Ones To Watch

Photo by Silken Weinberg First comes love, then comes marriage, and then — your funeral? Okay, so it might not sound romantic when you put it like that, but Ashe’s latest single, “Funeral,” makes “til death do us part” sound like the sweetest sound you’ve ever heard.

Photo by Adam Alonz Last summer, Hannah Cole got stopped dead in her tracks by a call that her aunt had died. As if that wasn’t enough, she went through a health scare of her own very shortly after. Like anyone, she experienced a bit of an epiphany and started reckoning with why she was chasing success in the first place, and what it was costing her. That crisis became what we now know as Switchbacks, Cole’s debut album, which is out now via Tight Knit Records.

Photo by Larry Arm Everyone knows Rebecca Black from the internet. She’s been established as a meme and had to carry that label and branding for years, regardless of the fact that it has nothing to do with her actual artistry. The beauty of Rebecca Black however is that she was brave enough to actually rebuild herself from that internet infamy that would’ve been enough to stop other artists dead in their tracks. On Age of the Exhibitionist, she’s ready for her close up.

Photo by Frances Carter LA-based artist Luna Shadows is ready to let her feelings spill out in full color on her new single “gutspill.” From the first few seconds, the singer-songwriter brings in crunchy electric guitars, dreamy electronic production, and layers of lighter vocals to create a track that feels nostalgic without sounding like it’s trying too hard to recreate the past.

In the almost 4 years since KIHYUN’s first solo release, YOUTH, he’s experienced a lot of life—he enlisted and returned from his mandatory military service, released a MONSTA X album, and embarked on a world tour. Last month, the artist released BORDERLINE, his highly anticipated sophomore EP that touches upon the uncertainties of growing up and the freedom that comes from embracing one's own choices.

With four members that speak three languages, Seoul-based Japanese girl group cosmosy is bringing their global concept to the world. Since debuting in April 2025 with their song “zigy=zigy,” the group has carved out a lane for themselves. Blending J-R&B, J-hip-hop, house, and futuristic sounds through their music, cosmosy also sings in English, Japanese, and Korean interchangeably.

For our 11th anniversary, we asked select alumni to nominate the next wave of rising artists. Snail Mail didn’t hesitate in putting us onto Scarlet Rae – the LA born, NY based songwriter who’s about to open for them on tour. Laid-back but shimmery with whispers that punch, Rae’s avant garde writing blends understated acoustic instrumentation with refreshingly raw vocals.

Capable of lighting up a room, bringing energy to even the most defeated, Alfie Jukes is a medic pop lifeline to the late summer doldrums. You don’t have to sail far into his catalogue to realize, Alfie Jukes represents a lighthouse of talent and on his latest single of the same name, he does just that, guiding you back into the sweet embrace of pop.

Many incredible bands have come out of Manchester: The Smiths, Joy Division, Oasis. We’d like to introduce you to Arkayla. Since forming in 2023 the band has built a loyal fanbase through their live performances. The four-piece Manchester group recently released their latest EP Back to Belle Vue. The band took the time to answer all our questions about the out of the box inspirations behind the EP and gearing up to embark on their biggest ever, sold out UK headline tour.

Photo by Nathaniel Copes Some albums tell you exactly what they’re about from the first track. Others make you figure it out as you go. Scarlet House’s Angels somehow does both. Opening with “START,” the Charlotte-based one-man shoegaze project immediately introduces the question that eventually becomes the heart of the record: what exactly is love? Is it a feeling, a commitment, or something that changes entirely once the honeymoon phase wears off?