As 2024 draws to a close, the anticipation for new music in 2025 is building. This curated collection shines a spotlight on a selection of promising artists who are set to take the music scene by storm in the coming year. From upcoming EPs and album releases to highly anticipated tours and festival appearances, these musicians are ready to share their unique talents with the world. Prepare to be captivated by their stories, sounds, and undeniable potential.
LATE AGAIN
Late Again is a Brazilian multimedia artist who offers a truly unique experience. His work masterfully fuses Brazil’s distinctive sonic textures with ethereal dream-pop atmospheres. His lyrics explore the experiences of a generation grappling with a constant quest for belonging.
“Absolutely Almost Sure” marked a powerful finale to Late Again’s year. This collection effectively highlighted his artistic skill and distinctive approach, with tracks such as the dreamlike “A House On The Beach” and the emotional “Sad, Sad Funk” being particularly noteworthy.
Next April, Late Again will embark on his inaugural US/Canada east coast tour, spanning from NYC to Philadelphia and Montreal. While crafting his debut album, he’s also gearing up to release a new EP, “Clearly It’s All Staged,” in early 2025. Set to be his most ambitious and intricate project yet, the EP promises to be a pivotal moment in his artistic journey.
WOOMB
The Bulgarian duo Woomb has rapidly emerged as a global sensation, enchanting audiences with its distinctive and appealing style. In less than two years since its debut, Woomb has transcended local acclaim, cultivating a dedicated fan base through its genre-defying sound and establishing itself as a creative force on an impressive trajectory.
Woomb brought 2024 to a close by releasing their intriguing EP, “To Never Fear the Sun.” This EP marked a significant turning point for the duo. It showcased their ability to push boundaries, with their sound drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical and cinematic sources. they are nominated for the Music Moves Europe awards
Woomb’s 2025 plans are ambitious and exciting. Their performance schedule includes appearances at prominent festivals such as ESNS in Groningen, MENT in Ljubljana, and SXSW in Texas, along with shows in Serbia, Croatia, and throughout Central Europe. Additionally, the duo is anticipated to begin releasing tracks from their debut LP, tentatively scheduled for release in the latter half of 2025.
AYLA D’LYLA
Ayla D’lyla is an artist worth your attention. Since 2019, she has consistently released music, cultivating a devoted following. Her style is defined by striking and potent vocals combined with instantly memorable melodies.
In 2025, Ayla D’lyla plans to keep creating and sharing music that resonates deeply with her audience. Rather than following a strict release plan, she intends to release new music naturally, allowing each song to surface when it feels most genuine and true, guaranteeing that every track captures the raw emotions and real experiences that make her music so captivating.
CHRIS WILLS
Chris Wills’ music offers not just an enjoyable listening experience, but also a refreshing perspective within the often-crowded music scene. Discontent with society’s emphasis on social media influence, wealth, status, and material things, he prioritizes the connection with himself and his listeners. Drawing inspiration from songwriters such as John Prine, Bruce Springsteen, and Charlie Crocket, he also finds influence in the work of psychiatrist Carl Jung and the ancient Chinese text the Tao Te Ching.
Next year, Chris is slated to perform at both SXSW and Treefort Fest. In addition to releasing a series of singles leading up to his album debut in late summer/early fall, he’ll embark on a small headline tour, hitting LA, NYC, and Chicago around the album’s release. Chris will also be hitting the road as a member of the band Revenge Wife, making 2025 a packed and pivotal year for his music career.
EVENSON
Building on the momentum of his previous viral hit, “How Can I Sleep,” Evenson released another impressive track, “Sadly, I Still Love You,” to wrap up 2024. Produced by Christopher Plante, this song blends the seemingly contrasting yet ultimately harmonious influences of Daft Punk and D’Angelo. He navigates effortlessly through an arrangement of atmospheric electronic pop keyboards, which eventually transitions into a driving, 90s-inspired R&B rhythm.
Riding on the success of his sold-out debut shows in New York and Los Angeles this year, Evenson will announce North American and European tour dates in early 2025. He’s also gearing up for the upcoming release of another new EP, marked to be released next spring.
