No rankings. Just 50 songs that tell the story of music in 2023’s first half

*all songs were released before a cutoff data of June, 1. Any songs released after that date will be eligible for part 2 of this series

By Ben Leshan

5g- brakence

Source: @brakence

brakence, one of our Artists to Watch in 2022, has really found his sound on his most recent project hypochondriac, and “5g” is a fantastic example of how to execute a concept song that has replay value. The sonic experience is exciting and catchy, while the lyricism and messaging are thoughtful and well-crafted. This track is hyper-pop, and it features brakence’s signature passionate vocal delivery, but it is not overly experimental as to lose its accessibility.

UNDEFEATED- EST Gee

Source: @est.gee

This track exemplifies what EST Gee can do over a vocal sample that gives his voice room to breathe, and the result is special. Gee, one of our Next Up Rappers back in 2022, comes through with some of the hardest verses of the year and a high-quality sung chorus, making for one of the best overall rap tracks we’ve gotten in 2023. EST Gee is not just a hard, street rapper, he is a versatile emcee with the potential to follow a similar path to an artist like Lil Baby who emerged from the trap scene to become a mainstream mega star.

Let Me Down- Quinn XCII feat. Chelsea Cutler

Source: @quinnxcii

“Let Me Down” has the classic bubbly bounce of a Quinn XCII track, and it is executed to perfection. The juxtaposition of the vibrant instrumental and sad lyrics works well, and Quinn and Cutler show off their incredible chemistry and strong vocal chops here. The ear worm chorus and warm synths feel magical on the chorus, and each artist showcases their writing strengths on strong verses. This track is radio-ready and full of life, and it should have gotten even more love as the best track on Quinn’s 2023 release The People’s Champ.

Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2- Pinkpanthress feat. Ice Spice

Source: @pinkpantheress

This song was a moment. Two of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the music industry on the same track, and both killed it. The soft electro-glamor of pinkpantheress music doesn’t seem like the ideal space for rising drill rapper Ice Spice, but the Bronx rapper dominated her verse, coming with perhaps the most memorable mainstream rap verse of the year. Credit should also obviously go to pinkpantheress for crafting the incredible initial track and having the vision to add Ice Spice to the remix.

on the street- j-hope feat. J Cole

Source: @uarmyhope

A collaboration between a member of k-pop sensation BTS and J Cole sounds like a fever dream, but this collab is real and impressive. j-hope comes through with a memorable chorus and a solid verse over a fantastic instrumental featuring a boom-bap drum groove and a background whistle, and then J Cole comes in with what may be the rap verse of the year. In his signature style as a feature artist, Cole comes in and eviscerates the track with beautiful lyricism and powerful delivery, elevating this track from a solid effort to one of the best releases of the year.

Worst Case Kid- Tommy Lefroy

Source: @tommylefroy

Indie duo Tommy Lefroy have tapped into something special in their early releases together, and “Worst Case Kid” is the best of their excellent Rivals EP. Built on moody guitars over an indie drum groove, this track has incredible vocals to match the standout production, and imaginative and descriptive lyrics to take it over the top. The track feels cinematic, holding depth and warmth, but also pain within its aura, and communicating emotion with ease and passion. Tommy Lefroy are artists to watch and this song shows the quality of their work.

The Hard Way- PNAU, Khalid

Source: @pnaupnau

Australian EDM trio PNAU comes through with an absolutely killer instrumental on this track, and find the perfect vocalist to do the production justice in Khalid. Known for his superb vocal performances on previous dance mega hits like Marshmello’s “Silence” and Martin Garrix’s “Ocean”, this track has the potential to reach the same stratosphere with the raw emotionality of Khalid’s tone and the lush synths and catchy melodies in PNAU’s performance. This song is something special.

How I’m Feeling Now- Lewis Capaldi

Source: @lewiscapaldi

Lewis Capaldi is known for being vulnerable about love on his songs, but he has never been so vulnerable about his mental health as he is here, diving into his struggles with depression in raw, yet eloquent lyrics. The song also sounds like a hit, juxtaposing lower register vocals over acoustic guitars on the verses with belting and heavier instrumentation on the choruses. This track is also incredibly catchy and should be relatable for millions of fans.

Always- Daniel Caesar

Source: @danielcaesar

“Always” is easily in the running for the most beautiful song of the year, featuring impeccably soulful vocals from Caesar and topnotch songwriting. On an album full of beautiful tracks, this one stands out, and is arguably one of the very best all-around rnb song of the last few years. The depth of emotion in Caesar’s voice is magical, and he expresses his unconditional, yet unrequited love with passion and vulnerability.

Weightless- Arlo Parks

Source: @arlo.parks

Arlo Parks has been one of the best artists in the game for years at this point (we first wrote about her as one of our Artists to Watch in 2021), but this is her best work yet. Singing over more active and energetic production than is typical of her catalog, an instrumental that features popping synth hits, grooving drums, and drifting pads, Parks is given the backdrop to show off the incredible clarity in her tone. Lyrically, the track dives into a relationship that has gone bad, but that Parks can’t let go of, using well-thought-out metaphors and imagery to tell the story in a unique way.

So So close- kamal.

Source: @kamalnw

kamal.’s “So so close” is short and sweet, communicating intense emotion and showcasing beautiful vocals in under 2 minutes. Built on an acoustic guitar lick and piano chords, kamal. shows off his beautiful tone in an intimate setting here. The track builds and transforms throughout its short run time, delivering a full experience for the listener. This song feels like an interlude, but it also does more in under 2 minutes than most songs can do in 4 or 5.

Difficult- Gracie Abrams

Source: @gracieabrams

“Difficult” is the track with the most up-beat and energetic production on Gracie Abrams’s Good Riddance, featuring heavy drums and huge, anthemic choruses, but themes of pain and confusion in early adulthood ring through in the lyrics. Abrams shows off her vocal tone and finds a balance between her singer-songwriter leanings and commercial pop here. She is able to create a song that has the energy to change the tempo of a live show while sticking true to her artistry here.

Ribbons- Ryan Beatty

Source: @ryanbeatty

Perhaps most noted for being a Brockhampton collaborator in the late 2010s with ear-catching vocals that catapulted him to fame as a pseudo-member of the group, Ryan Beatty stepped back into center stage with the release of “Ribbons”, the lead single of his 2023 album Calico. A moving, cinematic ballad built on sparse piano melodies and Beatty’s gripping voice, this track is one of the single best examples of emotional songwriting we have seen in years. The imagery, production, and vocal layering create a true spiritual experience for the listener on this track.

Pit Stop- Bakar

Source: @bakarrrr

UK artist Bakar has been one of the most consistent and impressive acts in the world over the last few years. His completely original, accented vocal tone is completely gripping, and his songwriting never fails. “Pit Stop” is another great example of what he can do, featuring memorable melodies, emotional songwriting, and a guitar-based instrumental that builds with a unique drum groove.

Creepin’- Metro Boomin feat. The Weeknd, 21 Savage

Source: @metroboomin

Metro Boomin wanted to show versatility on Heroes and Villains and this track accomplishes that goal. Featuring The Weeknd’s interpolation of Babyface hook and rapping from 21 Savage, Metro merges an rnb-leaning, spacy production style with the signature trap production that originally popularized his beats. Abel and 21 may seem like an unorthodox combination, but Metro creates a sonic world where they can both thrive, finding the right mix of moody synths and a fantastic drum groove both artists sound great over.

Flowers- Miley Cyrus

Source: @mileycyrus

“Flowers” was a massive chart-topper for good reason. It takes the essence of what made Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” a smash hit and flips it into an anthem for women who have recently broken up with a significant other. Miley finds a balance between using the full, raw power and soul of her voice and making a track that can dominate pop radio, making a danceable and energetic track that still features high quality vocals and strong songwriting moments.

Forever $cams- BabyTron

Source: @babytron

BabyTron’s rise onto the scene had a lot to do with his meme-worthy qualities, but the potential to be a top quality emcee has always been there, as we noted in his feature on our 2022 issue of Moonlxte’s Next Up Rappers. On “Forever $cams” BabyTron lives up to that billing by creating one of the best hip hop intros of the year. The track starts out with Tron rapping nonstop over an open instrumental, and when the beat drops as he goes in even harder, barring up a classic Detroit instrumental with a clear intent to show off his wordplay and hunger.

Ghost- Brevin Kim

Source: @brevinkim

Brevin Kim’s 2023 project High School Football has so much sonic diversity and many candidates for this list, but “Ghost” stands out for its infectious production and song structure. This track features one of the best choruses of the year, and uses sonic experimentation to bring the emotions in the vocal to life. The production also plays with moments of acoustic vibes and a buildup into controlled chaos, exemplifying what made Brevin Kim one of our Artists to Watch in 2022, and what makes them one of the most exciting artists in the modern music world.

Lovely Sewer- Yves Tumor

Source: @yvestumor

“Lovely Sewer” plays with the contrast between deep, full vocals from Yves Tumor and haunting refrain vocals from collaborator Kida. The catchiness of the bass lick, the frenzy of the drums, and the atmosphere of the record make this one of the best sonic experiences of the year. On an album full of excellent tracks that prove Tumor’s elite talent, this one stands out for its simultaneous juxtaposition of very different sounds and the cohesion of the end-product.

Good For Now- Chiiild feat. Lucky Daye

Source: @chiiild

There is something comforting about chiiild’s approach to “Good For Now”, as he draws his listener in with a soulful and calm delivery over soft indie drums and guitar. Chiiild builds to a catchy chorus that puts everything together, and then rnb star Lucky Daye jumps in on the second verse, adding sonic diversity to the track but not diverting too far from the original sound and message. All together, this is one of the best songs of the year.

Chemical- Post Malone

Source: @postmalone

“Chemical” is slightly different in sound from Post Malone’s previous work, but finds a familiar theme of bubbly, warm sounds contrasted with darker lyrics. Posty sings about a toxic relationship but makes this an upbeat pop song that will get stuck in your head. His vocals communicate the pain associated with his lyrics in his signature style though, and the overall aura of the song seems to meld elements from each of previous albums.

Mountain With A View- Kelsea Ballerini

Source: @kelseaballerini

“Mountain With a View” is desperately sad. On the song, Ballerini sings about a failing engagement in a clear tone with a bit of southern twang. The track is built on layered guitars that build and fade to create energy in the production, as Ballerini starts the song wallowing in sorrow, and then comes to accept the breakup, although with sadness, by the end of the song. This is a unique and quality take on a country breakup song that feels innovative and important in the current landscape of the genre.

Mind Body Soul- G Perico, DJ Drama 

Source: @gperico

G Perico’s confident delivery, incredibly original rap voice, and west coast swag shine over a soul sample on “Mind Body Soul”. Perico raps about his adoration for a woman on the track, combining his slick confidence and throwback style with a genuine, loving tone in his lyrics. G Perico is truly original in the modern rap landscape, and this track is a great example of what he can do.

Drive me crazy!- Lil Yachty feat. Diana Gordon

Sources: @lilyachty

“Drive Me Crazy!” is another in a long line of infectious Lil Yachty songs, but its style is completely different from his previous feel-good anthems like “iSpy” and “Broccoli”. With a standout feature from R&B singer Diana Gordon that sets the tone for the track, Yachty finds his groove over funky production with hints of disco, bringing melody, vocal experimentation, and upbeat energy to a top quality verse.

Dawns- Zach Bryan feat. Maggie Rogers

Source: @zachlanebryan

Zach Bryan and Maggie Rogers may seem like very different artists on the surface level, but they are two of the most purposeful songwriters and passionate musicians in the modern music scene, so a collaboration makes a lot of sense. “Dawns” is full of Americana imagery and raw passion like much of Bryan’s catalog, but its style also lends itself to Rogers’ style from her most recent album Surrender, and she turns in an excellent verse and backing vocals to round out the track.

Since I Have A Lover- 6lack

Source: @6lack

“Since I Have A Lover”, the lead single to 6lack’s album of the same name, is an introduction to the sonic world and mindset he currently occupies. There is a brightness to the production that we have not gotten in his previous work, and the lyrics match in their increased optimism. There is an honesty and self-acceptance in this song that shines through, making the track different from anything he has ever released while remaining true to 6lack’s unique vocal style and artistry.

Fight the Feeling- Rod Wave

Source: @rodwave

Rod Wave’s ability to make sad rap songs with anthemic qualities is unmatched, and this track perfectly fits that bill. This is a radio-ready hit, with more upbeat energy in the production and vocals than most Rod songs, but it doesn’t sacrifice the soulful vocals and honest songwriting that make him great. It has the versatility to thrive across a variety of settings from a party to quiet car ride. The song has also seen great commercial success, and still has more room to grow.

Gutter- venbee

Source: @venbee.music

The raw honesty of young UK artist venbee’s lyrics draws in her listener immediately on “Gutter”, and she keeps them engaged by creating a track with sonic merit to match the appeal of its story. On the song venbee sings about the mistakes and challenges that could have led her to be “dead in the gutter by now” over hyperpop style production. venbee has quickly developed into a rising star over the last two years, and this song should push her to higher heights.

Homicide Gvng- Key Glock

Source: @keyglock

Key Glock’s Glockoma 2 is full of bangers, and “Homicide Gvng” might be the best one. With a cool confidence and complete command of flow, Glock slides over soulful, upbeat production here. Throughout the song he takes a boastful tone and makes numerous wide-ranging references with accessible yet, clever wordplay, and shifts his flow regularly to keep his listener engaged. Glock has been a sneaky good lyricist for his entire career, and this track shows him to be a truly polished hitmaker and songwriter.

Right My Wrongs- Khamari 

Source: @khamarimusic

One of our artists to watch in 2023, Khamari has lived up to that billing by releasing great songs like “Right My Wrongs”. With a soul sample behind him, Khamari’s beautiful vocals shine through as he sings about trying to redeem himself in a relationship where he has made mistakes. The production sounds like something Dominic Fike or Omar Apollo would sing on, but the vocal is firmly Khamari’s unique sound, this time casually delivered, yet firmly soulful.

Body bag- Charlotte Lawrence

Source: @charlotteslawrence

Charlotte Lawrence’s skill as a ballad writer is incredible. A largely acoustic piano ballad centering Lawrence’s vulnerable lyrics about a painful relationship, “Bodybag” pulls you in immediately with the pain in her breathy vocal. Lawrence writes gut-wrenching lyrics that immerse her listener in the depths of her emotion while simultaneously maintaining a sound that doesn’t fall into the pitfalls of dullness or over-singing sometimes associated with this type of track.

Familiarity- Teezo Touchdown 

Source: @teezotouchdown

Teezo Touchdown has been a buzzing name for some time now, cosigned by major artists like Tyler, the Creator, and while his early catalog has shown legitimate potential, this is the best track he has released in his young career. The sound here is completely unorthodox, with verses that meld rock and hip hop both in production and vocal delivery, and rock-leaning choruses full of ear candy that will get stuck in your head. Teezo’s genreless sound and infectious energy can make him a superstar, and this song is the best glimpse of that potential we have gotten so far in his career.

First Testament- Sauce Walka

Source: @sauce_walka102

Houston rapper Sauce Walka has been a prolific and respected MC for years, but his pure rap skills have not gotten the shine they deserve. He put everyone on notice with his most recent project Sauce Ghetto Gospel 3 though, and this song is his best work. Melding traditional Texas flows with a slowly drifting soul sample, Sauce raps about a variety of topics including the pain associated with gun violence and death with passion and poise on this song.

No Merci- Little Simz

Source: @littlesimz

Little Simz never fails to deliver quality raps, but this track stands out on her most recent effort NO THANK YOU for the uniqueness of its message in a music climate that definitely needs to hear it. Speaking about the power of saying no and the dangers of predatory record contracts, Simz focuses on ownership in music from a novel angle. She nonchalantly shows off stellar command of flow over a dynamic instrumental, and takes things to the next level lyrically. Instead making one-off references to music ownership, Simz gives us a cohesive narrative full of advice for other artists based on her own experience.

Un x100to- Grupo Frontero, Bad Bunny

Source: @grupofrontera

“Un x100to” shows off the skill of Texas Mexican-American band Grupo Frontera, and was catapulted to unprecedented levels of American chart success for the group with a quality feature from global superstar Bad Bunny. The track mixes regional Mexican production with Bad Bunny’s raggaeton singing style, creating one of the catchiest songs of the year, as the members of Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny sing with passion about using the last one percent of their battery power to try and win back an old lover.

Not Strong Enough- boygenius

Source: @xboygeniusx

boygenius is made up of three incredible singer-songwriters with illustreous solo careers in Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus, and together they made a lot of great songs for their alubm, the record. This is the best one though, seamlessly mixing each of their individual visions together into a cohesive and unforgettable track. There is room for each of their voices to shine, and their individual song-writing styles come through without disrupting the flow of the song.

We’re All Gonna Die- Joy Oladokun feat. Noah Kahan

Source: @joyoladokun

Joy Oladokun and Noah Kahan previously worked together on Kahan’s “I Was / I Am” project, and the two star songwriters came together again this year for Oladokun’s 2023 album, Proof of Life. One of our Artists to Watch back in 2022, Oladokun showcases personal growth in the lyrics, finding acceptance in not knowing everything in life. Sonically, the track leans more rock than most of Oladokun’s work in its heavier guitars and drums, and she and Kahan sound great over that style of production.

Denver- Jack Harlow

Source: @jackharlow

“Denver” is Jack Harlow at his best. Reflective and thoughtful over one of the best beats released in mainstream rap this year, Jack takes on the pitfalls of fame, making the common rap topic stand out with his honesty and unique descriptions of his feelings. His vocal performance and flow are also high quality on this song, making this record and his entire album, jackman., feel like a needed pivot from the heavily commercial pop-rap of his last album.

Brooklyn Chop House- Conway the Machine feat. Fabolous, Benny the Butcher

Source: @whoisconway

“Brooklyn Chop House” sees Griselda emcee Conway the Machine rap at his best over top quality production from Daringer. On this track Conway is feeling himself, and he shows, as always, that he has the lyrical chops to boast without sounding corny. Conway, Fab, and Benny all turn in memorable verses over a luxurious string loop. Conway puts together a strong hook, and it all comes together as one of the best boom-bap style tracks we’ve gotten in a while.

Handgun- Jake Minch

Source: @jakeminch

Young singer-songwriter Jake Minch claims he wrote “handgun” when he was trying to write a bad song, but we can assure you he did the opposite. With poignant reflections on the pain associated with the mistakes and realizations of growing up sung in a beautiful tone over acoustic guitar, “handgun” is reminiscent of artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Kevin Atwater. Minch shows himself to be an incredible songwriter and emotional storyteller with gobs of potential on this track.

Nobody Gets Me- SZA

Source: @sza

The commercial success of SZA’s most recent album SOS has been elite. “Nobody Gets Me” has been one of the best performing songs on the record due to its ability to remind fans of what made SZA a star in the first place. With its pain-centered lyrics, largely acoustic, unconventional rnb production, and impressive vocal performance, the track will remind fans of her 2017 effort Ctrl, but it still feels completely modern and shows SZA’s growth.

Every F***ing Time- Claud 

Source: @claud.mp3

One of our artists to watch in 2022, Claud is one of the best songwriters rising into the indie pop mainstream. They always find a way to communicate the complexity around processing and gaining understanding of your own emotions surrounding a relationship within the context of a song, and they do so beautifully here. They also add quality vocals and smart production choices to round out a strong track.

PROUD OF ME- Armani White feat. Fridayy 

Source: @armaniblanco

“PROUD OF ME” is the anthem of rising Philly rapper Armani White’s debut album Road to CASABLANCO.. Most known for his song “BILLIE EILISH.” which found massive success on TikTok, White shows he is a versatile and talented artist with an ability to meld lyrical competence with mainstream appeal on this song. With the added bonus of top quality vocals on the chorus from rising vocalist Fridayy, this track really stands out.

Snake Eyes- Aries

Source: @aries

Aries has been a mainstay on Moonlxte since he was featured as one of our Artists to Watch in 2021 through his incredible consistency. “Snake Eyes” sees Aries take an upbeat approach that will get concert-goers up and dancing. As always, his songwriting is full of clever metaphors and concepts, and. the production has a level of depth and complexity that elevates the track as a whole.

LSE to LAX- Carlie Hanson

Source: @carliehanson

23-year-old indie artist Carlie Hanson turned in one of the very best albums of the year so far with her project Wisconsin, but before we get to our albums article, it’s time to cover our pick for the best song of that album. Featuring an interesting mix of hip hop style drums and indie rock production melodies, “LSE to LAX” is both a sonically and lyrically original take on a song about the difficulties of a long distance relationship.

Honey- Samia 

Source: @samiatheband

On “Honey”, 26-year-old indie rock singer Samia will remind audiences of Phoebe Bridgers with her evocative lyrics, and passionate, yet soft vocal delivery. Her vocal tone, though, is very much her own, as well as her production choices and style of chronicling specific observations into defining aspects of emotional experiences. This track is also deeply catchy in its chorus and vocal licks, giving it significant pop-crossover potential.

Psychopath- Morgan Wade

Source: @morganwademusic

Morgan Wade has been one of the most promising voices in country music in recent years due to her songwriting and vocal tone. This song once again shows off those abilities, as one of the most unique and intricately crafted country love songs of the year. Wade always pays extra close attention to the way she describes things in her lyrics, giving her music an unusual level of soul usually (unfairly) only ascribed to male singers like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers in the modern country scene, and that can be heard clearly on this track.

TRUSTFALL- P!nk

Source: @pink

Almost 30 years into her career P!nk is still releasing great pop music. “TRUSTFALL” is a really strong vocal performance over high-quality pop anthem production. She is able to take a style of music that often feels soulless and reserved for department stores and poorly-DJed functions and adds the depth and quality that makes pop songs stick. Simply put, this is great song, and whether you just dance along or immerse yourself in the story, you can get a lot out of it.

Momentary Sweetheart- Deb Never

Source: @debnever

Indie singer Deb Never’s “Momentary Sweetheart” showcases an ability to meld quality vocals with big rock guitars and drums to create a catchy track. Singing about the simultaneous excitement and emptiness of romantic connections without commitment, Never uses imagery and vocal delivery well to paint a picture of how she’s feeling. The standout moment of her 2023 EP Thank You For Attending, this song is certainly one of the best of the year so far.

