Five Rising Artists to Add to Your Next Playlist

As streaming platforms have increased their influence on the music industry exponentially over the past decade, undiscovered artists have had the opportunity to record and release their music to a wider audience than ever before. With an endless sea of music available at our fingertips, finding and exploring new talent has never been easier. Whether you’re an avid music enthusiast or just want to branch out from your usual playlists, discovering new artists can open up a world of new sounds and perspectives. In this article, I’ll give you my picks for the best rising artists to add to your playlists in 2023 that you’ll be listening to on repeat!

Wyatt Pike

With an acoustic-centered sound and captivating songwriting, Wyatt Pike is a refreshing new artist to the music scene. Raised in Park City, Utah, Pike has been writing and performing music since the age of 10. In 2020, Pike released his first EP, “Brand New Boy”, a blend of folk, pop, and acoustic sounds. Since then, Pike has continued to release singles with a full album in the works. His latest single, “Airplane Effect,” was released on Feb. 3, 2023.

In 2021, I first came across Wyatt’s music while watching American Idol. For his audition, Pike performed one of his original songs, “Best For You”, and I was immediately intrigued by his unique voice and musical style. Until he decided to leave the competition, citing personal reasons, Wyatt gave stellar performances on American Idol that showcased a deep love and joy for playing music. Pike continues to release new music, and he concluded his first tour in May 2022. You can find more information about Pike’s music and future performances here.

Eloise

Although London-based Eloise is a relatively new face to the music industry, she has already garnered the attention of big-name stars such as Billie Eilish. Her first EP, “This Thing Called Living”, was released in 2019, a record heavily influenced by jazzy instrumentals. After the debut of her EP, Eloise teamed up with artist Bruno Major to produce her next EP, “Somewhere in Between”, released in 2021. Eloise’s latest single, “Giant Feelings“, was released on Feb.17, 2023, and her full debut album, Drunk on a Flight, will release on Apr. 14, 2023.

I was recently introduced to Eloise’s music while skipping through songs on Spotify. Her song, “Drunk on a Flight”, prompted me to look up her live videos, impressed with her stunning vocal capabilities. Her first EP, “This Thing Called Living”, has more of a jazzy undertone, drawing comparisons to Norah Jones. However, her latest music has a more R&B feel, highlighting her musical versatility. Beyond melodies, Eloise’s songwriting is hauntingly beautiful, capturing feelings of love, loss, and heartbreak. You can find more about Eloise’s upcoming here.

marcus mumford

Marcus Mumford is no stranger to the music stage, widely known for his performances as the frontrunner with his band Mumford and Sons. However, Mumford is now blazing his own path after the release of his first solo album, Self-Titled, on Sep. 16, 2022. His album is filled with star-studded collaborations, including duets with Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, Brandi Carlile, and Monica Martin.

While Mumford’s album is rich with beautiful instrumentals, his songwriting shines throughout the album. Through gut-wrenching lyrics, Mumford examines his experiences with abuse and alcoholism, painting a brutally honest picture of the effects of childhood trauma. The power in his vocals throughout the album allows listeners to resonate with his raw emotion, contrasted by intimate melodies.

As a fan of Mumford from his work with Mumford and Sons, Self-Titled was a creative change in sound from his band’s previous albums, highlighting his individuality and versatility as a solo artist. Beyond his recorded music, Mumford is a fantastic artist to listen to live, performing gorgeous renditions of his songs. You can find his upcoming tour dates here.

Madison Cunningham

Madison Cunningham is a rising star in the folk genre, garnering multiple Grammy nominations and recently earning her first Grammy for her sophomore album Revealer. Cunningham’s music has received nods from The New York Times, NPR, and Rolling Stone. In 2022, The New York Times named Cunningham’s track “Our Rebellion” one of the best songs of the year, solidifying her status as a rising talent to watch. 

I was introduced to Cunningham’s music through her performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, recorded in 2022 shortly before the release of Revealer. Instantly intrigued, I watched many of her live performances on YouTube, all of which showcased her unique sound. Cunningham’s lyricism is powerful, highlighting the deep complexities of love, dreams, and grief. “Life According to Raechel”, one of my favorite songs by Cunningham, is an emotional tribute to her grandmother, written shortly after her passing. You can learn more about Cunningham’s music and find her upcoming tour dates here. 

the backseat lovers

The Backseat Lovers have become a force of nature in the indie rock genre, gaining attention with their most popular single, “Kilby Girl”. Originating from Provo, Utah, this band released their first EP in 2018 titled “Elevator Days”. Shortly after, they released their debut album, When We Were Friends, which saw immense success, receiving over 200 million streams on Spotify by the end of 2022. The band’s latest album, Waiting to Spill, was released in October 2022. 

My introduction to the Backseat Lover’s music was another gift from Spotify, featured on the app’s Indie Essentials playlist. While I enjoy the lyrics to their songs, I particularly enjoy the instrumentals, perfect for a long car drive or a summer day. From the electric sound of When We Were Friends to the more acoustic-based Waiting to Spill, the Backseat Lovers has a wide range of musical sounds to appeal to various tastes. You can find more information about their latest album and upcoming tour dates (including a stop in Dallas!) by clicking here. 

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