Check out Whiplash by Tessa Dalton! This track is perfect if you’re into a Taylor Swift-inspired blend of alternative and pop rock.

She is a 20-year-old fiddle player, multi-instrumentalist, and aspiring singer-songwriter from rural Idaho, now based in Nashville, studying commercial music at Belmont University. Growing up on a small family farm, she began performing with her family at their New Sweden Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Starting on the violin at 11, she quickly turned to the fiddle, competing and winning championships across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Before moving to Nashville, she taught fiddle, guitar, and voice at Snake River Strings Co. Now, she plays on singles, EPs, and performs live with artists at events like Americana Fest and Whiskey Fest. At Belmont, she is working towards a commercial fiddle degree, studying under top musicians and performing with groups like the Belmont Blue Grass Ensemble and Southbound. She also writes, records, and releases original songs monthly, with over 400,000 streams to date, and her singles “Honest” and “You See Me” reached the semifinals in the 2023 International Songwriting Contest.

Check out “Mosaic” by Wisconsin native Christa Lee—the perfect track for anyone craving a modern twist on ’60s/’70s vibes, infused with dreamy, atmospheric elements. This song offers a nostalgic yet refreshing soundscape, transporting listeners back in time while keeping them grounded in the present.

Christa’s left-of-center pop instincts take her to new sonic universes, especially on “Mosaic,” where she skillfully blends alternative, pop, R&B, and jazz influences. Her melodic and lyrical choices create a genre-bending experience. With over 300K views on TikTok, Christa is quickly gaining attention for her unique sound. Inspired by artists like Kali Uchis, Remi Wolf, and Sabrina Carpenter, she stands out as a self-produced, self-written artist carving her own path in today’s music scene.

Check out Izzy MacArthur’s haunting new track, “Landmines.” If you’re in the mood for something stripped-back and emotionally raw, this song is a must-listen. Fans of Bon Iver and Lorde will especially appreciate its introspective sound, making it a perfect fit for Spotify’s Folk & Friends playlist.

Izzy reflects on the song’s inspiration, saying, “Someone close to me and I went through a serious event together, which impacted us both deeply, but we coped with the aftermath separately. Even though we’re total opposites, we care about each other, and I wanted to acknowledge their pain and my helplessness in not knowing how to help.”

At just 21, this New York-born alternative pop singer-songwriter has already racked up over 75,000 streams on Spotify with only three releases. Izzy is building a devoted, cult-like following with her delicate yet deliberate songwriting, showcasing the emergence of a formidable talent in today’s music landscape.

Check out CATBEAR’s Carry On—a great track for when you’re in the mood for something haunting, atmospheric, and moody.

CATBEAR, made up of friends Zoe and Sarah, are a duo based between London and Brighton. Their music blends popwave influences from different decades, with themes of millennial disillusionment, insomnia, unrequited love, and longing, often carrying a hopeful undertone. Starting as a home studio project after their previous band ended, they embraced a DIY approach, self-producing and self-releasing their music, which has earned over 2 million Spotify streams. Their work led to an opening spot on tour with The Subways in 2023. Supported by the Arts Council and Help Musicians, CATBEAR has played at The Great Escape festival, Soho House showcases, and has upcoming shows in London and Bristol this autumn. They performed on the main stage at Bristol Pride in 2024 and released their singles “Rush” in July and “Grow Up” in September.

Check out Ultraviolet by Clover County, the latest single from the Athens, GA artist. It’s the kind of song that sticks with you after a few listens—definitely worth adding to your playlist.Her debut EP releases this November on Thirty Tigers. Clover County wrote her first song at 13, drawing inspiration from artists like Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, and Carole King. Her name reflects her various homes, including Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Athens, and symbolizes growth no matter where you are. With over 32,000 monthly Spotify listeners and three singles, Clover County is set to release her first EP Porch Lights on November 15th.