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.

Check out this incredible new song by ZØYA called It’s Alright! It’s quickly become one of my favorite releases. With a powerful voice and a huge, soaring chorus, it gives off serious Sia vibes. If you’re into emotionally charged anthems with big vocals, this one’s a must-listen!

ZØYA, born Zoya Naumchik in Pinsk, Belarus, immigrated to the U.S. at 11, settling in Columbus, Ohio, where she was raised in a Christian household. Her musical roots trace back to her early exposure to inspirational, worship, gospel, and jazz music, and she began writing songs and poems at age 6. She trained at the Columbus International Children’s Choir Academy and was classically trained on piano. At 13, she recorded her first worship album Shalom at her local church, followed by her second album Gratitude at 15, both featuring Russian worship covers infused with her authentic performance. Her cover of “Mama, Milaya Mama” gained over 165,000 views on YouTube. ZØYA, a songwriter and composer with over 50 songs to her name, has performed across the U.S., Canada, and Belarus, and in 2014 recorded singles like “No Need to Worry” and “God is God” in Minsk, Belarus. Her debut EP Veracious Heart (2017) includes tracks like “I Still Believe” and “Chaos in My Head,” reflecting her struggles as a teenager and promoting messages of faith. “I Still Believe” was streamed on 300+ U.S. college radio stations and was a Semi-Finalist in the 2016 Unsigned Only Music Competition. She headlined tours in 2017 and 2023, performing across the U.S. and UK, with her single “So Far Away” gaining viral success on TikTok and being used by major brands like Dove and Benefit Cosmetics. ZØYA, who remains passionate about social issues such as immigration and human trafficking, continues to blend her faith into her music while aiming to inspire and empower others through her performances and storytelling.

Check out Estella Dawn and her song Julian, her 7th release of 2024. It’s a fun, groovy track that makes you question things when everything seems to be going right.

Estella says, “Julian is about those moments of doubt and introspection in a relationship—the push and pull between wanting to be close to someone but also fearing the vulnerability that comes with it.”

Though based in San Diego, Dawn is originally from New Zealand. As an independent artist, she’s a multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer, and songwriter with a growing presence with over 200k Spotify month listeners.