Underrated Artists of 2022
With so many audio streaming sites, there is an abundance of music to be enjoyed and discovered. However, it can be intimidating to know who or what to listen to; Spotify alone has over 11 million creators, including music artists as well as podcasters. There are plenty of popular mainstream artists who receive great exposure, but there is also a plethora of extremely talented artists that are underrated or simply unknown. If you don't know what to listen to, here is a list of the best underrated artists in the industry.
Laufey
Laufey is an Icelandic and Chinese singer-songwriter. She is a classically trained musician and is often titled as an "old soul" for her great appreciation for vintage jazz standards and classical music pieces. In her music, she intertwines modern music elements with her love for antique melodies to create charming songs that incite nostalgia and comfort. Some of her most loved songs are Valentine, Falling Behind, and Everything I Know About Love.
Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy McAlpine's music falls under the indie/folk genre. Her career was kickstarted after her song, You Ruined The 1975, went viral on Tiktok. She is known for her authenticity and unfiltered lyrics. Her songs Pancakes for Dinner and Apple Pie from her album, Give Me A Minute, have gained great popularity, as well as Hate To Be Lame, which she wrote alongside Finneas.
Lily Williams
A British singer-songwriter based in LA, Lily Williams is a true gem; her comforting and heartfelt songs, made up of poetic and thoughtful lyricism, sets her apart from other artists. Her most popular songs include July (later on), Rich, and I Hope You Think Of Me.
Sarah Kang
Sarah Kang is a South Korean singer-songwriter who is based in NYC. Her music is not confined to one category, but crosses borders of genres, though it is mainly a combination of jazz, pop, and R&B. Her songs, including A Thousand Eyes, and Summer Is For Falling In Love are described as cozy and warm.
Forrest Nolan
Forrest Nolan is an up-and-coming singer from San Francisco and his music falls under the indie-pop genre. He is known for his songs Sinatra, Summer Vibe and MIA.
Forrest Frank
Known for being half of the music group Surfaces, Forrest Frank also makes his own music which is a blend of jazz, soul, pop, and reggae. Some of his popular solo songs are Slow Down, and So Good.
These are just a few of the incredible yet underrated artists. Some honorable mentions include Cody Fry, Grent Perez, Eloise, and Adam Melchor. Though most of these musicians fall under the indie-pop and R&B music categories, there are so many more underappreciated singers and bands in various genres. Even if you have a different taste in music, audio streaming sites make finding new artists and songs so easy and accessible no matter your preference. Also, don't be afraid to listen to something new; you never know what you may end up enjoying!