OnesToWatch: The Weekly Recap
New music from 4batz and Indy, meet No Windows, KiNG MALA joins the pod and more.
Welcome to the OnesToWatch newsletter, the best way to discover your new obsession and keep up with the best releases of the week.
💻 FROM THE BLOG
4batz Puts the Crowd Under His Spell in 'since y’all say ion drop'
2024 solely belonged to 21-year-old artist 4batz. His stardom was conceived seemingly overnight, scoring features from Drake and Kanye West within a year of being in the industry. With some time away to bask in the unfamiliarity of sudden fame, the Dallas native has returned with two new singles, forming the since y’all say ion drop enough 2-pack.
KiNG MALA Seizes Her Crown in Debut Album 'And You Who Drowned in the Grief of a Golden Thing'
Bow down to KiNG MALA! The unapologetic alt-pop songstress enters her reign of chaos with the release of her debut album, And You Who Drowned in the Grief of a Golden Thing. This thrilling cinematic fever dream of a record record draws inspiration from a unique blend of influences, ranging from brutalist architecture, Robert Eggers' The Witch, Catholicism, Egyptian death lore, Renaissance art, and more. It delves into desire vs. obsession, humanity vs. monstrousness, and the consequences of each's push and pull.
“Sail Away” from Toxicity with Indy’s New Instant Earworm
Introspective singer-songwriter Indy has a pop smash on her hands with the release of her new single, “Sail Away." Following the devastatingly beautiful “Savior” released earlier this year, this new single takes Indy’s artistry to unexplored places, lyrically and sonically.
Snow Wife Announces Bodyology EP Alongside Sexy New Single “Sweat”
Rising pop songstress Snow Wife is making her mark through her raunchy lyricism and infectious dance rhythms, and her latest, “Sweat,” is no exception. The new single is full of passion, as Snow Wife unapologetically expresses her desires. The single’s release follows the announcement of Snow Wife’s upcoming EP Bodyology, which is out June 6th. Snow Wife will also be embarking on the Bodyology Summer Tour, which includes a stop in New York City for Gov Ball.
Sophie Powers Enters a Dark New Era With "move with me" [Q&A]
Rising avant-pop force Sophie Powers is back and bolder than ever with her latest single, "move with me." Marking the dawn of a new era, the 20-year-old artist sheds the bubblegum neon aesthetic that defined her earlier work, stepping into a darker, rawer, and more nihilistic vision that embraces chaos rather than sugarcoating it.
Briston Maroney's Album 'JIMMY' is the D1 Basketball Career of Indie Rock Music Ventures
Celestial fisher of melodies and sonic sunshines, Briston Maroney is better than you at many things, but creating an absolute star chart of album is definitely one of them. Briston, a Tennessee-by-way-of-Florida indie rock adventurer, has come into a phase very few songwriters surmount, heightened in awareness, deep in experiences that flesh out beautiful songs, but still full of the bright curiosity that made his music so wondrous off prior albums. In short his latest album JIMMY is a crescendo of possibilities, a visual novel set to music that rifts between silly imagination, profound introspection and cheeky self awareness, a tribute to existing, to be oneself. We were lucky enough to have Briston join us in our basement content hovel for a chat to reveal the pensive, smart talent was an intimate delight, and here are his words.
The Hellp Deliver a Microdose of Sleazy Fun in 'LL Revisited'
Los Angeles based band The Hellp, comprised of Noah Dillon and Chandler Ransom Lucy, have been trailblazing the indie sleaze revival for a decade. Curating the cultural moment they’re having at present has been no easy feat, and yet, the two of them make it look effortless. Some might say their unmistakable Hedi boy image (leather jackets, skinny scarves, and sunglasses) that characterizes them like a pair of Scott Pilgrim villains has added to their appeal throughout mass media. Some might say the opposite. While these style staples may seem contrived, along with the indie sleaze renaissance they’ve catapulted through the mainstream, The Hellp is nothing if not original.
Susannah Joffe’s “Call Me Pretty” Is a Smoky, Slow-Burning Ode to Wanting the Wrong Person
Susannah Joffe’s latest single, “Call Me Pretty” tells the tale of a desperate love, more specifically, the feeling of hopelessly grasping for someone that, deep down, you know is bad for you. It’s self-sabotage, and definitely messy, but Joffe effortlessly embraces that complexity.
🎙️ CHEF’S CHOICE PODCAST with Abby Kenna
Ode to KiNG MALA
The ever-inventive queen of dark pop, KiNG MALA, graciously invited us into the world of her new album, And You Who Drowned in the Grief of a Golden Thing. A metaphorical vessel for real life experiences, this album uses a hero's journey, sci-fi/horror inspired storyline to captivate listeners. We chat about KiNG MALA's love for horror, the creativity of songwriting collaborators, and alien entities.
🎤 SHOWCASES
OnesToWatch, Asian Nation, Soundcloud and Asian American Collective are at it again, celebrating APAHM with two incredible Asian artists. Come out to see them perform at the Live Nation office for an evening filled with fresh music, delicious drinks, tasty treats from partners like Momofuku, and more!
🥁 TOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Royel Otis, have announced their “meet me in the car tour” - tickets on sale now.
🆕 ARTIST DISCOVERY
“The Great Traitor” Is No Windows’ Sonic Coming-of-Age Capsule
With “The Great Traitor,” Edinburgh duo No Windows take their most ambitious leap yet — emotionally, sonically, and spiritually. The six-track EP transforms the band’s atmospheric indie pop into something more lush, sentimentally nuanced, and cinematically expansive, drawing on the soft psychedelia of ’70s chamber pop and dreamlike textures of Jon Brion’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind score.
🔁 NOW WATCHING: PLAYLIST
Press play on our #NowWatching playlist - with new releases from SAILORR, Royel Otis, Sunday (1994), and more.
👁️ NOW WATCHING: RISING STARS
Sunday (1994): for fans of Lana Del Rey, Chrissy, and Blondshell.
