2020 was full of emerging pop artists, and some of them have all that it takes to make it in the music industry in the coming years. We decided to list the top 5 up-and-coming pop stars who will take 2021 by storm.
5. Cathedral Bells
Born from the depths of obscure analog gems lies Cassadaga Florida’s dream pop/shoegaze offering, Cathedral Bells. Conceived as a solo experiment in the Fall of 2018, Matthew Messore crafted jangly guitar and synthesizer layered demos in his bedroom. He soon released a self-titled EP in 2019, followed by full length ‘Velvet Spirit’ in 2020. Drawing from influences of the 80s, 90s, and early 2010s, Messore (joined by Aaron Gollubier on drums and Kyle Hoffer on bass) blends dreamy soundscapes that draw you in. Their iconic track “Ether” is a piece of a dreamy ode encompassed in sparkle with a bit of darkness. “Ether” is the latest in a series of singles and follows “Dark Aura” as the band’s fourth release since 2020’s Velvet Spirit.
4. Jetty Bones
Emerging from a small town in Ohio, Kelc Galluzzo better known as Jetty Bones is the musical endeavor of Kelc Galluzzo, who utilizes a core group of friends that help bring the project to life on stage. Channeling the band’s namesake, Betty Jones, who broke out of her all girl’s catholic school to remove herself from a situation where she wasn’t happy, this band exists to encourage people to rise above everyday situations and push for a life with better meaning. Jetty Bones combines hip-hop and pop beats, pushing genre and life boundaries. You can listen to one of her best compositions “That’s All” below:
3. Grace Gaustad
For Grace Gaustad, the music turns the key to unlock our deepest truths. The 19-year-old Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist intuitively couple thoughtful and vulnerable lyrics with powerful yet playful soundscapes. The Arizona-born songstress recognized her destiny at a young age, obsessing over pop music and being honored to become her school theater voice. For Grace’s 16th birthday, mom and dad allowed her to launch a YouTube channel and switch her Instagram from “private” to “public.” In 2018, Grace uploaded a riveting and raw piano and vocal cover of Hozier’s “Take Me To Church.” It organically caught fire on Instagram, amassing 25 million views. Check her new release “Out Of Time,” the first single since 2019’s Human below:
2. Vallyre
Boston, Massachusetts-based pop/dance artist Vallyre tells deep, personal stories over a sonic backdrop of sounds that are both familiar, incredibly unique, and eclectic all at once. Growing up in Boston, Vallyre’s passion for music sparked during childhood; she took singing lessons at TrueVoice NYC and at Iron Work Studios. Vallyre continues the work started by some of the most powerful female artists, pushing her sound in a dense and inspiring new direction. Her latest music includes themes that revolve around female empowerment, acceptance, and love. With positive and timeless themes delivered with memorable hooks and melodies, this is a radio-ready sound everyone can relate to across the planet! Vallyre continues to hone her craft, thrive and there is no stopping her! Her latest single, titled “Dynamite,” is full of electrifying vibes and catchy soundscapes in the best traditions of Vallyre’s music. You can enjoy the beautiful composition below:
1. KILLBOY
Moving between soft falsettos in the verses and deeper vocalizations in the bridge and chorus, KILLBOY makes smooth transitions as synths and guitars weave around her. “U + ME” is the latest in a string of singles since KILLBOY’s debut in 2019 with “WHEREDAFUCC” and follows 2020’s “HOW U GON’.”