In today’s digital world, where art is more accessible than ever, music is overflowing with ever-evolving rhythms, genres that blend together, and artists who add their own unique twists to create an increasingly eclectic mix. We’ve selected nine artists from this “digital jungle” who, through their originality, are bringing fresh ideas and exciting projects to the table for a great start to 2025.
Odessa Da Gawd (OD) is a drag artist who blends various performing arts with music. Odessa has earned multiple Glam Awards, been named an Official Pride Ambassador in NYC, and achieved many other accolades.
Recently, Odessa has focused on growing as an artist, particularly in the musical arena, with the release of a new EP titled New Information, set to launch in early 2025. Odessa will also debut a new choreographic piece with the professional division students at The Ailey School, home to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Aaryan Shah, who first began his career hiding behind a mask to eliminate any listener prejudice, worked relentlessly to bring his music to as many people as possible. His undeniable talent led him to win a Grammy for Best New Artist.
In 2025, Shah is gearing up to release a new EP slated for mid-year, accompanied by an exciting lineup of confirmed performances at key events. The schedule kicks off on January 17 at Eurosonic in Groningen, followed by a show at The Waiting Room in London on January 31. In March, Shah will take the stage at the New Colossus Festival in New York on the 8th and perform at SXSW Festival in Austin on the 14th. Later in the year, he’ll play at Rust in Copenhagen on May 1 and make an appearance at the SPOT Festival in Århus on February 2.
With her debut EP sweet talk taking off, Naomi Jane has quickly become a rising star in pop, connecting deeply with Gen Z through heartfelt and honest lyrics about her everyday life.
In 2025, Naomi Jane will continue promoting her work with two new music videos: Like Like Love premiering Jan. 10, 2025, and Socks premiering Feb. 6, 2025. In addition, she will release her new single “Lightning” in spring, followed by a return to the studio for the sequel to sweet talk, which promises to maintain her essence while pushing into more mature and bold sounds.
A blend of pop with hints of rock thanks to a steady presence of guitar—that’s what Norway’s Yndling, led by Silje Espevik, will bring in 2025. Yndling will kick off the year with a new single in January, followed by an EP set for release in June.
Yndling’s music, praised by many, has earned them a loyal fan base and has seen them perform at the Bylarm Festival and New Colossus in New York, catching the attention of US label Spirit Goth, who released her debut album Mood Booster in August 2024.
Following the release of his album Somehow this past August, Derek Simpson has further solidified his place as a standout artist, showcasing his talent as a Los Angeles-based musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Praised by Ones To Watch as “a stunning and hypnotic musical listening experience,” Derek heads into 2025 after a prolific year. Between January and August 2024, he dropped nine singles before capping off the year with his critically acclaimed latest album.
After a four-year hiatus following her debut EP, If You Don’t Holler, No One Will Hear, singer Emma Cole has made a powerful return with her latest EP, ANALOG GURL, the first installment of a trilogy exploring the past, present, and future. Known for her evocative vocals that spark nostalgia, Emma has already earned widespread respect and recognition with tracks like “While We’re Young,” “What’d You Say?,” “Shot Down,” and “High Times.”
Despite making a name for himself as a successful actor, Julian Kostov remains committed to his musical passion and plans to release one song per month throughout 2025. His upcoming tracks include a collaboration with Bulgarian rapper Pavell in January, followed by Zeus, a psychedelic track about generational trauma, in February. In March, he’ll release Pool Boy, a humorous song inspired by the 2023 Burning Man Festival.
Kostov is best known for his role in HBO’s The White Lotus and for starring in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone. He also voiced the iconic villain Vladimir Makarov in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 remake.
Grace Kay is redefining modern synth-pop with her confessional songwriting and empowering narratives. Her debut album Grace’s Gospel weaves intricate stories of sisterhood, self-reclamation, and stepping into one’s power across ten dazzling tracks, earning comparisons to MUNA and Caroline Polachek.
Kay’s music resonates not only through its refined production and lush vocal textures, but also through its emotional depth, shaped by her acting background and a profound commitment to storytelling. With press accolades from Ones To Watch and Under the Radar, Spotify playlist features, and sync placements on hit shows like A Million Little Things and True Lies, Grace Kay is quickly becoming a voice for a generation.
Her latest single, “Actress,” showcases her ability to blend vulnerability with punchy, percussive synths, exploring themes of identity and empowerment. As she steps into 2025, Grace Kay’s artistry is magnetic, making her one of the most compelling acts to watch.
Firmly committed to promoting the Glam Rap genre, Omari Vel is gearing up for the release of his album Don’t Look Down You Might Crash, a project that promises to merge traditional orchestration with contemporary rap sounds. At the same time, he’s working on A Speed Run for the Culture, a collaborative album exclusively featuring trans artists, further solidifying his dedication to inclusion and innovation in rap.
Omari Vel’s unique style, Glam Rap, combines rap with live orchestral arrangements and a bold aesthetic, challenging the traditional boundaries of the genre. His collaborative album A Speed Run for the Culture focuses on trans artists and continues to break barriers in music with an inclusive, subversive approach.
