Addison Rae, Alemeda, Babes in Canyon, The Backfires, Ben L’Oncle Soul, Blkchrist, Bluey Thomas, Bobby Freemont, Bria Salmena, Chloe Qisha, CMAGIC5, Couch, Cynthia Erivo, Dinho Dinho, Doechii, Elliot James Reay, Fright Years, Gizmo Varillas, Glixen, Goldie Boutilier, Honeyglaze, Jack Drinker, Jacob Cummings, Jazzie Young, Joan & the Giants, Laci Kaye Booth, LAUNDRY DAY, Lime Garden, Malcolm Todd, Maya Delilah, mercury, Mk.gee, Mon Rovîa, NAVY, NOANNE, Oracle Sisters, The Pill, Rebecca Black, RobinAugust, RORO and Snapir, Rose Gray, Ryder, Sam Robbins, Sebastian Schub, Sofia Isella, Spencer Sutherland, Stevie Bill, Sunday (1994), Sydney Quiseng, Sydney Ross Mitchell, Tessa Violet, Ty Myers, Will Roesner, The Wonderlands, Wynona, Yasmin Williams, Your Arms Are My Cocoon
Each year, we are awed and grateful for the artists we encounter, and 2024 has proven to be an exceptionally remarkable year for music! The last twelve months have introduced us to a myriad of innovative and exciting musicians whose outstanding talents, narratives, sounds, and voices made them impossible to overlook. As we step into 2025, we eagerly anticipate a year brimming with impactful and promising new music!
Atwood Magazine is thrilled to share our staff-curated list of Artists to Watch in 2025, presented in alphabetical order (you can navigate directly to an artist by clicking their name above). Featuring sizzling names like Doechii, Mk.gee, and Rebecca Black, along with emerging bands such as Honeyglaze, Sunday (1994), and The Backfires, as well as distinctive voices like Rose Gray, Maya Delilah, Bria Salmena, Mon Rovîa, and many others, these are the artists we will be keenly observing: the sonic innovators, musical pioneers, rising stars, and trailblazers set to shape the sounds of the coming year!
As 2025 kicks off, Atwood‘s international team examines the 50+ artists who have captured our attention and secured a place on our musical radar.
Mitch Mosk, Editor-in-Chief
2025’s Artists to Watch
Addison Rae
Though some may view Addison Rae merely as a social media influencer and not as a burgeoning pop star, she has nonetheless garnered over 334 million streams (just on Spotify) across her four 2024 releases. With collaborations with talented artists like Arca and Charli XCX, Rae is poised to become one of the leading figures in this playful pop subgenre characterized by clever lyrics and catchy, captivating production. The track “Aquamarine” highlights the strong team behind her, and I wouldn’t be surprised if an album from her arrives this year, potentially making a significant impact akin to many pop albums of 2024. – Marc Maleri
Alemeda
When Top Dawg Entertainment, known for renowned rap and R&B artists such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Doechii, signed Alemeda as their inaugural pop rock artist, it raised eyebrows throughout the music industry. With only 12 artists on their roster, Top Dawg’s move may seem bold, yet it makes sense upon exploring Alemeda’s music, which showcases her powerful lyrics, strong vocals, and exceptional storytelling ability. In 2024, she released the flawless EP “FK IT,” featuring hauntingly beautiful vocals and unapologetic lyrics on tracks like “… I hate your face” and “I already dug your grave.” The EP strengthens with each song, creating a craving for a full-length album by its conclusion. – Brian Denney
Babes in Canyon
The breezy trio from the Pacific Northwest, comprising Nathan Hamer, Michelle Nuño, and Amanda Ebert, known as Babes in Canyon, delivers a robust indie-folk, synth-pop punch despite their relatively small size. During a performance at the Brooklyn venue Brooklyn Made in the fall of 2024, Hamer and Nuño dazzled the audience, with Hamer showcasing various ukulele styles and Nuño creating a captivating atmosphere through keys and production. Their unique blend of “big-pine folk” offers music perfect for both outdoor retreats and a modern take on the 2010s folk revival, making them one to watch as they aim for even larger stages (and hopefully new music) in 2025. – Beau Hayhoe
The Backfires
In a previous interview with The Backfires, they were on the road outside of Michigan, excitedly sharing their favorite Beatles tracks and recounting the serendipitous circumstances that led to the formation of the band, featuring
Atwood Magazine is excited to introduce our 2025 Artists to Watch: the musical pioneers, sonic visionaries, emerging talents, and trendsetters poised to shape the year's sounds!
