Staged Haze’s 25 Artists to Watch in 2025

Five-piece band bby is a pleasantly chaotic, genre-bending band, with mismatching members that together, create a harmonious, magical group. Jumping from indie-rock to rap and to everything in between, bby bring such a fresh take into the alternative sphere. There is an edginess to their discography that doesn’t seem forced, it feels genuine and appropriate for the times we’re living through. At the same time, the almost old-school vocals and guitars make bby’s music sound like they originally belonged in a different decade but by some chance came to be in the 2020s. bby is at the beginning of their career, and it will be a treat to watch them grow. – Javi

RIYL: Royel Otis, hey, nothing, Lime Garden

British singer-songwriter Chloe Slater is the true definition of “if you believe it, you can achieve it:” she signed a record deal, opened for Kings of Leon, and played Glastonbury in one year: 2024. The 21-year-old has made quite the name for herself on the internet, releasing music about the toxicity of influencer culture, beauty standards, and the pressures of simply existing in contemporary society as a young woman. According to previous interviews, Slater will be working on new music for 2025, along with a performing a handful of headlining shows in Europe. – Kristin

RIYL: Holly Humberstone, Honeyglaze, Moody Joody

British up-and-coming pop star Chloe Qisha only has five songs released on streaming platforms and has already managed to hit 365k monthly listeners on Spotify. While you can likely quantify that number from the help of these songs performing well on playlists and TikTok, you can’t deny that these songs, with “I Lied, I’m Sorry” in particular, are incredibly catchy, self-actualized bodies of work. Qisha’s debut, self-titled EP was co-written and fully produced by heavy hitter Rob Milton (The 1975, Holly Humberstone, Medium Build), lamenting her as a true artist to watch in the indie pop space. – Kristin

RIYL: Olivia Rodrigo, Holly Humberstone, Griff

chlothegod is an artist making waves with her unapologetically bold sound and introspective lyricism, blending elements of hip-hop, soul, and alternative R&B. Her vision is a powerful testament to her ability to channel raw emotion into her music, combining haunting melodies with a commanding vocal delivery. chlothegod’s artistry reflects a deep vulnerability, paired with an unrelenting drive to push creative boundaries. As she continues to carve out her unique space in the music world, she’s an artist who demands attention. – Jesse 

RIYL: SZA, Kehlani, JID

When I first heard singer-songwriter Debbii Dawson for the first time in early 2024, I knew I had stumbled onto something special. Not only are her vocals incredibly unique: equally balanced with bravado and gentleness, but her tone effortlessly tackles indie pop and country elements for a perfect blend of fun and twangy. Think Fleetwood Mac meets Dolly Parton. Fresh off a tour and collaboration with Orville Peck and set to open for Role Model’s upcoming North American tour, the future is looking bright for Dawson: fingers are crossed for a full-length album in 2025! – Kristin

RIYL: Kacey Musgraves, Allison Ponthier, Willow Avalon

Not to be “that person” arriving late to the party of an artist who’s arguably already hit the mainstream, but I’m super excited to see what Doechii’s poised to do in 2025. She’s already a pretty big success in the hip-hop community: her 2023 breakthrough single “What It Is” is currently sitting at 351 million streams on Spotify. But her 2024 album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, has proven that her star power is built to last longer than a one-hit wonder: it’s funny, ambitious, and fearless, garnering her major fans in SZA, Hayley Williams, and Willow, to name a few. Her Best New Artist nominee at The Grammys doesn’t hurt, either. – Kristin

RIYL: Doja Cat, Tyler, The Creator, SZA

I’m honestly so surprised that I am writing about Eli Smart just now (I am so sorry, Eli). His discography has been a constant in my rotation for about two years now, and he’s been releasing bangers for even longer – about seven years to be exact. Eli’s unique style and voice, along with his willingness to experiment with funky and eccentric sounds, makes every release so special and unexpected because you can never know what he’s going to try next. The 25-year-old’s debut album, No Summer, came out last September, setting a new tone for his career and showing the world the range he holds inside, and I’m hoping we will soon get to see where his immense talent will take him. – Javi

RIYL: Declan McKenna, French Cassettes, meija

I first discovered Gigi Perez back in 2022 when she was still going by Gigi. I was completely blown away by her vocals: her deep tone and haunting raspiness make her one of the most unique voices in music today.
Perez has found immense success in the last year or so: her track “Sailor Song” has done quite the numbers on TikTok, resulting in over 600 million streams on Spotify alone. Now clocking in at 28 million monthly listeners on the DSP, Gigi is set to embark on a 2025 headlining tour in Europe and the US later this year. – Kristin

RIYL: Billie Eilish, Hozier, girl in red

Last fall, pop singer, songwriter, and producer googly eyes released her debut album, Starlet (entirely self-written and produced) on Tove Lo’s Pretty Swede Records. Clocking in at seven songs long and sixteen and a half minutes, Starlet is bursting at the seams with pop and electronic influences, innovation, and self-expression. I could name any of the songs a standout track, but I’d argue that “Brand New Bitch” is the best representation of the project as a whole. googly eyes feels fresh yet familiar to fans of the electro-pop genre, lamenting googly eyes as an artist with plenty of offer, and (hopefully) many opportunities ahead of her this year. – Kristin