Honeydew 02- Isaia Huron

Source: @isaiahuron

A re-recording of a 2020 release of this song, the 2023 rendition of “Honeydew” is breathtakingly beautiful, featuring airy vocals floating over warm acoustic guitar strums. Huron’s vocals are impeccable, clean and controlled, yet full of emotion. The songwriting is also phenomenal. Huron took a great song and showed off how he has improved as a vocalist and songsmith here, making it even better.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist of songs to introduce you to these emerging artists!

Thank you for reading! Please follow us on instagram @moonlxtemelodies, on twitter @Moonlxtemels, and on tiktok @moonlxtemelodies.

13 up-and-coming artists you need to know for the new year, and the best tracks to introduce you to their catalogs. Find 12 more in our previous edition HERE.

We did this series the last two years, covering rising stars like Rina Sawayama, Nilüfer Yanya, glaive, Jean Dawson, and more (Find last year’s articles HERE and HERE, and the 2021 edition HERE). We’re back with another installment this year, and you better believe we’re putting you on to more future stars!

*all Spotify monthly listeners are as of 2/8/23

Khamari

Age: unknown

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 389,658

Source: @khamarimusic

Where to Start: Doctor, My Eyes, Tell Me

Khamari has the kind of voice that immediately grips you as soon as you hear him. Turning on one of his tracks for the first time has a similar affect to hearing other incredible modern male RnB voices like Giveon, Lucky Daye, or even Frank Ocean for the first time (the latter two also share elements of his vocal tone). The singer from Dorchester, Massachusetts dropped out of Berklee College of Music to pursue his dream of being a full-time artist, and has seen considerable success since, but is still due for a much more significant rise. He matches incredible vocal skill with high-quality production (he also produces much of his music), and honest, vulnerable lyricism. Throughout his catalog he shows an ability to take classic RnB sounds and modernize them into material with commercial potential. Khamari is one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in RnB right now, and 2023 should see him continue to grow.

Kevin Atwater

Age: Unknown

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 421,547

Where to Start: Star Tripping, christopher street

Kevin Atwater might just be one of the most exciting rising songwriters in the industry. The NYC-based singer has a talent for spinning stories full of vivid, specific imagery and deeply-felt emotion. Atwater cites Clairo, Conan Gray, and Phoebe Bridgers as some of his modern influences, and his intensely vulnerable style of indie songwriting and production may remind listeners of Phoebe Bridgers, while his vocals have elements of Gray’s. There is a palpable intimacy in the way Atwater writes, and he is able to play with controlled softness and emotional rough edges, both in his vocals and production, with the skill of a veteran artist. His biggest hit “Star Tripping” first gained significant traction on TikTok and now has earned millions of streams on Spotify, and a spot on our Best Songs of 2022 list. In 2023 expect Atwater to pen more music with the potential to catch on in a similar fashion.

spill tab

Age: Unknown

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,161,382

Source: @spilltab

Where to Start: Splinter, Velcro feat. Gus Dapperton

spill tab’s alternative, indie sound is the perfect fit for the modern music scene. Her tracks tend to have melodic pop sensibility built on her clear and clean vocal tone, and the rougher edges of alt-rock guitars and drums. Lyrically, her song concepts and lyrical themes are innovative, exciting, and vulnerable. In terms of production, there is always depth in the instrumentation, with big, unexpected sounds that blur the lines between experimentation and commercial accessibility, and loads of ear candy to pick up on if you listen closely enough. On her best tracks like “Velcro” with Gus Dapperton, she finds a way to tell largely relatable stories in new ways, comes with top quality vocals, and plays with instrumentation and vocal production to make anthemic moments. spill tab has a lot of momentum right now, and 2023 will likely be a big year for her.

Ruby Red

Group Members: Fernando Fine and Daniel Laner

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 56,039

Source: @rubyred

Where to Start: Too Late (To Call), Desert Star

Indie Pop duo Ruby Red’s 2022 song “Too Late (To Call)” has all of the appeal of a smash hit, it just hasn’t hit all the right ears yet. The song, featuring an infectious drum groove and synth pattern with an incredibly catchy chorus and strong verses, is just one of many quality tracks in ruby red’s growing catalog. Over three plus years of major streaming platform releases the duo have exhibited clear artistic growth, and their potential should be taken seriously. Their production style is also worth noting, as they have a propensity for using incredibly catchy and noticeable production melodies, but still finding a way to give the vocal room to shine, differentiating their sound and style from much of what’s out there right now. Watch out for what Ruby Red can do in 2023.

Luh Tyler

Age: 16

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 741,250

Source: @luhtyler_

Where to Start: Back Flippin, Law & Order pt. 2

Teenage Florida rapper Luh Tyler has gained significant internet buzz with clips of his songs “Back Flippin” and “Law & Order pt. 2”. Part of his appeal is shock factor, a visibly young, skinny teen, Tyler doesn’t look like a seasoned rapper, but his flows and voice would say otherwise. Tyler has many of the attributes that usually signal the arrival of a new commercial rap star: an instantly recognizable voice, innovative flows, and an original and laught-out-loud worthy sense of humor. With his deep voice and recognizable accent, a flow and lyrical style that combines influence from Florida rappers like Kodak Black, and the humor and unorthodox delivery exhibited by BabyTron and other Michigan rappers, Tyler has the potential to completely blow up in 2023 if he can catch a smash hit or deliver a quality project.

Dora Jar

Age: 26

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 500,713

Source: @dorajar_

Where to Start: Multiply, spell

Dora Jar’s style is hard to put a finger on, but once you hear it, you won’t be able to get her sound out of your head. With a drifting, high vocal tone that cuts through over any instrumentation, and production that mixes elements of acoustic singer-songwriter music, indie rock, and even hyper pop, Dora creates a unique sonic world that feels very much like her. Without many years of major releases, Dora still seems to be cited as an influence for countless rising artists in the industry because of the way she continues to innovate and push music to new places. With that level of respect in music communities, it seems like only a matter of time before her music hits the right ears to see large-scale commercial gains. After finishing last year with the release of a fantastic track in “spell”, watch out for what Dora Jar can do this year.

Jim Legxacy

Age: 22/23

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 312,360

Source: @jim_legxacy

Where to Start: Eye Tell (!), hit it light it twist it

British artist Jim Legxacy’s striking voice and original sound will be sure to pull in fans as soon as his music hits more ears in 2023. With a high vocal tone full of emotion and pain, Jim sings over production that melds a sense of darkness and energy, bringing a melodic eeriness into the same sonic world as club-ready drum grooves. In terms of genre, it’s almost impossible to define Legxacy’s work, but his ear for melody, and ability to communicate intense feeling through short songs is incredible. There is some RnB, drill rap, edm, hyper pop, afro beats, and more in what Legxacy brings to the table, but it’s his ability to meld danceability with a lyrical style and delivery that inspires emotional reflection that is special. The juxtaposition of the drums and vocals on his tracks communicates the sensation of ruminating in emotion while a night-out rushes by, and it doesn’t feel like anything you’ve ever heard before. Jim Legxacy has what it takes to gain a lot of new fans as 2023 continues with his game-changing sound.

Zzz.

Age: 19

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 182,503

Source: @zzz.sammm

Where to Start: All I Never Wanted, How Does It Feel

Florida artist Zzz. is the newest signee to Grade A Productions, the same label that signed stars Juice Wrld and The Kid Laroi. There is a clear correlation there when you turn on the young artist’s music, with signs of influence from Juice and Laroi, as well as other artists like Post Malone. His melded style of emotional, melodic tracks that pull in elements of both hip hop and pop has a proven commercial appeal, it’s just a matter of Zzz. building his audience and finding the right melodies and stories to pull in a fanbase. The biggest hurdle for him will be to prove his originality, and shake off constant comparison as he kicks off his major label career. If he can do that, and continue releasing quality tracks, he could see massive growth in the next few years.

tendai

Age: 22/23

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 95,104

Source: @tendaiwall

Where to Start: Not Around, Lately,

British singer and producer tendai’s sound is deeply genreless and original. There is a brooding, mysterious sound to most of his music, full of drifting chords, dark 808s, and scattered drum grooves. tendai’s voice also consistently wows, cutting through space with a slighly gravelly tone, but also a higher-pitched sound and a sense of control and precision. His work falls under the category of atmospheric RnB, but his style is very much his own, with sonic elements that could be traced to genres from RnB to drill rap and New jack swing. However you categorize it, tendai has already landed on our Best Songs of 2022 list with his track “Lately,”, and is doing some huge things in the industry. Signed to the same London imprint of Def Jam as Stormzy, 0207, tendai is credited as a writer and producer on multiple tracks on Stromzy’s 2022 record This is What I Mean. With the vision, vocals, and position in the industry he holds, tendai seems destined to break out in a big way.

Philine Sonny

Age: 20/21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 180,347

Source: @philinesonny

Where to Start: Same Light, Lose Yourself

German indie artist Philine Sonny is an incredible songwriter with a knack for creating songs that are both pleasant and emotionally contemplative. Her style has some Maggie Rogers in it, with a subtle soulfulness in her vocal and a similar style of emotional storytelling in her lyrics. On her most commercially successful song, “Same Light”, there are clear modern indie influences, but also some references to Bruce Springsteen (specifically the inclusion of a saxophone solo at the end of the song), who she has named as an influence. Her 2022 project Lose Yourself has been a commercial success and shows off the ever-improving quality of her songwriting, and should make fans excited for future releases from the artist coming in 2023 and beyond.

Nathan Archie

Age: 19/20

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 574,691

Source: @nathanxarchie

Where to Start: hurt me enough, Nathan (still breathing)- by Fred again..

Nathan Archie may not be a household name in the industry, yet, but he is on TikTok, boasting over 1 million followers and 26 million likes on the platform. So what made him so popular on TikTok? First and foremost, his incredible voice. Archie’s tone is one that you hear and immediately envy, with a beautiful, soulful quality that is rare to find at any level of the music industry. That voice is likely the reason star producer Fred again… decided to sample his vocal on his 2022 project Actual Life 3, but Archie is also a promising songwriter with a great ear for amazing songs (as evidenced by what he chooses to cover on TikTok), giving him the potential to be a full-fledged star. With only one original song, “hurt me enough”, on Spotify, now is the time to become a fan before Archie completely takes off.

Berre

Age: 22

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 288,204

Source: @berre.music

Where to Start: Say My Name, Better Off Alone

Belgian singer Berre is another artist who has built much of his early buzz on TikTok, using the platform to reach international audiences and gain over 6.2 million likes, many of which come on videos debuting the few songs he has released on streaming platforms. With a massive, powerful voice full of soulful breaks and intricacies, Berre’s early catalog has many similarities to Lewis Capaldi’s, with his first tracks being pop heartbreak ballads with mainstream chart appeal. With the voice that he has, Berre is instantly recognizable as soon as one of his songs starts, and his vocals more than give him the potential to become an international star. With just 3 songs out of Spotify right now, Berre’s current career shares some similarities to Zoe Wees’s when we covered her as one of our artists to watch in 2021 two years ago. He has the potential to see similar success and gain significant mainstream commercial attention with a few more song releases in the coming year.

aldn

Age: 21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 486,916

Source: @hereisalden

Where to Start: say what u mean (with Riovaz), what was the last thing u said (with glaive)

21-year-old Virginia artist aldn (pronounced Alden, which is his birth name) is one of the major names in hyperpop right now next to artists like glaive, ericdoa, brakence, midwxst, and more. A collaborator with many of these artists, aldn’s vision as a producer and songwriter place him as one of the single most important boundary-pushing and creative artists of the last few years due to his contributions to hyperpop as a rising genre. His beats, song structures, and concepts always challenge ideas of what popular music can be without completely sacrificing accessibility for experimentation. aldn has already accomplished a lot at a young age, and he has the potential to do so much more in this coming year and beyond.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist of songs to introduce you to these emerging artists!

Thank you for reading! Please follow us on instagram @moonlxtemelodies, on twitter @Moonlxtemels, and on tiktok @moonlxtemelodies.

12 up-and-coming artists you need to know for the new year, and the best tracks to introduce you to their catalogs. 13 more coming soon in the next edition!

We did this series the last two years, covering rising stars like Rina Sawayama, Nilüfer Yanya, glaive, Jean Dawson, and more (Find last year’s articles HERE and HERE, and the 2021 edition HERE). We’re back with another installment this year, and you better believe we’re putting you on to more future stars!

*all Spotify monthly listeners are as of January 24, 2022

Ethel Cain

Age: 24

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 2,101,397

Source: @mothercain

Where to Start: American Teenager, A House In Nebraska

Ethel Cain feels like she is destined to gain a massive following for her gripping artistic vision. Raised in Tallahassee, Florida in a Southern Baptist family, Cain left the church behind years ago, but her music still centers Americana themes that often include religious references. Her style is often described as ethereal, featuring reverb and open production that allows her voice to take centerstage and create spiritual experiences for her listener. Cain’s vocal has significant similarities to that of Florence Welch (who has already worked with the young artist), but her lyrical themes mesh elements of Americana, folk, and country, and the sonics add a surreal quality to alternative rock and pop sounds. She has already delivered a fantastic project in her 2022 effort Preacher’s Daughter, and has picked up significant buzz both on the internet and from music critics over the last year. Expect Cain to keep delivering incredible art and gaining visibility in 2023.

Q

Age: 23

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 3,143,171

Source: @qmarsden

Where to Start: Take Me Where Your Heart Is, Stereo Driver

The artist simply known as Q is quickly becoming a big name in current RnB. His sound revolves around taking elements of 1970s and 80s music and transforming them to fit the modern era. He produces much of his own music, making sure that each baseline and guitar lick are perfectly placed to allow his voice to shine. Whether in full voice or falsetto, Q’s vocal is always full of soul and passion. Thematically, Q often centers love and relationships in his songs, showing an ability to express adoration, heartbreak, and everything in between in his writing. Q has a level of skill to warrant comparisons to megastars like Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy, and The Weeknd, and his ability to modernize stylistic elements from past eras is impressive. On tracks like the funky, falsetto-heavy “Take Me Where Your Heart Is”, and the 80s pop-leaning “Stereo Driver” it’s evident the world has a future star on their hands with Q.

Fana Hues

Age: 27

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 2,514,596

Source: @fanahues

Where to Start: Icarus, BAD bad

Fana Hues is one of the most impressive emerging voices in RnB right now. With a soulful voice that cuts through the second you hear it, Fana is bound to catch your attention. Many might know her feature on Tyler, The Creator’s “SWEET/I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE”, but it’s her solo work that is most impressive. Her 2022 album flora + fana landed on part 1 of our Best Albums of 2022 list for good reason, and we are anticipating more exciting releases from the California singer. Lyrically, Hues sings about her pain, but she also always seems to find her strength in dark moments, making for songs that have the power to uplift her listener with the skill of modern stars in her genre like Ari Lennox and Jazmine Sullivan. Beyond the lyrics, Hues’s vocals are consistently incredible, with a balance of power and control, and an excellent natural tone. Keep an eye on Fana Hues in 2023.

midwxst

Age: 19

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 2,032,010

Source: @midwxst

Where to Start: 223’s feat. BabyTron, i know you hate me

Midwxst is one of the most important names in the rise of hyper pop despite only being 19-years-old. A rapper and singer able to use both hyper pop production as well as beats that lean more into rock and hip hop, wxst has proven to have impressive versatility and a knack for creating underground hits. His music never lacks energy, and no matter what influences or sounds he draws from on a track, his energy will never be lacking. While his technical ability as both a singer and a rapper are still improving, his talent for finding melodies and flows that get listeners excited is uncanny. His music has elements of some of Gen-Z’s most important rappers like Trippie Redd, Juice Wrld, and XXXTentacion, and his ability to rap, sing songs that lean into pop, and make rock-leaning rage music give him the potential to become a massive commercial star. The young artist is exactly the kind of versatile musician that appeals to young audiences, and his talent should give him many opportunities to continue building an audience in 2023.

Zachary Knowles

Age: 23/34

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 907,613

Source: @zacharyknowles

Where to Start: carpool, CIGARETTES

Texas singer Zachary Knowles has the voice and songwriting skill to develop into a major name in the industry. Throughout his releases Knowles has showcased a gripping vocal tone and an ability to write memorable songs that pack in significant emotional meaning. His songs usually have clever concepts that are well-executed, built on incredibly catchy pop choruses and passionate delivery. Knowles tends to sing about love and relationships, and his songwriting strives for relatability and vulnerability. His production often leans into rock in its guitars and drum patterns, but some of his tracks also lean more towards hip hop drums. With a sound that really captures the direction of the emerging pop scene, Knowles should continue to see increasing success into 2023.

Matt Schuster

Age: Unknown

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,907,343

Source: @its.matt.schuster

Where to Start: From The Start, If I Was A Cowboy

Matt Schuster first rose to national attention covering songs on TikTok, but now he is here to stay as one of the major rising stars in the country scene. Initially standing out for his vocal tone and ability to pick songs that matched his voice well, Schuster has since shown that he has what it takes to be a full-fledged country star. Schuster’s voice has elements of Chris Stapleton, but his lane is much more similar to Morgan Wallen, using a soulful and powerful country voice to sing songs that mix country and pop elements. On his best tracks like “From The Start” and “If I Was A Cowboy” he showcases an ability to write a country love song that is original in sound and of good quality lyrically. Matt Schuster has all the tools to become the next big star in the mainstream country scene in 2023.

Hope Tala

Age: 25

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,155,351

Source: @hopetala

Where to Start: Stayed At the Party, Leave It On The Dancefloor

English singer Hope Tala has carved out her own lane in music, and her infectious sound is sure to win her new fans in the coming year. Tala’s style blends a variety of genres from RnB to pop and intermingles funky and electronic elements, making for a unique sound and style. Her vocals usually softly drift over her instrumentals, and she uses layering and cadence well to get her listener to grab onto her vocal. On some of her best tracks like “Stayed At The Party” and “Leave It On The Dancefloor”, Tala shows an ability to make danceable music with depth. Also a producer, Tala pays close attention to the production sounds and how they compliment her vocals. Her style has a lot of similarities to one of our previous artists to watch in Nilüfer Yanya, and we expect her to find similar critical acclaim and fan reception as her career continues to rise.

Genevieve Stokes

Age: 21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 3,021,175

Source: @chowdergiirl

Where to Start: Habits, Surface Tension

Genevieve Stokes is coming from a city not known nationally for its music scene in Portland, Maine, but she is poised to immediately change that. The 21-year-old is an excellent songwriter with a memorable voice and a fantastic emotional sensibility. Her songs poetically discuss growing up and falling in and out of love, and her themes and sonics are sure to appeal to other Gen-Zers in search of new music. Stokes melds RnB elements with singer-songwriter and indie vibes, creating a sound that feels souful and emotionally honest. On “Habits”, one of our Best Songs of 2022, and her most successful song yet, Stokes shows she can meld her top quality songwriting with current commercial appeal. She has already started 2023 by releasing a single entitled “17”, and she should have more fantastic music coming as the year continues.

Katie Gregson-MacLeod

Age: 21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,408,773

Where to Start: complex, white lies

Katie Gregson-MacLeod first blew up into the mainstream when her song “Complex” exploded on TikTok. The tracks, which is featured on our Best Songs of 2022 list, vividly captures the emotional experience of giving your all to a relationship despite the other person clearly not reciprocating. Throughout her growing catalog, Gregson-MacLeod shows off high-level songwriting chops, with incredible attention-to-detail in her lyrics. “Complex” felt like a moment that captured the attention of Gen-Z people similarly to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License”, with Gregson-MacLeod expressing somewhat similar feelings to an older, maturing audience. Her style mixes ballad-singing with Gen-Z pop stardom, and finds a way to blend intense artistry with accessible emotional storytelling. Gregson-MacLeod certainly has what it takes to see significantly more success in the coming year.

Black Sherif

Age: 21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,627,997

Source: @blacksherif_

Where to Start: Kwaku The Traveller, Black Sermon – Remix

Black Sherif has not been in the game for long, but he commands a track like a veteran. Upon hitting play on his biggest track at the moment, “Kwaku The Traveller”, listeners will hear the Ghanaian rapper and singer confidently float over the beat. His command of melody is evident, his delivery feels seasoned, and the bars he spits are memorable and evocative. Creating music that combines elements of highlife, afrobeats, hip hop, and more, the young artist has a sound that really stands out and has carved out enough space in the industry for him to become a major star. If you need more evidence that he is next-up, look no further than the cosigns he has received from industry titans Burna Boy and Stormzy, with Burna Boy appearing on the remix of his song “Black Sermon”, and Sherif featuring on Stromzy’s “This is What I Mean”. Look out for Black Sherif to become a much bigger global star this year.

Weston Estate

Group Members: Srikar Nanduri, Manas Panchavati, Tanmay Joshi, Abhi Manhass, Marco Luka

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,391,701

Source: @westonestate

Where to Start: So Good, Silence

Weston Estate describe themselves as a boy band, but they make it clear that they their value artistry more than the typical boy band. The group handles almost everything in-house with Abhi and Srikar producing and Manas, Tanmay, and Marco providing vocals. They are ]working in the lane that Brockhampton carved out as a genre-bending boyband featuring both producers and vocalists, but they have their own unique flavor and sound. The group members were friends before they started making music together, and their chemistry is evident in the music they release. Their sound is largely pop, but it leans alternative with production choices and vocals that include elements of RnB, Hip Hop, EDM, and indie music. Weston Estate have already proved they can write songs that resonate, and they are poised to earn their biggest hit yet with each new release.

Charlotte Sands

Age: 26

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,938,354

Source: @charlottesands

Where to Start: Dress, Want You Like That

Charlotte Sands has a huge voice and an artistic vision to match. With a catalog that bounces around from alt-rock to pop punk, Sands is a modern rock star. Originally from Massachusetts, Sands first emerged on TikTok with her song “Dress”, a track with rock and pop elements that describes her feelings about how good Harry Styles looks in a dress. From there, Sands released a seven song debut Love and Other Lies, which features one of our Best Songs of 2022 in “Want You Like That”. Sands’s commercial lane falls somewhere around the pop punk resurgence of the last few years, but her powerful voice and songwriting quality give her crossover appeal and an ability to do pop punk in a way that feels less formulaic than many modern efforts and more reminiscent of the subgenre’s roots. Watch out for Sands’s next work to push her artistic vision and yield more commercial success in 2023.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist of songs to introduce you to these emerging artists!

