10 Up and Coming Artists to Watch in 2021

Collage by Joan Park

2020 has been a year full of isolation and change, but through pandemics and losses new artists have taken these unprecedented circumstances to grow and channel their time into what they do best: music. Lord knows we’ve all had our share of emotions this year, whether it be loneliness, exhaustion, or heartache, and there isn’t much that didn’t go wrong. 

But nonetheless, it’s safe to say that we can thank these artists for feeling it with us and producing something to help us work through it all. As stressful as this year was, music was used as a means of catharsis for many. Screaming, crying, and belting your favorite songs is something that is so uniquely relieving and honestly really personal too. 

Going into the year 2021, we can’t predict what may or may not happen, but you can place a safe bet on these 10 artists to continue to hold us together just a little bit with their music. 

Ella Jane

19 year old singer-songwriter Ella Jane has her listeners wrapped around her fingers through her ability to make the most routine emotions feel like something new whenever you listen to her songs. If you want a song to be stuck in your head for a couple days, Jane is perfect for you. Her third and most recent single, “AUGUST IS A FEVER” is for those of you who feel trapped in your small town lives and feel the need to break out and do something bigger. 

Lizzy Mcalpine

With her artistically lucid lyrics, 20 year old Lizzy McAlpine draws in hopeless romantics and realists both through her conversational storytelling. Her debut album Give me a Minute was released in August of 2020, filled with songs that portray a numerous amount of uncannily specific emotions that give you the chills and possibly the tears. Here is her single “Pancakes For Dinner” to get yourself immersed into the world of Lizzy. 

Holly Humberstone

From Grantham, England, Holly Humberstone broke through the world of music with her heartfelt and passionate sound, capturing the attention of artists like Lewis Capaldi. Her debut EP Falling Asleep At The Wheel is the 21 year old’s collection of love, nostalgia, and hurt that captivates her listeners. Her title song, “Falling Asleep At The Wheel,” is a numbing one that reflects upon trying to be in a relationship without taking care of yourself first and foremost. 

Samia

Samia Finnerty has such a notable way with words. Her debut album The Baby was released in August of 2020, and since then has brought in a wave of popularity to her alternative sound. Not only is she a brilliant musician and singer-songwriter, Finnerty possesses a unique sense of artistic creativity seen in the music video of her first single off the album titled, “Is There Something in the Movies?”.

Briston Maroney 

Indie-Rock artist Briston Maroney has been distributing his music for a couple years, but 2020 brought his 2018 release “Freaking out on the Interstate” back into light, along with it’s live acoustic session. If any teens need some Drivers ed motivation, just imagine yourself blasting this song down the highway at 3 in the morning. Maroney has recently worked with Finnerty for his rendition of “Is There Something In the Movies?” that brings new flavor to this already amazing song. There is so much to take in with Maroney’s music, whether that be his storytelling or emotionally charged voice especially present in his latest single “Freeway”. 

Ethan Gruska 

Ethan Gruska is not a new name in the music industry having worked with successful alternative  artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Fiona Apple, and Moses Sumney, along with his musically inclined pedigree, but his sophomore album En Garde is a beautifully underrated piece of art. Best known as a producer and singer-songwriter, his latest project was released in February and is a magical mix of perfect lyricism and instrumentation. Here is Gruska’s song “Enough For Now,” featuring Phoebe Bridgers.

Maude Latour

Breaking through the world of indie pop in 2020, Maude Latour’s vibrant vibe and fresh ambiance has Gen Z wrapped around her finger. Latour has been releasing music since 2019 with her EP Starsick and has released three singles since then, one of them being “Block Your Number”. The singer has been compared to artists like Lorde as her voice pulls you in making you not want to leave even if you could. 

Gracie Abrams

Her royal highness of sad pop, Gracie Abrams has a beautiful and dreamy voice that has brought in so many people everywhere to her music. Abrams released her first EP, “minor” in July of 2020, containing songs that you’ll definitely remember after the first listen. Like a wonderful punch in the gut, her songs are for everyone who has been in love, hates love, or misses love. Take a listen to her latest single “Brush Fire”. 

Del Water Gap 

Del Water Gap has been around for quite some time, but their 2020 single “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat” really turned a couple heads during quarantine. Maybe it’s because this song is an anthem for touched deprived teenagers during this pandemic, or maybe it’s because this song is unbelievably hot. Either way, 2021 is already here and it’s not slowing down, and it seems Del Water Gap will not be slowing down with their music anytime soon. 

Claire Rosinkranz

Claire Rosinkranz knows how to work her audience, her hit single “Backyard Boy” bringing a huge amount of traction to her debut EP BeVerly Hills BoYfRiEnd. TikTok brought this song to life, Rosinkranz voice being on all those cool 15 second indie videos leaving everyone, constantly yearning for more. Recently collaborating with artists like role model and Jeremy Zucker, her groovy sound is easily consumed by teenagers and different audiences alike.