RIYL: Tove Lo, Tate McRae, Addison Rae

Grace Ives is an artist to watch for her ability to craft irresistibly catchy, lo-fi pop that feels deeply personal and universally relatable. With her unique mix of bedroom production and sharp lyricism, Ives transforms everyday observations into vibrant, danceable tracks. Her 2022 album Janky Star showcased her talent for blending quirky melodies with introspective storytelling, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her as a rising voice in indie pop. Grace Ives’ music invites listeners into her world—equal parts introspective and playful—making her a standout in today’s music landscape. – Jesse

RIYL: Caroline Polachek, Clairo, Charli xcx

Swinging between pop and R&B, Jackson Marshall has quickly made a place for himself in the indie scene. With a soothing voice and a satisfying almost-spoken flow, the Texas native makes it all sound so effortless—you can hear in his voice how at ease he is when making music, how naturally songs seem to come to him. Marshall has been releasing music consistently for the past two years, with two EPs already under his sleeve and a persistently growing audience and following, so I hope 2025 will be nice to him, allowing us to see him reach even more of his still-raw potential. – Javi

RIYL: Dominic Fike, Omar Apollo, Bakar

Joey Valence and Brae are breathing new life into old-school hip-hop with their Beastie Boys-inspired style, blending playful yet precise flows, infectious beats, and punk energy. Their tracks, like “Punk Tactics,” showcase a fresh, modern twist on golden-era hip-hop, making their sound both nostalgic and innovative. This summer, they’re taking their explosive live shows to some of the biggest stages, with performances lined up at Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, and other major festivals. Joey Valence and Brae’s undeniable chemistry and high-energy sets are a must-see, solidifying them as an artist to watch in the festival circuit and beyond. – Jesse

RIYL: Denzel Curry, Oliver Tree, Rico Nasty

Kate Bollinger is an artist to watch for her effortlessly soothing blend of jazzy indie pop and introspective lyrics. Her music feels like a warm breeze—relaxed yet intricately crafted, with a knack for turning the mundane into something magical. Her recent album, Songs From a Thousand Frames of Mind, showcases her lush arrangements and soft, mesmerizing vocals, solidifying her place as a unique voice in the indie scene. With an upcoming album teased for release later this year, Bollinger’s star continues to rise, offering listeners music that feels both timeless and refreshing. – Jesse

RIYL: Feist, Weyes Blood, Faye Webster

Keni Titus’ 2024 EP juliet was a contender for one of my favorite releases of 2024, despite it only featuring five songs. For an artist so early into their career, I find that Titus, who opened on tour for Beabadoobee last year, has already developed a strong artist perspective that’s evident in their music. Her songs are extremely diaristic, representing specific times in her life as a teenager to a young 20-something venturing into adulthood for the first time. As artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams shift from “underground” to mainstream, a new wave of introspective singer-songwriters will be coming into the fold: Keni Titus is certainly no exception. – Kristin

RIYL: Alix Page, Eliza McLamb, Kaleah lee

LAUREL is carving a distinct path in music with her evocative songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes that blend indie pop, rock, and electronic influences. Known for her haunting vocals and introspective lyrics, LAUREL has a gift for creating music that feels both intimate and cinematic. Her recent single, “Change,” showcases her growth as an artist, layering lush production with heartfelt storytelling. With new music teased for 2025, LAUREL is poised to captivate even more listeners with her dynamic sound and emotional depth. She’s an artist who consistently evolves, making her one to keep on your radar. – Jesse 

RIYL: Florence + The Machine, Wolf Alice, Lana Del Rey

It’s hard to believe that I’m writing about someone that’s currently the 107th most streamed artist in the world (according to Spotify), but at the end of the day, I guess that’s just one more reason to include her in this write-up. British musician Lola Young first came onto the mainstream scene back in 2023, thanks to the viral hit “Don’t Hate Me.” But since, she’s proved herself to be much more than a TikTok artist: her song “Messy” is nearing 200 million streams on Spotify and collaborations with Tyler, The Creator and Lil Yachty have certainly helped prove her worthiness. I admire Young’s commitment to being herself, vulnerable and messy (pun intended) and I know that 2025 is going to be her biggest year yet. – Kristin

RIYL: Tyler, The Creator, Little Simz, Willow

Now I’ll say this lightly, considering how crazy of a year Chappell Roan just had, but I really think that Meg Smith has the potential to follow a similar trajectory to Roan. Her debut EP, The Gospel According to Meg Smith, features nine songs of perfect pop music: full of self-deprecating lyrics, strong convictions, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek references to religion, even going so far as cosplaying an angel during her live shows. A nanny by day and musician by night, Meg Smith has mastered the art of self-reliance: her project is entirely her own vision and truly exemplifies the power of manifesting. I can’t wait to see where she goes next! – Kristin 