Thank you for reading! Please follow us on instagram @moonlxtemelodies, on twitter @Moonlxtemels, and on tiktok @moonlxtemelodies.

No rankings. Just 50 projects that tell the story of music in 2022’s second half

By Ben Leshan

Wasteland- Brent Faiyaz

Brent Faiyaz has become one of the successful artists in modern rnb, and this album showcases the range of his abilities. Brent has risen to fame behind the juxtaposition of beautiful, soft melodies, with heartless lyrics, and he owns that dark persona on this record. His vocals are impeccable throughout, and he succeeds in creating a sonic world that invokes the feeling of a romantically desolate WASTELAND. You’ll find yourself getting lost in Brent’s confident delivery and incredibly catchy melodies on tracks like “JACKIE BROWN”, “ROLE MODEL”, and one of the best songs of the last few years in “GRAVITY” featuring Tyler, The Creator (to read our thoughts about “Gravity” when it first came out, click here).

You Can’t Kill Me- 070 Shake

You Can’t Kill Me shows off 070 Shake’s incredibly unique style, built on lush melodies both in the vocals and production, and on this album, crazy synth scapes that will get you immersed in the world she builds. Shake’s soulful vocal tone will draw you in, and emotionally vulnerable and thoughtfully crafted lyrics will make you stay. This album feels like a grand stadium record, with massive vocal and production moments and storytelling that feels cinematic. Some of the highlights of this record include the intro “Web”, “History”, and “Skin and Bones” (the latter of which was featured on our best songs of 2022 so far list).

MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES- Westside Boogie

LA rapper Westside Boogie is one of the most underrated emcees out at the moment, and this album, like his others, is an incredibly high quality effort. Boogie finds a balance between catchy bangers with chantable choruses and emotionally raw verses featuring top tier lyricism on this record, creating the kind of well-rounded rap record that bridges the gap between accessibility and artistry. Boogie also works in his collaborators tastefully on this album, and shows off one of the most recognizable voices in the rap game. Catch some of the best hip hop songs of the year like “AIGHT” feat. FKA DRAM, and “LOLSMHII” (which was featured on our Best Songs of 2022 Part 2) as you listen.

JAMIE- Montell Fish

JAMIE, the first of a billed album trilogy for Montell Fish, is a beautiful take on heartbreak. Built on sparse production and vividly painful and poetic lyrics delivered in his signature high pitched tone, Fish channels something like Frank Ocean on “White Ferrari” on this record. If any album on this list will make you cry, it’s probably this one, with gut-wrenching takes on the pain of losing someone who still means so much to you. Fish, one of our artists to watch in 2022, shows that he is one of the most exciting artists in music with this album, and we absolutely cannot wait to hear more of what he does in the future.

Emotional Creature- Beach Bunny

Emotional Creature takes alt-rock drums and guitars and meets them with the soft indie tone of Beach Bunny lead singer Lili Trifilio. As you might expect from the title, this project is very emotional. Vocally, Trifilio creates earworm melodic moments as she rises into her upper register on choruses, and the production creates the ideal backdrop for her vocals. The highlight of the album has to be “Oxygen”, an early single for the record that was featured on our Best Songs of 2021 list. Trifilio is very controlled in her vocals and keeps things dialed back on the verses, but in the moments where her voice has to strain and the drums get heavier, you will find yourself drowning in the emotion of the songwriting.

Honestly, Nevermind- Drake

Honestly, Nevermind has received mixed reviews, and it deserved them to some extent, but Drake’s take on a dance record is still one of the year’s better albums. Drizzy finally took the chance of not trying to please everybody and largely sticking to one sound on this record, and he deserves praise for that. Throughout his career Drake has made some very good dance tracks like “Take Care” and “One Dance”, and an album full of them made sense for him. While the commercial highlights of the album was the most rap-heavy track, “Jimmy Cooks” featuring 21 Savage, the dance tracks are executed quite well, with tracks like “Massive”, “Flight’s Booked”, and “Texts Go Green” showing that Drake can make a strong dance song. The sonics are really all there, and while the lyrics can be a bit corny at times, Drake comes through with an album with a lot of replay value.

Give Or Take- Giveon

Giveon is a bonafied star, and this album really takes him to new heights. There is still room for improvement, but we get to hear one of the best voices in modern popular music and some great songwriting here. Full of songs about relationship troubles and voicemails of advice from his mother, Give or Take has some repetitive elements, but it also shows more variety in production that previous Giveon records, and leans more into pop song styles even though it’s very rnb. On its best moments like “For Tonight”, “Lie Again”, or “Another Heartbreak” Giveon gives elite vocal performances on some of the best ballads we’ve heard in recent years.

MUNA- MUNA

LA-based indie band MUNA come to this album with a captivating energy that melds a sound reminiscent of The 1975 and lyrical themes about queer love and relationships. When it comes to production, this album is fun and bold, with bouncy synths, danceable drums, and infectious guitar licks. Lyrically, the songs discuss all parts of relationships, ranging from the joy of new love to the struggles of breaking up. This album is also made to get you up and dancing, but it has deeper content than the average dance record. Our highlight of the album is the Phoebe Bridgers assisted “Silk Chiffon”, which appeared on our Best Songs of 2022 list.

Dear Amelia- Renforshort

Dear Amelia is easily one of the best pop releases of the year 2022. Renforshort, one of our artists to watch this year, more than delivered with this one, coming with thoughtful, emotional songwriting and a concise, well-thought-out track list with this album. Songs like “Moshpit”, “hate the way you love me”, and “Don’t come back” are some of the best pop songs of the year, built on clever concepts and blending deeply emotional lyrics with catchy production and well-delivered vocals. At just 20, Ren has the makings of a star, and she is still just at the start of what should be an incredible career.

2000- Joey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$ is widely regarded as one of the best rappers in the world by modern day hip hop heads, but his album hiatus from 2017 to 2022 left many wondering how a new album would be received after so much time. The answer turns out to be quite well, as 2000 has received great reviews, and showcases some excellent rapping from Joey. This very much is the follow-up to Joey’s 2012 release 1999, featuring the same classic boom-bap rap style, but delivered this time by a mature adult rather than a growing teen. 2000 captures the moment of where Joey is in life right now quite well, and it shows that he is one of the best rappers in the world.

Survivor’s Guilt- Mozzy

Mozzy has been one of the most slept on rappers in the game over the last ten years, as the Sacramento rapper has made a series of good projects over the years, but never gotten the full mainstream recognition he deserves. After signing to Yo Gotti’s CMG label, this was Mozzy’s most high profile album rollout of his career, and this album went mainstream enough to warrant unprecedented commercial success while sticking true to his sound. With a fantastic rap voice and solid melodic abilities, a great ear for beats, and a pension for vulnerable street tracks packed with sneaky good lyricism, Mozzy shows off all of this best skills on this project.

Sometimes, Forever- Soccer Mommy

Soccer Mommy has been one of the more important voices in indie rock in recent years, and this record is another great piece to add to her catalog. Full of beatuiful vocals, engaging stories, raw emotionality, and avant-garde production choices, Sometimes, Forever does a lot in its 11 songs. There is a tone of melancholy throughout this record, but the production varies from lowkey acoustic guitar on “Still” to a clear drum and bass groove that elevates into big choruses on “Shotgun”. Soccer Mommy finds a way to balance variety and cohesion nicely on this record, and her song-writing shows to be top-quality throughout.

Summertime Blues- Zach Bryan

You know we can’t get enough of Zach Bryan at Moonlxte Melodies, and it seems like the rest of the world can’t either. The new country music star came with a truly excellent album in American Heartbreak earlier this year, and Summertime Blues is a very solid follow up (technically an EP, it has the feel of a short album at 9 songs). It is a little less consistent than American Heartbreak, but it has incredible moments, with fantastic tracks like “Twenty So”, and one of our favorite songs of the year by a mile, “Oklahoma Smokeshow”.

Love, Damini- Burna Boy

Burna Boy is one of the most important and popular singers in the world right now, but he does get the recognition he deserves whatsoever in mainstream American music media. Burna Boy is special, as the Nigerian singer has an incredibly smooth vocal tone, an obvious star power, and the ability to get new listeners immediately engaged with Afrobeats even if they aren’t familiar with the genre. You’ll find yourself grooving along to the rhythm and captivated by Burna’s vocals throughout the tracklist, and especially on highlights like “Last Last” and “For My Hand” with Ed Sheeran.

Surrender- Maggie Rogers

Surrender is the most complete project of Maggie Rogers’s career, and it showcases all the things she does so well. It’s rare to find a person more passionate about music that Rogers, and the depth of love she has for the art is evident in this project. There are a lot of singer-songwriter vibes with an incredible amount of attention put towards the lyrics, but we also get Rogers’ electronic influences making appearances to create massive moments in the production. Rogers is able to use her signature tone to tell engaging stories over excellent production on this album, and songs like “Want Want”, “Overdrive”, and “Anywhere With You” are some of the best of the year.

RENAISSANCE- Beyoncé

It feels like the world stops any time Beyoncé drops an album, and our collective cultural obsession with her is reinforced every time she drops another great record. RENAISSANCE is also special because it shows Bey can make a great dance album. This record is full of energy and confidence, but it doesn’t sacrifice the vocal quality we are used to from Beyoncé. It also accomplishes its goal of being inviting and creating an open and exciting space that mirrors the history of early electronic dance music. Beyond that, the album did not fall short commercially, spawning mega hits (and great songs) in “CUFF IT” and “BREAK MY SOUL”.

Traumazine- Megan Thee Stallion

“Traumazine” is a very solid commercial rap album. Megan sounds hungry as always on every single track, and she varies the production and features to keep things interesting over 18 tracks. As one of the most important artists in today’s rap game, Meg lived up to expectations here, selling well, and coming with multiple bangers including “NDA”, “Her”, “Scary” feat. Rico Nasty, and previously released singles “Plan B” and “Sweetest Pie” with Dua Lipa. Megan definitely has the ability to top this project, but she is consistently rapping at a high-level here and balancing artistry and commerciality well on this project.

The Forever Story- JID

The Forever Story is easily in the running for rap album of the year for us due to its incredible story-telling, touching emotionality, technically impeccable rapping, and stunning musicality. JID is one of the most refined, thoughtful, and skilled rappers in the game, and this album is his best yet in a very strong discography. The Atlanta-product and Dreamville signee comes with major bangers like “Dance Now” with Kenny Mason, fantastic stroytellings cuts like “Crack Sandwich”, emotional melodic tracks like “Better Days” with Johnta Austin, and a lot of vulnerability about his family and come-up on songs like “Sistanem”. Simply put, this album is absolutely amazing with something in the track list for everybody.

Last Night In The Bittersweet- Paolo Nutini

Scottish singer Paolo Nutini has been around for a while, with his breakout into the mainstream coming with the excellent effort that was 2007’s These Streets, and he’s still going strong in 2022. With one of the more unique vocal tones in popular music, Nutini’s vocals will immediately hit you, but his songwriting is the best part of this project. With multiple fantastic tracks on this record like “Radio”, “Through the Echoes”, and “Acid Eyes”, Nutini shows a lot of maturity and emotional intelligence in his lyrics, and he structures songs in a way that pushes norms while still including enough predictability to reward a listener’s anticipation. This album melds a lot of sounds from rock to soul to pop, and while the tracks vary a good amount, the quality is consistent.

Cheat Codes- Black Thought & Danger Mouse

At 49, Black Thought is still at the center of the conversation for best rapper alive based on his current output, and this project aligns with that assessment of his skill. A collaboration with legendary producer Danger Mouse, this project is a lyrical masterclass by Black Thought over some of the best sample work in the game. This is not a commercial rap album, it’s dense lyrically and thematically, but the sonics are on point, and the guest appearances are exciting (Raekwon, Joey Bada$$, MF Doom, A$AP Rocky, and more add verses to the album). On highlights like “The Darkest Part” with Kid Sister and Raekwon, we get thoughtful lyrics about racial injustice in the US from Black Thought and Raekwon over one of the best beats of the year.

Imposter Syndrome- AG Club

AG Club, one of the acts on our first ever rappers to watch list in 2021, have been elevating consistently, and Imposter Syndrome is their best effort yet. The first thing you’ll notice about this project is its genreless quality, with significant sections of both singing and rapping and highly varied production. It feels experimental, and shows that vocalists Baby Boy and Jody Fontaine are not just rappers who can sing, but truly well-rounded artists with huge ambitions. With highlights that stretch from the heavy rapping of “Bodega Bandit” to the luscious soundscape of “Candice” to one of our songs of the year last year in the rock-leaning “TRU RELIGION”, AG Club hit a lot of different sounds but are still able to come with a cohesive, quality project.

CHAOS NOW*- Jean Dawson

Jean Dawson, one of our first ever artists to watch in 2021, is one of the single most underrated artists in the game right now. Dawson’s mixing and matching of sonic elements and passionate delivery are incredibly gripping, and those elements are consistent on this project. Jean bounces between all kinds of sounds on this album, with a heavy and intense delivery that melds elements of rock and hip hop on tracks like “THREE HEADS*” and “SICK OF IT*”, a reflective and acoustic-leaning style on “BAD FRUIT*” with Earl Sweatshirt, and a soundscape not quite like anything you’ve ever heard before on “PIRATE RADIO*”. This might be one of the most sonically diverse albums of the year. Dawson’s artistic integrity is evident in every decision he makes, and he finds a great balance between innovation, appealing sonics, and intensely emotional messaging here.

Misery- Ekkstacy

Ekkstacy is miserable on this album, and it’s not a light listen, but the sonics and emotions are all there. One of our artists to watch in 2022, the 20-year-old artist is incredibly open about his struggles with depression and more on this project, but he also makes a fantastic sounding indie album. When it comes to production, the guitars and drums have an edge to them, but they never overpower Ekkstacy’s vocal. We get a lot of tracks driven by drums and bass that give Ekkstacy’s voice room to work on the verses, and guitars that bring the energy on the choruses. The sonics really are amazing, and the vocals are poetic and vulnerable as ever, diving into struggles with substance use, depression, and relationships. For lovers of sad indie music, this album is a must-listen.

Stick Season- Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan’s Stick Season is his best work to date, and that’s saying a lot for an artist who has been releasing quality for his entire career. Noah does a great job finding a balance on this album, mixing folkier sonic qualities with digestable melodies, infusing themes of depression and pain with hope, and creating tracks with mainstream hit potential as well as acoustic album cuts. The title track, “Stick Season”, might be the song of the year, but it is far from the only standout, with tracks like “Northern Attitude”, “Growing Sideways”, “All My Love”, and more existing in the same stratosphere. Kahan’s beautiful vocals are on display throughout the project, and the songwriting is absolutely top-tier, with vivid imagery from his smalltown upbringing in rural New England and sure-to-be relatable takes on romantic and family relationships. This album is the ultimate project to blast in the car as you take in fall foliage, but it’s sure to be a great listen in any context.

It’s Only Me- Lil Baby

Lil Baby has reached the point in his career where his every move is analyzed, and his music is picked apart by twitter critics across the world. While some of the criticism may ring true, as this record is a little long at 23 tracks and gets repetitive in sports, Baby still delivered one of the best commercial rap releases of the year. Baby hits us with a lot of catchy flows and cadences on this project, and his lyricism is consistently above average. We are missing a little bit of the introspection and emotionality of some of his best previous tracks like “Emotionally Scarred” or “Never Needed No Help”, but the hits and bangers are there. On tracks like “In a Minute”, “California Breeze”, “Perfect Time”, and “Never Hating” with Young Thug, Baby sounds like one of the best rappers in the game.

Gemini Rights- Steve Lacy

This is the album that took Steve Lacy from a favorite underrated name for music geeks to a global superstar, and it had that success for a reason. The general public may only be familiar with the album’s lead single, “Bad Habit”, which hit number one on the US charts, but this is a complete record from front to back. A super-producer before he was a big time artist, Steve’s experience producing as a part of band The Internet, and for major artists like Kendrick Lamar, gave him the tools to craft a sonic experience in his own work, and he does so here, mixing an eclectic mix of sounds and influences from rock to rnb to funk. “Bad Habit” is a certified banger as evidenced by its immense commercial success, but our highlight of the album has to be “Sunshine” with Fousheé, a track that will make you feel transported by a groovy baseline, killer drum groove, and beautiful vocals to match.

Beatopia- Beabadoobee

22-year-old Beabadoobee became a big name in the mainstream when producer and singer powfu sampled her 2017 song “Coffee” and put it on his song “death bed”, which went mega viral on TikTok, but it’s high time to get onto her own music if that’s all you’ve heard from her. Bea’s soft vocal tone immediately draws you in, but her songwriting and versatility show through as major strengths on this record. With variety from the heavy rock feel of “Talk” to the softer sound of tracks like “Lovesong”, she shows she can do it all on this record.

Emociones- Jay Wheeler

Jay Wheeler first achieved incredible global commercial success on his 2020 track “La Curiosidad” with DJ Nelson and Myke Towers, but Emociones is his best work to date, and it seems to be catapulting the 28-year-old Puerto Rican singer further into stardom. Listeners will immediately be struck by Wheeler’s voice on this album, as his vocals are consistently powerful and delivered with ear-catching rasp. Generally received as the best work of his career, this album lives up to its name with a lot of palpable emotion both in sound and lyrics, and songs that can comfortably played in a quiet room or a packed party. With sonics grounded in reggaetón but influenced by dancehall, EDM, American hip hop, and more, this project has a lot of variety and energy.

Hold The Girl- Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama comes with a great follow-up to a fantastic album in 2020’s SAWAYAMA with Hold The Girl. The 32-year-old British singer comes with some of the strongest vocals on any pop album this year, and mixes electronic dance elements with big ballads. One of our first artists to watch in 2021, Sawayama has been on the rise in recent years has shown continued growth in commercial performance and artistic vision. On this project, she is consistent with sonic quality and interesting song concepts, but finds a way to vary production and song structures to keep her listener engaged. This is easily one of the best pop albums of the year.

RUFFS- Kenny Mason

One of the most underrated rappers in the game and one of the world’s most exciting young artists, Mason delivers a great follow-up to his excellent 2021 record Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut with RUFFS. On this album, Mason proves to be a top tier lyrical emcee and a deeply creative experimental musician. On tracks like “Halos” Mason proves he can rap with the best of them, on “Halloween” he shows off high quality singing and a strong command of rock elements, and throughout the album, he bounces between genres and sounds with ease. There are few artists more talented than Kenny Mason, and we hear it through an excellent command of flow, introspective lyrics about his neighborhood and relationships, incredible vocal melodies, experimental production choices, and songs that mix and match traditional rock and rap sounds in inventive and sophisticated ways on this album.

Midnights- Taylor Swift

The album that created a ticket craze for the ensuing tour so intense that it exposed major flaws in ticket resellers and received national news attention did not receive that reaction for no reason. Midnights is a commercial juggernaut, and it has earned that status for good reason, as we get Taylor’s recent songwriting style mixed with the pop anthem feel of her earlier work. The album is jam packed with hits from start to finish, with standout chart topper “Anti Hero” as well as big tracks like “Lavender Haze” and “Midnight Rain”.

Twelve Carat Tooth Ache- Post Malone

Source: @postmalone

Post Malone is undeniably one of the most popular artists in the world, and he is still at the top of his game. While Twelve Carat Tooth Ache does not necessarily live up to the lofty heights of the rest of Posty’s discography, it is a solid pop album with a lot of commercial appeal and quality songwriting. It has smash hits like “One Right Now” with The Weeknd and “I Like You (A Happier Song)” with Doja Cat, and fun album cuts like “Wrapped Around Your Finger”. We get Post’s infectious vocal tone, unforgettable melodies, and vulnerable emotional moments throughout the track list, allowing this album to land as a quality effort.

Her Love Still Haunts Me Like A Ghost- Montell Fish

Source: @montellfish

Montell Fish’s second project of the year is a stark contrast to JAMIE, but the quality of the record is just as good. This album takes Fish in a completely new direction as he moves further away from his career beginnings as a Christian artist, centering on themes of drugs, sex, and mental health struggles over moody and brooding production. This record has traces of the Weeknd’s iconic 2011 project House of Balloons with its falsetto rnb vocals, heavy synths, and dark lyrical themes. This album shows that Fish has incredible range, and the ability to create songs that lend themselves quite well to live performance. It has also quietly earned significant commercial success, with standout track and single “Hotel” earning over 60 million Spotify streams to date.

Marginalia- ella jane

Source: @ellajanemusic

20-year-old Ella Jane shows off a lot of skill and potential on her second album Marginalia. Full of indie rock sounds and lyrics about love and growing up, we get emotionally thoughtful songwriting with standout lines packed with imagery on this record. At just 9 songs this is a short album, and it has not reached high-level mainstream commercial success, but it shows tons of potential. Highlights here include “Time On”, a great indie song about wanting a relationship despite being able to anticipate its end, and “Warhol”, which touches on trying to be someone other than yourself to win someone over.

Dirt Femme- Tove Lo

Source: @tovelo

Swedish singer Tove Lo is known for releasing smash singles in the 2010s, but her first album of 2022 shows lots of growth and quality. With a full commitment to dance pop production, she plays with the duality between bubbly electro production sounds and heavier lyrical themes. This project is very danceable, the vocals are consistently high quality, and it does not lack depth in theme or in sound. The cohesive and consistent vision expressed through this album is impressive, and the record marks a reinvention of Tove Lo as an artist. Hits like “No One Dies From Love” and “2 Die 4” show the widespread appeal of this quality effort.

<COPING MECHANISM>- WILLOW

Source: @willowsmith

WILLOW’s <COPING MECHANISM> is a fantastic record that shows Willow is one of the best artists to watch in the modern rock scene. Black women are almost never appropriately credited for their contributions to rock as a genre, and Willow deserves more love within the scene for her high quality releases. She certainly delivers a high quality vision here, filled with excellent vocals and thoughtful song structures. This project is vulnerable, but also has the rebellious expressiveness of punk, and it lands somewhere that feels pop punk without shamelessly looking for commercial attention like some recent releases in the subgenre.

