It’s great when a rising artist finds fame, fortune and success. However, it can occasionally be a bit bothersome when a certain few artists are taking up all the airwaves on the radio. Sometimes, it is nice to listen to a fresh, new artist you can proudly gatekeep from your friends.
Let’s refresh your Spotify algorithm with new artists who deserve your listening time.
Molly Grace
While funk music is typically associated with the ‘70s, Nashville artist Molly Grace has recently updated it, and she is already making quite an impression. Since 2021, she has released several singles and EPs. She has garnered a following of over 68,000 Spotify listeners, which does not come as much of a surprise for listeners of her music.
She has carved out a funky niche many people resonate with, full of lyrical themes of being a queer woman explored in some of her songs such as “Lady, Lady” and “Lover (Love Her)”
Most recommended track: “Lover (Love Her)”
The Sandspits
Bright and beachy, the Sandspits are relatively new to the music scene. They are small still, only starting to release music in 2021 with just under 2,000 listeners. However, they hit the ground running by already putting out a full album and several singles.
Their style is a tongue-in-cheek surf rock sound, and they have completely run with this image they created as beach-going fun lovers. They embrace sunny, energetic and easygoing vibes in their music. Sonically, their usage of electric guitar and bright bass lines create images of bright summer days and warm nights, supported by their beach-influenced lyrics.
Most recommended track: “Melocoda”
The Brook & The Bluff
The most popular out of the Underground Roundup’s lineup, The Brook & The Bluff’s about 643,000 monthly listeners have a lot to enjoy.
The group embraces an indie-pop-rock style, with many of their songs falling more heavily into one of the three genres than another. “Blue Jean” leans into pop-rock with its distorted yet fun vocals. “Bad Bad News” falls heavily into pop, with its bright vocals and bouncy beat, despite the less positive lyrics. Finally, “Everything Is Just A Mess” takes more influence from the indie sound, with a cheerful drum beat backing far less cheerful reverberated guitar.
Most recommended track: “Bad Bad News”
Tele Novella
Tele Novella’s Spotify biography describes its sound as “coin-operated medieval country songs through a 1950s western lens.” Listeners would agree, as the group’s music feels like something from a past time.
The group first began putting out music in 2013 but hit its stride in the past few years, putting out two albums and several singles and EPs since 2020. Its sound combines a few distant musical styles, mainly soft pop and rock with distinct undertones of country and folk. Overall, it gives Tele Novella a unique, lonesome and retro lyrical style and sound.
Most recommended track: “Funeral”