I pride myself on my ability to appreciate a song for more than its face value. From hip-hop to heavy metal, there are so many gems that are left undiscovered in lieu of a popular song on the radio. It’s not to say that the songs on the radio are bad. Taylor Swift, Twenty One Pilots, and Fetty Wap all have one thing in common: their ability to create a hit single; that’s something to be celebrated, truly. However, for those of you looking for something less tapped, something fresh, here are five underrated albums and Eps that you need to listen to right away.
Tegan and Sara
The Con
Hailing from Canada, these twin sisters are absolutely fantastic when it comes to their ability to tell a story. With so few words they speak what so many people feel, and it’s really amazing when an artist – or, in this case, two artists – can tap into a universal feeling. From uncertainty to head over heels, The Con is a punch from beginning to end.
Check out: Back In Your Head
Eli Lieb
Eli Lieb
I remember discovering Eli Lieb on YouTube like it was yesterday; I was browsing through cover songs after recently discovering another artist that I loved, and I saw that he had covers of several of her songs (the artist in question? Lana Del Rey). This guy has pipes. His raspy voice manages to linger long after the album is over because he’s got a hauntingly beautiful voice. He’s also an out-and-proud gay man, and he’s written several songs about that as well.
Check Out: Place of Paradise
Lights
Acoustic EP
Maybe I have an affinity for Canadian artists… eh? Lights, also known as Valerie Poxleitner is an electronic artist who can actually sing. Hear me out; though her voice is heavily synthesized – or so it appears, she’s actually just as angelic live. Her sweet voice is a particular favorite of mine in the acoustic tracks that she puts out, and with each non-acoustic album, you can almost always expect an acoustic version to follow suit. Yaaaasss!
Check Out: Romance Is…
Wrabel
Sideways EP
Perhaps most well-known for his song Ten Feet Tall, made popular by DJ Afrojack, Wrabel released his first – and, so far, only – EP back in 2014. Though it’s only got four songs, they’re all absolutely brilliant. He has a soulful voice which goes well with the piano tracking in each video. Plus, he’s an advocate and member of the LGBT community as well as one of Kesha’s great friends. What’s not to enjoy?
Check Out: Into the Wild
Hayley Kiyoko
This Side of Paradise EP
I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again. Disney has a way with artists. In this case, Hayley Kiyoko is best known for her role as the punk rock girl in the DCOM Lemonade Mouth; say what you want, I absolutely loved the movie. So upon seeing her Facebook page, I immediately checked out her EP. It’s absolutely stunning and the production value matches the highest paid in the industry, easily.
Check Out: Cliff’s Edge
