For every artist who achieves mainstream recognition, dozens of equally talented musicians create brilliant work that never reaches the audience it deserves. These twelve artists represent some of the most compelling voices in contemporary music, and each one is overdue for wider recognition.
Indie and Alternative
Adrianne Lenker, both as the frontwoman of Big Thief and as a solo artist, writes songs of extraordinary emotional precision. Her solo albums, recorded in rustic cabin settings with minimal production, capture a rawness and intimacy that few contemporary artists achieve. Her fingerpicking guitar style and distinctive vocal delivery create a sonic world that is entirely her own.
R and B and Soul
Ravyn Lenae has been crafting some of the most beautiful and inventive R and B of the decade, yet her name rarely appears in mainstream conversations about the genre. Her collaboration with producer Monte Booker has produced music that blends classic soul warmth with futuristic production techniques, creating songs that feel simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking.
Sampha voice is one of the most extraordinary instruments in contemporary music. His debut album Process won the Mercury Prize, and his subsequent work has continued to push the boundaries of electronic soul. His ability to convey profound emotion through restrained, understated performances sets him apart from virtually every other vocalist in his field.
Hip-Hop and Electronic
JPEGMAFIA creates some of the most abrasive, inventive, and ultimately rewarding hip-hop being made today. His production style, which incorporates industrial noise, glitch electronics, and samples from wildly unexpected sources, creates a sonic landscape that rewards repeated listening with new discoveries. His latest work demonstrates an artist operating at the peak of his creative powers.
Floating Points, the project of British producer Sam Shepherd, occupies a unique space between electronic music, jazz, and classical composition. His album Promises, a collaboration with jazz legend Pharoah Sanders, is one of the most beautiful recordings of the century, demonstrating that genre boundaries are artificial constructs that the best music simply ignores.
These artists deserve your attention. Give them a listen and discover what you have been missing.