Her Loss- Drake & 21 Savage

Source: @champagnepapi

Her Loss is the first Drake album in a long time to receive overwhelmingly positive public reactions upon its release, and that speaks to what the Toronto veteran and his collaborator 21 Savage did well on this record. The duo bring the hard sounds and aggressive bars of their earlier collaborative tracks and create many opportunities for viral moments. For Drake, his commitment to lyricism and refusal to veer too far outside rap on this project earned him praise. That being said, this project earned fair criticism for not living up to its billing as a collaborative album (internet critics hilariously noted that the album featured “21% Savage”, with Drake dominating much of the play time), and for the harmful and unnecessary jab Drake takes at Megan Thee Stallion on “Circo Loco”.

Sonder- Dermot Kennedy

Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy already has one incredible album under his belt in 2019’s Without Fear, and the follow-up has proven to be another quality effort in Sonder. On this album his sound is more pop and less folk, but the backbone of poetic and emotionally contemplative songwriting remains the same. Kennedy describes the album concept as realizing that everyone is living just as full of a life as you are, and throughout the tracklist he tries and succeeds in appeals to emotional relatability. Singles like “Better Days” and “Kiss Me” have had incredible commercial success, but there are quality moments throughout the tracklist.

age/sex/location- Ari Lennox

Source: @arilennox

Dreamville rnb star Ari Lennox is widely regarded as one of the best artists in the genre, and this record further reaffirms that status. Ari’s classic tone will draw you in on every track, and the production and features from Chloë, Summer Walker, and Lucky Daye nicely compliment her work. Thematically, this record explores Ari’s personal growth when it comes to relationships, describing how she learned to set boundaries and put herself first. The album is sure to resonate for many, and includes one of the best rnb songs in recent memory in “Pressure”.

This is What I Mean- Stormzy

Source: @stormzy

There are many excellent UK rappers doing their thing right now, but Stormzy might be the biggest artist in modern British hip hop. The 29-year-old London emcee shows off intricate lyricism, command of melody, diverse flows, and one of the best voices in the game on this record. Stormz is introspective and thoughtful in his raps, creating the sense that this album is made for him, rather than being meant to please everyone. He also bounces between styles on this record, often using soft pianos and drums to sing over on tracks like “Firebabe” and “Fire + Water”, but we also get heavy rapping on tracks like “This is What I Mean” and “My Presidents are Black”. This is What I Mean is a fantastic example of a rapper at the top of his game delivering the album the people needed.

Special- Lizzo 

Source: @lizzobeeating

Lizzo is one of the best-regarded artists in modern popular music, and that comes with expectations. On Special she was able to meet those sky high expectations by maintaining the fun-loving sound, personable lyrics, and high quality vocal performances that got her to this point. While this album hasn’t quite hit the commercial highs of her 2019 effort Cuz I Love You, this record has spawned major hits like “About Damn Time” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)”, and has quality from front to back. Lizzo is able to make self-love chic rather than corny yet again with this record, and the musical quality lives up to the hype.

The Hardest Part- Noah Cyrus 

Source: @noahcyrus

Noah Cyrus has not matched her older sister Miley when it comes to fame or success quite yet, but her artistry is undeniable. The 22-year-old singer mixes elements of country, folk, pop, and more on this record as she sings about relationship issues, mental illness, substance abuse, and getting older. Cyrus’s voice stands out as unique in tone, built for a country-leaning sound, and her songwriting skills are on display better than ever on this project. Highlights like the folky “Noah (Stand Still)”, “Ready To Go”, and “I Burned LA Down” show that she has all the skill necessary to be one of the biggest stars in the industry.

Feed Tha Streets III- Roddy Ricch

Source: @roddyricch

Roddy Ricch received warranted criticism for his underwhelming 2021 LP Live Life Fast, but he has shown resilience bouncing back with a strong effort in Feed Tha Streets III. Roddy was seen as one of the single most promising rappers in the world after the release of his 2019 album Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, and he shows he can live up to that hype with this effort. Getting back to the kinds of flows and melodic sounds that made him blow up, Roddy comes with the heat on tracks like “Just Because” and “Aston Martin Truck”. Roddy showed that he still can write hits and deliver some of the best melodies in the game on this effort that matches the quality of previous releases in his Feed Tha Streets mixtape series.

Unwanted- Pale Waves

Source: @palewaves

Unwanted sees Manchester-based band Pale Waves dive into a punk-leaning sound. From the first track “Lies”, the heavy production elements and in-your-face vocal delivery create a danceable and edgy take on pop punk. You can hear not-so-small traces of Paramore throughout the tracklist, and the vocals from lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie have some undeniable elements of Avril Lavigne. The tracks are packed with edgy guitars and prominent drum beats while Baron-Gracie’s vocals cut through to take command. Standout tracks like “Unwanted” and “Clean” show the great songwriting and strong production that make this one of the better rock projects released this year.

Yesterday is Heavy- Lil Silva

Source: @lil_silva

UK DJ and producer Lil Silva has seen a lot of success in his career, and this project gives us a view into what a full length effort can look like from him. Electronic dance music with clear UK grime influences, Silva’s sound is very much his own on this record. He shows off quality singing throughout the effort, and collaborates with a number of vocalists to bring his vision to life. Tracks like “Another Sketch” and “Leave It” with Charlotte Day Wilson stand out as highlights of the record. There is a lot of soul in Silva’s dance music that is often missing from modern EDM party cuts, and his attention-to-detail and mastery of integrating a variety of complex instrumentation into cohesive tracks is impressive. Silva is outside the scope of what many American music fans would give a try, but those who haven’t checked out this project are missing out.

Playboy- Fireboy DML

Source: @fireboydml

Nigerian singer Fireboy DML may not be familiar yet to a lot of American listeners, but he should be. This effort shows tons of charisma and a fantastic command of melody. Global hits like “Peru” (which received a remix from Ed Sheeran) and “Bandana” show off Fireboy’s immense potential and skill, but the project is consistent from front to back. From the vocal chops he shows off on the album’s intro “Change” to the vibey rhythms of “All of Us” with Ashawo to the incredibly catchy nature of the chorus on “Peru”, Fireboy sounds like a star-in-the-making throughout this effort. The album is accessible for new afrobeats listeners, and shows off a range of emotions and sounds that will be sure to resonate with listeners.

Pastlife- Day Wave

Source: @daywave

Jackson Phillips, the voice behind Day Wave, creates the feel of entire band with his work on this record. Pastlife is full of nostalgic feelings and a cinematic sensibility, with the vocal mixing and indie drums giving the listener a dual sense of distance and closeness from Phillips’s vocal. Throughout the tracklist, we get songs about the sad and difficult parts of romantic relationships, but also somewhat of a romanticization of that sadness. Phillips creates a sonic and emotional world where the listener can get up and dance to his sad songs. From the incredibly catchy, yet depressing “Pastlife” to the fantastic collaboration that is “See You When The End’s Near” with KennyHoopla, this album hits the mark as a fantastic indie album.

Anyways, Lifes Great- GloRilla

Source: @Glorillapimp

Memphis rapper GloRilla has exploded onto the scene as a major name to watch in 2022, gaining significant momentum and following throughout this year. Known for her deep and assertive delivery marked by a heavy Memphis accent, GloRilla has differentiated herself, and this project has reinforced her status as a unique young rapper with immense potential. This record is labeled an EP at 9 songs, but it has the feel of a breakout mixtape that will surely lead into a major debut album. On this album GloRilla keeps the tracks short and focuses on creating memorable choruses and to-the-point verses that display good flashes of lyricism. GloRilla is definitely one of the most important rappers to watch after this release.

Girl of My Dreams- FLETCHER

Source: @findingxfletcher

New Jersey born and LA-based singer FLETCHER showed a lot of range and hit-making skill on this record. As the title suggests, this album is full of themes of self-love and queer identity delivered through pop anthems. FLETCHER’s chosen style of song allows her to celebrate her identity and self-love with boldness and excitement that comes through for her listener. While there are moments where the lyricism and song structures get a little bit repetitive or unoriginal, the overall effort has a lot of commercial-appeal and makes big and important emotions accessible.

The Family- Brockhampton

Source: @brckhmptn

Billed as the last album from one of the most successful guy groups of the 2010s, The Family sees Brockhampton return to a full commitment to hip hop. The first thing you’ll notice when giving this record a spin are the beats, full of ear-catching vocal samples and boom-bap drums. The production gives the ideal backdrop for the main star of the group, rapper Kevin Abstract, to do his thing. Abstract is actually the only vocalist to appear on the project, as the band had largely broken up before the creation of this record. That being said, this might not be an ideal Brockhampton album for old fans, but it absolutely shows that Abstract is a star in his own right with a lot of potential to grow even bigger as a solo artist.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist with one song from each of these amazing projects

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No rankings. Just 50 songs that tell the story of music in 2022’s second half

*all songs were released between June 1 and December 1 of 2022. Any songs released in December will only be eligible to appear on next year’s first issue of this series

By Ben Leshan

Anywhere With You- Maggie Rogers

“Anywhere With You” is the anthem of Maggie Rogers’ Surrender album, and the passion she has for music, and for life, is absolutely palpable on this record. Starting off with a soft verse over keys, and then building into heavier drums and massive vocal moments towards the end, this track is structured to make you feel so much on sound alone. The songwriting will draw you in even deeper, with vivid descriptions of how it feels to care deeply about another person.

LOLSMHII- Westside Boogie

Westside Boogie is an incredibly well-rounded and skilled rapper, and “LOLSMHII” shows off his best skills. Over a lowkey drum pattern and smooth, jazzy production, Boogie is deeply emotionally vulnerable on this track, starting off slow, and then building into a beat switch. As the instrumental comes with heavier drums Boogie starts to get more and more off his chest, building to a cathartic, yet slightly unfinished feeling climax that makes most sense in the context of his More Black Superheroes album.

Daddy Kane- Roc Marciano, The Alchemist feat. Action Bronson

44-year-old New York emcee Roc Marciano has a lot of respect in hip hop, but he’s not the biggest commercial name. Our pick for the best track off his high quality joint record with producer The Alchemist, The Elephant Man’s Bones, “Daddy Kane” features a beat that is top-tier by Alchemist’s astronomically high standards, a charismatic guest verse full of eclectic bars from underrated spitter Action Bronson, and a fantastic and confident delivery of high quality bars from Marciano.

Complex- Katie Gregson-MacLeod

“Complex” is a song that gained its popularity on TikTok, where Gregson-MacLeod shared the track’s chorus and got millions instantly hooked. Built on a bare bones piano melody and vocals full of pain, the young Scottish singer delivers a compelling anthem for people who are emotionally torn apart by a relationship with a partner who doesn’t nearly reciprocate their intense feelings.

Open Arms- Mozzy

Sacramento rapper Mozzy is quietly one of the best overall rappers out right now, and this track is absolutely beautiful. Featuring Mozzy’s killer voice over melancholy pianos and a drifting vocal sample, this song details how the streets took Mozzy in with “open arms”. He does a fantastic job of explaining how he had nowhere to turn to but crime, and his lyricism is top-tier as he does so. This track is incredibly emotional and well-crafted, and is definitely one of the best hip hop tracks of the year so far.

Acid Eyes- Paolo Nutini

Paolo Nutini wrote a lot of incredible songs for his album Late Night in the Bittersweet, but “Acid Eyes” stands out from the crowd melodically and emotionally. With indie rock production and an incredible vocal performance from Nutini, the track dives into the feeling of realizing how much someone meant to you after they have already left, and deeply regretting not expressing it back then.

Another Heartbreak- Giveon

Giveon seems to always make our best songs lists, and he deserves it as one of the best and most consistent rnb singers in the world. This track is a big ballad, based in a sad piano melody that gives Giveon’s immaculate tone room to shine through. He shows off incredible vocal skill and emotionality on this track, and his delivery of the message, being apprehensive in a new relationship because of previous heartbreak, is done in an incredibly convincing and passionate manner.

Bones- Soccer Mommy

“Bones” is built on the contrast between a grungy guitar lick and Soccer Mommy’s soft and clear vocals. The resulting sound is addicting, and the interplay between the indie production and the unorthodox structure of the chorus sounds amazing. The track is also full of emotion, with Soccer Mommy delivering a story of heartbreak that will be sure to captivate listeners.

Minnesota is a place that exists- glaive

Glaive is one of our favorite new artists out right now, and this might just be his best song to date. With an impeccably built structure that uses layered vocals, heavy drums, and an absolutely infectious synth melody to get you hooked, glaive shines vocally and shows that he can meld angsty emotion with thoughtful and intricate concepts. He certainly lived up to his billing as one of our artists to watch in 2022 with this track.

BelgraveRoad_1- Aitch

This track is a top-tier rap album intro track, featuring fantastic production, assertive rapping, and quality lyricism. Rapping over a beat with vocal samples, minor chords on the piano, and a heavy drum pattern, Aitch tells the story of where he is in life right now, getting introspective and vulnerable, and also showing and telling listeners how he stands out from the crowd. This song draws you in and keeps you hooked until it ends.

Crack Sandwich- JID

“Crack Sandwich” is a story track, but it is also a banger on its sonics alone. On the song we hear JID take us through the context of his childhood before outlining a story of when he and his siblings got into a brawl with strangers at a club in New Orleans. From the beat, to the chorus, to the lyricism, to the story, this track is fantastic. It also immerses the listener in JID’s world, and contributes significantly to the family theme of his stellar album The Forever Story.

NDA- Megan Thee Stallion

“NDA” is built on a hard beat that gives Meg the room to rap at her highest level. The haunting production melody and heavy drums give Megan the perfect pocket for her flow, and she takes advantage, creating a record that is made to turn you up, and should have been a bigger commercial hit than it has been. This track gives the Houston rapper the opportunity to rap relentlessly, setting her up to be at her absolute best.

Third Wheel- Zoe Wees

Zoe Wees has been a favorite on Moonlxte since our first ever article, and she proved us right once again with this track. With production that leans into pop punk, but provides room for Wees’s big, soulful voice to shine, this track shows a new side of what the young artist can do. The songwriting is also high quality, using the clever concept of being a third wheel in a romantic relationship because your partner still isn’t over someone else.

The Highs & The Lows- Chance The Rapper feat. Joey Bada$$

Chance The Rapper has had a rough time in the media since the release of his less-than-successful album The Big Day in 2019, but he has been proving recently that he’s back to being the rapper so many know and love from projects like Acid Rap and Coloring Book. Chance and Joey show off great chemistry and incredible rapping on this track. We also get a fantastic melodic hook from Chance, a nice, laidback vibe, and a meaningful and clearly delivered message about getting through the hard parts of life.

Stick Season- Noah Kahan

Vermont singer Noah Kahan has proven to be an amazing storyteller with a killer vocal tone throughout his career, but this song is his best work yet. A thoughtful and self-reflective take on a breakup track, Kahan creates a sad song that is an anthem you will want to scream out the window no matter your mood. After blowing up on TikTok, this could be the biggest commercial hit of Kahan’s career, and it set the tone for what was an excellent forthcoming album.

Don’t come back- Renforshort

“Don’t Come Back” is easily one of the top pop songs of the year, featuring lyrics about feeling relief that a painful relationship has ended. Renforshort, one of our artists to watch this year, delivers a great vocal performance, and the song is written and structured nicely. Ren does a great job of writing melodies that get stuck in your head and reflecting on emotional experiences that will resonate for her audience.

Sticky- Drake

Drake went into full dance mode on Honestly, Nevermind, but “Sticky”, one of the songs on the record that leans much more hip hop, is a highlight of the record. With an eery sounding beat featuring an unorthodox glitchy melody and a driving bass pattern, Drake is set-up perfectly by the production to craft an immaculate flow. This song sees Drake doing something innovative and new, and it sounds like what many fans would hope he can consistently bring to the table at this stage of his career.

Love you more than me- Montell Fish

“Love you more than me” is literally one of the saddest songs you will ever hear, but it is absolutely beautiful. Fish shows why he was one our artists to watch this year with magical vocals that float over sparse production, calling out into the void, telling the world that he still loves a woman more than anything even though she cheats on him. The melody and story are deeply captivating, and this record stands out on what is an excellent album in Fish’s Jamie.

Oklahoma Smokeshow- Zach Bryan

It has already been established that Zach Bryan is absolutely next-level as a songwriter when it comes to modern country artists, and “Oklahoma Smokeshow” shows off everything he can do, with evocative story-telling, beautiful vocals, and gut-wrenching emotion. On the track Bryan sings about a woman who will never reach her big dreams because of her small town relationship, and you will be absolutely captivated from start to finish.

Love Is…- Toosii

Built on a sample of Julia Michaels’s “Love is Weird”, “Love Is…” builds on the model of other sad melodic trap songs that work with an obvious vocal sample of another track. The beat is beautiful, and Toosii gets introspective and vulnerable about his mental health. He also shows off some incredible melodies on this song. As he sings about the end of a relationship, Toosii leans into his sadness and anger, and creates a musical moment that will be sure to hit home for a lot of his listeners.

Halloween- Kenny Mason

Kenny Mason is one of the most underrated rappers out right now by a mile, and “Halloween” is one of the most innovative and ear-catching tracks of the year. The song is a genreless mix of Kenny’s two styles, melding punk and emo production melodies and vocals with trap drums and high quality rapping. This is a sonic masterpiece, and it might be one of the most complete songs Mason has released to date.

PIRATE RADIO*- Jean Dawson

This song is an insane sonic experience. It sounds as though Dawson took inspiration from a sea shanty (as per the name of the track) but he made it into a serious indie song. Filled with luscious sounds and beautiful strings, the production provides an excellent backdrop for Dawson to show off the clean side of his vocals. This is one of the most innovative tracks of the year, but it also makes for a nice and easy listen.

Innocence and Sadness- Dermot Kennedy

With many of his tracks this year drifting into a new lane compared to his early work, “Innocence and Sadness” is a classic piano ballad from Kennedy. Featuring his raw vocals and fantastically emotional songwriting, this track is sure to put you in your feels. Vocally, sonically, and emotionally, this song really shows how Kennedy is at the top of the game when it comes to modern singer-songwriters.

Morning- Charlotte Lawrence

22-year-old Charlotte Lawrence is not yet a huge name in music, although she has seen significant commercial success, but this track feels like the first in a new, breakout chapter. With an infectious song structure, quality, breathy vocal delivery, and song-writing that goes deeper than a typical pop track, Lawrence hits all the marks for a great song here. This song should definitely get you excited for coming releases from a talented young artist.

California Breeze- Lil Baby

Lil Baby was criticized for the quality of some singles he released leading up to this project, but “California Breeze”, although an album cut, shows how good Baby can be at crafting a standalone track when he gets it right. Spitting with hunger over an infectious sample and heavy trap drums, the Atlanta emcee hits the right mix of lyricism and flow to draw in his listener and keep them intrigued over the course of 3 minutes.

Hurricanes- Rina Sawayama

One of our first artists to watch to begin 2021, Rina has been on the rise we predicted, and this song is some of her best work to date. With a voice and style that will remind you of Lady Gaga, Sawayama has the ideal voice to sing massive pop choruses, and she kills one on this track. The build up on this song in transportive, and will take you to another dimension once the chorus drops. This is also simply one of the best displays of vocal talent on a pop track this year.

Star Tripping- Kevin Atwater

A breakthrough act this year on TikTok, Kevin Atwater comes through with one of the best written songs of the year on “Star Tripping”. With a gripping story about falling for another boy who was unwilling to date publicly or treat him well despite being in a romantic relationship because of his religious upbringing, Atwater’s painfully evocative lyrics will make you feel everything with him. The emotional vocals and slightly grungy acoustic guitar are well-done, and the writing makes it clear that Atwater has a lot of potential beyond this incredible track.

Sunshine- Steve Lacy feat. Fousheé

Steve Lacy has received a lot of praise for his 2022 album Gemini Rights, with “Bad Habit” being the breakthrough single, but “Sunshine” might be the true star of the show. With a ridiculously infectious drum groove, extremely catchy vocal melodies, and fantastic chemistry between Steve and New Jersey singer Fousheé, this track will have you nodding your head and tapping your foot the whole way through.

October Passed Me By- girl in red

A follow-up to girl in red’s breakthrough song “we fell in love in october” from 2018, “October Passed Me By” is a reflection on the relationship that inspired the original love song. Her first release since her amazing 2021 album if i could make it go quiet, this track is full of lyrical references to the original song. She has good things to say about the feelings she holds onto instead of centering her anger or sadness, and the sonics match the message in quality.

Once:Once- Jay Wheeler

Built on a beat that sounds like something The Kid Laroi or Post Malone would use due to its guitar riff and synths, but with fast-paced drums that suit Wheeler, the Puerto Rican singer is able to balance lyrics and delivery that sound like they are from a ballad with fast-paced pop-hit appeal. The song title is a reference to the time 11:11, which holds spiritual significance as a time to make a wish, as Jay sings in Spanish about always wishing for a girl he deeply misses, but can’t get back.

Anti-Hero- Taylor Swift

“Anti-Hero” might be the biggest immediate commercial success of the year, and this track shot to number one on Billboard in its first week out for good reason. The vivid and memorable lyrics, the catchy, energetic production, infectious vocal melodies, and anthemic emotionality make this one of the best pop tracks of the year, and one that many listeners haven’t able to stop playing on repeat.

THE PPL I’VE BEEN- Brevin Kim

Brevin Kim continue to come with genreless bangers packed with intensely emotional songwriting and an eclectic blend of sounds. This track is no different, using heavy bass, acoustic guitars strums, and filtered vocals with big drops into the choruses to craft a mood you can get lost in. The duo of brothers show why they were one of our artists to watch this year on this track.

No One Dies From Love- Tove Lo

Source: @tovelo

On this track we see Tove Lo sing about relationship problems over bouncy electronic production. This is a well-structured pop song, with ear-catching processed vocals on the choruses, and a lot of movement in the synths. Tove gets you up and dancing, and builds the track to higher and higher levels of energy as it progresses. A standout from her strong album Dirt Femme, this is easily one of the best dance pop tracks of the year.

Eyeliner- Ekkstacy

“Eyeliner” fits right into Ekkstacy’s catalog in terms of sound, with a driving bass line and indie drum groove over minor guitar chords and floating, breathy vocals. We can hear Ekkstacy, one of our artists to watch in 2022, tapping into some gravel in his voice on the verses and then keeping things airier on the hooks. The track will get you lost in his sonic and emotional world, and builds on the success of his biggest hit “i walk this earth all by myself” by mixing incredibly dark vocals with somber, yet danceable production.

