Copy-Edited by Samia Orva
One of the most rewarding aspects of discovering new artists is the reminiscing of your older taste. You can’t help but be transported back to musicians you used to love, and see how they are all connected. What’s particularly exciting about the following artists is that they come from a similar time to those like Frank Ocean, Westside Gunn, and Chance the Rapper, yet offer a wholly unique and refreshing musical experience. All artists can take inspiration from the styles and techniques of others, but it takes skill to not just sound like a rip-off. I have curated a list of masterful singers, songwriters, and musicians of various genres to save you time. They may not all suit your taste, but I know you will enjoy at least one (even if secretly). This is my way of “ungatekeeping” a few great musicians.
Jev. has every sign of an up-and-coming musical star. His discography consists of alternate hip-hop and R&B. An excellent place to start is with “where’s the confetti?” which is a track of his that has blown up recently. It is a hookless song that exhibits how far Jev. has come. When songs lack a hook, they tend to get repetitive but “where’s the confetti?” does so in an impeccable manner. Once he starts rapping, Jev. never stops, laying witty one-liners after another over a simple drum beat and looped sample that never gets old.
Ajna uses layers of emotion in his songs, especially in “Written in the Stars” and “Fall so Fast.” Underneath the lyrics is a calm yet fast-paced accompaniment that suits the theme well. Ajna’s music carries some influences from Joey Bada$$ and Capital STEEZ and is worth a listen if you enjoy listening to J. Cole, Dave, or even Drake.
Quiet Commotion’s music spans from indie folk to alternative rock, making them an extremely versatile artist. Though based in Sweden, their music draws inspiration from American bands like Duster, Wallows, and The Strokes. “Paint Cracks” was one of my first listens; it will definitely feel familiar if you listen to these artists. This song undoubtedly falls under alternative indie. As with most in the genre, it features many unique styles, themes, and techniques. For example, in “Paint Cracks,” there is a verse in which dissonant chords are used repetitively to create an intriguing sound.
Eric Junior writes, produces, mixes, and masters his music; you can tell it all comes from his soul. I genuinely enjoy listening to his music, and I do so regularly. He has consistently released music since I started listening to him two years ago. Crazy Dreamer, one of his albums, is without a doubt worth playing while commuting to school.
Willyynova is a hip-hop artist who seamlessly blends classic and modern sounds. This is another artist that I can never get enough of. To start, I would recommend listening to “Insidious White Noise,” especially if you are a Travis Scott fan. The accompaniment along with the lyrics blend together seamlessly, even when it seems chaotic. This adds depth and complexity to the musical arrangement, explaining why it is one of his most popular songs.
Cameron Whitcomb is for those who secretly admire country music. I personally don’t enjoy the greater genre, but Cameron Whitcomb adds his own take that is quite enjoyable. The rasp of his voice complements the lyrics of his music well, especially in “Shoot Me Dead.”
Redveil has been known for adding interesting twists to some of his hip-hop and rap songs. With a musical background rooted in gospel, Redveil’s music embodies the emotions of this genre and translates them into rap. His pieces are bright and triumphant, primarily focusing on positive aspects of life instead of struggles. If you listen to other rap artists, you will see the influences that Redveil has used to create his diverse recordings. He cites Drake, Kanye West, Travis Scott, J Cole, Future, and Kendrick Lamar as his main influences. However, he flawlessly incorporates aspects of their sound without sounding identical to them.
Delving deeper into genres you most likely wouldn’t have ventured into opens up a whole new world of music. Each artist expresses themselves differently and the mentioned musicians above, in particular, have crafted technically impressive and emotionally resonant pieces.
