We have officially rounded the last corner in our stretch to bring you 100 Rising Artists You Need To Listen To In 2024! With only three weeks remaining after this week’s release, we assure you that for the remainder of the year, we will continue to keep you in-the-know of your favorite artists and introduce you to your potential next favorite artist (*wink wink*). Perhaps you’ve already discovered your next favorite artist among the talents we’ve featured in this series… We certainly hope so, given the abundance of remarkable individuals showcased in the last two months! In case you’ve missed any of our previous installments, be sure to catch up on all of the excitement here.
Without delay, idobi Radio presents our latest compilation of 100 Rising Artists You Need To Listen To In 2024 (70/100)!
Cleveland Avenue
Closing 2023 on a high note, Chicago’s Cleveland Avenue is ready to make the new year their year in the pop-punk scene, and they’re making sure everyone will hear their roar. Their latest offering, “TELL ME,” an electrifying, in-your-face anthem, marks the group’s ultimate comeback as their first new music since their June 2022 single, “Colors.”
Front and center is the charismatic Defonte Berry, whose commanding presence and expressive vocal delivery breathe life into the lyrics of “TELL ME” and its infectious chorus, “Tell me tell me all about me/Tell me all the things you think I faked and/Show me show me how you miss me/Even when you kiss me I’ll be thinking.” Across the track, Berry’s dynamic performance alongside the thundering instrumentation takes the listener on a rollercoaster of emotions, from heartfelt vulnerability to unbridled passion.
Cleveland Avenue‘s commitment to pushing the boundaries of pop-punk is evident in every note of “TELL ME” and their small but mighty discography as a whole. Their new song not only showcases their prowess as a unit, even after taking time between releases but also sets the stage for what promises to be a breakout year for the band. —Paige Owens
Greyson Zane
Greyson Zane is one of the newest editions to the pop-punk world inspired by the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker-adjacent acts in recent years. He came into the scene with his debut single “With Ü” and truly hasn’t slowed down since. He spent all of 2023 dropping pop-punk banger after pop-punk banger with tracks like “Mr. Important,” “DEAD @ 16,” and “i hope you’re not okay.” A slow and steady grind found him running in circles with more seasoned acts.
He really began making his mark when his collaboration with FELICITY, “Emo Trash,” went totally viral. The song circulated with mixed reviews, but honestly, all press is good press because it put Greyson Zane in the spotlight. He rode the wave of attention from the track by quickly following it up with “2 Cool 4 Me” and “Don’t Cry For Me,” which features Joshua Roberts of Magnolia Park. There is no denying that Greyson Zane can absolutely crank out the heaters.
He is a talented songwriter and performer, but his specialty is understanding community and friendship within a music space. He lifts his peers, and therefore, they lift him in return. This is an important foundation for many artists on the come-up, and Zane is earnestly using it to his advantage. There is a promise of good vibes, support, and love when it comes to the universe Zane is creating.—Tate Logan
Like Roses
In 2023, Like Roses emerged from the shadows with a riveting pair of new singles, “Splenetic” and “Easy.” These tracks mark the band’s return, breaking the silence since their acclaimed 2018 EP, Closure. With these releases, the four-piece ensemble, featuring vocalist/guitarist Amy Schmalkuche, guitarist Devin Zamora, bassist Kayla Gonzalez, and drummer Corey Gough, stretches their creative brilliance to unprecedented heights.
Much like their previous releases, Like Roses’ double release sees the band honing their emotionally charged sound and lyrical depth, such as “Easy”’s closing bridge: “Oh I’m broken and I’m helpless when you’re gone/Oh I’m selfish ’cause I don’t care what you want/Oh I’m broken and I’m helpless when you’re gone/No, you’re selfish ’cause you don’t care who you are.” Between their two new singles, the group taps into a whirlwind of raw, unfiltered emotion and vulnerability, elevated by an array of intricate guitar melodies and driving drum arrangements.
This latest offering reveals a more refined, polished take on pop-punk, enriched with subtle yet impactful nuances of post-hardcore intricately woven into the fabric of each single, particularly evident in the instrumentation. Schmalkuche’s evocative vocals serve as the linchpin, dripping with lush ebbs and flows, embodying a raw and expressive grit that elevates the entire listening experience to a greater soundscape. With a set of singles like “Easy” and “Splenetic,” we’re hoping that the four-piece will claim 2024 as their year and return with a full-length album. In the meantime, we’ll have their latest releases on an endless loop. —Paige Owens
Maudify
Chicago only knows two things: Midwest emo and great acts. Trans artist Maudify brings twinkly, fifth-wave riffs with hyper-pop rap to the scene as a reverse uno. Playing on words with her name, she modifies what traditional emotional tracks sound like and transforms them into modern mixes of experimental, queer rage, and reflection. One of her first releases featured on her SoundCloud, titled “Gold Pontiac TransAmthem,” was produced by XLHC. With songs that discuss her experiences as trans, betrayal, and finding her place in the world, she produces music that is fantastically uncommon and strives to carve out a new area in alt-rock for herself and others like her. —Lizzie Baumgartner
nightlife
Baltimore soul-punkers nightlife has caused a buzz since 2021 when they dropped their song “new low.” They’re about to hop on a few dates for Issues final few shows in Chicago and recently dropped a boy-band R&B dance number in December, “face2face.” The act brings a new flavor to a genre that’s had a lot of recipe repeating. Sprinkling spices and causing a stir through their new creation, a groovy dish is served up that’ll have everyone talking. With as much lip service as the group has had, it’s safe to assume that it’ll be the year of nightlife and a new era of a sauteed scene. —Lizzie Baumgartner
OK Cool
Self-described as “two tin, tiny rats with a dream of one day becoming human,” OK Cool is the Chicago-based indie-rock duo of your dreams. Sonically, OK Cool will transport you back to the days of prominent indie sleaze and allow you to feel like you’re the star in your own coming-of-age A24 film.
