Columbia UK

This year’s RotD Record of the Year accolade goes to Chloe Qisha. The Malaysian-born, UK-based artist has packed an extraordinary...

Ourness/Capitol (US) & Island Records (UK)

Our last Ones To Watch 2026 for the year (we continue in January) is the brilliant Royel Otis. The Australian...

Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records US

Today’s Ones To Watch 2026 is east London-based Sofia & The Antoinettes, a startling new talent channelling what she describes...

Vorpal Records

Starting our final week of Ones To Watch 2026 before Christmas is one of the year’s most compelling new talents,...

Warner Music India

Rising British-Indian singer-songwriter RIKA is our final Ones To Watch 2026 this week. With more than 55m streams to date,...

Giant Music

Next up on our Ones To Watch 2026 is rising Scottish singer-songwriter Blair Davie. We first tipped them in 2022 with...

self release

Today's Ones To Watch 2026 is 21-year-old Manchester rapper Nemzzz, who is in the midst of a defining year both...

Capitol Records

Opening our new week of Ones To Watch 2026 is multi-talented artist, singer-songwriter and classically trained saxophonist Charlie Jeer. It’s...

XV Records/Lizzy Records through ADA

Closing out this week’s Ones To Watch 2026 is masked alt-rap force EsDeeKid. The enigmatic Merseyside MC has turned anonymity...

Since ‘93

Continuing our Ones To Watch 2026 is Nigerian-born, UK-based rising talent Ossi Grace, who is fast becoming one of Afro-Soul’s...

AWAL Recordings/RCA Records

Today's Ones To Watch 2025 is rising R&B star kwn (pronounced kay-one). It’s been a phenomenal year for the east...

Big Loud Rock/Parallel Vision

Next up on our Ones to Watch is fast-rising American rock duo Girl Tones. Formed by classically trained sisters Kenzie...

Parlophone

Starting this week's Ones To Watch 2026 is rising post-punk pop group My First Time. Since breaking through with last...

Columbia UK

Continuing our Ones To Watch 2026 is fast-rising pop auteur Chloe Qisha. The Malaysian-born, UK-based artist has packed an extraordinary amount into...

Atlantic Records UK

Starting this week's Ones To Watch 2026 is the burgeoning self-taught alt-pop singer, songwriter, and producer Erin LeCount. She first...

Since93/RCA UK

Kickstarting our Ones To Watch 2026 is rising British-Ghanaian soul star Nectar Woode. The 25-year-old Milton Keynes-raised, London-based artist has...

Polydor Label Group

Fresh from their instantly sold-out UK dates last month, rising girlband XO return with their punchy debut EP 'Fashionably Late',...

Strum Records

With Christmas fast approaching and the sound of Mariah Carey et al already on the air, Alexis Strum steps up...

777 Music

Norwegian alt-pop auteur Iris Caltwait has completely captivated us with her new album 'Again, for the first time', released last...

Four44 Records

It’s Friday, and we’re heading into the weekend with a club-ready, '90s-inspired banger from Son Of Rocky. Following his BBC...

Pal Records

Currently en route to Iceland Airwaves, Italian/Punjabi sisters Veronica and Jess Pal, aka Baby Said, round off a breakthrough year...

Zesty Records

We last featured RotD fave Blakey in 2023 with the UK garage-inspired 'Need', after championing him since 2018's 'Future Skies'....

At Last

Opening with just acoustic guitar and vocal, ‘Things’ by London-born singer-songwriter Henry Grace gently expands into a lush soundscape of...

Radikal Records

London-based dance-pop artist and former RotD-featured talent Allegra makes a striking return with ‘Red’, the hypnotic title track from her...

Moar Sounds

Last month, we introduced you to Norwegian-British singer-songwriter Nelly Moar and her heartfelt blend of soul and groove-driven R&B with...

Boxset Recordings

South London artist-DJ just lil returns with ‘think about u’, a cinematic torch song co-produced by Dot Major that glides...

SO Recordings

Dublin singer-songwriter Shobsy closes his debut EP 'Own The Night' (out today) with a breathtaking reinterpretation of Bronski Beat’s queer...

self release

London four-piece away fans have been building momentum with their sweat-soaked indie-rock and disco-fuelled chaos that’s seen them tear through...

PIAS Australia

Melbourne outfit Floodlights venture into bold new synth-driven terrain on 'Tricky', while maintaining the raw emotional honesty that defines their...

CUB Records

Last year, we introduced you to the sonic world of London-based artist WØLFFE - a '90s tinged alt-rock affair, soaked...

Salt House Records

Two years ago, we introduced you to Kieran Polling, aka Kacia, through his gorgeous guitar-led alt-pop gem 'Plastic Straws'. Now...

self release

We were instantly hooked the moment this stunning new ballad from north-west London's Reem Mitten hit our inbox, though we...

Chrysalis Records

Sheffield's alternative pop visionary and RotD's Ones to Watch 2024 artist Gia Ford returns with 'God', her first release since...

self release

We're seriously impressed by the hushed, soulful vocals and ethereal textures of 'All My Love To You', the new single...