Men on the Moon- Chelsea Cutler

Source: @chelseacutler

Chelsea Cutler has shown to be one of the best songwriters in pop music in recent years, and this track shows off more of that incredible work. Her vocal tone shines through really well here, and the song concept, that humans have gone as far as putting people on the moon, yet that her relationship still can’t work, is an interesting and thoughtful one. Sonically, this track plays with space really well and allows Cutler’s vocal to shine while accenting it with quality production.

Blessed- GloRilla

Source: @Glorillapimp

GloRilla has been one of the fastest rising rappers in the game this year, and her success looks sustainable due to her skill and unique delivery. On this track her deep and confident voice commands a classic Memphis-style beat with dark piano chords and heavy drums. Memphis legend Yo Gotti (her label boss at CMG) adds an excellent verse to the track, and GloRilla kills it with a memorable chorus. Watch out for more from the Memphis rapper going forward.

CUFF IT- Beyoncé

On an album full of fantastic dance music, this track might be the easiest to dance the night away to. In line with an album direction that works to appreciate the way queer, Black artists pioneered electronic dance music, Beyonce focuses on inclusivity and fun on this song. With lyrics full of calls to be confident and be yourself, active bass and drums, and catchy melodies, Bey more-than accomplished her goal of creating a great dance track that makes everyone feel welcome here.

I’m Not Her- Wet

Source: @wet

New York indie band Wet are known for playing around with vocal mixes and arrangements to create quirky and catchy soundscapes that deliver real emotion, and they accomplish that once again on this track. Over open production void of drums or significant percussive elements, lead vocalist Kelly Zutaru delivers a drifting ballad full of painful emotions here.

10:36- Beabadoobee

On “10:36” Beabadoobee is more on the rock side of her indie pop sound, using heavier guitar and drum sounds to build big choruses that will be sure to get stuck in your head. Bea has shown a great ability to make rock-leaning tracks jam-packed with melodic ear candy alongside quality lyricism and storytelling. This track is just another example of why she is an important artist to watch right now.

Yukon (Interlude)- Joji

Source: @sushitrash

Don’t look now, but Joji is one of the biggest pop artists in the world. The former internet comedian now has a slew of hits under his belt, but this track, on the lower profile side of his recent releases (especially on the same project with monster hit “Glimpse of Us”), has a ton to offer. With a beat that features hip hop style drums over piano and strings, Joji creates memorable vocal melodies and a track with tons of replay value.

Forget Me- Lewis Capaldi

Source: @lewiscapaldi

Lewis Capaldi had a lot to live up to as he released his first song since his excellent debut album Divinely Uninspired To a Hellish Extent, but he hit the spot with this track. A little more high tempo and energetic than fans are used to hearing Capaldi, the song works, and has garnered high levels of commercial success due to a strong concept, expressive emotionality, and a top-tier vocal performance. If you forgot that Capaldi was a star, this track was sure to make you remember how good he is.

Do you miss me?- Pinkpanthress

Source: @pinkpantheress

Pinkpantheress is pushing the sound of music, and she has been able to meld the spirit of futuristic innovation with present commercial success. Using beats that may call upon hyperpop, but that deviate in significant ways from the budding genre, you never know quite what you are going to get from her new songs. This track uses her breathy vocals to create incredibly catchy melodic moments over a beat that feels somewhat reminiscent of very early EDM music with a multitude of unexpected influences.

Save yourself first- contradash

Source: @contradash

contradash is quietly one of the best songsmiths in modern music, with an incredible ear for melody, and an ability to tastefully use distortion and unorthodox production techniques to give catchy pop songs an alternative edge. This track uses heavily distorted synths over bouncy drums behind dash’s clear vocals. As he tells the girl he is seeing she should “save yourself first”, you can hear the emotion in his voice and feel it viscerally through the production.

Habits- Genevieve Stokes

Source: @chowdergiirl

Coming out of Maine at 19-years-old, Stokes has emerged onto the national scene with incredible vocals and mature songwriting. The production here is able to meld a nostalgic and solemn feel with a slightly warm comfort, and Stokes’s vocal tone will be sure to hit you. As she calls out, “on again, off again, love you like oxygen” you will feel every word she says.

Suckerpunch- FLETCHER

Source: @findingxfletcher

FLETCHER shows off an ability to write a radio-ready pop love song on this track. The vocal and production melodies will draw you in, and the song concept is interesting, that unexpected love felt like a “suckerpunch”. This is the kind of track that could be a smash hit if it is able to find the right momentum on social media, and it has all the elements to stream incredibly well.

Lip Service- Cautious Clay

Source: @cautiousxclay

Cautious Clay does not get nearly the amount of recognition he deserves, and this track further proves that point. Whether or not you have already heard the beauty of his vocal tone, it will draw you in immediately over lowkey production to begin the track, and as guitars and drums start to drop and the song builds energy, you will find yourself still caught up in the way his voice sounds, and the way his words make you feel.

Sorry To Me Too- Julia Michaels

Source: @juliamichaels

Julia Michaels has proven her ability as one of the best pop songwriters in the game right now, and this track shows more of her versatility, with a chorus that plays with vocal mixing techniques from EDM that create a unique sonic experience. Michaels draws her listener in with the warmth and vulnerability of her tone, and comes up with a strong concept, expressing that she is also sorry to herself for the ways her partner failed her in a relationship.

Home By Now- MUNA

Indie pop band MUNA really broke onto the national scene last year with their song “Silk Chiffon” featuring Phoebe Bridgers, but this song is one of many that shows they do not need big name features to create great tracks. The production here mixes indie pop with dance music, employing punchy snares and driving synth bass to accent lead singer Katie Gavin as she questions whether she and her partner would have metaphorically been “Home By Now” if she had stayed in the relationship.

Here With ME- d4vd

Source: @d4vddd

Gen-Z artist d4vd has experienced a meteoric rise since his song “Romantic Homicide” blew up on TikTok, and this track is poised to be his second smash hit, cementing his status as a potential mega star. A love song over guitar chords and drums that feel reminscent of a vintage, doowop style sound, d4vd shows off incredible vocals delivered in a striking tone, a great melodic ear, and high quality songwriting. Do not let yourself forget about d4vd.

Bars Into Captions- Quavo, Takeoff

Source: @quavohuncho

After Takeoff was killed at just 28 this November in Houston, this one feels bittersweet, but the track shows off a lot of what made him special, and also shows excellent chemistry with his fellow-Migos member and uncle, Quavo. Not many rappers could pull off an interpolation of Outkast’s “So Fresh, So Clean” but Quavo and Takeoff bring their Atlanta energy and mastery of flow to appropriately pay homage to the Atlanta classic. RIP Takeoff.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist with one song from each of these amazing projects

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TXk4Wz77zQ5gQozsnwAUH?si=d646229a00cc4a2c

Thank you for reading! Please follow us on instagram @moonlxtemelodies, on twitter @Moonlxtemels, and on tiktok @moonlxtemelodies.

16 up-and-coming rappers to watch right now.

Last year, we started a series where we introduced you to rappers we thought were “next up”. That list featured a lot of artists who have seen success since its release in August of 2021, like EST Gee and Scorey. This year we’re bringing it back with a new class of future stars!

*all Spotify monthly listeners are as of July 7, 2022

Mike Dimes

Age: 21

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 3,284,159

Where to start: TALK2ME, HOME

If any rapper on this list is a sure thing to blow up, it might be Mike Dimes. The 21-year-old, who reps the state of Texas even though he moved around as a child in a military family, oozes charisma and energy with every word he spits. It’s clear when you turn on a Mike Dimes track that his hunger will allow him to attract a strong young audience, but he also respects the art of hip hop enough to please older fans and critics. At times his lyrics are overly cocky and brash, but that’s part of his appeal. Dimes makes turn up music full of relentless energy, and that has style has led to his success in the college party scene. If you need any more proof that Dimes is up next, look no further than the commercial success of his 2022 album In Dimes We Trust, which has seen more than half the tracklist surpass the million streams mark since March.

BIG30

Age: 22

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,675,910

Where to start: Dead Guyz, Allegations feat. Pooh Shiesty

BIG30 blew up as an associate of Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty, but 30’s star-power may soon rival that of his friend and collaborator (think Gunna’s rise right after Lil Baby blew up out of Atlanta). 30 is a street artist, make no question, his lyrics are violent and aggressive, but he’s also a sneaky good lyricist. With an accent and production choices that sound very Memphis, 30 differentiates himself with a flow and lyrical ability that are a level above many of his peers. He also has shown an ability to make a great body of work, with his mixtape King of Killbranch making our best albums of 2021 list. At just 22, Big30 is coming with quality raps that appeal to a diverse range of audiences in hip hop, giving him an amazing chance to have commercial success. Just look at how his new single (and one of his best tracks yet) “Dead Guyz” is already making waves.

Renni Rucci

Age: 30

Hometown: Irmo, South Carolina

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 479,368

Where to start: 8 Year Run, Act Funny

Renni Rucci started off as a model and internet personality who sometimes covered hit songs, but it was evident early on that she could rap, and she was swiftly signed to Atlanta’s famous Quality Control records. Renni is confident and has a strong command of her flow, with a sound that is most easily compared to Latto, but her voice and flow differentiate her. Renni has the ability to seamlessly integrate her intriguing come-up story into swag rap and typical flexing. As a listener, you can tell this means a lot to her, that she is doing this for her kids and to prove people wrong, and that she is not going to let anyone stop her. That kind of genuine passion and drive should help her make her way past the competition, and she most certainly has the natural talent to be a major commercial force.

redveil

Age: 18

Hometown: Prince George’s County, Maryland

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,383,296

Where to start: pg baby, better feat. Sam Truth

redveil is easily the best lyricist on this list while being the youngest artist at just 18 years old. With an album in Learn 2 Swim on our best albums of 2022 list, and a song from that project “pg baby” making our songs of the year list, redveil was a lock for this list. An amazing producer who self-produced all of Learn 2 Swim, redveil is one of the most talented musicians to come out in hip hop in a long time. Every artist here has potential, but redveil has ridiculous potential. You can hear his influences from Logic to Odd Future in his sound, but he is very much himself, and with every track he puts out he finds his sound more and more. He is able to use melody, make commercial hits and introspective album cuts, and reflect on life with incredible poise and thoughtfulness for such a young rapper. redveil has set himself up to have decades of longevity, so you definitely won’t regret tapping in now.

BabyTron

Age: 22

Hometown: Ypsilanti, Michigan

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 497,256

Where to start: Manute Bol, Half-Blood Prince

BabyTron might be the most unique artist on this list, and that’s why we see an astronomical rise coming for the Detroit rapper. The first thing you’ll notice when you turn on a Tron song is his unorthodox flow, which sounds like each bar is its own sentence or that he recorded each line one at a time. It takes some getting used to, but when you give him a chance, you realize that he just has a more extreme version of a typical Detroit flow, and that he is one of the wittiest rappers out. BabyTron is made for the internet, with quotables full of humor and pop culture references, and an ear for production that mixes traditional Detroit drums with wild and busy sample melodies. Anyone who can make a serious song called “Half-Blood Prince” and immediately jumps in with “Me and gang flying ’round with sticks like we playing Quidditch” is worth paying attention to.

Ivy Sole

Age: 26

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 299,021

Where to start: Easy to Kill, Nights Like This feat. Bathe

Ivy Sole has to be the most complete artist on this list, with a mastery of lyricism, a great singing voice, and a thoughtful artistic vision that puts them far ahead of their contemporaries. With their album Candid landing on our best albums of 2022 so far list, it’s evident that Sole can make a great body of work. Starting out the album saying “I’m finally afraid to die/ finally know what I want from life before I lose it”, on the intro “Easy to Kill”, it’s clear that Ivy Sole is introspective and passionate about conveying their vision through their art. They are also able to infuse elements of jazz rap, neo-soul, and vocal melodies, with traditional boom-bap hip hop, which creates an impressive multi-faceted sound. Ivy also has a true social consciousness that we don’t always get in hip hop, and is able to deliver that without sounding preachy or corny.

Hurricane Wisdom

Age: Unknown

Hometown: Havana, Florida

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 202,003

Where to start: Lil Hurricane, Better

Hurricane Wisdom hasn’t seen significant mainstream attention yet, but his catalog is already excellent at a very early stage in his career. The Florida artist has a soulful singing voice and a sound that was clearly inspired by Rod Wave, but his versatility is incredible, with an ability to jump between tracks about pain and adversity to upbeat melodic rap songs and introspective, lyrical rapping. His voice is completely undeniable, as soon as you hear it you’ll know this kid is supposed to be a star, and his ear for catchy melodies is definitely there, as exemplified on one of his biggest tracks, “Better”. It’s rare to hear a young rapper with a mature lyrical perspective and strong sense of their own sound, and Hurricane has that, able to deliver better melodies than established rappers with ease, but also to flow confidently and flex without overdoing it on a remix of Jack Harlow’s “Churchill Downs”.

Fresco Trey

Age: 22

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,256,513

Where to start: Need You, Fresh Off A Heartbreak

Memphis’s Fresco Trey caught a lot of buzz on TikTok over the last year, and he has turned it into significant early commercial success. With a sound that is nothing like what you would expect out of a Memphis rapper (he probably sounds the most like Post Malone of any established artist) Trey was able to use the internet to get the kind of national attention he deserves. The tone of his voice, which is clear, powerful, soulful, and distinctive, stars throughout his catalog, and his vocals give him the range to sound great on both acoustic production and heavy 808 beats. Thematically, Fresco is a very emotional rapper, often singing and rapping about relationships and heartbreak, but also about traditional hip hop themes like money and his come-up. Out of anyone on this list, Fresco Trey has so much potential to pen a smash hit, and it will probably be coming sooner than you think.

Lakeyah

Age: 21

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,627,321

Where to start: Mind Yo Business feat. Latto, I Look Good

At just 21, Lakeyah has already seen a lot of success in hip hop, and her refined sound and confident style should get her far. She has proven to have an ear for catchy production, and her ability to write hit-ready choruses should earn her a lot more commercial success than she has already seen. Her songs also make sure to fit in quotable lines and sections that will get stuck in your heard. Her music lends itself well to TikTok, but also to the party and club world. For an artist coming out of Milwaukee, a city not known for its hip hop scene, Lakeyah has already positioned herself quite well in the game for such a young artist, and she has the backing of Quality Control Records and collaborations with stars like Latto and Tyga under her belt.

Dro Kenji

Age: 19

Hometown: Summerville, South Carolina

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,427,741

Where to start: KILL CUPID feat. $NOT, THEY DON’T KNOW

Dro Kenji stands out immediately for his voice, with a tone that sounds like no one in hip hop, and a fantastic ability to sing catchy melodies. He is able to be soft and draw you into the track with his tone, or layer his vocals to create huge hooks like on his biggest hit, “KILL CUPID”. At just 19, Kenji is only a year out of high school, but he has already signed a major label deal with 10k and Internet Money, and has seen significant commercial success. He has also shown consistency in his sound, maintaining emo elements in his melodies and lyrics without straying away from hip hop and trap beats. This kid definitely has the potential to write massive hits, and it shouldn’t be hard for him to grow his fanbase with a sound that appeals to fans of many successful rappers like Juice Wrld, Roddy Ricch, or Lil Uzi Vert.

Vory

Age: 24

Hometown: Louisville, KY

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 2,112,585

Where to start: Do Not Disturb feat. Nav and BLEU, Lesson Learned

At 24, Vory is just starting to get a lot of attention in the hip hop mainstream, but he’s been at this for a while. The Louisville artist has been dropping music since he was just 18 in 2016, but he finally caught his big break last year with multiple features on Kanye West’s Donda. Most hip hop fans should be familiar with him from Ye, but if you haven’t gotten into his solo work, now is the time to start. Vory stands out for his incredible voice, which has a special, memorable tone. His command of melodies is elite, and he’s able to create both dark and moody tracks as well as bouncy, pop-leaning songs. His recent album Lost Souls has seen a lot of success, and Vory is just going up from here. A mysterious figure who always covers his face, Vory clearly had respect in the industry before he blew up, and it’s likely you’ll see him land more and more high profile features over the next year as his solo work continues to grow.

Duke Deuce

Age: 30

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,171,513

Where to start: Crunk Ain’t Dead, Just Say That feat. GloRilla

Duke Deuce’s energy is nothing if it is not infectious. His style brings back crunk music, the up-tempo southern hip hop sub-genre that spawned stars like Three 6 Mafia and Lil Jon. As soon as you turn on Deuce’s music, you’ll be reminded that “Crunk Ain’t Dead”, as the name of his most successful song tells you. Following the release of his album CRUNKSTAR in June of this year, Deuce has been receiving widespread praise and critical acclaim, and you can expect him to get bigger off this current momentum. He also has collaborations and praise from Memphis legends Juicy J and Project Pat, and like Renni Rucci and Lakeyah, is signed to the famous QC records. If you like high energy hip hop that will instantly get you up and moving, Duke Deuce is for you.

Doechii

Age: 22

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,614,625

Where to start: Persuasive, Yucky Blucky Fruitcake

If there is any record label a new rapper can sign to that will command immediate respect in the industry, it might be Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), and Doechii did just that this year. The 22-year-old earned a spot on the label that signed stars like Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Jay Rock, and more as a true entertainer with an ability to mix infectious melodies with aggressive raps. Doechii is completely unapologetic in her music, rapping with the aggressive energy of an artist like Rico Nasty on some tracks, but also using smooth melodic flows on other tracks. Tampa is not a hot-spot for upcoming rappers, but the young Doechii was able to harness the power of the internet, as her song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” went viral on TikTok, and got noticed by a famous west coast label in TDE. Now that she is on, expect Doechii to come with a full-length project that shows off all aspects of her versatile sound.

Hunxho

Age: 23

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,737,030

Where to start: Let’s Get It, Fight

If you were wondering when the next big trap artist would come out of the south, look no further than Hunxho. Now based in Atlanta, Hunxho’s sound is based on smooth, auto-tuned flows over trap beats. He uses production that sounds like something Lil Baby would hop on, and his flow really does resemble that of Baby in a way that should earn him fans, but he has a deep full tone that’s very different from his Atlanta contemporary. His sound could be described as a mix of Lil Baby and Sahbabii. With bubbling numbers on SoundCloud and Youtube, it’s clear that Hunxho has earned the respect of young, tapped-in rap fans, and should soon translate more of that success to Spotify and Apple Music. It’s also clear that “Let’s Get It” and its 21 Savage remix are hits that will only get bigger going forward.

SleazyWorld Go

Age: 24

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kansas City, Missouri

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 4,503,046

Where to start: Sleazy Flow, Step 1 feat. Offset

SleazyWorld Go is quickly blowing up, and now is the time to tap into what he is doing. With a nonchalant delivery and an ear for hard southern production, Sleazy is a hitmaker. He first saw major success when his 2021 single “Sleazy Flow” blew up and even received a Lil Baby remix, and now he is a doing numbers on a new hit with an established star, “Step 1” with Offset. You generally won’t get emotional or introspective lyrics from Sleazy, but his ear for haunting production and evocative, descriptive, violent lyrics should make him highly appealing to a wide-variety of hip hop fans. He has the kind of dark, southern sound that would sound fantastic on a Metro Boomin beat, and he clearly has earned respect in the industry as evidenced by his collaborations with Lil Baby and Offset.

JELEEL!

Age: 26

Hometown: Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,914,110

Where to start: DIVE IN!, JELEEL JUICE!

I don’t think ripped Rhode Island rapper who loves doing backflips and has a Playboi Carti-reminiscent sound was on anyone’s bingo card, but maybe it should have been. JELEEL! might have struck many people has a meme rapper when his 2021 track “DIVE IN!”, built on a screaming delivery and a beat that sounds like it could have been on Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red, blew up on TikTok, but if you go through his catalog, you’ll realize he’s legit. With self-awareness and charisma, an ability to play into the memes and build and internet audience, and a true passion for music, JELEEL! is a threat to do big things in the in the industry. Also, JELEEL! isn’t Carti, his vocal delivery is much more aggressive and annunciated, he just gravitates towards similar production, which will allow him to tap into an established group of rap fans while differentiating himself.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist of songs to introduce you to these emerging rappers!

Thank you for reading! Please follow us on instagram @moonlxtemelodies, on twitter @Moonlxtemels, and on tiktok @moonlxtemelodies.

No rankings. Just 50 songs that tell the story of music in 2022’s first half

*all songs were released before a cutoff data of June, 1. Any songs released after that date will be eligible for part 2 of this series

By Ben Leshan

Johnny P’s Caddy- Benny The Butcher feat. J Cole

“Johnny P’s Caddy” blends some of the best lyricism we’ve heard this year with some serious commercial appeal. Buffalo’s Benny The Butcher is on point with throughout the track, and J Cole comes in with a verse of the year contender as a guest. Off Benny’s Tana Talk 4 (one of our Best Album’s Of 2022 So Far) this is the best selling song of his career, and while big fans will likely have songs in his catalog they rank above it, this song is fantastic from the production to the rapping to the guest feature.

Wave Gods- Nas feat. A$AP Rocky, DJ Premier

“Wave Gods” starts hot, with some classic DJ Premier production and excellent hook from the legendary Nas. On the track we see Nas and Rocky go back and forth, a bit of an unlikely pairing that ends up really working. We get Rocky over less experimental production than normal, and Nas trying to craft a more modern sounding track without sacrificing the quality of what he does. This is definitely one of the best rap songs of the year.

The lifeboat’s empty- Chelsea Cutler

Chelsea Cutler has made many appearances on Moonlxte, and she’s back here with another incredible track. The happy production and anthemic nature of the song provide contrast to somewhat depressing lyrics here. Cutler sings about the end of a relationship, but she turns it into a track that you can dance to. The excellent vocals and songwriting we get here should excite fans about releases to come from Cutler.

26- Lauv

This is an introspective track from Lauv, diving into his experiences and perspective on life more than the rest of his catalog. The production is inviting and catchy here, but this is different from a typical Lauv love or heartbreak song. On the track he touches on sobriety, growing up, and having money, being vulnerable about his struggles, but turning it into a catchy pop song. When you really listen, this track shows why Lauv is more than your typical pop star.

