Unknown music artists that everyone must listen to

[Declutterthoseemails]

I'm bored of my Spotify playlist and need something new to listen to who isn't a mainstream artist. I turn to Mumsnet wisdom to recommend me music from any genre.

This reminds me, anyone watched the recent amazing Tiny Desk session of 'TV On The Radio'? I told my (teen) neighbour to give them a listen as she's going through 90s-2000s indie and looking for the bands you can't exactly get on a H&M T-shirt.

Another rec: Camille
Her song Pâle Septembre always breaks my heart.

And something v different: East Asian popstar Jackson Wang, who isn't well known here. His Magic Man work is visually and musically theatrical, fun and sexy. And the duet with Ciara is slick and cool, no other way to put it. I highly recommend his videos, there's always a story and lots of dancing, really reminds me of Aaliyah and Michael Jackson.

Transiberian Orchestra

Julie Jacklin Julia Jacklin

Fink
Jonathan Wilson
Future Islands

This is my daughter Kayleigh Hall.

https://www.tiktok.com/@kayleighhall5/video/7425375527315311904?_r=1&_t=8ruW10DZwgK

open.spotify.com/artist/0lC4chemYzYYdZ86tzp5yJ?si=9W1s1RufQtam6Ly8R5CICg

Love it. She has a great voice. I shall add her to my list.

Just followed her on tiktok, she's really talented.

Exploding Onions - a fab wee punk band from Glasgow

Totally agree with everyone saying Ren.

A friend of Ren who I highly recommend is Sam Tompkins - special mention to the song "bloodline"

Nadine Shah. She's been on Jools Holland so not sure she's as 'unknown' as you want. She's brilliant.

Soapbox https://open.spotify.com/track/4sXLPgHzJ742DRqms3CSrI?si=tBhPaoxqQVSZPisu895WIQ&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1E4z3geKLwc6m7

Lambrini Girls https://open.spotify.com/track/4UccUaOQ6lU7kAffOVgz1d?si=Vz_HMRIOTB6h4U3-zZ_v0Q&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1E4z3geKLwc6m7

Gatibu https://open.spotify.com/track/6swsAEaV8tN2KJXj0J11OR?si=nLqICdE1T8OqtVluEjo-qA

Another vote for Unthanks https://open.spotify.com/track/0jq06Zn2SN57azPYduftKa?si=QTcIUOD7RwqrBAXMIIT6Pg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A5ZuE7iZ9NQPrzEY3f37uZf

@Saisong I second Ren. Extraordinary artist. I'm 58 and have pretty broad ranging tastes in music but I have never seen an artist like him

Love the Unthanks and their haunting songs, Think they’re quite well known now, thanks to the Worzel Gummidge series a few years ago.

My daughters both love Alessi Rose. Other likes from them are Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, Taylor Swift so maybe along those lines but no idea!

I just know I was tasked with getting tickets for her tour and they went in an instant!

The jazz butcher

If you are a reggae afficionado...

Queen Ifrica
Reemah
Queen Omega
And, shamelessly promoting her, since she is a relative, a Jamaican singer Chevelle Franklyn

As a PP said Jalen Ngonda had the most beautiful voice.
I also love Cassandra Wilson.

My friend's daughter has an amazing voice and is starting out her career ...

Have a listen,

music.apple.com/gb/album/ferrari/1776619431?i=1776619432

open.spotify.com/artist/0SqgiwJ8W2LUAsDJ7AKJ51?si=dXiLb46vSK-CMrSqf-xK-Q

I'd second Tankus the Henge. Even better live if you get the chance
If you like poppy stuff, Otto Aday is well worth a listen. Melin Melyn are quirky & fun.
My top lesser known band though is definitely Melt Yourself Down (jazz funk with a punk edge)

I love Tankus the Henge!

Absolutely Ren and Sam.
Also recommend Chinchilla, who has collaborated with Ren.

I'm liking Bonnie Light Horseman at the moment, also Moonchild Sanelly, although she's becoming much more popular.

www.bonnylighthorseman.com

I have no idea how I came across it but her The Barrel is on my favourites playlist

I happened upon a band called Klangphonics in the summer and they have been my soundtrack to 2024 hoping to see them next year in Europe

If you like folky Americana have a listen to The Secret Sisters

I can pretty much guarantee that everyone who was a teenager in around 1980 knows her, you've taken me right back to a time with a friend who was her absolute biggest fan 😀