it simply: "run forever and ever". He put it short and sweet but we are certain that he's telling the truth and will skyrocket this year.
12. Alann8h
Alannah Guinney, aka Alann8h, isn't your typical Gen-Zer; she is more woke than your typical teen. The 18-year-old singer/songwriter started writing and releasing her bedroom-pop flavored tunes the same year she got her driver's license and has naturally sharpened her sound since. While bouncing back and forth between her two hometowns of Whistler, Canada, and Bangkok, Thailand, she found inspiration in the beauty of her dissimilar surroundings. Each era of Alann8h's music displays an elevated sense of confidence and maturity, and this year was far from an obstacle in terms of her putting out beautiful lullabies. Her talent and grace were recognized by a wider audience this year with the release of a Norah Jones sampled vibe, 'My Mind Is A Maze.' Those who were paying attention before were joined by millions that have streamed that song to this day.
Her song's themes reflect those of young Clairo and girl in red with songs like '1800-Flip-Phone' and 'Burger King Bathroom,' her very first song and most recent single, respectively. Her catalog has the potential and longevity to accumulate hundreds of millions of streams like Billie Eilish has proved possible, once she blows up this year. Though she has evolved from her 16-year-old self to a more comfortable-in-one's-skin age of 18, her music has remained moody and chill. The girl can sing about anything from Spongebob Squarepants on 'Bikini Bottom' to the ease of late-night fast food munching on 'Taco Bell Drive-Thrus.' While these titles should implicate gag/parody songs, she stylishly rhymes and paints stories to bring out the beauty in places that we otherwise wouldn't think of (like Burger King bathrooms).
She talked to us about some messages and lessons learned through this slow and unpredictable year: "2020 was a year of growth for I think everybody in the world. I think the most important thing I learned this year was to stay true to who I am and become more of a confident person through music and through personal life. I know people are always like 'don't be insecure' you know 'be who you are' but I never truly felt those words until this year and I'm just living my best life. I'm happy as ever, everything is looking great and I'm so excited for next year."
We also asked her what she's looking forward to as we ring a happier new year. She told us: "I'm so excited for 2021 because I just have so many ideas to continue to grow and expand and mature as an artist. I want to start doing Collabs and features as well as more visuals and music videos. I also hope to keep trying to experiment with different sounds and get my music to the right ears."
13. Mallory Merk
Mallory Merk has been through a lot of shit throughout her twenty years of existence. Her experiences sound glamorized and comparable to the series Gossip Girl and Euphoria and shape her raw, contemplative songs. The New York-native first got a taste of the spotlight at the tender age of 14 when she started modeling for brands like Gucci and Fenty. Her luscious red bangs and striking features got noticed by the likes of Rihanna, whom she worked with for Fenty, and Kanye West, landing an unexpected appearance in the Yeezy Season 2 fashion show in 2015. Merk lived the life that nearly every teen dreamed of living and fought inner demons along the way in the forms of drugs and alcohol. She was admitted to rehab to battle her drug addiction and discharged in March of this past year. Since then, the singer's world has been turned inside out in more ways than one.
Merk was naturally drawn to music as she'd write and record voice memos between photo shoots and classes. She shared her music with the world in February of this past year, and her debut turned out to be a bonafide favorite. 'Ghosts' exhibits masterful imagery and seemingly expertly-written hooks to quickly solidify Merk's place in the music world. The songs lead to a record deal with indie-label Field Trip, accumulating over one million streams and a New York Times article. She rounded out the year with the power in her hands, releasing her debut EP Strangers, a seven-song exposition highlighting themes of addiction, mental illness, and self-worth. The singer now resides in Venice Beach and is on par to take over the indie scene in 2021 with her chic look and honest songs.
Check out our Spotify playlist with our favorites from these artists.
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