Are you yearning for new music that embraces a feeling that older music has? It is 2024 and a renaissance of music is underway! Artists throughout the country have more opportunities now than ever to release music the way they have envisioned it. Free from the trappings of the music industry, the following musical acts pull no punches when it comes to their musical integrity.
Deciphering what is considered an “emerging” artist or band is a subjective task. Nonetheless, the artists that follow in this article are either underappreciated, relatively new, or are actively writing sonic grooves to bless our ears.
So, here are just a few artists that will cause people to jump out of their seats and gleefully ask, “Who is this?”
The Burkharts
Image Source: @theburkhartsmusic
Releasing music since 2018, The Burkharts are a self-described “sunshine indie pop” band. However, contrary to bands that have preceded them, they are not pigeonholed to one musical genre. Blending modern indie influences, along with arrangements that haven’t been widely used since the 1970s, makes for a distinctive sound unlike any other.
Formed in Buffalo, N.Y., the group maintains a healthy distance from surf and indie rock. Rather, they experiment with vocal harmonies, percussion, the glockenspiel, the organ and indie-inspired tremolo guitar riffs. Notable displays of their work are tracks like “Daisy, We’ve Got A Good Thing,” “Valley Girl,” and “Flower City Nights.”
The band members: Trevor, Gavon, Austin, James and Luke create a respite from generic conventions of popular music today. The Burkharts are one of the most important bands in modern music because the themes of many of their songs ask the world to try a little tenderness.
The Lemon Twigs
Photo by Eva Chambers
Brian and Michael D’Addario are brothers from Hicksville, N.Y., who formed The Lemon Twigs back in 2014. Since the band’s formation, their music has erupted with personality. The group throws themselves into themes such as youthful discovery, a longing for someone or something and dreams that tug at our deepest desires. Coming off of the success of last year’s album “Everything Harmony,” the band is releasing their fifth album May 3, titled “A Dream Is All We Know.”
Accompanied by the D’Addario brother’s Simon & Garfunkel-esque vocals, their instrumentals contain anything from acoustic ballads, upbeat prog rock riffs and revealing choruses. Some tracks worth mentioning are “Ghost Run Free,” “Still It’s Not Enough,” and “They Don’t Know How To Fall In Place.” The Lemon Twigs are non-conventional, yet easily accessible.
Alexandra Savior
Photo by Charlotte Krol
After collaborating with Arctic Monkeys’ frontman, Alex Turner, for her 2017 debut album “Belladonna of Sadness,” Savior has since strengthened her voice and capabilities as an artist. In 2020, she released her sophomore album “The Archer” to cement her as one of the most exciting songwriters today. Her smokey-echoed jazz vocals are matched with desert rock grooves that create a surreal listening experience. Almost psychedelic, only Savior can complement a great band behind her.
Having not released music since 2020, many fans have speculated why she has been inactive for the past couple years. Luckily, Savior filmed a short promo for Spotify Wrapped 2023 stating, “I’m very excited to share new music with you very, very, very soon.” Currently, her most popular songs are “Girlie,” “Can’t Help Myself,” and “Cupid.”
The Nude Party
Photo by Clark Hodgin
If you’re a fan of 1960s garage rock, The Nude Party is a godsend to all of the old souls out there. Folk, indie, blues, roots, rock, alternative and everything in between, The Nude Party breathes a new life on big bands with “everyman” problems. Formed in Boone, N.C., in 2012, the band has persevered as an immovable force. Influenced by bands like The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones and The Animals, they are like a long-lost band from that era. Containing seven band members, the group manages to have each member express their ideas into one exuberant and congealed album.
Releasing four albums thus far, their self-titled sophomore album was met with rave reviews; specifically the track “Chevrolet Van.” In 2023, The Nude Party released their fourth album, titled “Rides On.” Met with positive feedback, the band played a whopping thirty-three tour dates. Currently, they will be touring eight different cities in the U.S. Some personal favorite tracks are “Hey Monet,” “Chevrolet Van,” and “Tree of Love.”
Striking a chord
It’s difficult to think of any other artists like these that are really pushing the envelope. The Burkharts have an old-fashioned yet modern spin on indie pop to illuminate your heart. The Lemon Twigs can inspire you or let you reflect on the life you’ve lived so far. Alexandra Savior has a suave-haunting voice that will echo your feelings of infatuation. And The Nude Party for the day-to-day trial and errors we all try to overcome, as well as tight grooves to let your worries vanish.
As the summer of 2024 approaches, you can count on listening to these artists for their fresh take on what music can be. The future of music is alive and well — what a time to be a music fan!
Featured image: Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Edited by: James Sutton
