“White Pony” – N3ptune
Starting it off strong with a local staple, R&B artist N3ptune is sure to make an exciting addition to any playlist. With spine-chilling beats and electric vocals, N3ptune perfectly blends R&B and rock while adding his own unique flair in order to create a heart-pumping and mesmerizing effect. “White Pony,” off of his latest album “Renaissance (The Revival),” is the perfect example of N3ptune’s craft and ability to pull from various genres. Other notable mentions are “Black Horse” and “Militia.”
“Message (Better Days)” – Paw Paw Rod
Coming up on the list are two artists that joined N3ptune at The Underground Music Showcase in Denver last year. Paw Paw Rod is an indie artist and rapper from Oklahoma City who caught attention in 2020 with the release of his song “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS.” He blends funk, R&B and indie for songs perfect for park hangs and kickbacks. On “Message (Better Days),” his 2022 single, his melodic vocals shine through, paired with horns and synth for a feel-good song sure to brighten your day. Notable mentions include “Glass House” and “Yellow Haze.”
“If You Feel Alone At Parties” – Blvck Hippie
Blvck Hippie is an emerging indie group that you aren’t going to want to miss. Their raw lyrics and yearning vocals make for relatable songs with a nostalgic feel, calling to other indie acts such as Alex G, No Vacation and Boy Pablo. “If You Feel Alone At Parties” carries a danceable melody and stripped-down vocals for a balance between various moods. Notable mentions include “Mansion” and “Art School.”
“2002” – Enumclaw
One of my favorite new artists of last year, Enumclaw hails from Tacoma, Washington with the slogan “The best band since Oasis.” They are great live performers, possessing the same cool presence as Oasis, with a sound that just makes sense that they’re from Washington. Heavy guitar riffs with intense distortion and sad yet hopeful vocals call out to any grunge lovers in a post-grunge world. Other notable mentions include “Jimmy Neutron” and their latest single “Thin Air.”
“Automatic” – Spencer
For fans of Steve Lacy, Spencer is a vocalist and instrumentalist who makes alluring R&B and funk-inspired music. His bio on Spotify reads, “It all happened late at night within a Brooklyn enclave alongside Clairo, Snail Mail, Claud, Cautious Clay and Triathalon.” Spencer aligns with this scene but sets himself apart by following his roots and exploring where he came from and his lifestyle within his songs. Automatic is soothing and rhythmic, great for a late-night drive. Other notable mentions include “Open Wide” and “Lonely As I Ever Was.”
“Hi-Fidelity” – Lava La Rue
Lava La Rue packs a subtle punch in her latest release, “Hi-Fidelity,” that leaves you breathless. Lofi and synth-inspired, London-based artist Lava La Rue delivers grooving bass lines and otherworldly synth sections. She delivers rap and R&B with an ethereal feel that takes the genres to a new planet. Other notable mentions are “Angel” and “Magpie.”
“From These Heights” – Jelani Aryeh
Jelani Aryeh is the epitome of upbeat indie music with “From These Heights,” posing similarities to Dayglow, Binki and Briston Maroney. “From These Heights,” serves as a polished musical product with bedroom pop creativity at its heart. Aryeh explores heartbreak and alienation in the context of lighthearted pop songs, yet with his vulnerable vocals, he unabashedly exposes his soul to audiences. Notable mentions include “Stella Brown” and “Daunt.”
“Killing Eve” – Benet
Benet is a trans-non-binary artist from Virginia and based in Brooklyn. Their soothing voice eases the mind and soothes the nervous system. Their harmonies on “Killing Eve” are ethereal and when paired with a rhythmic beat, it is the kind of song that the coolest college radio station host would play late at night. Other notable mentions include “Funny” featuring Childish Major and “Try.”
“Only in The” – Crosslegged
Keba Robinson, the person behind the music of Crosslegged, is a musician from Pennsylvania, raised partly in PA and partly in California. Crosslegged draws from folk and soul influences. On her latest album, “Another Blue,” she showcases Bjork-inspired vocal inflection with unique instrumentation, such as the marimba beat on “Only in The.” Crosslegged takes an interesting approach to the indie-folk genre. Notable mentions include “Automatic” and “Heaven is Real.”
“Bootstrap Jubilee” – Yves Jarvis
One of my favorite songs on the list, Yves Jarvis’ “Bootstrap Jubilee” is as fun and heartwarming as the name suggests. Jarvis’ bouncing vocal inflection, quirky drum beat and whimsical guitar playing make for a fun song to get you grooving. But juxtaposed with the Simon and Garfunkel-inspired pre-chorus, with rustic guitar picking and drawn-out vocals, he adds a more vulnerable and introspective feel to the song as well. Other notable mentions include “For Props” and “Nerve for the Ages.”
Head over to our Spotify to listen to our Black History Month 2023 playlist to hear all the songs mentioned as well as others you might like.
