Han Yang; Ryosuke Tanzawa; Xander Lewis
In 2025, music took a couple of very bleak turns. The rise of AI has largely fueled a worrying concern for how the art form will look like in the next year. But amid the increasing digital rubble of slop, we've found musicians out there making music that are still weird, feel special, and sound infinitely unique with the human touch.
This list of emerging musicians — think pop stars, rappers, and multi-piece bands — includes the elusive indie rock singer Dove Ellis; South Korea hyper-pop princess The Deep; and powerhouse vocalist Absolutely (also Raye’s little sister), among many others. Read on to get acquainted with The FADER’s pick of artists that make us excited for the future.
Feng
Who: A 19-year-old producer/rapper making waves in the U.K. underground.
What: From Scouse rap to British jerk, Feng stands out for his sheer versatility. There's also a bit of an indie-pop-meets-hip-hop sound.
Where to start: His 2025 album, What The Feng, that made it on to The FADER's best songs of the year.
ear
WHO: A two-piece band, composed of Yaelle Avtan and Jonah Paz, who made one of The FADER's best songs of 2025.
WHAT: Bits of twee folk cues that clash with electronic beats and feel as if time-traveling from the depths of early-aughts Myspace.
WHERE TO START: If you haven’t seen the duo perform live at Yung Lean’s Forever Young tour, you can start with their music videos, “nerves” and “Real Life.” See also: their debut project, The Most Dear and The Future.
Dove Ellis
WHO: An early 20-something singer-songwriter from Galway, Ireland, who recently opened for Geese.
WHAT: Intimate, dreamy, and reminiscent of ’70s-era indie-rock tunes paired with a voice that's just as distinctive as that of the frontman he just opened for on tour.
WHERE TO START: Not much is known about Dove Ellis, but the Irish musician—already known to be an introvert who shies away from the cameras—has been likened to greats such as Jeff Buckley. Start with his newly released debut album, Blizzard, which features his first single, “To The Sandals.” Dive deeper and watch his 11-minute live performance at The Old Operating Theatre.
Sofia Isella
WHO: A 20-year-old Los Angeles-bred singer-songwriter, now based in Queensland, Australia, and who just so happens to have a (quite literal) cult-like following on TikTok.
WHAT: Think Billie Eilish and Kiki Rockwell, but make it all about women’s empowerment.
WHERE TO START: Her 2020 EP I’m Not Yours and its follow-up project, I Can Be Your Mother. (Read our profile on Sofia Isella here.)
Mackeeper
WHO: A duo featuring brothers Miles Cohen and Nick Harwood.
WHAT: Electro-alternative indie with a medieval flair.
WHERE TO START: In the past two months, the brothers have released two singles, “Oh Canada” and “Pieces of Yours.” If you’re vying for a full-length project, you’ll have to wait: their mixtape, The Price of Salt, is the closest you’ll get (for now).
Chris Patrick
WHO: A rapper hailing from New Jersey.
WHAT: Underground hip-hop that boasts an effortless candor.
WHERE TO START: Start with his debut album, THE CALM, before making your way to Pray 4 Me. His freestyle with Kai Cenat is so unparalleled, one YouTube comment reads, “This guy is gonna be a superstar.” We agree.
Tiffi M
WHO: A London-based Swedish songwriter and producer.
WHAT: Underground Scandinavian pop tinged with manipulated acoustics, choppy cues, and heavy-handed autotune that, when combined, feels oddly tender.
WHERE TO START: She’s been making music for over two years, but her first full-length, 10-piece album, Heartstrings, dropped in October.
Prostitute
WHO: A quintet hailing from Dearborn, Michigan. Members consist of Moe Kazra, Andrew Kaster, Dylan Zaranski, Ross Babinski, and Bret Wall.
WHAT: Experimental pop-rock layered with Arab rock influences, high-energy dance textures, and anarchic messages that are unapologetically political.
WHERE TO START: Start with their debut album, Attempted Martyr, and their 7-minute manifesto, “Mr. Dada.”
Absolutely
WHO: Absolutely, born Abby-Lynn Keen, is a British singer-songwriter and the little sister of pop star Raye.
WHAT: A powerhouse vocalist tapping into streams of R&B, pop, and EDM influences.
WHERE TO START: Get into her debut project, Cerebrum. Her sophomore album, Paracosm, is slated to arrive at the top of 2026 — but in the meantime, you can listen to her lead single “I Just Don’t Know You Yet”, and “Goodbye Glitter.”
The Deep
WHO: An independent singer-songwriter from South Korea with a deep fascination for Y2K.
WHAT: Think early 2000s club pop and UK garage sounds that’s anti-idol and full-on baddie. Her songs are reminiscent of second-gen K-pop minus the industry’s glossy sanitization.
WHERE TO START: Brat, but make it K-pop:
href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1uLioYCPw0KyHyTWYL79I9">KPOP B!TCH
Effie
WHO: A South Korean singer-rapper with a penchant for hyperpop sounds.
WHAT: A pioneer of Korea’s Sad Girl movement — she’s full throttle in the world of hyperpop, kawaii drill, and club tunes.
WHERE TO START: Her debut album, E.
Sassy 009
WHO: A Norwegian trio of friends featuring Sunniva, Teodora, and Johanna.
WHAT: Electronic-slash-nighttime bedroom pop.
WHERE TO START: Ahead of their 2026 album Dreamer+, their first project in five years, dive into their 2021 sophomore album Heart Ego. (Plus, check out our recap of their single “Pretty Baby.”)
Cece Natalie
WHO: A Connecticut-born, New York-based rising pop star and producer.
WHAT: Bratty pop music with a blend of hypnotic 2000s bedroom cues and R&B infusions. Legally, she’s Mia Ferrentino, but lives as her alter ego, Cece Natalie.
WHERE TO START: Her self-produced debut album, Miss Behaves, will hit for anyone who's a fan of mixtape-era Tinashe, Britney Spears, and Timbaland's golden era.
Gabriel Jacoby
WHO: A raspy-voiced R&B artist, producer, and songwriter from South Carolina.
WHAT: The FADER’s social editor has described Jacoby as a mix of Pop Smoke and GIVEON: soft, sultry, and soulful.
WHERE TO START: Start with his debut EP, gutta child, and one of The FADER’s favorite tracks of 2025, “baby.”
SALIMATA
WHO: A Brooklyn-raised, Marseille-based rapper and bona fide It girl.
WHAT: Her poetic flows are a concoction of social commentary, personal truth, and pure rage.
WHERE TO START: Her fiery “On the Radar” freestyle, and her album, The Happening.
