In alphabetical order…
Dijon
Dijon delivered some of the most heart-wrenching and passionate music I’d heard all year. The LA-based musician just shared the teary “CRYBABY :*(” and has recently been collaborating with other artists taking featured spots on tracks by No Rome and Mulherin.
Easy Life
I was fully on board the Easy Life train last year but now after a whole bunch of festivals and a string of North American tour dates for next year it seems it’s finally time for Easy Life to go worldwide. They’ve already announced an album for next year titled Junk Food and recently shared a lovely track with Arlo Parks.
Havelock
With only a few songs under his belt Havelock has been quickly making a name for himself. The addictive and catchy feel his music provides has me falling in love with his sound– he’s letting off those “Pheromones.”
Kate Bollinger
Kate Bollinger is a special one. She may still be in school but her effortless sound has propelled her to the top of many playlists. She released her first music on SoundCloud in 2018 and closed off this year with a string of tour dates supporting Wild Nothing. Her “Talk About It” B-side made our Top 30 Songs of 2019 and her most recent track, “No Other Like You” is just as wonderful.
Check out our interview with Kate Bollinger.
Mk.gee
After his song “You” was added to Frank Ocean’s Blonded Radio Mk.gee was destined for success. He delivered only one track all year, in December of 2019: “Untitled.” That unnamed track was still wavy enough to get his name on this list and keep me excited about Mk.gee for 2020.
Ocean Heights
This New Jersey outfit is ready for the big stage. Ocean Heights unique and simply smooth songs are catchy and as repeatable as it gets. In 2019 they shared a string of snazzy tracks including their most recent release, the dreamy and emotional “Call.”
Check out our interview with Ocean Heights.
okaywill
After signing to Majestic Casual, South Carolina’s okaywill delivered the upbeat and feel-good EP Falling for You. His sound is a fantastic blend of electronic, pop and indie rock and will be sure to put a smile on your face. His most recent track, “10 Years Ago,” is a nostalgic jam and the perfect tune to close out the decade.
Check out our interview with okaywill.
REI AMI
When I first heard REI AMI I was shocked. Like Billie Eilish on crack REI AMI’s music is an incredible blend of heavy-hitting bass jams and dreamy bedroom pop– all in the same songs. Her most recent track “DICTATOR” found her topping off Spotify playlists and making waves on mainstream sites… Let’s just hope everyone remembers who first introduced her ;).
Check out our introduction to REI AMI.
Tim Atlas
When you hear that an artist was a former participant on NBC’s The Voice you don’t usually picture Tim Atlas. His unique blend of bedroom pop and love of pastel colors creates a warm and fuzzy vibe that just can’t be beat. He just shared a new project, Together Lonely, including the hit track “Tangerine,” whose video made it on our 10 Best Music Videos of 2019 list.
Tim Ayre
Australia’s Tim Ayre shared his five-track debut EP this year and each and every song on that project is a gem. Channeling some Kevin Parker vibes he comes through beautifully with his blend of psychedelic pop. His self-titled debut is only a fifteen minute listen and with tracks like “LAXX,” “Not Like It Should Be” and “Nothing,” it’s worth every second.
Read some of our other Best of The Year lists:
Peanut Butter & Good Jams 