Summer 2025 Soundtrack: Breakout Artists You Need on Your Playlist Now
No filler, just flavor. That’s what these up-and-coming music acts are serving this summer—genre-bending, emotionally rich, and ready to shake up your routine. Whether you’re refreshing your playlists or showing off your impeccable music taste to friends, these hidden gems deserve a spot in your rotation.
bLAck pARty
If it ain’t broke, remix it. That’s the energy behind bLAck pARty’s new track “Distant Lover Pt. II,” a souped-up sequel to his hit “Distant Lover,” now featuring Brazilian singer Budah. A singer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ, bLAck pARty fuses psychedelic soul, funk, R&B, reggae, gospel, rock, and country into one unforgettable sound. And this summer, he’s not just in your headphones; he’s headlining his Late To The Party tour across North America, hitting major festivals like Wonderfront and Governors Ball.
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Lorelei Marcell
The Philly-born, LA-based singer went viral with her holiday hit “Love Me Back (Maybe Next Year),” surpassing one million streams and sound-tracking countless Instagram reels. Spotify spotlighted her on its Next Gen Singer-Songwriter cover, and Jesse McCartney tapped her as the opener for his All’s Well, Part 2 tour. Lorelei refuses to fit into any mold, embracing an alt-pop sound full of attitude and heart. This July, she’ll release “rearview,” the official debut single from her upcoming EP “Gas Money.”
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Diamond Cafe
Fresh off tour with Teddy Swims (I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy North American tour) and opening sets for Carly Rae Jepsen and The Jonas Brothers, Diamond Cafe released his six-track EP titled “Fantasy Real.” Standout tracks like “Sweet Cherry,” “Lover Boy,” and the sultrier “Lover Boy – Sex Version” showcase his signature blend of silky vocals, nostalgic synths, and late-night groove, making this project a must for fans of modern funk and retro-tinged pop.
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Lauren Ruth Ward
Lauren Ruth Ward will be dropping “Archetype 2. Loved Lost And Loved Again,” a deeply personal project shaped by healing, softness, and emotional clarity. Guided by the mantra “Befriend your past, and others’ pasts… tune into your moral compass,” the album reflects a stage of reorientation, where shame is released and self-trust takes root.
Slated for release on June 20, the lead single will be accompanied by a self-edited music video crafted from unreleased tour footage, a candid montage that captures the rush, vulnerability, and emotional twists of life on the road, seen both through her lens and her partner’s, experiencing tour life for the first time. Looking ahead, Lauren is gearing up for a fall tour, offering fans a chance to experience this new chapter live.
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Emmy Adelle
Half-Filipina, born in Chicago and now based in Miami, Emmy Adelle is creating magic through a personal alchemy of melodic house, electropop, and R&B. With a growing community of loyal fans and a dreamy aesthetic, Emmy is the quiet storm ready to explode.
Her music is a full sensory experience, shaped by soft vocals and organic production she often creates herself. Tracks like “Over” and “You Make Me Feel Alive” showcase her ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with irresistible grooves.
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Goldie Boutilier
With over a million monthly listeners on Spotify and praise from legends like Elton John and Zane Lowe, Goldie Boutilier is poised for a major breakout. She’s already graced stages at Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo and toured with Orville Peck. The buzz is only getting louder. Her new single “I Can’t,” a raw and emotional ballad, previews her upcoming album “Goldie Montana.”
“It’s about wanting revenge, wanting healing, and not having the strength for either,” she explains.
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Evenson
With a sharp yet refined voice, singer-songwriter Evenson is embracing the summer with a 10-date tour, following a strong 2024 that positioned him as one of R&B’s breakout voices to watch.
His latest single, “YOU,” born from a songwriting camp, has been streaming since March, yet continues to surprise with its emotional resonance. Evenson himself describes it as his most intimate track to date.
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As the son of Haitian immigrants, Evenson draws strength from his roots and explores themes like hypermasculinity, mental health, and identity in his music. His debut EP Sadly, I Still Love You (2024), introduced him as a powerful and sensitive voice in the alt-pop scene, with songs featured in series like Catfish and SkyMed.
Rhiannon
Rhiannon Rodriguez bursts into the summer with “Bittersweet.” The project is led by “If I Could,” an emotional and powerful ballad accompanied by an intimate, understated video in which the young artist fully embraces her vulnerability. At just 19 years old, Rhiannon showcases remarkable maturity and a clear artistic vision, positioning herself as one of the most distinctive emerging voices in the indie-pop scene.
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Raised in a creatively rich household, Rhiannon has developed a multidisciplinary aesthetic that blends music, film, and visual art. Her DIY approach and artistic sensitivity make her a fresh and authentic presence for this summer.
She plans to keep that momentum going with new music and live performances throughout the season. At the same time, she’s expanding her artistic reach by co-directing a film with her father, acclaimed filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, bringing her lifelong immersion in storytelling full circle.
JJ & The Mood
“Tired of Being Tough” is the newest release from alt-disco duo JJ & The Mood, blending gospel, funk, and nostalgic disco-pop with a message. “‘Tired of Being Tough’ is about my journey of unlearning the mores of toxic masculinity and meeting my emotions when they arise rather than stifling them,” says Jack Sjogren. With a full-length debut album on the way, now’s the time to get hooked.
Originally from Cincinnati, JJ & The Mood bring a fresh and sincere energy to the alt-disco scene with their signature blend of infectious grooves and deeply emotional lyrics. They’ve already lent their sound to major global campaigns like iPhone and Uber and are gaining recognition beyond the indie circuit.
Their latest single stands out as both their most danceable and their most intimate yet, reflecting a broader cultural conversation around masculinity and emotional honesty. With their debut album on the horizon, JJ & The Mood are poised to become one of the leading voices redefining funk and disco for a new generation.
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Naomi Jane
Naomi Jane is charging into summer 2025 with purpose and a bold plan. Her most recent release, “Lightning,” set the tone with electrifying energy and a video that’s already surpassed half a million views. But this is just the beginning. With five more singles—accompanied by their music videos—slated to drop ahead of her debut album “Dissonance” (due February 2026), Naomi is positioning herself in the music business. Jane’s summer also includes a live date at Seattle’s Crocodile (Madame Lou’s) on August 2.
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LACES
Jessica Vaughn, aka LACES, nails the vibe of the season with her single “I Quit for Summer,” a rebellious pop anthem packed with soul and meaning, taken from her EP “WORK.” With music featured on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Lucifer and a career that includes a stint on The Voice and a deal with Geffen Records, LACES brings substance and style. A proud queer music executive and generational voice, her music hits hard, on the dance floor and in the heart.
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Sciarra
This summer, Sciarra is coming in strong with the release of her new single “Obsessed”, a bold, attitude-packed track set to drop in mid-June. With her signature dark electronic pop sound, Sciarra continues to shape a style that blends elegance with a rebellious edge, perfect for those who want to dance to their beat and claim their power without asking for permission.
At the same time, she’s launched her own sunglasses line, SCIARRA, featuring daring designs that make a bold, unfiltered style statement.
Her music is also making waves in the screen world, with one of her songs featured in Season 2 of the series “How I Caught My Killer,” further cementing her presence in today’s cultural and audiovisual landscape.
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