Welcome to AP&R, the place we spotlight rising artists who’re on their technique to turning into your new favourite. Beneath, we’ve rounded up a handful of names from around the globe who both simply dropped music or have new music on the best way very quickly. These are the February up-and-comers, artists picked for his or her standout sound, from riveting post-punk to heavy shoegaze.
Learn extra: 24 of essentially the most thrilling rising artists to look at in 2024
MX LONELY
On Feb. 6, Brooklyn shoegaze outfit MX LONELY launched their delirious, gritty new EP, SPIT. The EP sees the band open up their sound, and each redefine and reemphasize the cerebral, visceral music that’s gotten them to date, resulting in an iteration of shoegaze that’s not dipping its toes in different heavy sounds however slightly, diving in with abandon. MX LONELY’s tracks lean into heavy-alternative, riffy ’90s grunge, and hardcore rhythms — a well-matched basis for lyrics about escaping overwhelm, anxiousness, and listlessness. And an apt theme, because the EP itself was born in a wild, one-month artistic purge, throughout their very first studio session. —Anna Zanes
Prize Horse
Minneapolis trio Prize Horse create spacey, fuzzed-out alt-rock that’ll intrigue followers of Nothing, Superheaven, and Constructed to Spill. The band — vocalist/guitarist Jake Beitel, bassist/vocalist Olivia Johnson, and drummer Jon Brenner — possess a sludgy heft, however their songs can get drifty at factors, too, like on the one “Additional From My Begin.” Beneath lie Beitel’s reflective lyrics, that are concise and moody however at all times reduce by the noise to disclose a larger depth. Following their EP from final yr, the band’s debut album, Beneath Sound, is produced by Gleemer’s Corey Coffman and arrives Feb. 16 by way of New Morality Zine. Prize Horse can even play Sound and Fury later this yr. —Neville Hardman
Kevin Holliday
From the second he emerged on the scene, Kevin Holliday has proven up as himself. He’s constructing a world that’s unpredictably textured — slipping from mushy and funky into laborious, rhythmic guitars and soulful beats. And it’s all a rolling panorama, towards which his introspective lyrics shine. Holliday’s undefinable sound, as an entire, meditates on authenticity, intentionality, and fairly actually being in tune with influences and inspiration. On the artist’s new, largely self-produced LP, LADYBUG, which arrives this Valentine’s Day, he’s getting all of the extra sincere, delivering his most susceptible work but — by the use of a breakup album. Although, he provides, “It’s a lot greater than that.” —Anna Zanes
Glixen
Final yr, Phoenix shoegaze crew Glixen made an entrance by a collection of swirly, intoxicating songs that felt indebted to their love of Seashore Home. Now, the band are adopting a heaviness within the vein of Deftones and Nothing with their newest single, and first preview of their second EP, “foreversoon.” The result’s spectacular, mixing Aislinn Ritchie’s candy, delicate vocals with a fuzziness that’ll make you soften. Glixen just lately launched into tour, together with dates opening for Interpol, Softcult, and Glitterer, in addition to a few of their very own headlining reveals. Plus, they’ll play the Philly date of Slide Away Pageant in March. —Neville Hardman
Gustaf
New York’s self-described no-wave outfit Gustaf have garnered an avid viewers by their rowdy reveals and a behavior of improvising lyrics whereas climbing over amps. Although their sound at first comes off stylish and composed, with its angular guitar components and a cool, regular bassline, as soon as vocalist Lydia Gammill enters the chat, kicking and screaming, all bets are off, and the band drive it residence round her. There are snarling, shrieking, clashing drums, whereas backing vocals shout out a wild, Ramones-esque name and response. At present, they’re gearing as much as launch their sophomore album, Bundle Pt. 2, in April, an angstier, existential twist on their earlier tasks. On this new album, Gustaf get philosophical, pondering life’s function, venting about love, and growling about egotism — whereas sustaining their enjoyable, breathless vitality. —Anna Zanes
The Factor
New York psych/storage outfit the Factor are deeply DIY. Fashioned in 2022, the band — Zane Acord, Jack Bradley, Michael Carter, and Lucas Ebeling — file at their East Williamsburg studio Onion Information and make their very own music movies, together with the black-and-white accompaniment to their single “Midnight,” which performs out like a slick spy thriller. The tune, which comes from their newly launched second album, The Factor Is, is a three-minute romp that captures their madcap spirit, takes inspiration from doomsday conversations, and ends in a freaky explosion that may attraction to followers of Ty Segall. —Neville Hardman