MAX RAE
Max Rae has rapidly transitioned from relative obscurity to a prominent figure in the pop music world. This past summer, she performed for thousands at various PRIDE events in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Long Island, and San Diego, and also supported Amber Riley on the main stage at Chicago Pride. Recently, she released a cover of Janet Jackson’s “If,” collaborating with acclaimed DJ Jeff Retro. The song proved to be a smashing success, garnering the attention of both fans and critics.
Max will begin 2025 with the release of “How We Do It,” her interpretation of Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It,” featuring Jordan himself both on the track and in the accompanying video. Her plans for 2025 also include the Retro/Rae mini-tour with DJ Jeff Retro and the release of her highly anticipated EP, scheduled for early in the year.
DAVE LUV
After choosing to pursue music instead of completing a political science degree, Dave Luv has consistently delivered impressive work, leaving his audiences in complete awe. Having truly found his momentum this year with the release of songs like “Some Days” and “Walk Through,” where he collaborated with SAGEALINA, Dave shows no signs of slowing down.
For 2025, Dave plans to release new singles and develop an EP. He also intends to continue performing live and is considering a tour in the late summer of 2025.
CAROLINE KINGSBURY
Emerging queer pop artist Caroline Kingsbury is one to watch. Her EP “I Really Don’t Care” amassed significant attention, earning prominent placements on Spotify, including the cover of the influential Young & Free playlist (with 1.5 million followers) and inclusion on New Music Friday. The featured single “Take My Phone Away” perfectly represents her unapologetic style, delivering an amazing pop anthem in the same vein as artists such as Katty Perry and Lady Gaga.
Following a sold-out EP release show in Los Angeles this year, she has upcoming performances supporting acts such as Medium Build, Juliette Lewis, Molly Grace, and Beach Bunny. She’ll hit the road for a massive 25-date U.S. tour with Pom Pom Squad from February to April and is set to drop new music in Q1, making it an exciting start to the year.
NAOMI JANE
Naomi Jane is a promising young artist who has already left her mark on the music scene, combining the use of her powerful stories alongside pop and indie influences to craft her art. Her work has often been compared to iconic artists like Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette due to its emotional depth, vulnerability, and poetic lyrics. Her background as a classically trained mezzo-soprano, coupled with her proficiency in multiple instruments (guitar, ukulele, piano, and violin), has shaped her delightful sound.
Her latest EP, “sweet talk,” offered five compelling tracks, each providing food for thought. The standout track, “TACO BELL,” is a striking piece that has the potential for placement in Hollywood films or widespread radio airplay.
Naomi Jane is gearing up for an exciting start to 2025, beginning with the premiere of two highly anticipated music videos from her debut EP, “sweet talk.” Fans can catch the official video for “Like Like Love” on January 10, followed by “Socks” on February 6. This spring, she’ll also release “Lightning,” a vibrant new single that’s sure to electrify listeners. As she continues to build on the success of “sweet talk,” Naomi is back in the studio working on the next chapter of her musical journey with an ambitious new EP. Additionally, she’s preparing to take her music to the stage, offering fans the chance to experience her unique energy and sound through live performances that promise to be a fresh and exciting experience.
HIDDEN FORTRESS
For those seeking a departure from the ordinary, Hidden Fortress offers soundscapes that evoke dreamlike states, transporting listeners to realms beyond conventional perception. Their music explores the nature of reality, offering respite from the pervasive sense of materialist isolation and the contemporary feeling of psychic unease. By embracing the idea that appearances can be deceiving, they suggest that limitless possibilities exist.
Hidden Fortress is developing an ambitious multimedia series centred around a protagonist embodying pure awareness. This unnamed character navigates through a series of simulated realities on a quest to find the true reality. Guided by the bodhisattva vow, the figure faces cycles of death and rebirth, determined to liberate all beings from suffering. The project will feature original music, with several accompanying music videos set to release in 2025, aligning with Hidden Fortress’ debut album.