Modo Avión- Sebastian Yatra

This track is a great pop-leaning hit from Yatra. Titled “Airplane Mode” in English, the song is about Yatra being shocked by the sudden end of a relationship, saying that his ex entered “airplane mode” overnight and cut off all communication. While the song is about getting ghosted, the production is upbeat and the melodies are infectious, meaning you’ll be singing along and nodding your head even if you understand the meaning of the lyrics.

2012- Saba feat. Day Wave

“2012” is one of the best storytelling tracks of the year. A hidden gem on one of album’s of the year in Few Good Things, this track sees Saba weave a tales about growing up. He’s vulnerable about his mental health, speaks about falling love, and the magic of childhood friendships, doing a deep dive into what it feels like to be young. You’ll find yourself reminiscing about the past and getting immersed in Saba’s world as you listen to this one.

Moshpit- Renforshort

On Moshpit, Renforshort, one of our artists to watch this year, conceptualizes a toxic relationship as a moshpit, something that is supposed to be fun, but actually feels out of control and painful. Beyond the thoughtful concept, the song structure is excellent and the vocals are well-done. The filtered, lowkey vibe of the verses in contrast with the rising pre-choruses and big hooks with layered vocals and heavier drums and guitars make this a catchy rock-leaning pop hit.

Reclaim!- Bakar

Bakar’s “Reclaim” is softly energetic in sound, but a revolutionary anthem in its lyrics. The choice to take an energy and grit that is usually found in hardcore rap or rock music and putting it in the context of more laidback indie music is a great idea, and Bakar executes it. He crafts a song that will have you singing along simply due to its sonic qualities, but when you listen, there is a rousing energy behind the track that makes it feel much deeper than a typical indie track.

Talk- beabadoobee

“Talk” is built on the contrast between beabadoobee’s soft voice (which you might be familiar with from the smash hit “death bed (coffee for your head)” and heavy rock production. The result is incredible, showing a lot of artistry and talent from the emerging 22-year-old artist. The track is all about her going back to someone she wishes she was done with, and that theme creates a frustrated, yet gentle energy that makes this a deeply catchy and emotional track.

Less Than Zero- The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s Dawn FM spawned many options for this list, but “Less Than Zero” sounds the most like a hit that can withstand generations. With a song structure that sounds reminiscent of After Hours hit “Save Your Tears”, “Less Than Zero” uses a successful sound and takes it in a new direction. Built on a consistent guitar strum and drum cadence accented by arpeggiated synths, the production gives the perfect sonic atmosphere for The Weeknd’s irresistible melodies and emotional delivery to shine through.

EAST POINT PRAYER- Vince Staples feat. Lil Baby

“East Point Prayer” sees an unlikely pairing of rappers that really work well together. Baby has made a reputation as a great feature artist, and the Atlanta rapper lives up to it here, turning in a great verse that contrasts with Vince’s style enough to add replay value without straying away from the previous sound of the track. Vince also kills it here, taking slower-paced production and making it feel exciting with his simultaneously nonchalant and hungry delivery of lyrics about life in the streets.

Constant Repeat- Charli XCX

There were many possible picks for this list on Charli’s excellent album “CRASH”, but this one has the best combination or Charli’s cheeky, confident lyrics, fantastic vocals, and quality musicality. The energetic synths and heavy drum hits in the production set the stage for Charli to show off her vocals and get ultra-confident in the lyrics, belting out “You could have had a bad girl by your side” to someone who missed the opportunity to be with her.

DIRTY WHITE VANS//- KennyHoopla

This track sees KennyHoopla take his typical punk style and turn it in more of a hip hop direction, with a mix of rapping and singing over an 808 beat. Hoopla, one of our artists to watch back in 2021, is still on the upward trajectory, and this track shows his range better than anything he has previously released. Built on a guitar lick that sounds like the basis for his punkier tracks, the hip hop drums give Kenny the room to show his take on melodic rap, while maintaining his signature tone, strong vocals, and intensely emotional songwriting.

company- Nilüfer Yanya

“company” is a great standalone track off Yanya’s amazing 2022 album Painless because it shows off her voice and songwriting so well. About having demons inside that won’t go away easily, Yanya plays with perspective and shows off great musicality on this song. The contrast between edgy production and soft haunting vocals that is a trademark of Yanya’s sound comes in full force on this track.

Stuck on us- Claire Rosinkranz feat. Aidan Bissett

Claire Rosinkranz has proven to be an exciting new artist to watch with her recent releases, and this song definitely adds to that momentum. Featuring indie/pop punk production that creates a great buildup on the verses and big choruses, the track allows Rosinkranz to show how her soft voice can sound excellent on heavier production. Bissett also offers a strong guest verse that adds to the vibe of the track.

Elliot’s Song- Dominic Fike feat. Zendaya

“Elliot’s Song” is a haunting anthem coming from smash hit TV series Euphoria. The track is sung from the perspective of Dominic Fike’s character on the show, Elliot, to Zendaya’s charcter, Rue. Even if you haven’t watched the show, the beauty of the lyrics and the vocals is irresistible. The acoustic nature of the production makes the emotional lyrics shine through, and the two artists sound fantastic together as the track builds.

Walk Me Home- Said The Sky feat. ILLENIUM, Chelsea Cutler

Colorado EDM producer Said The Sky collaborated with EDM heavy-hitter ILLENIUM to create an excellent pop-leaning instrumental for Chelsea Cutler’s amazing vocals. “Walk Me Home” feels huge and cinematic in the best way, building from a sparse instrumental and Cutler’s soft vocals at the beginning to massive drum hits and belted vocals before the end. This track is able to meld EDM with the kind of soft and introspective pop that Cutler makes, and the result is excellent.

The Hill- Thomas Rhett

“The Hill” is a sweet country love song in the model of “Die A Happy Man” from Thomas Rhett, built on the concept that fighting for his wife’s love is the hill he’s going to die on. Rhett’s voice sounds great over acoustic guitar, the moments of country imagery in the lyrics are well-done, and the Rhett does a great job of inviting the listener in to feel the love that went into the song.

When You’re Gone- Shawn Mendes

“When You’re Gone” combines vintage Shawn Mendes hit-making with his new, more mature perspective. This song is big and anthemic like “Treat You Better” or “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”, marking a significant pivot from the open soundscapes of his 2020 album Wonder. This is the kind of sound that made Mendes famous as a teenager, and bringing it back has led to immense commercial success. This song should definitely get listeners excited for a new project to come in the future.

Trust No B****- Latto

With the hungriest rapping of any track on Latto’s excellent 2022 album 777, this song is truly a banger. Starting out with a haunting vocal sample over chords, Latto comes in before the beat drop, and continues flowing with a vengeance as fast piano chords and heavy 808s drop into the production. This is a classic example of a rapper flaunting their confidence and showing off their rapping in a no-nonsense style, and the result is Latto at her best.

Waterfall- Disclosure feat. RAYE

“Waterfall” is a bouncy and bubbly track from super-producers Disclosure and English singer RAYE. Fans of Disclosure’s typical sound will likely be excited about this track, but anyone can get up and dance to this one. RAYE’s vocals are exceptional, and the fast drum groove and chord hits provide a lot of ear candy. This is definitely one of the most fun singles of the year.

WAIT FOR U- Future feat. Tems, Drake

“WAIT FOR U” shows that one of rap’s best collaborator duos still have the chemistry we remember, as Future and Drake deliver an incredibly vibey track over a sample of Tems’s impressive vocals. The biggest commercial success from Future’s highly successful album I NEVER LIKED YOU, this track allows Future to get into his melodic style, while Drake provides a guest rap verse that balances things out just right. From the vocal performances to the immaculate production, this is one of the highest quality hits of the year.

Marte- Sofía Reyes feat. Maria Becerra

“Marte” sees Mexican singer Sofía Reyes make an energetic and freeing take on a breakup song. Reyes and collaborator Maria Becerra both fit right into the excellent production with memorable vocal tones. This song combines a really strong dance groove with heartbreaking lyrics, making for a song that feels like it is lifting you out of a sad place.

Lie Again- Giveon

On “Lie Again”, we get one of the best rnb tracks of the year from one of the best artists out in that genre, as Giveon’s baritone voice effortlessly floats over laid back production. From the second his voice comes in, you can’t help but be drawn to his rich tone, and his story of a desperate need to live in a fantasy if he is not loved back is incredibly captivating. Giveon has shown to have an excellent command of the commercial market while staying true to his artistry, and this track is another example of that.

When The Dirt All Settles- Morgan Wade

Virgina country singer-songwriter Morgan Wade is a rising name to look out for, and with this track we get a great, new take on a country-leaning love song. With drums and a guitar riff that sound more rock than country, but Wade’s Virginia accent clear as day on belted vocals, this track is appealing, even to listeners who don’t normally find themselves getting into country.

Invincible- Omar Apollo feat. Daniel Caesar

On “Invincible” Omar Apollo is really in his rnb bag, recruiting Daniel Caesar to help. The two go back and forth in falsetto over softly strummed electric guitar to start the track, and then Apollo jumps into a more rhythmic verse. On the song the two create contrast between the soulful full tone of Caesar and Apollo’s clear voice, with rhythmic sections mixed in and a lot of layering throughout. This track will take you on a journey and leave you appreciating the incredible musical skill of both artists.

Want You Like That- Charlotte Sands

“Want You Like That” is a breakout track for Charlotte Sands, featuring heavy electric guitars and hard rock drums on massive choruses that showcase a lot of vocal talent. Sands shows us that she can tell a story about being obsessed with someone in a unique way, and also makes it clear she has the vocal chops to work with the big rock production she leans towards. You’ll be hit with a wave of infectious energy whenever you listen to this track.

Dreamin Of The Past- Pusha T feat. Kanye West

“Dreamin Of The Past” features immaculate soul sample production from Kanye West, and some top tier rapping from Pusha T. The beautifully soulful Donny Hathaway vocal sample that stars in the production will have you addicted, and the drums, keys, and groove give King Push the perfect space to spit. Even with questionable lyrics in the guest verse from Ye, Pusha’s incredible wordplay and the elite production easily put this in the conversation for rap song of the year.

Skyline- Khalid

On “Skyline” Khalid, who has leaned more into rnb recently, gets back to being a pop hitmaker. Built on a grooving baseline and fast-paced drums, the song has production that allows Khalid to make a happy, dancey pop song. This is not some soulless pop tune though, as Khalid’s technically sound and tonally brilliant vocals shine through on the record. If you’re not nodding your head when this track comes on, you’re probably not paying attention.

Skin and Bones- 070 Shake

070 Shake is a highly underrated artist, and for fans who know her best from her features on Kanye West’s Ye album, it’s high time to get into her solo work. Shake loves genre mixing, and on this track she sings soulful pop lyrics over massive synths and highly layered production, straying from the norm and building on her signature sound. Shake is also fantastic at writing evocative and poetic lyrics, and she does that here, singing lines like, “Reminisce bout back when our spirits used to dance with each other”.

Keeper- Toosii

Toosii is easily one of the best melodic rappers in the world right now, and this track shows everything that’s great about his style. The gravel in Toosii’s young voice can either sound like its expressing pain or warmth, and on this track we can the warm part of his tone, as he sings about love. He fits right into the excellent beat crafted by producer The LoopHoles and does his thing on this track, crafting an excellent melodic vibe.

Father Time- Kendrick Lamar feat. Sampha

One of the most meaningful tracks of the year, “Father Time” sees Kendrick explore his relationship with his father. The song plays into the themes of vulnerability on Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, acting as a sort of therapy session about masculinity, and his “daddy issues”. Sonically, the track’s addicting organ melody and British singer Sampha’s beautiful chorus contrast Kendrick’s passionately delivered lyricism just right to make a song with lots of replay value.

Plan B- Megan Thee Stallion

“Plan B” sees Meg slow down her flow to show off her versatility. Like any Meg track, the lyrics are supremely confident and spin common hip hop tropes to come from a female perspective. Meg shows that she can switch up the typical production stye she uses as she flows effortlessly over a 90s style beat and empowers her fans in the process.

TRU RELIGION- AG Club

“TRU RELIGION” sees one of our rap artists to watch in 2021 take their sound and completely flip it to make a rock track. The collective shows they really have a feel for the genre, catapulting them further into the conversation as the next BROCKHAMPTON. This track has great vocals, the production feels authentic, the chorus is addictive, and if you heard the track randomly on a playlist or a radio, you would be shocked to find out a rap group made it.

Something to Someone- Dermot Kennedy 

“Something to Someone” is simultaneously incredibly sad and comforting, the idea being that knowing you once meant a lot to someone shows you can be loved again. Somewhat under-the-radar for all the commercial success he has had, Irish singer Kennedy has one of the best voices in popular music right now, and his ability to tell a story is second to none. This song has commercial appeal while living up to incredibly high lyrical and musical standards.

Amnesia- ayokay feat. Nightly

“Amnesia” is a dark take on an EDM-pop heartbreak song. A collaboration with Nashville pop band Nightly, the vocals explore the concept of wishing you could get amnesia to forget the love you have for someone who hurt you. In terms of sound, this track is softer EDM anthem, with synths and drums that start soft on the verses and build on the choruses, as well as moments of instrumental breaks, but no massive drops.

Sidelines- Phoebe Bridgers

“Sidelines” starts with an incredibly memorable key melody, and then Phoebe Bridgers comes in with layered vocals. The track builds up and adds strings until the drums finally hit. This is a new, less acoustic sound than we are used to hearing from Phoebe, but it features the same painful lyrics and soft vocal tone fans love. The concept of watching the world from the sidelines should also hit home for a large audience.

CAN’T HANDLE IT- Brevin Kim

Brevin Kim’s “Can’t Handle It” mixes elements of hip hop, rock, and electronic music in the production, creating a pain anthem. Brevin Kim have proven to do a great job of turning painful emotions into music that you can move to and sing along with, and their genreless style should be sure to captivate young fans. This track is especially addicting sonically, and shows off the groups incredible command of song structure.

Little Freak- Harry Styles

The soft, and warm energy of “Little Freak” is palpable, with Harry’s layered vocals drifting over soft chords and plucked guitars. The lyrics are about one of his old relationships, reminiscing on the good points without diving into heartbreak or anger. Full of very specific imagery and a chorus that will get stuck in your head despite its calm and slow vibe, “Little Freak” is the very best of one of the year’s best albums.

The Heart Pt. 5- Kendrick Lamar

This track is classic Kendrick Lamar. First, we get production that changes significantly over the track, starting off largely percussion heavy, then building into a 70s reminiscent sound with horns, guitars, and bass, and becomes minimalist to end the track. The fifth in Kendrick’s series of “The Heart” tracks, this also has intricate lyricism, melodic elements, flow switches, and shifts in perspective. We get one of the most emotional lyrical rap moments of the year as Kendrick raps from the perspective of late rapper Nipsey Hussle to close out the track.

This Hell- Rina Sawayama

On “This Hell” Rina Sawayama, one of our artist to watch in 2021, makes a track that sounds like a big hit, with vocals that might remind you of Lady Gaga. The Charli XCX collaborator and tour-mate has proven to be one of the most exciting new voices in popular music, and this track seems to be our introduction to the new era of Rina. Anthemic and energetic, the track mixes rock guitar sounds with powerful pop vocals and dance music elements.

icarus- glaive

On “icarus”, glaive, one of our artists to watch in 2022, sings over a bubbly vocal synth melody and guitars. Straying away from his typical hyper pop sound, this track is more straight up pop with EDM elements in the production. Based on the Greek myth of Icarus, the track explores a relationship that is dangerously close to failure, or “flying too close to the sun”. The angst and pain of the lyrics is evident, and the layered vocals and big drum hits on the chorus create huge moments.

Blue- Zach Bryan

“Blue” is a classic country love song in some ways, but it feels more real and raw than the pop country love songs that have popped commercially in recent years. Zach Bryan is so good at using his poetic lyrics to make everything sound authentic, and on this track the acoustic production really lets his soulful voice and storytelling shine through. Throughout the track Bryan keeps finding new little ways to describe the girl he loves, making the track feel as real as can be.

Moonlit Room- UMI

“moonlit room” is a very well-structured rnb song, built around a guitar riff, intermittent strums, and a gentle drum pattern, UMI has the room to show off her raw and soulful tone, and to kill one of the best choruses we have heard in the genre this year. The track’s production drifts through space slowly, but UMI’s chorus vocals skip over the beat quickly, creating a contrast that is quite pleasing to the ear.

Free- Florence + The Machine

“Free” is an excellent track because it feels like its title. Florence’s signature vocal tone is on display over production that builds up in a running cadence until it hits a massive moment towards the end of the track. Produced by Florence Welch herself and super-producer Jack Antonoff, every detail of the sound on the track feels well thought out, but the lyrics create the intended atmosphere of freedom.

Lately,- tendai

British singer tendai is a major name to watch for us as an artist who is changing music. With just a few songs released on a major label, he is only getting started, and “Lately,” shows what he can do. Built on moody production melodies and fast-paced drum-patterns, the production sets the stage for tendai to catch your ear with his soft, high register vocals that are delivered with a pleasing assertiveness. “Lately,” is the kind of genreless, innovative release that can get you really into a new artist.

Surround Sound- JID feat. 21 Savage, Baby Tate

Dreamville’s JID is widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled mainstream rappers in the game, and this song shows he is only improving. “Surround Sound” shows just how versatile JID is. It mixes catchy flows with incredibly thoughtful bars, features numerous different vocal deliveries and flows, and showcases an ability to rap on different kinds of production with its beat switch. The excellent guest verse from 21 Savage is an added bonus to one of the best rap songs of the year.

pg baby- redveil

“pg baby” starts with the sound of an oven burner being lit, and you’d better bet things heat up after that, as redveil goes in rhyming over an excellent self-produced soul sample beat. Reflecting on his come up out of Maryland’s Prince George’s County, this feels like a track that is introducing you to a true star. At just 18, redveil shows he is a great producer and a great lyricist who can seamlessly fit his talents together in just one track.

Thousand Miles- The Kid Laroi

The Kid Laroi is one of the most famous musicians in the world at just 18 years old, and it seems like he’s only getting bigger. This track essentially shows off his signature style, with melodic vocals, and production that melds pop melodies with hip hop-leaning drums. The lyrics are also sad, as we typically get from Laroi. As he grows into his sound, Laroi is easily becoming one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and this track is another step on that journey.

she’s all i wanna be- Tate McRae

“she’s all i wanna be” has been one of the biggest commercial successes of the year so far, and it has earned that status. A pop punk leaning-track featuring excellent vocals from McRae, it shows the 18-year-old can stay true to her typical style while incorporating elements from other genres. The song is about being jealous of another girl who seems to exemplify everything McRae wishes she could be, as she hopes the guy she likes won’t leave her for this girl.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist with one song from each of these amazing projects

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No rankings. Just 50 projects that tell the story of music in 2022’s first half

*all albums were released before a cutoff data of June, 1. Any albums released after that date will be eligible for part 2 of this series

By Ben Leshan

Magic- Nas

Nas would have undoubtedly one of the best rappers of all time if he had retired 20 years ago, but the 48-year-old just came with his best record in decades. Magic is 9 tracks long and gets straight to the point on each song, chalk-full of lyricism and grimy New York beats that make you feel like you’re part of the pictures he paints. Nas has really found his groove again working with one of the industry’s biggest producers in Hit-Boy, finding a way to infuse his records with wisdom and experience, keep his vintage sound, and still largely avoid sounding jaded or out of touch. It’s incredible to hear one of the all-time greats still on the top of his game. He showed it on both iderations of King’s Disease, but Magic is more concise, better lyrically, and less feature-heavy, making it a rap purist’s dream record.

PAINLESS- Nilüfer Yanya

Nilüfer Yanya, one of our artists to watch in 2022, has already made huge waves this year with this album, which has landed her features on all of music’s top publications. Still, PAINLESS deserves more mainstream recognition as one of the best projects we’ve heard in a while. The record is innovative, exciting, and beautiful, with every last detail fitting into place. At 12 songs it is just the perfect length with each track adding to the project nicely. The album sounds alternative and indie, but balances its grungier production with spacey vocals. Yanya carves out her own sound in a way that is not often done, creating records that sound like hers the second they drop. From the drum patterns to the vocal tones everything on PAINLESS is unapologetically different in style, but top tier in quality.

Dharma- Sebastian Yatra

Sebastian Yatra is a massive global star, and this project shows it in every way, as he makes one of the biggest albums of the year and shows himself to be a leader in the Spanish-language music market. With many songs on the project hitting over 100 million streams on Spotify, Yatra certainly has the commercial side on lock. Beyond that, the record is fun, danceable, and emotional. Yatra was born in Colombia, but moved to Miami as a child, and then back to Colombia when he dropped out of college to focus on music. That background has given him a range of influences as a musician. In this case, Yatra was able to add reggaeton elements to tracks like “Pareja Del Año” with Myke Towers while leaning more into his pop side on tracks like “Modo Avión”. Overall, Yatra has crafted a great album here that meets a high bar both in terms of commercial success and quality.

Laurel Hell- Mitski

Laurel Hell is dark, painful, and vulnerable at every turn, featuring moments of sparse production that build into big, cinematic moments. It’s full of subtleties and dramatic moments that draw you in and push you away at the same time. Sitting somewhere in indie pop, but going more experimental in a lot of ways, this album is half Phoebe Bridgers album cut half eighties dance ballad. In other words, it’s a complex mix of vivid imagery, dark spacey vocals, energetic production melodies and vulnerable, yet, distant introspection. Mitski’s music is often experienced by fans as a way of feeling understood, and this album accomplishes that goal, creating tracks that people can feel, dance to, and cry to. Mitski is not necessarily going to hit home immediately for everybody, but her talent and ability to convey emotion should shine through for any audience.

From A Bird’s Eye View- Cordae

Cordae set up really high expectations for himself coming into the game as one of the few truly lyrical rappers in his generation who has exhibited mainstream crossover ability, but so far he has delivered. His debut The Lost Boy, one of the better rap records of the last few years, was hard to follow up, but From A Bird’s Eye View is a successful effort. Cordae is able to keep the lyricism, make songs with some radio friendly flavor, and also largely stay true to his identity as a hungry and thoughtful young rapper. This album may have seen him sit on the fence a little too much, not committing to hit-making enough to get a huge chart climber or to lyricism enough to have one of the year’s most critically-acclaimed releases, but this album still shows a lot of skill, promise, and personality. Cordae is able to tell stories, show off a great singing voice, work with amazing feature artists, and stay true to the roots of hip hop on From A Bird’s Eye View.

