By now, you’re surely familiar with our running list of 100 Rising Artists You Need To Listen To In 2024. With that in mind, we’ll keep this short and sweet. Welcome to our sixth installment! Wow, we are more than halfway through now…
If you are just now joining us, make sure to go back and check out our first fifty artists here. This week we have quite the eclectic mix. From emo-rap, to indie rock, to post-hardcore, to anthemic pop-punk, we’ve got something you’ll like. Our list consists of truly up-and-coming music. Most of these artists have less than fifty thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. They also only have one or two collections of music out. This is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor. You’ll be able to say, “I knew this artist before they blew up!”. Because these artists are surely destined to grow. Let’s get into it, shall we? Here is Part 6 of our 100 Rising Artists You Need To Listen To In 2024!
Chemical Therapy
Chemical Therapy is the brand new alias of the rock group previously known as Heyrocco. Originally from Charleston, SC, the trio became hometown heroes seemingly overnight. Their debut album, Teenage Movie Soundtrack, is a beautiful mix of ‘90s-inspired rock and alternative grunge with huge pop-infused choruses. They saw nationwide success with the release of their track “Mom Jeans” and quickly went on to tour the United States, the UK, and Europe. With BBC and XM radio support under their belt as an indie band, it was only a matter of time before they became a household name.
Heyrocco moved out to Los Angeles and took a few years to develop their sound further. Somewhere between The Strokes, The Cure, and Third Eye Blind, the band grew into a sound entirely of their own. With sampled drums, gritty guitars, and a “bored-to-death” delivery of vocals, they have the potential to see the success of a band like The 1975.
With the announcement of the name change to Chemical Therapy and the recent teasing of studio and writing sessions, we can expect a new debut from ChemT sometime this year. It’s overdue to have the band back on stage—in their tightey-whitey-fueled, over-the-top antics. —Tate Logan
DAMAG3
While emo, pop-punk, and hard rock have had their place in mainstream culture over the past few years, other genres that are due for a reckoning are hip-hop and rap. Especially centering those who we haven’t seen in that space openly. That’s where DAMAG3 kicks through the wall.
As a self-described “proud trans sister” in her bio under the performing moniker DAMAG3, the aggression that comes out in her songs only strengthens her art and mission. With lyrics that talk about transgender visibility, revolution, and supporting BIPOC individuals, it’s clear that she is an artist who wants to support the community through her work.
Her latest single, “Big Smoke,” featuring Noir Benny and Underrated Artist Season, incorporates a nu-metal vibe that would open up any pit. However, an earlier track from last year, “CONS3QU3NC3S,” is slowed down with almost an R&B energy that you could lounge around to while thinking about how to reinvent society. —Lizzie Baumgartner
Death Lens
Reinventing the indie-punk wheel isn’t always needed, but Death Lens knows how to keep it fresh and energetic. While indie-sleaze is having its time in the foray of resurrected trends, the LA act brings the same vibe they had in their 2014 era of screaming, surf n’ turf selves into 2024, but with some modifications.
They aren’t pretty vacant in one of their latest singles, “Vacant,” yet emit the same caliber of angst they’ve had since the start. No Luck, their 2022 LP, dipped their feet into different lyrical waters, discussing racial injustice and attempting to be a light of positivity in their communities. “Limousine” is the newest track from them that gives them almost an IDLES edge, but keeping their grounding within their individual sound that will bring back those OG indie heads and get newer punks starry-eyed. —Lizzie Baumgartner
Fur Trade
If your early aughts iPod playlists were full of tracks from Canada’s Hot Hot Heat, there’s good news for your indie rock ears. And no, we’re not talking about the new surprise single “Shock Me” Hot Hot Heat dropped on December 1, 2023. Lead singer Steve Bays has crafted myriad musical projects, including Fur Trade. Working alongside songwriter and producer Parker Bossley, the duo just released their new LP, Dark Celebration, featuring singles “Make It To The Morning” and “Signature Moves.” This album was preceded by 2013’s Don’t Get Heavy.
The psychedelic indie rock vibes of the new record will send you back to the ‘60s, offering a true *musical* high. Fur Trade also covered Men Without Hats’ “The Safety Dance” with a modern synth edge. Fingers crossed that 2024 brings more original tracks, live shows, or even remixes. Waiting another decade for new stuff is simply too long to bear. —Maria Serra
Spanish Angels
If you listen to Spotify’s Fall Out Boy radio station long enough, you will definitely uncover a few hidden alternative gems, including Spanish Angels. The grunge, surf-rock-infused outfit only recently released their debut Effigy EP on October 20, 2023, but its four tracks are immediately captivating.