RIYL: EMEI, Zolita, KiNG Mala

Grunge, indie rock project mercury, curated by Maddie Kerr, has been working diligently on her project for the past couple years, recently collaborating with one of indie rocks’ most coveted producers, Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman, Snail Mail). mercury’s music is an ode to finding solace in songwriting, or, “a means of finding clarity in an often cruel world,” quoted from a press release for the artist’s project. Set to support The Backfires on their upcoming North American tour, mercury is destined to find some new fans this year.
– Kristin

RIYL: Wallice, Annie DiRusso, Bartees Strange

​​Nemahsis, a Toronto-based artist whose family immigrated from Palestine, originally made waves back in 2022 for posting beauty content geared towards Muslim women on TikTok as well as various videos of herself covering Adele songs. She was eventually signed to a record label, but was dropped just days after the Hamas-led attack on Israel back in October 2023, for being outspokenly pro-Palestine. Her debut album, Verbathim, was independently released this past September and has been making waves on the internet. As she grows her career, Hasan continues to be unapologetically herself: unafraid to speak up for what she believes in with a powerful point-of-view and artistic vision. – Kristin

RIYL: Dora Jar, MUNA, Rachel Chinouriri

English singer-songwriter Paris Paloma has been making waves in the indie folk space following the release of her 2024 debut album, Cacophony. If her name sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve probably been unable to avoid her breakout single “labour,” which has become the unofficial anthem for women’s rights, driving over two billion views on social media alone. She’s already toured across America and beyond, opened for Maisie Peters and Stevie Nicks, and was even selected by Peter Jackson’s team to provide vocals for “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” track featured in the movie’s end credits. What’s next for Paloma? She’ll return to the US this spring for another massive tour: nearly every date is already sold out. – Kristin

RIYL: Florence + The Machine, Aurora, SOFIA ISELLA

I saw Rebounder live for the first time in 2022, back when they opened for Last Dinosaurs’ North American tour. I even got to watch them perform one of their then-unreleased songs for the first time (their single “Boy Friday”) which they all said sounded horrible, and I think that’s when I decided that I would root for them forever. Frontman Dylan Chenfeld’s genuine love for making music shines through the band’s music; they’ve been doing this for quite some time now, and they seem to be constantly working on bettering their craft. If you haven’t given Rebounder a chance yet, then this is the year that you should! – Javi

RIYL: Jelani Aryeh, almost monday, Mickey Darling

I feel like I’ve been writing about Sasami for a couple years now, but I’m feeling hopeful that 2025 could be her breakout year. Her new album, Blood On The Silver Screen, is set to drop this upcoming March, and has already delivered some deliciously catchy singles in “Honeycrash,” “Slugger,” and “Just Be Friends.” Her previous releases have been a bit more on the alternative side, mixing genres like indie rock, folk, and nu metal, but it seems like the new music she’s working on, with help in the studio from producers Jenn Decilveo and Rostam, will be a bit more pop influenced: just one more genre she can add to her list of expertise. – Kristin

RIYL: Soccer Mommy, Dora Jar, Pom Pom Squad

Following my discovery of Saya Gray, I’ve become pretty obsessed with everything she’s released. The Japanese-Canadian artist, who’s signed to Dirty Hit Records, takes an autobiographical approach to music production: whether recording on a tape machine or uncovering a voice note that’s several years old. Everything she makes is fed through a MPC (Music Production Center), resulting in a body of work that is unfiltered, raw, and authentically Saya. She’s described her process as “1000 personalities in one song,” making her music universally appealing yet simultaneously idiosyncratic. – Kristin

RIYL: Nilüfer Yanya, Låpsley, mary in the junkyard

One of the only ways I can think of to describe British indie-pop band Soft Launch is off-putting—but I mean it in the most complimentary way. They’ve released a total of four singles, and they all bring such an original and new sound, to the point where the melodies and riffs confuse my brain while scratching it in all the right places. If you’re into dissonant, funky, weird music, this band covers all those realms and evokes the essential vintage-y, old-school grounds with their choices of distorted guitars and synthesizers. Soft Launch was officially born less than a year ago, so if you enjoy telling people that you “discovered” an artist before they blew up, then this is your time to shine! – Javi

RIYL: Alfie Templeman, Foster The People, Declan McKenna

If Consequence of Sound claims a musician is “The Next Leader of the Shoegaze Revival,” you better pay attention. That’s exactly what happened to 20-year-old (!!!) singer Natalie R. Lu, known professionally as Wisp. Her music has been especially well-received on TikTok, garnering a buzz so high that she’s performed at several international festivals already, just performed a handful of tour dates with Slowdive, and is set to open up for System of a Down and Korn during their joint tour this summer, along with appearances at Coachella and Bonnaroo. Need I say more? – Kristin

RIYL: Alex G, julie, Wolf Alice