Nobody’s Home- Bakar

London’s Bakar has been an exciting name on the scene since he first released music in 2017, but this project really brings everything together for him. Nobody’s Home is flat out excellent, featuring incredible vocals and storytelling. The album is honest, self-aware, socially conscious, soulful, and fun, doing everything that makes music feel like something important. Everything starts with Bakar’s voice, which is technically sound, but stands out for his tone, as his voice maintains his British accent even as he sings in full voice. Beyond his voice, he explores some of life’s most important topics in freedom, love, class, and humanity itself. The brand of genre-bending indie rock Bakar is able to create on this record is beautiful, putting together some of the best parts of various rap and rock subgenres. Tracks like “The Mission”, “Free”, and “Reclaim!” highlight the best of this incredible record.

Love Sux- Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne is really, really back. The early 2000s icon has been putting out music, but this record feels like a real comeback, as she finds a way to meld the sound that made her famous with 2020s pop punk. This is no transformative, conscious album, but it is a revival of an iconic sound that has inspired a generation of artists, and the production and song-writing are clearly well-thought-out. Lavigne’s signature vocal tone is present throughout the record over heavy punk drums and guitars, making songs to dance to and rage to that sound like they could soundtrack a coming-of-age movie. At its best this album has 2022 pop appeal on songs like “Love It When You Hate Me” with blackbear, but brings back all the elements of classic Avril Lavigne on tracks like “Bite Me”.

Dawn FM- The Weeknd

After the release of After Hours during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, part 2 of the new trilogy is here, and Dawn FM is every bit as exciting and sonically lucsious as you would hope for. Abel stays in his lane of dancey synth music overlapped with dark and disturbing themes, but he creates a whole new universe from After Hours, one in which he is stuck in a love purgatory. His vocals are, as always, absolutely impeccable, floating into space with the kind of clarity and tone you can’t believe. The album has been incredibly commercially successful without sacrificing its artistry, and might have the most consistent tracklist of any album this year, as every single song could stand alone as a top tier single. This album is an experience and a world of its own, and every last detail has clearly been perfected, with more than enough magical moments to sustain rabid Weeknd fans. Songs from “Gasoline” to “Out of Time” to “Less Than Zero” showcase just how great this album truly is.

Old Dog New Tricks- glaive

This album is very much the new sound of music, coming from a soft spoken teenager who becomes extremely energetic and emotive behind the mic. glaive doesn’t necessarily love the label of hyperpop, but the subgenre is a good way to build understanding of what he is bringing to the table. Full of short songs with chaotic synths, glitchy 808s, and vocal distortions, Old Dog is full of youthful energy that changes how music sounds, but it is more than just that. glaive also proves to have a fantastic voice, an incredible ear for production, and amazing emotional qualities. For such a young artist, this is an incredibly refined piece of music that shows off significant musical maturity, and why he was named one of our artists to watch in 2022. He is also able to match that maturity with youthful lyrics that make the project exciting and raw. This album is a storm of sonic energy and angst in the very best way, easily taking a spot as one of the best records of the year so far.

777- Latto

Latto has been a big name coming up for a while, but this album really cements her into the conversation with today’s top rappers. Her wordplay and lyricism are high level on the project, and her hit-making is also there, with commercial hits like “Big Energy” and “Wheelie” with 21 Savage. Latto didn’t need to prove she could rap, she did that a long time ago, but this project showed the world she has the versatility to be one of the top dogs in the game. She has the lyricism, confidence, beat selection, singing voice, and star power to do it all, and that makes her a serious threat to sell a huge amount of records in her career going forward. 777 is easily sitting in the top category in terms of mainstream rap projects this year, hitting all the marks it needed to in order to propel Latto further into stardom.

Few Good Things- Saba

This record is a sleeper for the best rap record of the year in a year that has already seen high profile releases from artists like Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, and Future. Saba has always been a phenomenal rapper, but his story-telling and precise bars really shine through on this project. Every song pays attention to its musical qualities and every lyric feels purposeful, creating a full project that is cohesive and thoughtful. Saba’s critically acclaimed 2018 project Care For Me was a difficult project to follow-up, but this album created something new with the same level of quality. This project has excellent production (see “One Way or Every N****”), fantastic features (Black Thought’s verse on “Few Good Things”), and immersive stories (“2012”). Saba invites his fans into his life in a special way. His vulnerability and mindfulness coupled with skilled rapping make him one of the best rapper’s on earth, and this album is a great reflection of that talent.

I know NIGO!- Nigo

I bet you didn’t expect a 51-year-old Japanese fashion designer to be the face of one of 2022’s best hip hop albums, but NIGO’s album really did deliver. With a star-studded cast of characters including Tyler, The Creator, A$AP Rocky, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, and more, the creator of the iconic fashion brand BAPE seemingly had too much talent to be able to miss. More creative director or executive producer here than musician, Nigo used his incredible industry connections to piece together a project with a cohesive sound and vision. All of the tracks were carefully selected to feature some of the top artists in hip hop right now, and to show off the best of what they can do over production that flows from song to song. The project was able to produce a strong vision and some great songs, including “Hear Me Clearly” with Pusha T and “Lost and Found Freestyle 2019” with Tyler and A$AP Rocky.

CRASH- Charli XCX

CRASH feels like the culmination of everything Charli XCX has been working on in recent years, hitting every mark for an excellent album. The sounds meld the big and grand pop vibes of her early work and big commercial hits with the glitchy, hyperpop-related sounds from her more recent records. The songs are all highly emotional, taking pop songwriting and spinning it with twists that fit Charli’s personality. All elements of the production are highly sonically pleasing, and the vocals are top quality. The album holds true to its name with intense emotional high and lows, and heavy production melodies and percussive hits. Everything about it is overstated without being corny. The album feels big, like every track is meant to be blasted in a stadium. From the bouncy synths and catchy melodies of “Good Ones” to the building energy of “Lightning”, Charli’s intense expression creates one of the best albums of the year.

Pier Pressure- ArrDee

ArrDee, a 19-year-old rapper from Brighton, England, came out of nowhere when his verse on a remix of the song “Body” by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne went viral on TikTok. Instead of letting himself become a meme for his brash and energetic verse like one might expect, he capitalized on the buzz with a massive project. He has one of the better rap voices we’ve heard from any new artist, with a unique accent, a full tone, and an ability to work in melodies in. The project is commercial rap, coming with club records and radio-ready hits with every track. ArrDee takes sounds from UK drill (with a lot of heavy 808s in the production), but he also raps over melodic trap beats with clear influences from the American south. Lyrically, ArrDee shows he can rap, and his bars are often clever, but his brand of cheeky, British rap sometimes lacks maturity. At the end of the day, this project has huge commercial hits like “Oliver Twist” and “Flowers (Say My Name)”, and shows the consistency to signal an obvious upward trajectory for ArrDee’s career.

Where We Started- Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett has been one of the biggest artists in country music for years now, and this year he came back with another great project. Where We Started features some incredible love songs like “The Hill”, “Angels”, and “Mama’s Front Door”, and also fun summery songs like “Bass Pro Hat” and “Anything Cold”. At the times the lyrics hit cliches and the themes can get generic, but the record as a whole shows off Rhett’s excellent country voice and ability to express love in a variety of ways. Rhett strikes a balance between country ballads and summer songs to blast in the car, and he gets more of the project right than he gets wrong. Even if you aren’t a country fan, there will be songs on this album that will hit home and have crossover appeal. He doesn’t quite hit the heights of 2015’s Tangled Up, but this is certainly going to be one of the best country albums of 2022.

Ivory- Omar Apollo

Omar Apollo is a bit under-the-radar for one of the most talented artists rising through the ranks of mainstream music. Apollo is versatile, making tracks that range from strictly rnb to indie rock, and his vocals are always immaculate. On Ivory, Apollo leans more into his rnb side, creating soulful and funky sounds as he croons about love and passion. Apollo has always had a smooth voice and a great ability to mold production to fit his voice, but this project feels by far the most polished of anything in his catalog. He has really lived up to his potential with this project, building anticipation for potential future releases. Apollo is a great example of someone who can be a mainstream star in music without sacrificing his musical or personal identity, and Ivory is a fantastic representation of him as an artist. Check out amazing tracks like “Invincible” with Daniel Caesar, and “Go Away” (featured on Moonlxte last year), and “Talk” if you want the highlights of the project.

Gifted- Koffee

Koffee, a 22-year-old Jamaican singer who exploded onto the world stage a few years ago with her hit “Toast”, is one of the excellent international artists a lot of mainstream American fans are missing out on. With sounds that range from pop to dancehall to reggae, Koffee simply has an excellent voice and ability to take you to a happy, warm, place. This album is more than that though, balancing out the summer party tracks with darker cuts about deeper themes. Koffee has the voice and charisma to really draw an audience, and with this project she has the potential to really elevate her already promising career. Jamaican music has always been borrowed from (or ripped off) in the American mainstream, and Koffee’s authentic delivery of sounds that people are familiar with is an exciting development as she moves more and more into the global mainstream.

It’s Almost Dry- Pusha T

Pusha T is widely respected as one of the best lyricists in hip hop, and It’s Almost Dry might be the album in his discography that best represents what he can do. As always with Pusha, this album in full of samples, heavy drums, bravado, and classic coke rap, all delivered with top tier lyricism. With the album being exclusively produced by Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, we get the kinds of classic beats that have built Pusha’s career. The feature list is one of the most impressive of the year in rap as well, with Jay-Z, Ye, Kid Cudi, and Lil Uzi Vert all making appearances. Every song features fantastic rapping, and enough diversity in sounds and concision to keep you engaged. The album’s most grand moment comes through the production of Kanye West, with the immaculate beat that provides the backdrop to “Dreamin’ Of The Past”. Even though Ye’s verse doesn’t quite live up to what Pusha does, the song is a fantastic representation of why this album is one of the best rap projects of the year.

MOTOMAMI- ROSALÍA

Rosalía is one of the biggest stars in the world, and the success of this album has shown just that. Full of big production and impressive vocal moments, MOTOMAMI shows just how versatile and talented she is. The Spanish singer came with the commercial hits here, with tracks like “LA FAMA” featuring The Weeknd and “SAOKO” doing massive streaming numbers, but the project has not only seen commercial success, it has also received rave reviews from critics for its diverse sounds and infectious energy. From track to track Rosalía is sometimes full of energy as she brings party bangers to life, while at other times she is singing soft ballads. She is experimental but also stays true to the unique blend of sounds and ideas that catapulted her to global stardom a few years ago. This album is one of the year’s best when it comes to quality and commercial appeal.

Candid- Ivy Sole

Candid is one of the best under-the-radar hip hop releases of the year, made by in an artist in Ivy Sole who has a ton of promise. With an ability to rap and sing at a high level, and a propensity for writing thoughtful and introspective lyrics, Ivy Sole feels like a star, and this project shows off what they can do. Throughout Candid Ivy bounces around from sound to sound, sometimes coming with flows and blunt lyrics that might remind you of Tyler, The Creator, but also vocal moments that are strong enough to fit seamlessly into an rnb album. There really is no one sound or idea that can define this project. This album is also a great example of how a rising rapper can make an album that will boost their career without blatantly hit-chasing. The album feels like authentic artistry, and its excellent rapping makes it a standout so far this year.

Once Twice Melody- Beach House

Indie duo Beach House have seen their share of critical acclaim and commercial success throughout their long career, and this album is some of their best work. The project is long, with a run time of 1 hour and 24 minutes and songs that often eclipse the 5 minute mark. We get a lot of lead singer Victoria Legrand’s haunting lyrics over intricate electronic melodies and indie drums throughout the project, creating a vibe that fans will be familiar with but new listeners will need to get used to. Once you get lost in their world though, Beach House’s incredible musicality is deeply immersive. With big moments throughout the tracklist from the unorthodox ear worm melodies of the title track “Once Twice Melody” to the building guitars and synth atmosphere of “Superstar”, Beach House take you new places musically throughout the 4 discs of this project.

Ramona Park Broke My Heart- Vince Staples

Ramona Park Broke My Heart is a fantastic album by an amazing, underrated rapper. Vince Staples has been one of the most respected rappers out for years, but he hasn’t had as much mainstream success as his music warrants. This album melds Staples’ traditional west coast flows and production with emotional stories and moments. The collaborations make sense, the songs flow cohesively, and the rapping is elite. Vince raps about crime and gangs in his hometown, Long Beach, CA, but he also injects little moments of his dry humor, and heartfelt content about loving and losing people. This album gives you space to pull out the hard-hitting bangers for a playlist, or bounce through different emotions as you go through the whole tracklist. Vince Staples is a special rapper, and this album is a great representation of what he can do.

I NEVER LIKED YOU- Future

Future is undisputedly one of the greatest trap artists of all time, and this album really solidifies his legacy. At 38, the Atlanta rapper showed he was far from done with this album, creating a consensus top hip hop project of the year. The tracklist is consistent, the beats are all hard, and Future is rapping like he means it on every track. We get singing Future over melodic production and hardcore, rapping Future over dark samples and heavy 808s, as well everything in between here. This album is pretty much everything a Future fan would have hoped for, and it has a lot of songs with serious mainstream appeal. The lyrical content is mostly basic, but as with any Future project, we get some deep moments and some very real emotions. With this album Future met every expectation and gave the fans what they wanted, and that’s an impressive accomplishment.

Heart On My Sleeve- Ella Mai

Heart On My Sleeve gives us more of the radio-friendly rnb that has built British singer Ella Mai’s career. Her signature tone and hit-making abilities are on full display over rap-leaning rnb production. As the project’s title suggests, a lot of the content is based around relationships, with songs about different kinds of relationship problems. It seems like none of the songs from this project are going to take off the way her smash hits “Boo’d Up” and “Trip” did, but she is seeing commercial success here and maintaining her career momentum sufficiently. The project also shows a different, darker side to Mai, instead of focusing on the joyful part of relationships these songs dive into the hard parts, and show that she is good at singing about that too. With just a couple features and sitting at 15 songs, Heart On My Sleeve is a solid effort that stays within itself.

Blue Water Road- Kehlani

Blue Water Road is a tastefully crafted album, with 13 songs that show off why Kehlani is a star. There are just enough features, and the guest artists are stars themselves (Justin Bieber, syd, Thundercaat, etc.). Carving out a sound that is just enough pop and just enough rnb to satisfy both sides, the album is successful with its sound, and also its content. Kehlani is not just talking about surface level themes here, they are talking about their life. What they are feeling, what they are thinking, and working through what it all means. They are also able to stay fun and bouncy, both in sound and lyrics, while being vulnerable and mature. It’s a difficult balance, and that accomplishment makes it the most refined work of Kehlani’s career. Be sure to listen to standout tracks like “up at night” with Justin Bieber and “little story”.

BRIGHTSIDE- The Lumineers

The Lumineers have been one of the most relevant bands in music for the last decade despite rarely dropping new music. This album, coming six years after their previous one, did not disappoint. Featuring a lot of Americana imagery and raw emotion, BRIGHTSIDE feels like the soundtrack to a cross country road trip. Starting with “Brightside” (one of our songs of the year last year), the album is consistently strong and polished from track to track. The production gives space for lead vocalist Wesley Shcultz’s iconic tone to shine over pianos, strings, and guitars. At just 9 tracks, this is a short project, but it has a lot of depth to it, making it feel longer. The Lumineers really have a timeless sound, energy, and ability to appeal to emotion that has made each of their projects special, and this project is an especially strong indicator of future longevity.

CAPRISONGS- FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs’s CAPRISONGS takes her experimental sound and packages it more for a mainstream audience, fitting more classic pop melodies in luscious avant-garde production. The project is also all about collaboration, with many features from The Weeknd to Jorja Smith to British rapper Unknown T. Twigs experiments with different kinds of party-leaning sounds including hip hop, afrobeats, and dance pop, but there are also moments of spacier and softer sounds. There are big differences in sound from track to track, but there are also consistencies, like glitchy vocal production on her high register voice. The more mainstream tracks don’t sacrifice the artistic integrity you hope for from Twigs, with songs like “tears in the club” with the Weeknd, and “jealousy” featuring Nigerian singer rema sounding like they could simultaneously land on the radio and a niche playlist. That’s the balance Twigs was able to strike in creating one of the best albums of the year so far.

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers- Kendrick Lamar

No album in 2022 could possibly match the hype behind this record, as the world’s top rapper came back with his first project in five years. As for any record with so much hype, released by one of the biggest artists in the world, there was a lot of scrutiny for this project. Criticisms of Kendrick’s failures to be mindful of social issues in significant ways were absolutely warranted, but the musical criticisms have been largely undeserved. It’s not Kendrick’s fault he has one of the best discographies in hip hop history. Regardless of how it’s legacy will compare to his previous work, this is easily in the conversation for rap album of the year, with excellent production, top quality lyricism and story-telling, and incredibly meaningful themes. Kendrick is introspective, vulnerable, and raw about his life as a whole on this project, something we have never fully gotten from him before. The result is an excellent album with some of the year’s best songs including “Father Time” with Sampha, “N95”, “Count Me Out”, and more.

Humble Quest- Maren Morris

Humble Quest is all about being honest about the journey of life for Maren Morris. It’s full of her signature vocal tone that melds country and pop so well, and some classic pop country song-writing mixed with a little extra authenticity. At just 11 songs, Morris keeps it short and sweet, and in that tracklist she comes through with multiple songs with hit appeal. Morris really invites you into her life on this project, simply making real life moments that many have experienced into songs. At moments the songwriting gets a little to conceptual and detaches from the authenticity that makes this project good, but it generally stays true to its core ideas. In moments like “Circles Around This Town”, “Background Music”, and “Humble Quest”, Morris is the genuine hitmaker with a great voice that you love, and that makes this project one of the best of the year so far.

Melt My Eyez See Your Future- Denzel Curry

Denzel Curry, a 27-year-old rapper from Carol City, FL, has been a significant name in the rap scene for the better part of the last decade, but this is his most complete body of work yet. Curry, who is known for having fast flows and a penchant for carefully crafting his bars in a generation of Florida rappers who are largely more concerned with hit-making, pleased hip hop fans around the world with his thoughtful lyrics on this record. This album shows elevation from Curry as it takes his signature aggressive delivery and tones it down just enough to fit boom bap style production. Denzel still feels hungry, like he always does, but he is no longer trying to prove himself and more so staying true to his artistry on this record. This album has earned its spot in the conversation for best rap album of the year through its combination of great rapping and the stylistic self-awareness we get from Curry.

Loner- Alison Wonderland

Alison Wonderland, a 35-year-old Australian DJ and EDM producer, produced, wrote, and sang every single song on her third studio album Loner. The project is full of big, anthemic EDM tracks that build to massive beat drops, but it also has a softer, emotional side. Wonderland, the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history, has become a big name in a music scene that has never been inclusive of women on the production and DJing side of things, and this record furthers her status at the top of the EDM world. She was also able to use this project to create a hopeful and positive sound that is meant to help people through their struggles, as Wonderland herself has been vocal about her experiences with mental illness. There are multiple moments on the project that feel rousing and motivating in a special way like “Something Real” and “Bad Things”, making this a moving body of work.

Dance Fever- Florence + The Machine

Florence + The Machine came out of the gate with smash hits on their debut Lungs in 2009, and they are still delivering top quality music in 2022. Lead singer Florence Welch, now 35, comes into this album with a mature and thoughtful perspective that is clear in the songwriting. The production is also a modernized take on the sound that made Florence + The Machine big, with significant collaboration between Welch and super producer Jack Antonoff (who has helped superstars like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey create massive hits). True to its title, the album is sometimes dancey, but it is also vulnerable and real and far from a mindless listen. Welch’s intention was actually to explore the concept of dancing oneself to death, thinking about her own relationship with being a performer. What we get as a result is an album that has the grand sounds of early Florence + The Machine but also more introspective lyrics.

Digital Dreamscape- ayokay

Digital Dreamscape sees ayokay, a Michigan-born producer who has built a big name producing for artists like Quinn XCII and Jeremy Zucker, focus on his own sound. On the project he takes his typical pop style and adds more elements of electronic music, resulting in a tracklist of radio-ready singles that hold more nostalgia and emotion than a typical dance track. It feels a bit like early Chainsmokers with less EDM and bit more pop in the sound. ayokay is also able to keep the production elements cohesive, with similar patterns in the drums and tones in the production melodies. The best songs have a groove that gives them replay value for their sound alone, but also lyrics and themes that will make you think and feel as you listen. For highlights of the album check out “Amnesia” featuring Nightly, “I’ll Be Alright” with Stay Over, and “Less Alone” with Quinn XCII.

Love and Other Lies- Charlotte Sands

Sands, who went viral on TikTok in 2021 with her hit “Dress” (which is featured on this project), has really found her sound on her 2022 EP Love and Other Lies. With the ability to belt out emotional lyrics over heavy rock drums and guitars, Sands takes what it means to be a modern rockstar who uses pop-friendly melodies and makes it feel authentic. She embraces the punk image and puts together rock and pop sounds from the last few decades, making her sound anthemic. From the infectious positive energy of “Dress” to the massive choruses on “Keep Me Up All Night”, Sands packs a lot of great sonic moments into a 7 song EP, showing a ton of potential for growth as an artist. At her very best, Sands is singing about a love life obsession on “Want You Like That”, crafting soaring choruses and memorable verses over a catchy, guitar-based instrumental.

Sunset Visionary, Vol. 2- Tom The Mail Man

Tom The Mail Man has showed up on Moonlxte again and again for his versatility and potential, and one of our artists to watch this year has solidified his standing in the game even more with this project. This record once again shows that Tom can seamlessly transition from rapper to rockstar. He is the highly refined version of a 2010s Soundcloud rapper, taking all the best parts of that influence and leaving behind the elements that wouldn’t land in 2022. On this album Tom is every bit as emotional as he always is, and he communicates it in different ways. From his rap verse on “FWM2” that builds more into a hyperpop kind of sound to the heavy rock production of “Destroyed” to the acoustic ballad that is “Brown Eyes and Backwoods”, Tom is real and vulnerable through all of his mediums. His sound really encapsulates so many parts of what music is in 2022 so well, and Tom The Mail Man once again shows that on Sunset Visionary, Vol. 2.