Dance to the Radio

We’ve been captivated by Halifax-born Ellur since we first featured her in 2021 with ‘Moments’, and her third single of...

EZO Music

Teesside rising star Esmae opens 2025 with her most ambitious release yet, teaming up with Jamaican hitmaker OMI (best known...

777 Music

'Serpentine' is the gorgeous new single from Norwegian alt-pop artist Iris Caltwait, taken from her debut album 'Again, for the...

Foreign Affairs Music

Back in late 2022, we introduced you to Bristol brothers Adam and Lawrence Purnell and their bluesy stomper 'Chained To...

self release

'Honest Man' is a blistering garage-rock anthem from Northampton duo Fountain. Driven by blues-soaked riffs that nod to RL Burnside...

Self-released (The Other Label)

With a nod to classic heartland rock and road-ready energy, 'Peeking Over The Top' is the latest single from Bergen-based...

Pretty Sweet

It’s just over a year since we last featured Irish musician Daire Patel with his song ‘everything you say’. That track...

Natalie Shay via Melody Mover

Continuing to impress us with her shimmering indie-pop offerings is north London singer-songwriter Natalie Shay with the effervescent diary-entry anthem...

self release

Rising singer-songwriter Juno James continues her rapid ascent with 'Cowboy', a poignant fusion of contemporary pop and country soul. Written...

self release

For those of you looking for something leftfield to kickstart your weekend, Sheffield's dance-punk outfit Life Aquatic Band deliver with...

A Baker's Dozen

Whispers of Cork four-piece The Drive. have been moving through Ireland's underground for some time now, and in June, we...

At Last

'This Is The Place' is the latest single from London-based singer-songwriter Henry Grace and follows his RotD-featured single 'Say Something Mean' in June. Co-produced...

self release

Raw, loud and unapologetic, 'Gonna Break' is the explosive new single from RotD favs and Brighton trio Honeybadger. Fueled by...

self release

There’s something undeniably intoxicating about 'Own Me', the latest single from Reading-born singer-songwriter Cameron Hayes. Blending emotional vulnerability with a...

A Tree In A Field Records

Back in February, we introduced you to Italian-Swiss harpist and sonic innovator Kety Fusco, whose cinematic single 'BLOW' captivated us...

5dB Records

Released last week, 'Shine' is the latest single from Madeleine Rose Witney. Dreamy on the surface yet laced with unease,...

Moar Sounds

'Better Without Me' is the latest single from rising Norwegian-British singer-songwriter Nelly Moar. Drawing on her jazz training at Bergen’s...

better joy music

It’s been almost two years since we praised the jangling guitars, taut drums and haunting vocals of 'Hard To Love'...

Mên An Tol Records

London-based band Mên An Tol continue to impress with 'Lucky', their second single from forthcoming EP 'This Land' (out 26...

Half-Normal Records

London’s Oslo Twins return with 'All In Your Mind', the hypnotic lead track from their new A/B side released digitally...

Still Waters Recordings

Brimming with swagger and soul, 'Skin In The Game' is the latest release from UK soul talent Conner Reeves. Dropped...

Flying Colours

Canadian band Talking Violet have been quietly shaping their own niche with their self-styled “dreamo” sound, a shimmering collision of...

Dorado Records

Swedish alternative jazz virtuoso Ebba Åsman continues to prove herself as one of the most forward-thinking voices in her field...

Chugg Music

We've quickly been won over by the vibrant indie-pop sounds of Australian group Teenage Dads latest EP release 'My Memento'. Originally...

VanGerrett Records

'Hollywood Signs' is the ethereal and evocative new offering from Ohio songwriter Kramies. Three years on from his self-titled LP,...

Venn Records

Thunderous basslines, cascading guitars and hushed yet urgent vocals collide on 'o(type)', the first new music from Cambridge quartet Lemondaze...

Label: self-release

We’ve championed Caernarfon-born singer-songwriter CATTY ever since her striking debut 'Bella Donna' caught our attention in 2021. In the four...

OK!Good Records

Continuing to impress with her country-inspired songwriting, Irish artist Janet Devlin follows last November’s featured single 'Red Flag' from her 'Emotional Rodeo' album with...

Birthday Cake Records

Drenched in alt-Americana sounds, 'Swim Practice' is the emotive new single from Canadian singer-songwriter Mariel Buckley. Raised in the heart...

Origins Inconclusive

Ahead of the weekend, meet rising Irish producer Caolan Ryan, whose debut EP 'LOVE' is a six-track blend of club...

Scenic Route Records

Hazy, intimate, and emotionally sharp, 'Real Life' is the third single from Melbourne/Naarm trio Acopia's upcoming LP 'Blush Response' (out...

Moon Panda Records

We’ve been thoroughly captivated by the hazy, blissed-out charm of 'Butterknife', the latest single from California-via-Copenhagen dream pop four-piece Moon Panda....

High Road Records

London’s theatrical pop outsider Oliver Marson is back with ‘Jeremy’ – a warped, gothic art-pop gem and the first glimpse...

New Noize Records

Last Friday, Papa Roach launched the European leg of their Rise Of the Roach World Tour with a high-octane set...

