I am a self-proclaimed music connoisseur. On the whole, I pride myself on the fact that I have a knack for discovering new artists (not to sound like a pretentious, trashy hipster -- even if I slightly am). Since we're all heading back to school in a matter of weeks, I figured I could do my part and try to bless your playlists with a couple of my favorite artists, old and new, that you may or may not have heard of. Here are 7 artists to be on the lookout for this fall:
1. Gallant
This incredible artist hailing from Baltimore is one of my absolute favorites. Critics try to classify Gallant's style as "Alternative R&B," but the singer himself labeled it as "just mashing together as many things as [he] can" in an interview with Hunger TV, including infectious falsettos and synth-heavy chords. Many have probably heard his hit "Weight in Gold" (for which you should also check out the dope video), but he recently released his debut album entitled "Ology" earlier this year. He begins his tour later this month, but until then, jam out to some of my favorites, including "Jupiter" and "Bone + Tissue.”
2. Whilk & Misky
Described by my mother as "Bali lounge music," Whilk & Misky are a dynamic duo featuring acoustic melodies and throbbing bass lines. The English pair creates a unique sound with each song, drawing influences from Spanish clubs, island percussion, and a little jazzy piano. Whilk & Misky have been sporadically releasing new singles since their 2015 debut EP "First Sip," and we can only assume that there is more in the works, which I'll be looking out for. Some favorites from the underground duet include their popular "Clap Your Hands," "I Want Your Lovin'," and "Babe I'm Yours." Check 'em out!
3. Glass Animals
With an amazing blend of psychedelic pop and indie rock, Glass Animals produces, for lack of a better term, stoner music. The group from Oxford, UK, took off when lead singer, Dave Bayley, changed his career track from medicine to neurology, and turned to music to channel his study of what sounds are appealing to the brain. When he and three friends got to collaborating, however, the science was real -- their first album, "Zaba," has intoxicated so many fans with smooth rhythms, vamped-up bass, and lyrics that, while many times do not make any sense whatsoever, still gravitate listeners. My favorites on Zaba include "Walla Walla," "Hazey," and of course, "Gooey," which has over 58 million streams on Spotify. Stay tuned for the release of their sophomore album in the fall, called "How To Be A Human Being"
4. Astronomyy
A single-man act out of Worcestershire, UK, Astronomyy is a relatively more underground singer/songwriter, but nonetheless, talented. He mixes alt R&B with boy-bandish vocals and a mean guitar drive to make a truly unique style, one that he named “Surf-R&B,” according to Pigeons and Planes. You may be familiar with his edit of “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish, but Astronomyy also self-released and promoted two EP’s and a number of singles. He’s laying low on the radar for now, but catch up with his seductive melodies and look forward to seeing what’s next. Look up “Not Into U,” “Nothin On My Mind,” and “The Secret.”
5. Betty Who
Betty Who is probably the most mainstream of these artists, given her electronic roots and poppy vocals. The Aussie has opened for a variety of pop artists, including Rixton and Mary Lambert, and released an album called “Take Me When You Go.” back in 2015. Betty has scored over 26 million plays on Spotify for her hit “Somebody Loves You” and has other successful songs, namely “All of You” and “Alone Again.” Like Glass Animals, this fall Ms. Who will release her second album, which she described to Entertainment Weekly as “an ode to… 1999 Britney Spears.”
6. Little Dragon
Little Dragon has been around since 1996 and produced four full albums, but still remains a relatively little-known group. The band is from Gothenburg, Sweden, and boasts a serene and soulful sound mashed in with indietronica and even some downtempo melodies. Their top song, "Ritual Union" is from their third album and has over 23 million plays on Spotify, only beating out the song that brought them into the industry, "Twice." They last released their fourth album back in 2014, entitled "Nubuma Rubberband," but have another one in the works. My favorites and the ones you should jam to are "Paris," "Pretty Girls," and "Let Go," as well as any of Little Dragon's more well-known hits.
7. Madaila
A true underground group, Madaila is a quintet born in Vermont. They have performed all over the Northeast and have released only two singles and one album entitled "The Dance" in 2015. The group is unique in that the are largely a rock band with synth drive and choral vocals. My favorite songs from Madaila are "The Dance," the song used to name their album; "Give Me All Your Love," their most popular release with only 235k listens on Spotify; and "Trying to Be Heard," a lesser-known song that rounds the album with distorted chords. Since they are such a low-key band, not much is known about what the future of Madaila holds. But in the meantime, give them your support and listen to "The Dance!"