Along with their creative guitar licks and laid-back vocals, the band offers wonderfully crafted music videos. Need a little pick-me-up today? Check out their video for “Time And A Half,” where they light up sparklers with Santa Claus. These well-rounded artists began their journey in 2020 with their debut song and corresponding video for “I Can’t Stand in Ice Skates,” followed by several singles and, ultimately, their debut EP Surrealist. Of course, if you add any new album to your playlist this month, make sure it’s their 2023 LP fawn, which is rife with glittering, melancholy shoegaze melodies and grunge-forward choruses. If you want a taste of OK Cool’s eccentric live set, you can now stream their Audiotree set on Spotify. —Maria Serra
Sam Varga
This Nashville pop-punker knows how to entertain fans with his music and through social media. With 11.7K followers on TikTok, it’s apparent that his music and ‘rizz is going to make a statement in the new year. Sam Varga’s latest single, “No One Hurts Like Me,” is an emotional outcry about doing different actions that can get you into a negative space, which many people can relate to. The relatable lyrics Varga produces allow fans to connect with his music on a distinct level, even when he switches up his sound.
His release, “Mayday” has a low-key country twinge added to the acoustic guitar that leans more pop-rock. His cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u” is a perfect pop-punk revision of the hit track. With the range he carries for different musical styles, Varga is one to watch on the come-up this year. —Lizzie Baumgartner
Sxntry
You probably recognize Jared Kay from his previous role in the band Magnolia Park. However, that part of his musical journey is behind him, and he has embarked on an entirely new era. Now performing under the alias of Sxntry, Kay is exploring a whole new sound and aesthetic. Creatively, there really isn’t much “pop punk” to be noted here—it is much more in the world of electronic-infused, indie pop. Sxntry trades distorted, palmated guitars and gritty shouting for smooth synths and glossy vocals.
If you’re new to this project, we recommend diving into his latest EP, Everlast. Songs like “Do It All Again” and “Something I Said” truly showcase Kay’s impressive singing abilities. Instrumentation is at its strongest in tunes like “Dreaming of You,” “Nothing Left To Take,” and “Straight Face.” There is an array of soundscapes across his catalog so far, demanding introspective feelings and emotions. His lyricism is nothing to sneeze at, either. Sxntry has a knack for relatable and vulnerable story-telling. If you need some new songs to listen to while soaking in a bubble bath while your daily worries drift away, this is your thing. —Tate Logan
The Crystal Casino Band
D.C. indie rock quartet The Crystal Casino Band is giving listeners delicious, gritty tracks across their full discography. Think of their sound like Peach Pit meets The Killers with a splash of Wallows––basically, they’re a dream come true for any indie darling looking to expand their horizons and find a new band to simply obsess over.
In January 2023, the group released their revolutionary record Maryland House, featuring the likes of “Curfew” and “Boys & Girls.” In fact, “Curfew” has a fascinating political backstory. Members of the band were in D.C., of course, during the January 6 insurrection, trapped in their own city by radical right-wing masses. “Another day/Morning in America/Not gonna lie I’m scared of ya/But I can’t leave this area,” the lyrics say. Additionally, the band recently collaborated with the rising king of political rock, Moon Walker. In August, the artists teamed up for the track “Twenty-something Socialist,” exploring the trite capitalist cycle many young people are (rightfully) questioning now. With grungey guitar chords, delightfully laid-back vocals, and striking, charged messages, The Crystal Casino Band is a must-add for everyone who loves political punk-rock all the way to sunny beach pop delights. —Maria Serra
The Tin Knees
The Tin Knees is the premier alt-pop, surf-rock quintet from Sydney, Australia. Alongside bright guitar lines and dazzling vocal melodies, this outfit also incorporates elements of jazz into their performances, offering a delicate warmth to even the most melancholy, self-aware lyrics. Lead vocalist (and TikTok creator) Leonardo Sunshine is also full of life across The Tin Knees discography, sharing their thrilling sense of humor in each music video.
Last year, the band really came into their sound with the likes of singles “Larrikin Necklace” and “Jacq & Amber” after diligently working, honing their craft as an ensemble since 2018. Additionally, in 2020, they released their debut EP, The Tin Knees Are Dead, featuring the highly-streamed track “Choccy Milk & Mi Goreng.”
While there isn’t a plan for the band to head over to North America any time soon, you can and should check out their live session of “Larrikin Necklace” via Happy Mag. In the clip, Leonardo shares that the track is about showing “the opposite of hiding behind a mask… and wearing your faults and insecurities like beautiful jewelry.” It’s a catchy track that is, hopefully, just the beginning of Tin Knees tracks to add to your playlist this year. If you have the time and energy in 2024, we would be more than happy to have you in the States, Tin Knees! —Maria Serra