Island Records Australia

We’ve been keeping a close eye on New Zealand alt-pop artist Luca George since his stunning single ‘Better Apart’ dropped in...

Cartoon Records

Rising UK pop star Kai Bosch is back with ‘Summer Of Love’, a euphoric, synth-laced gem capturing the heady rush...

TXC Music

Raised across the Bahamas, Switzerland, Beijing and the UK, and fluent in four languages, London-based artist Tanis returns today (25...

Swift Half Records

British singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Luke Marzec delivers a deeply affecting, soul-infused meditation on growth and renewal with 'Broken Promises'....

self release

Berlin-based indie punks Lawn Chair deliver a powerful cut from their debut album ‘You Want It! You Got It!’ (out...

GOODSEN Entertainment

‘Stellar Paradox’ is the punchy new song from South Korean singer-songwriter, producer and performer J.Fla. It marks the next chapter...

Origins Inconclusive

Belfast’s Kiing Sequence returns with ‘Go Shawty’, a bold and infectious fusion of 2-step rhythms, Afro-electronic textures, and raw, honest...

Bay Street Records

Rising British indie-folk duo Jack & Daisy deliver a tender, acoustic gem in the title track to their debut EP 'Barcelona (In The...

Submarine Cat Records

We last featured Home Counties as one of our The Great Escape recommendations back in May, having followed the London...

Poco Poco Records

There’s an understated elegance at the heart of ‘Empty Space’ – the latest release from the collaboration between Efterlo and...

BEO Records

It’s been three weeks since we introduced you to Donegal-born, Dublin-based singer-songwriter Lara Sweeney-Doherty, aka LARAbEL and her beautiful ‘Pigeon...

Beks (Independent via Metropolitan Groove Merchants)

Following a sold-out Camden Assembly show, a Mighty Hoopla buzz set and tour support for Madelline, rising electro-pop artist Beks...

Bridge The Gap

Yorkshire alt-soul artist Kindelan returns today (3 July) with ‘After Before’ – a powerful two-track project telling two sides of...

NLV Records

It’s been just over four months since we featured the glitchy, electroclash-tinged dance banger ‘All I Am’ from Australian electronic...

Zenith Cafe

Rising Belfast-based singer-songwriter Nathan O’Regan delivers a slice of soul-drenched, rootsy Americana in his latest release ‘Poetry In Motion’. Co-written...

self release

After a decade-long hiatus and a hard-won return to songwriting, US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd continues to hit her stride with...

Red Sun Records

We’re seriously impressed with this dramatic and delicious debut from 16-year-old Doncaster-born newcomer Darcy Rose. ‘Thunder’ is an insidiously fun...

A Baker’s Dozen

Emerging from Cork’s underrepresented creative underground, The Drive. are a four-piece blending the weight of grunge with the immersive sprawl...

self release

Daisy Veacock is fast becoming a standout voice in the vibrant London music scene, blending jazz-tinged pop with lyrical bite...

Pop Fiction/AWAL

A hypnotic, melancholic lament to lost love, ‘Sunny Days’ is the sumptuous new release from RotD favourite Bird. Co-written with...

At Last via AWAL

Released yesterday, ‘Say Something Mean’ is the gorgeous Americana-tinged new release from London-born singer-songwriter Henry Grace. After moving to California...

BEO Records

Donegal-born, Dublin-based singer-songwriter Lara Sweeney-Doherty, aka LARAbEL, delivers a spellbinding and deeply personal offering with ‘Pigeon Song’. It’s a haunting,...

Bridge The Gap

We’ve long had a soft spot for artists who sit a little left of centre, and Portuguese-born, London-based Raquel Martins...

Heist or Hit

Framed by soft, woozy guitars and a minimalist groove, ‘Little Sign’ is the new release from Zimbabwe-born, Leeds-raised, and Manchester-based...

Fruits De Mer

Emerging from the hazy dreamworld where psych-folk meets cinematic noir, London-based duo La Nouvelle Musique are set to play three...

Too Lost

Irish singer-songwriter Fia Moon draws her beautiful debut EP ‘Dear Loved’ to a poignant close with ‘Dancing With a Stranger’—a...

Flying Hearts

London-based quartet Electric Litany have dropped ‘Diamonds’, a slow-burning post-punk gem blending DIY synths, Peter Hook-style basslines and the spectral...

Redvolution Music & Entertainment AB

It’s been just over a year since we featured Swedish pop and R&B artist Gabi Goldman and her sensual R&B pop anthem...

Pizza Pizza Records

Irish alt-rock and shoegaze band The Altered Hours return with ‘Lay There With You’, a slow-burning, cinematic duet that sets...

self release

London-based lo-fi outfit heavy wild make a striking first impression with their debut EP ‘Death Dreams’—a raw, five-track collection that...

The Flight Club Records/RCA UK

Continuing our spotlight on artists performing at SXSW London next week is one of our Ones To Watch 2025 artists:...

Ineffable Records

Next up on our artist spotlight for SXSW London is Jamaican singer-songwriter Lila Iké, one of the country’s fiercest new...