Every week it feels like 3,000 new artists drop a song, start a TikTok trend, or declare themselves the future of pop. Some are bluffing. These ones aren’t. From South Korea’s Penomeco to South Florida’s KenoXavier, these 10 artists are actually doing something interesting—blurring genre lines, flipping industry expectations, and making music that slaps and says something.
1. Penomeco
A genre-morphing powerhouse from South Korea, Penomeco is redefining what it means to be an independent artist in 2025. With his latest release, “My Chick” featuring Lil Cherry, he delivers a feverish blend of Afropop-infused trap, slick vocal chops, and swaggering charisma. The track marks the fifth drop from his upcoming RNSSNC TAPE and cements his trajectory as a creative rule-breaker unafraid to blur lines. Having emerged from the influential Fanxy Child collective and now steering his own brand under EGO Group, Penomeco is all sharp edges, bold turns, and undeniable presence.
2. Sam Varga
Sam Varga is rewriting the rules of alt-country with “Minute Man,” a sharp-edged, emotionally charged anthem that combines Americana, alternative pop, and punk-fueled grit. Raised in Louisville’s DIY emo scene and now based in Nashville, Varga channels his raw storytelling instincts into a love song for the end times—equal parts defiant and cinematic. With lyrics that read like a Rorschach test, “Minute Man” invites listeners to find their own meaning in its apocalyptic haze. Varga’s ability to merge intimate reflections with big, anthemic arrangements makes him one of the most compelling voices rising from the South’s genre-bending underground.
3. Pran
Set to make his official debut later this month, Thai-born artist Pran is already building quiet momentum with “All I Need Is Love,” an emotionally charged track slated for release on July 20. Blending velvety R&B vocals with sleek electropop production, the upcoming single reflects Pran’s journey from heartbreak to self-acceptance, showcasing both his songwriting depth and production instincts. Now based in Sheffield and drawing sonic inspiration from global icons like The Weeknd and Jung Kook, Pran is laying the groundwork for a 2026 debut album that promises vulnerability, genre fusion, and personal storytelling. With a teaser already making waves, “All I Need Is Love” signals the emergence of a cross-cultural artist ready to leave his mark.
4. Rosemarie
Back with “Aftertaste,” her first release since 2023’s Rock Paper Scissors EP, LA-based R&B artist Rosemarie signals the start of a new creative chapter—one steeped in emotional clarity and sonic polish. Blending sultry melodies with soul-searching lyricism, “Aftertaste” captures the lingering ache of a love gone stale, all delivered with Rosemarie’s signature poise and vocal depth. The visualizer accompanying the track adds another layer to her storytelling, reinforcing the textured intimacy that’s made her one to watch. With Dominican and Puerto Rican roots, and past collaborations with the likes of Roddy Ricch, Rosemarie is quietly building an R&B legacy grounded in truth, rhythm, and bold reinvention.
5. Emma Harner
With her debut EP, Taking My Side, set to release on July 11, Emma Harner is stepping into the spotlight as one of the most emotionally precise and technically skilled singer-songwriters of her generation. Fusing the introspective tenderness of folk with the intricate rhythms of math rock, Harner’s sound is both intimate and architecturally complex. A gifted guitarist with an eye for lyrical detail, she first turned heads with viral clips on TikTok and Instagram, and has since toured alongside Orla Gartland, mxmtoon, and Tiny Habits. On Taking My Side, she digs deep into heartbreak, self-reflection, and emotional recalibration—crafting songs that ache with vulnerability while showcasing undeniable artistic command.
6. Tom Ball
With his powerful orchestral single “Timeless,” British vocalist Tom Ball makes a stunning entry into the classical crossover world—one that’s already turning heads on a global scale. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Voices, the track soared to No. 1 in the UK, Singapore, and the Philippines, while also cracking the top 5 in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. With over 140 million views online, numerous international awards, and a second album (Spotlight) due this fall, Tom Ball is proving that classical music still has the power to move—and to top the charts.
7. Karen Salicath
Danish-American composer and spiritual pianist Karen Salicath crafts music not with a pen, but with dreams. Her latest release, “Angel Raphael’s Touch,” is a serene, meditative piece inspired by a vivid dream and brought to life through both sound and sculpture. Born from a post–near-death awakening in 2012, Salicath’s creative process is entirely intuitive—guided by dreams, angelic presences, and healing intention. With over 2,500 compositions and eight solo Carnegie Hall performances to her name, she continues to explore the space between the ethereal and the tangible. Her upcoming release, “Angel Haniel’s Clearing” (out July 11), extends this vision, offering another dream-received composition shaped by the calming energy of Archangel Haniel.
8. Sophie Powers
On “head empty no thoughts,” avant-pop firestarter Sophie Powers takes a sledgehammer to the façade of modern dating with sharp wit and zero patience for surface-level nonsense. This latest track is a no-filter anthem for anyone who’s ever been trapped in a conversation with an emotional brick wall. At just 20, the Toronto-born, LA-based artist fuses cutting-edge fashion, digital-age angst, and unapologetic intellect into a persona that’s part punk poet, part Gen Z oracle. With Slam Dunk, Vans Warped Tour dates, and critical acclaim from top-tier outlets, Sophie Powers is shaping her own orbit—and it doesn’t include dimming down for anyone.
9. ILENE
With her chaotic, charismatic new single “HONEY NUT,” ILENE proves she’s not interested in playing by the rules—genre, racial, or otherwise. The alt-pop disruptor blends hyperpop playfulness with unfiltered bars, crafting a track that’s as absurdly catchy as it is sharp-witted. Think Super Mario pipes, accidental plumbing metaphors, and enough double entendres to short-circuit TikTok’s algorithm. A former BandLab standout and creator grant recipient, she’s now working with Grammy-nominated producer Epikh Pro to build an EP that promises pure, uncontainable chaos—in the best way. And she’s inviting you in—whether you get the joke or not.
10. KeonXavier
KeonXavier grew up in Homestead, Miami, and built his music career from the ground up—without formal training, industry backing, or shortcuts. Everything he knows, he taught himself: writing, producing, and performing. His music doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre, blending Southern hip-hop, R&B, folk, and reggaeton in a way that reflects both the cultural mix of South Florida and the complexity of his own experience. He speaks openly about setbacks, motivation, and what it means to create with intention in a noisy industry. Through his personal brand, Underdogs Forever, KeonXavier signals where his focus really is: building something real and lasting.