Tana Talk 4- Benny The Butcher

Tapped-in rap fans know Buffalo’s Griselda clique are at the top of the lyrical rap world in 2022, and Benny has the best commercial potential of the group. Tana Talk 4 is a classic Griselda rap record with grimy beats and lyric-heavy coke rap, but it has more diversity in production and nods to the commercial rap world than much of Benny’s previous work. The lead single “Johnny P’s Caddy” shows especially how Benny could capitalize on mainstream buzz without sacrificing his identity, featuring a balance of catchy bars and pure rap verses, as well as a feature from one of the king’s of selling lyricism, J Cole. Overall, the project is excellent because it is cohesive, concise at only 11 songs, and only features the best in quality when it comes to lyricism. If you want an album cut that really shows off what Benny does best, check out “Weekend In The Perry’s” featuring Boldy James.

God Don’t Make Mistakes- Conway The Machine

Benny The Butcher isn’t the only Griselda rapper with a great album this year, Conway The Machine also came with the heat. God Don’t Make Mistakes pivots from the slightly more mainstream sound of Conway’s excellent 2021 album La Maquina and leans back into classic Conway sounds. This album is just straight up pure rap. Heavy beats, carefully selected samples, and classic hip hop themes. Conway is able to differentiate himself though, as he is uncharacteristically vulnerable about his mental health on “Stressed” with Wallo267, forces rap legends to keep up with him on “Tear Gas” with Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, and plays with melody on “So Much More”. Just like the rest of his catalog, this album isn’t built for radio, so it’s not going to be one of the biggest commercial rap albums of the year, but it is easily one of the best.

American Heartbreak- Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak carries a lot of Bruce Springsteen-esque Americana, but it’s also deeply country. The 26-year-old Oklahoman’s big soulful voice is perfect for telling stories, and his song-writing is poetic. The closest comparison for Bryan might be Tyler Childers, but he is his own artist. At 34 songs, this album is really long, but it’s also consistently good, an incredibly impressive feat for a newer artist. The production is often stripped down to Bryan with an acoustic guitar, but you also hear fiddles, harmonicas, electric guitars, and drums throughout the tracklist. The real star is always Bryan’s soulful voice though, and the quotable lyrics he sings with that voice. For such an extended tracklist, this album is remarkably lacking in filler, with song after song sounding fantastic. Even if you aren’t a country music fan, this album is a must-listen for any huge music fan in 2022.

Pain Museum- Brevin Kim

Brevin Kim, one of our artists to watch in 2022, have dropped one of the year’s most exciting projects with Pain Museum. The two brothers from Massachusetts find a way to mix intensely sad songwriting with high energy production and unorthodox vocal mixes. This album is heavy on 808s, and big, in your face moments, but it is also soft and vulnerable. That contrast between edgy production and painful lyrics makes up the concept of the album, and the duo are able to balance both while also crafting a lot of catchy song structures. Songs like “DYE”, “NAPLES”, and “CAN’T HANDLE IT” show off the fantastic sound and energy they have created, and the tracklist as a whole is quite consistent for a debut. Brevin Kim has catapulted up our ranks as one of the top artists to watch in the entire industry over the past year, and Pain Museum is the culmination of all their hard work so far.

I used to think I could fly- Tate McRae

I used to think I could fly is a great album from one of pop’s most promising new voices in 18-year-old Canadian Tate McRae. On this record McRae shows she can make hits (see the success of single “all i wanna be”), that she has great vocals, and that she is able to emotionally connect with her generation. The themes of the album are largely centered around growing up and struggling with relationships, common for a debut from a young artist, but done well by McRae. The songwriting is catchy enough for pop radio, but it also has caption-worthy lines and enough musicality to be interesting for a variety of listeners. Of all of this year’s mainstream pop records, this is one of the highest quality and most consistent. Check out “she’s all i wanna be”, “chaotic”, and “what’s your problem?” for highlights of the album.

So Far So Good- The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers have built a career off of being EDM pop hitmakers who work with other high profile artists. On this album though, Drew Taggert’s vocals and their production are the only stars, with none of the 13 songs including any features. The production all largely aligns with their previous work, but there is diversity in their instrumentals. This music does not have quite the same commercial appeal as their biggest album, 2016’s Memories… Do Not Open, but it is an easy and fun listen. The album also stays true to their past work by having a lot of relationship focused tracks, with some of the best being the bouncy “I Love U”, the rock-leaning “High”, and the beachy energy of “Riptide”. This is not the album that you are going to sit with and analyze, but it is one of the most accessible listens of the year, and that has to mean something.

WHO CARES?- Rex Orange County

WHO CARES? is exactly the album a fan would want from English indie artist Rex Orange County. The production melds indie pop and orchestral instrumentation, Rex’s lyrics are emotional, and his signature vocal tone and delivery star. He stays true to his classic style of creating, bouncy, memorable choruses and verses that will keep you singing along. There is a signature bounce and production similarities that make this an extremely cohesive project, but there are enough differences in each track that will keep you coming back and playing this record again and again. Rex has also seen incredible commercial success on the album, with each of the tracks on the record easily earning millions of listens in the first few months since release, and the singles building up tens of millions of streams. Rex seems much more invested in quality than he is in being a pop radio artist, but this album has the kinds of catchy tracks that are bound to do fantastic numbers.

Closer To Closure- Lexi Jayde

One of our artists to watch this year, Lexi Jayde has been doing big things in music as a teenager, and her EP Closer To Closure is the next step in that process. The album is all about heartbreak: the shock, the anger, the healing, and maybe some closure. Jayde is raw and real on this project and provides a lot of validation and understanding to young women whose pain is dismissed as dramatic. It’s not just the themes, but also the sound that make this project exciting, as Jayde’s soft vocal tone is deeply emotional and unique, and she seems to have a good ear for the pop production that matches her voice. Highlights of the record show Jayde’s sonic range, from her soft take on a breakup song on “you don’t deserve these tears” to the powerful choruses and anger of “hate to be you”. Lexi Jayde continues to be an artist to watch, and Closer To Closure shows just some of what she can do.

Come Home The Kids Miss You- Jack Harlow

The most heavily criticized album on this list, Come Home The Kids Miss You is a complicated one. Based on his prior discography, this album is a clear success for Harlow, with the best sales and most polished rapping of his career, but it didn’t live up to the hype surrounding it. Harlow has become an icon, and people expected him to essentially drop a Drake album (one that featured the highest level of rapping and commercial appeal). The thing is, Harlow has never dropped anything that could rival a Drake album, and while he focuses on his lyricism more than the typical mainstream rapper, he usually gets by on his voice and confidence. If you take this album for what it is though, it’s a top 50 album so far this year because it features good rapping, good production, a good combination of slightly deeper lyrical themes and typical hit-making, and it has performed quite well commercially.

Learn 2 Swim- Redveil

redveil is one of the most exciting artists on this list, an 18-year-old rapper with skill that easily rivals and often exceeds many established rappers. The Maryland rapper also produced every single track on this record, with beats that sound jazzy and understated, creating the perfect atmosphere for the young rapper’s surprisingly deep voice to shine. It has the feel of early Joey Bada$$, a young rapper who has an uncanny feel for how to take 90s hip hop sounds and make them accessible to a modern audience. Tracks like “pg baby” should make hip hop fans giddy, featuring redveil flowing effortlessly over hard drums and a perfectly placed sample. It’s not just that track though, with the whole project showing a lot of maturity and consistency for a young rapper. Lyricism is a skill that tends to improve with age in hip hop, and redveil’s natural talent shown on this project should make him a force to reckoned with going forward.

Un Verano Sin Ti- Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny is an absolute commercial juggernaut in the modern music landscape, but he’s also a quality artist who has changed the game through his style (both with music and clothes). Un Verano Sin Ti or A Summer Without You in english is a long album at 23 tracks, but it’s full of huge hits and stays consistent. Bad Bunny is one of the rare artists who is able to cater to a commercial audience at an elite level, varying his sounds and themes, while staying consistent with quality and keeping things cohesive enough to present a strong vision. He has also become a global sensation making music that doesn’t try too hard at all to do that, and this album shows that off. He stays true to his Puerto Rican roots while pushing his sound forward, and through his authenticity he draws a huge audience to the project.

flora + fana- Fana Hues

California singer Fana Hues has created on of the year’s best rnb projects so far with flora + fana. The album is full of her powerful vocals and authenticity, and a sound that truly feels like it encapsulates the best of the amazing genre that is rnb in 2022. Hues is a relatively new artist in the mainstream sense, who many were introduced to by Tyler, The Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost track “SWEET/ I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE”. That being said, she has the refined command of a veteran vocalist and a vision and purpose that draws you in as a listener. The album could be more experimental, but it does what it sets out to do well, keeping it concise at 11 tracks, and not sacrificing quality in the vocals or production. Fana Hues should be one of the biggest emerging names to watch in rnb after the release of this project.

Last Ones Left- EST Gee, 42 Dugg

Last Ones Left might be the hardest hitting rap albums of the year. EST Gee and 42 Dugg seem to fit together effortlessly, both coming with the same energy and bars about crime and money, but significantly contrasting deliveries. Gee has a deep, full tone that glides over heavy trap production, while Dugg’s higher register changes up the feel and lends itself to hooks. This project starts on a ten and never lowers the energy. Every beat is hard, every verse sounds hungry, and no one is mailing it in. You’ll be nodding your head throughout the 17 tracks. Despite being from different cities in Louisville (Gee) and Detroit (Dugg), and having very different vocal deliveries, the duo, who are both signed to Yo Gotti’s CMG label, have some of the best chemistry in rap. For highlights of the project, check out “Ice Talk”, “Spin”, and “Everybody Shooters Too”.

Forest In The City- UMI

23-year-old singer UMI has a strong voice that she uses with skill on her debut album, Forest in the City. With a sound that is perhaps most reminiscent of SZA, but with a different vocal tone and lyrical themes. UMI does explore typical topics of a debut record like growing up and her relationships, but given that she has released music before, this is less of an introduction to who she is as a person and more what she can do as an artist with a full-length record. At its best moments Forest in the City features UMI exploring new production styles and using catchy melodies to tell stories. Tracks like “sorry”, where she opens about about her flaws and struggles over a beat that builds into a groove, and “moonlit room”, which features a story of being stuck in love with someone who treats you badly, highlight the best of this excellent album.

Harry’s House- Harry Styles

Harry’s House is one of the biggest albums of the year, and that’s because he was able to intersect true star power and quality. It has the traditional smash hit in the TikTok-famous “As It Was”, dancey tracks for his famous live performances like “Late Night Talking” and “Music For a Sushi Restaurant”, and emotional, softer cuts like “Matilda” and “Little Freak”. On this album Harry accomplishes the task that is so hard for any huge star with an obsessed fanbase. He makes everyone happy, at least the best he can. At his best, Harry is vulnerable and softly telling meaningful stories, like he does reminiscing about someone he used to date on “Little Freak”, or singing to his fans who don’t feel completely loved by their families on “Matilda”. Styles is one of the biggest artists in the world because he is able to make music that makes people feel like it is ok to be themselves, and this album shows off that incredible skill.

Enjoyed the post? Check out our playlist with one song from each of these amazing projects

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12 up-and-coming artists you need to know for the new year, and the best tracks to introduce you to their catalogs. Check out the other 12 artists we picked to blow up here

By Ben Leshan

We did this series last year, focusing on multiple artists who had big years including Aries, Arlo Parks, Morray, and Clinton Kane. We’re back with another installment this year, and you better believe we’re putting you on to more future stars!

This is part 2 of a 2 part series. Please check out part 1 here

*all Spotify monthly listeners as of 3/10/22

Sebastian Paul

Age: Unknown

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,711,632

Where to Start: TROJAN HORSE, BACK AND FORTH

Sebastian Paul combines so many of the elements of modern popular music into one cohesive sound. The singer-songwriter and producer does it all throughout his catalog, creating catchy melodies, layered production that bounces around between EDM and pop, and singing emotionally-charged lyrics in a signature raspy tone. Genreless and purely artistic, Paul is carving out an intensely creative and vulnerable space in alt-pop that carries a lot of excitement with it. His music sounds like it comes from the future, and that is intentional, as Paul is always striving to push music forward. “TROJAN HORSE” shows off his roots as an artist, with electronic production but more pop-leaning lyrics, while a song like “BACK AND FORTH” has a more typical pop song structure and shows his radio-friendly appeal. Paul hasn’t released any music since 2020, but you can expect his next work to push boundaries and catch the ears of many new listeners.

Claud

Age: 22

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 676,042

Where to Start: Soft Spot, Tommy

Claud has a breathy bedroom pop voice that will immediately get you engaged, and as you continue to listen to their music, the pictures they paint of love, heartbreak, and growing up will float vividly through your mind. Somewhere in the lane of artists like Soccer Mommy and Clairo, Claud’s music is raw and emotional in its lyrics, but gentle and pretty in its sound. There is something incredibly haunting about the sadder parts of their catalog, but also something inviting and warm in their voice at all times. Highlights of their catalog include “Soft Spot”, a record about missing an ex, and “Tommy”, which describes the feeling of knowing you are not the person your partner is in love with. After their excellent 2021 album Super Monster and “Tommy” coming as a single at the end of last year, Claud is ready to breakout even more with their next project.

Brakence

Age: 20

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 797,951

Where to Start: argyle, f***boy

brakence, a 20-year-old singer who has been dropping top level music since dropping out of The Ohio State University at 17, combines a mix of influences to create a sound that he describes as “self-care punk”. His music has electronic elements and intricacies that are reminiscent of hyperpop, but his music comes at a slower pace and is very much in the emo space. With a very distinctive and deep vocal tone, brakence doesn’t sound like his peers, and his vocals are always produced with little glitches that make him sound even more unique. His music is usually about love, heartbreak, and depression, making some of the lyrics painfully sad, but in a way that has the potential to help a lot of listeners through hard times. A lowkey personality focused on the art first and foremost, brakence is at his most expressive when he yells out his lyrics at the studio or at live shows. With a growing fanbase and a whole lot of musical talent, brakence is a big artist to watch as he comes off tour with one of last year’s artists to watch, Aries.

Mustafa

Age: 25

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 256,497

Where to Start: Stay Alive, Air Forces

Mustafa makes music unlike anything you’ve ever heard before, turning stories of street violence into beautifully haunting folk songs. Born in Toronto to Sudanese parents, Mustafa was a poet before he was a musical artist, which translates to magically evocative lyrics about the pain and bright spots of growing up around street violence. Mustafa seems to effortlessly craft a completely distinctive sound, and sings with one of the most memorable tones you’ll ever hear (a sound that landed him on part 1 of our Best Albums of 2021 List). There is so much pain and passion in every part of his voice, and every note is sung with so much care. Many of his songs honor his fallen friends, like rapper Smoke Dawg and community organizer Yusuf Ali, who were both lost to gun violence, speaking about their losses in a thoughtful and poetic way. Throughout his catalog Mustafa is intensely vulnerable as he openly navigates the pain of losing these important people in his life, seeming crying into the void to ask for them back. With his incredible artistry and lyrical genius, Mustafa should be a huge force going forward into 2022.

44Phantom

Age: 20/21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 256,042

Where to Start: freak, I WON’T COMPLAIN

44Phantom has all of the elements of a budding star, with a high-pitched tone that is easy on the ears and instantly recognizable, and a lot of youthful energy that he pairs with rebellious and vulnerable lyrics. Sitting somewhere around pop punk and alt-pop, 44Phantom is really good at being sad and angry in his lyrics while maintaining danceability and excitement. Coming from Oklahoma, Phantom didn’t grow up around the kind of music scene that would support his growth, but he has made his own path and sound. In terms of production, he has an ear for the catchiest grungy guitar licks, and his songwriting is already very developed for such a young artist. He is yet to catch major commercial success on any of his tracks, but his songs are extremely consistent in sound and commercial performance, and he has begun to work with bigger collaborators like Tom the Mail Man. Upon listening to his catalog, it becomes evident that 44Phantom is ready to become a big name with another body of work.

Renforshort

Age: 19

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 1,054,900

Where to Start: f*** i luv my friends, moshpit

Renforshort has all the early makings of a pop star, with excellent vocal capabilities, a wonderful tone, great story-telling abilities, and a confident and youthful delivery. The 19-year-old Canadian has an extremely consistent catalog for such a young artist, crafting songs that are highly reflective of common experiences in her generation. Ren is able to tap into the kinds of stories about love and growing up that should be sure to resonate for fans around her age, and that will bring out a lot of nostalgia in older listeners. She saw a lot of good commercial success of her EP off saint dominique in 2021, and her 2022 single “Moshpit” has hit written all over it. With songs that have an undeniable pop sound but also mix in aspects of electronica and grungier undertones, Renforshort has created her own sound that seems to resonate really well with her target audience. Expect to see Renforshort become a big name in pop in the coming years.

Paris Texas

Group Members: Louie Pastel & Felix

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 380,336

Where to Start: HEAVY METAL, girls like drugs

Paris Texas have found a nice lane in hip hop, with enough experimentation to bring in more indie fans, enough lyricism to please the hip hop purists, and enough pure aggressive energy to get people rocking with them. The California duo of Louie Pastel and Felix will truly stand out in the rap game, drifting between soft melodies and intensely aggressive bars over rock guitar riffs and heavy hip hop drums. Just like their song “HEAVY METAL” suggests, there is something very reminiscent of the rock subgenre especially in their production, and their raps sound like something in between Earl Sweatshirt, OutKast, and Rage Against The Machine. The duo truly seem like they don’t care what anyone thinks, and doing their own thing has already brought them a lot of success. Paris Texas’s experimentation and energy make them special, and they have the potential to get bigger in hip hop due to their original sound.

SAIAH

Age: 23/24

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 210,077

Where to Start: CHEATER, LAZLO

SAIAH is full of so much energy, and his crisp and clean tone is extremely pleasing to the ear. A former college track athlete, SAIAH is a genre-bender able to bounce between pop, indie, rnb, hip hop and rock sounds. His most recent project, RACEWAY: THE WISDOM OF INSECURITY, leans more indie rock/pop though. As an artist, he just oozes confidence and vision, with a great ear for exciting sounds, an amazing pen for translating emotions into lyrics that resonate, and a creative and innovative fashion style. SAIAH brings so many things to the table, with the potential to make a wide range of listeners happy. Some of his best tracks include “CHEATER” (which was featured on part 2 of our Best Songs of 2021 List), a passionate punk leaning cut about infidelity that features Tom The Mail Man, and “LAZLO” a more laidback indie love song featuring RIZ LA VIE. SAIAH’s versatility, energy, incredible voice, and command of his vision make him an exciting young talent, and definitely a major artist to look out for this year.

Ama Lou

Age: 21

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 445,200

Where to Start: NORTHSIDE, All I Can Say

Ama Lou has been releasing great music since she was just a young teen in 2016, but her career is really ready to take off in 2022. The British singer has an incredible RnB voice, and an ear for sounds that always make her stand out. Making tracks that lean into hip hop and grime with lyrics that exude confidence and emotional intelligence, Ama Lou is already at the top of her game, she just needs more ears to find her work. Her 2021 EP At Least We Have This, which we highlighted on our Best Albums of 2021 Part 2, shows off her ability to dive into different sounds (even singing over a drill beat) and craft amazing earworm melodies. She also has an incredible fashion sense and is a successful model, which should make her stand out even further. Ama’s voice truly has the potential to be iconic, and her melodies sound excellent throughout her catalog, but especially on her standout tracks like “NORTHSIDE” and “All I Can Say”. All in all it is clear that Ama Lou has so much potential to break out in a big way this year.

Nilüfer Yanya

Age: 26

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 959,895

Where to Start: Keep On Calling, midnight sun

26-year-old British singer Nilüfer Yanya has an incredible vocal tone that you won’t be able to get out of your head once you first hear it. Yanya’s rnb infused indie rock sound is exciting and original, featuring soft indie drums and guitars with floating vocals delivered in a signature tone you’ll want to hear over and over again. Lyrically, Yanya often speaks about relationships and insecurities, fully opening up about her struggles and trying to grow through her songs. The singer also has a very recent release under her belt, as she dropped her album PAINLESS in early March of 2022. The record has been receiving rave reviews, and is certainly an early favorite for one of our albums of the year, with great tracks front-to-back. You can expect to see Yanya and PAINLESS on a lot of top music publications, and this record should easily surpass her previous streaming totals. Yanya is certainly becoming a big name, so it’s definitely time to get on her wave.

BERWYN

Age: 25/26

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 228,277

Where to Start: RUBBER BANDS, TO BE LOVED

BERWYN, a Trinidad-born and London-based alt-rnb/rap artist is creating unorthodox songs packed with universal emotion. His accented vocals float with grace over sparse and spacious production, creating a sense of warmth in the darkness. His voice is so soulful and full, and he is able to transition effortlessly between his singing and rapping voices, both of which sound excellent. BERWYN is incredibly vivid in his descriptions of love and pain, and he is excellent at selecting production that matches his energy. There is a lot of darkness in his stories, a lot of regret and sadness, but also optimism in hope in the lines he sings and raps. His 2021 project “TAPE 2/FOMALHAUT” is a great release, featuring a lot of amazing tracks including the infectious breakup anthem “RUBBER BANDS” and the vulnerable and spacey “TO BE LOVED”.

Brevin Kim

Group Members: Brendan Paulhus & Callin Paulhus

Spotify Monthly Listeners: 198,155

Where to Start: NAPLES, YOU.F.O.

Brevin Kim, a duo of brothers from suburban Massachusetts, found success after taking a chance on their dreams early in the Covid-19 pandemic, but they still have a lot of room to grow. Making music that blurs the lines between rock, pop, electronic music, and hip hop (with elements that can link them back to hyperpop), Brevin Kim are truly creating their own signature sound. With music that can be aggressive, vulnerable, deeply sad, and energetic, the duo truly capture the frenzy of love and finding oneself. The production they choose really jumps all over the map, but the sounds all match their vibe, with a lot of booming drums, grimy synths, and big, chaotic moments. The duo hasn’t caught any major hits yet, but the quality of their work is consistent, and they have seen significant commercial growth in the last year. Brevin Kim is definitely an artist to have on your radar going into 2022.

Thank you for reading! Please follow us on instagram @moonlxtemelodies, on twitter @Moonlxtemels, and on tiktok @moonlxtemelodies.