If you’re like me and have been listening to the same music since Christmas, then I have just the thing for you. As midterms come to an end and the weather begins to get a little warmer you’re going to want to blast some new music that makes you feel etheral and light.
Gallant
The American singer/songwriter’s debut album Ology, released on April 6, 2016, Gallant’s smooth and slick vocals over an R&B and electronic production that when listened to is literally a match made in heaven. If that isn’t enough to get you to listen to this NYU grad, what if I told you his album gained critical accliam from Pitchfork, Entertainment Weekly, and The Guardian? Ology album was also nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the Grammy’s.
Grimes
Though the Canadian singer/songwriter has been around for quite awhile (and has attracted a cult following), she still hasn’t broken out. Her songs are a crazy juxtaposition that make you want to dance and cry about some guy/girl that broke your heart, but isn’t that what love’s all about? In my opinion, no one does cross-genre experimental quite like her, plus she’s got a killer fashion game.
Stromae
Like Grimes, this Belgian rapper/songwriter has garnered a big following over in Europe, but hasn’t reached the United States just yet, and I haven’t been able to figure out why. Even though he raps in French, and I never understand what he is rapping about, it’s his passion and the song’s production that gets me. Stromae’s second album Racine Carree, French for “square root,” explores alienation from social networks, relationship issues, discrimination, lung cancer, AIDS, and absent father figures; so, as far as diversity goes this album hits the nail on the head. Everyone can pick up something from this album; I strongly encourage you to check out.
Broods
This brother/sister duo from New Zealand have Ellie Goulding-esque vocals, they even toured with the singer. They carry their songs with electronic/indie pop production, which is why they’re perfect for summer.
Maren Morris
I know she’s a country artist, but she’s a country artist with a poppier/rockier sound. Morris is a Grammy winner and has played Saturday Night Live. So, don’t snub her from your summer playlist just yet. I suggest listenting to 80s Mercedes first.
Kehlani
While she is definitely one of the better known names on this list, Kehlani is still slept on, even with her mixture of R&B/pop/soul sound. Her debut studio album SweetSexySavage was met with a ton of positive reception and totally lives up to it’s name.
Glass Animals
If you’re a fan of Tame Impala then you will love this English rock band’s electronic/psychedelic/indie sound. You can probably catch them at any festival you go to because they’ve played the likes of Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza.
Madi Diaz
I first saw Madi Diaz when she opened up for the band Echosmith back in 2014 and I haven’t stopped listening to her music since, in fact she may be one of my most played on iTunes and for good reason. Her sixth studio album, Phantom, released in 2014, combines ’80s synth-pop with folk songwriting, which in retrospect may sound like it wouldn’t work, but my iTunes plays and I can reassure that it 100 percent does.
Dua Lipa
The British singer/songwriter’s debut studio album is slated to drop this June and I can already tell she is going to be huge. Lipa has this powerful, beautiful, and mature husky voice that cannot be overwhelmed and stands up to major powerhouse beats. If you’re looking for someone new to check out then she is definitely the one.
Raleigh Ritchie
Also known as Jacob Anderson and Grey Worm on Game of Thrones, this British singer should not be underestimated. His debut studio album, You’re a Man Now, Boy, released February 26, 2016, is bold and cutting-edge (influenced by Kanye West’s The College Dropout). The album is a mixture of confessional vocals and gospel singalong, but the songs never lose Ritchie’s pop focus.