Watch out for Nashville-based singer-songwriter Essy and the synth-pop track “Moonlight.” On Moonlight, she delivers a dreamy, dance-driven, synth-laden sound reminiscent of Taylor Swift, fitting seamlessly into Indie Pop, Fresh Dance Pop, Chill Dance, and New Pop Picks playlists.
With lines like “I’ll be your moonlight… I’ll be your moon / I’ll be the candle… In your room,” the song captures a hypnotic, ethereal energy.
Essy has written for artists signed to Atlantic Records (Ship Wrek), Interscope (PHANGS), Sony UK (ZOOKEEPERS), and Warner UK.
Lauren Presley’s “Can I Be Happy” delivers a powerful pop rock sound with an anthemic chorus. As she sings, “Is there someone that can make me happy?” the track echoes the energy of early Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson. Perfect for Spotify playlists like Fierce Femmes, Rock the World, New Pop Picks, and Pop Rising.
Born in Redwater, Texas, and now based in Nashville, Lauren Presley is a rising pop artist blending alt-pop and dark pop influences. Inspired by artists like Tate McRae, Halsey, Fletcher, and Nessa Barrett, she has gained attention, including a cover feature on Fresh Finds: Pop on Spotify. Her debut single, “A Little Longer,” has over 1 million streams on Spotify and 5.6 million views on YouTube. With her raw authenticity and ability to connect through music, Lauren is an artist to watch as she continues to grow.
Monotronic and the track “Everything Moves” is a great choice for those looking for an uptempo rocker with a ’90s goth feel. Think The Bravery meets The Killers. The track would be a strong fit for Spotify playlists like Rock This, New Noise, All New Rock, and Alternative Beats.
Monotronic is a collective of musicians based in New York City that blends a wide array of genres and styles to create a unique sound. Founded in 2016 by guitarist/producer Ramsey Elkholy, who serves as the band’s leader and primary songwriter, Monotronic combines indie and electronic music with strong world music influences. The band has been featured in multiple music publications and has performed at prestigious venues and festivals.
Watch out for Alban Ramosaj and his track Ghost of the Past, a fitting addition to Spotify playlists like Sad Indie, Indie Heartbreak, and Alone Again.
Born in Ede, the Netherlands, and now based in New York, Alban Ramosaj is a Kosovan-Albanian singer-songwriter with a history of success across Europe. His previous hits, Thikat E Mia and Theje, earned critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. After stepping away from music and relocating to the U.S., he returns with a deeply personal project, reconnecting with his passion for storytelling. His upcoming English debut EP, Heartbreak Motel—out April 25—unfolds across six tracks, exploring heartbreak, healing, and transformation. The first glimpse into this journey, Ghost of the Past, captures romantic nostalgia and the bittersweet process of letting go.
Watch out for ZZ Ward and the song “Love Alive.” ZZ Ward delivers a bluesy, soulful track that fits seamlessly into playlists like Blues Roots, Women of Blues, Modern Blues Rock, Vintage Vibes, Indie Blues & Folk, and Southern Gothic.
One of the most profound lessons ZZ Ward learned from growing up listening to the blues greats was to be authentic to your story. When the LA-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist began to write new music, she found herself in the midst of one of the biggest life changes a person will ever experience: motherhood.
“I didn’t plan to make a blues album about motherhood, it just sort of happened naturally,” ZZ shares. “I’ve always written to get through things in life. Suddenly, I was faced with a new job that’s 24/7 with no breaks, and that’s what I wrote about. But when you get tested, you discover who you are, and this album comes from a feeling of empowerment.”
“Put The Gun Down” was ZZ’s first single from her 2012 debut, Til the Casket Drops. It broke into the AAA Radio Charts Top 10 and stayed there for 10 weeks, followed by the single “365 Days,” which hit #2 on the charts. Til the Casket Drops also climbed into the Billboard Top 40 Alternative Chart. Her sophomore album, The Storm (2017), peaked at Number 1 on the Billboard Blues Charts, highlighted by singles featuring GRAMMY-Award winners Fantastic Negrito (“Cannonball”) and Gary Clark Jr. (“Ride”), which was also the end title song for Pixar’s feature film Cars 3. This past summer, ZZ was personally picked by Slash to open for his own blues album tour.