Lead singer Aodhan Mustain offers raw, unshakeable, yearning vocals à la Kurt Cobain. The track “Shreddie Murphy” packs a punch from its first note with a nostalgia-inducing riff sure to please all emo fans. If you enjoy Spanish Angels’ debut EP, Mustain also just released a nine-track solo record, Interphase, in December of 2023. Though the band is essentially brand new, their refreshing sound and clear affinity for rock music make them an artist to watch and stream on repeat. Plus, following their Instagram page will offer you some rad emo memes. —Maria Serra
Dirty Blonde
Dirty Blonde is the up-and-coming English duo ready to rock the alternative world with their slew of 2023 singles and debut EP Favourite Record. They might be “Your dad’s new favourite band,” according to their Instagram bio, but they’ll surely be yours, too.
With plentiful riffs in the likes of “Run (When I Tell You)” and “Don’t Cry (It Doesn’t Suit You),” the duo of Ailis Mackay and Hayley Tait effortlessly blend classic rock sonics with modern alternative niceties. Whether you’re looking for a bit of girl power to begin your day or harkening back to the days of old-school Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac, you’ll be sure to find your ideal sound with Dirty Blonde. We can’t wait to see this fresh rock ‘n’ roll pair take over the genre. —Maria Serra
Olive Vox
Sibling duo Parker James and Caden Shea make up the grunge-pop outfit Olive Vox. Hailing from Orange County, CA, the blonde, bed-headed band is making waves across their local scene and online. Swimming in sound between Nirvana and Superdrag, they’ve found a modern and fresh spin on the ’90s garage rock movement.
With a slew of singles and one EP under their belt, the stand-out track is their most recent release, “All My Friends Are Dead.” Olive Vox has an extremely mature and impressive sound for the age of the members. Both teenagers, you’d never know it from just listening. Their allure goes beyond the music, though.
They’ve got incredible style, lackluster and lazy (in the best way) vibes and an all-around cool aesthetic. With Gen Z recently falling into the late ‘90s and early 2000s fashion, their look matches their sound. Olive Vox is young, but they have loads of potential. Don’t sleep on this rock band.—Tate Logan
neverknowsbest
Self-proclaimed “pop-punk fanboys,” producer/songwriter Alex Trimmer and songwriter Nathan Hall are the masterminds behind neverknowsbest—“the greatest pop-punk band you’ve never heard of.” Let’s change that, shall we?
Across their debut 2022 album, another summer, the pair ingeniously navigates the familiar realms of pop-punk structure while injecting a burst of innovation into their sound. They seamlessly weave together a variety of elements, from the vibrancy of synths to the intricacies of expertly crafted guitar melodies, all propelled forward by a pulsating rhythm of driving percussion. The result is a captivating fusion that not only pays homage to the classic pop-punk foundations but also propels neverknowsbest into a realm of their own through an array of experimentation, setting them apart as trailblazers.
Their most recent release, a cover of Special D.’s “You,” issued in December, further proves the pair’s experimental chops and ability to transform a dance hit into a pop-punk anthem. While we haven’t received an original release from neverknowsbest since their 2022 debut, we’re hoping that 2024 will change that! —Paige Owens
The Summer After
The Summer After, the solo project of Jake Seidl, entrances fans through an array of space-pop-punk since his debut single, “Dust To Dust,” in 2021. The journey continues with the latest sonic offering, “ANTIGRAVITY.” Indie rock, pop, and meticulously integrated synth seamlessly converge to form The Summer After’s distinct sound. Drawing inspiration from behemoths such as Angels & Airwaves, blink-182, and Thirty Seconds To Mars, the project’s dreamy discography unfolds through three years of releases.
“ANTIGRAVITY,” his latest stand-alone single released in 2023, unveils a tapestry of lush layers, enveloping listeners in an enchanting atmosphere right from the opening notes. Swirling synths and a pulsating beat harmonize to create a celestial aura, transporting the audience to a realm beyond this one. Seidl’s ethereal vocals cascade through the song against a backdrop of twinkling instrumentation, delivering heartfelt and vulnerable lyrics that effortlessly convey the exhilarating sensation of falling in love. While The Summer After’s releases seemingly arrive when inspiration strikes Seidl, “ANTIGRAVITY” marks the first single pulled from the artist’s forthcoming self-titled debut album. Fingers crossed for its arrival in 2024! —Paige Owens
Z. Smith
The emo-rap scene has grown in popularity thanks to Travis Barker and Machine Gun Kelly. However, without any new tunes from the rapper-turned-pop-punker MGK, fans of the genre are searching. Enter Z. Smith. His bubblegum and dancey songs will give any elder emo or gen-z-er a good start to their party playlist!
All Or Nothing is his most recent release. One of the stand-out tracks, “let me be your rockstar,” is a straightforward callout to new audiences to give Z. Smith a chance. There’s space that needs to be filled in this area of the scene, and Smith is definitely a top candidate. —Lizzie Baumgartner
