The Best Introductory Tracks to 5 Artists You’ll Wish You Discovered Sooner

There’s nothing better than finding an artist before everyone else catches on.

You know the feeling—you hear one song, tell yourself you’ll check out one more, and suddenly you’ve spent the next hour digging through their entire discography. That’s exactly how I felt about these artists. Whether you’re in the mood for indie, R&B, hip-hop or a band that deserves way more love, these are the artists (and their resonant tracks) we recommend adding to your playlist next.

Blish 'New Swing' art

(‘New swing!’ via Blish)

Blish – ‘New swing!’ ft. sunwoojunga

Blish is an artist whose music always feels deeply personal. Through his songwriting and production, he creates tracks that feel like they come from a real place rather than just chasing a trend. “New swing!” featuring sunwoojunga is a great example of that, bringing together his unique sound and the kind of energy that makes you want to keep listening and see what he does next.

 

Also read about: WONHO Opens Up About the Heart and Meaning Behind His New EP, CORE

 

1300 – ‘Headrock’

1300 is the kind of group that makes you stop and demand to learn more.The Korean-Australian collective has built a sound that refuses to stay in one lane, blending hip-hop, electronic influences and unexpected production choices into something that feels completely their own. Their music brings together different cultures and languages in a way that feels natural, creating tracks that are just as exciting sonically as they are lyrically. “Headrock” is a perfect introduction to 1300’s energy, delivering the bold, unpredictable style that has made them one of the most exciting names to watch.​

 

Keylight – ‘Keep You Close’

If you’re looking for a song that fits perfectly into a late-night playlist, Keylight’s “Keep You Close” is one to check out. The track leans into R&B with a softer sound, letting the vocals and production bring out the emotion naturally. There’s a simplicity to the song that makes it easy to get into, while still leaving an impression after the first listen. “Keep You Close” is a great introduction to Keylight’s sound and what makes his music stand out.

 

Also read about: Inside Rocco’s Most Authentic Era Yet: A Comedy Romantic (Act. 1)-EP

 

Moyo – ‘Who went to the toilet?’

Something about Moyo’s music immediately makes us stop everything else and listen with undivided attention. Their track “Who went to the toilet?” starts with a title you won’t forget, but there’s more to the song than just its silly name. Featuring george, SOLE and THAMA, the track brings together three different artists for a collaboration that feels effortless, playful and full of personality.

 

Off The Menu – ‘Party with friends’ ft. PLAYGRXXND

Off The Menu’s “Party With Friends” is a track that shows a different side of what the band can do. Instead of leaning into what you might expect from the title, the song creates its own atmosphere and lets the group’s sound speak for itself. It’s a release that gives listeners a better look at Off The Menu’s style and why they’re a group worth discovering.

 

For even more on the music that has us hooked, click HERE to read our review revisiting RM’s Right Place, Wrong Person.