The Ultimate Guide to Up and Coming Artists
MAD 4 IT
A blog for music junkies
Up-and-Coming
Written by Mad 4 It
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE, PACKED FULL OF DESCRIPTIONS, PLAYLISTS, SPOTIFY LINKS, AND THE LINK TO THE EXCLUSIVE MORGAN SAINT INTERVIEW VIDEO!
This is a post for the bands and artists that I feel don’t get the recognition they deserve, and that I feel are up and coming and will (hopefully) gain popularity in the future. It was really difficult to narrow this list down, but here it is!
1. Microwave
Microwave is one of my all time favorite bands. I discovered them early this year and have since been completely in love with their music. I saw them live in November, and they were even better live than on their records. Microwave is a really versatile band because although they give off a pop-punk/alternative vibe, they have a sound that I think can be loved by people outside of that genre. They are kind of a mix between light and simple and loud and complex. Some of their songs are very beautiful and really show off the great voice of Nathan Hardy. Their other songs show off the versatility of the band with great instrumentation and more intense vocals. This is one band I think everyone should listen to. I love both of their albums, Stovall and Much Love, but if I had to recommend one, it would be Much Love because literally every song on that record is perfect.
Suggested tracks: Dull, Lighterless, Vomit, and Stovall
2. Modern Color
This one is for my hardcore fans. Modern Color is a band that I started listening to back in November, and I like them more and more every time I hear them. They are definitely creeping their way up into my favorite bands. What I really like about Modern Color is that they are unique. They have a very moody and almost melancholy kind of feel to them. It’s not so much upbeat and fast paced hardcore music, but more slow and subtle, which I really admire. I think in the hardcore genre it’s easy to lose the true sound of the band by trying to overstate the screaming and the instrumentation. I feel like Modern Color does a great job of balancing all of the elements of their band and making a truly melodic and interesting sound. I can’t wait for them to get big. Check out their album Time Slips Behind Us.
Suggested Tracks: Wool, Proxy Dream, Keepsake, and Constant
3. Movements
Did you really think I wouldn’t put Movements on the list? What can I say about Movements…well, a lot. They are a great live band, and this is one of those bands that has a great overall vibe. They are a little heavier than the typical pop-punk bands, I would describe them as sort of a mix between Citizen, The Story So Far, and La Dispute. Gloomy like Citizen, but has the heavier and still upbeat vibes like The Story So Far, but still lyrically diverse with a similar tone to La Dispute. I love their album Feel Something, again, another album that flows really well together and is really hard not to like. This band is already touring with such amazing artists, which I think proves their potential and shows that they will be a huge headlining band one day. So give them a listen, you might just have a new favorite band.
Suggested tracks: Suffer Through, Daylily, Full Circle
4. Morgan Saint
Surprise! I’m putting a pop singer on this list! I had the opportunity to interview, photograph, and see Morgan Saint live at her show in Phoenix back in March of 2018. First of all, she is the sweetest person I’ve ever met, and so humble. And her voice is surreal. I cannot actually believe a voice like hers exists, and she is even more incredible live. She has one of those elegant, light, and breathy voices that just sounds like clouds or cotton candy or something. I’m actually kind of kicking myself for not putting her album, Alien, on my “Best Albums of 2018” list because it is genius. There is nothing else to say about Morgan, other than everyone should go listen to her right now. Her album, Alien, was just released in 2018, and she also has an EP, 17 Hero, which are both incredible.
Suggested tracks: Glass House, Just Friends, On Fire, and Paper Scissors
**I’ve also included the video of the interview I did with her back in March! Check it out!
https://downtowndevil.com/2018/03/27/89980/morgan-saint-ends-trip-to-phoenix-on-a-high-note/
5. Hot Mulligan
You know that classic pop-punk sound that we all love? Yeah, well, they’ve got it. And, they do it really well. Hot Mulligan has the angsty, depressed, but beautiful sound of pop-punk that we all love. Their new album, Pilot, also debuted in 2018, and is fantastic. This another one of those records that I can listen to all the way through and truly don’t think there is one bad song on the album. They also have those typical long and obscure song titles that we all appreciate, like, “Pluto Was Never Really a Planet Either Even,” and “How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells?”. If that doesn’t make you wanna check them out I don’t know what will.
Suggested tracks: How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells?, Scream Mountain, Pluto Was Never Really a Planet Either Even, and Good Ol’ Mr. Rags
6. Can’t Swim
Can’t Swim made this list because after seeing them live back in November, I have a deep appreciation for them. Chris LoPorto just has this very authentic and interesting voice that I absolutely love. And, the way they talk about life is so real, so personal, and so authentic that they speak to me on a whole new level.Their newest album is titled, “This Too Won’t Pass,” and is all about the struggles of dealing with life and society, and how time doesn’t heal all wounds. I love the fact that their music is such a huge outlet for them and their fans. Check them out.
Suggested tracks: Congratulations, Christopher Hodge, My Queen, Sometimes You Meet the Wrong People at the Wrong Times
There you have it! The list of my favorite up and coming artists at the moment! Go check them out!
xx
Maddisen V.