The Next Big Thing: Music Artists You Need on Your Radar

Let’s face it: The music scene is always shifting, and keeping up with the next big thing can feel like a full-time job. But don’t worry — we’ve done the digging for you. Whether your vibe is pop perfection, punk chaos, indie nostalgia, or late-night soul-searching, these are the five rising music artists set to blow up in 2025. From viral underground names to future festival headliners, they’re reshaping sound and style — so if you want to say, “I listened to them before it was cool,” now’s your chance.

Oh, and we’re not just giving you the playlist. We’re serving looks, too. Get outfit inspo from each artist’s signature style and get ready for your next gig.

If you’re craving dance-pop with a dose of attitude, Aliyah’s Interlude is your girl. Her sound blends glossy beats, slick rap, and a Y2K vibe that’s playful yet commanding — like if Bratz dolls had their own after-hours club. There’s a fierce confidence in every track that dares you to strut.

The Look: Channel Aliyah’s bold energy with a cropped graphic tee and micro shorts. Layer on leg warmers or arm sleeves to turn up the early 2000s drama, and stack chunky jewelry for that extra pop-princess edge. It’s giving main character in a movie — and you’ve just hit the club-scene montage.

Luvcat is pure alt-rock romance wrapped in fog and mystique. Her sound blends folk textures with brooding rock undercurrents — dramatic, a little dreamy, and full of mystery. It’s the kind of music that feels like the soundtrack to a story you’re not sure you lived or imagined. She radiates moody, nostalgic energy that’s equal parts soft and a little dangerous.

The Look: To match Luvcat’s ethereal-meets-enigmatic vibe, reach for a slip-style leopard-print maxi or a longline skirt — something fluid with a touch of darkness. Pair it with a sheer mesh or lace-layered top to channel that soft, vintage glamour. Finish the look with worn-in boots, stacked silver jewelry, and a red lip that smudges just right by midnight. It’s giving modern-day muse with a hauntin.

flowerovlove’s world is bright, expressive, and wrapped in nostalgia. Her sound blends bedroom pop with soft indie, radiating that warm, sun-kissed feeling you get from being young, in love, or just dancing around your room with the windows open. It’s playful but intentional — like a daydream you can wear.

The Look: Start with a balloon skirt or puffed mini — anything with volume and vintage charm. Pair it with a cropped cardigan or fitted baby tee, and don’t skip the details: colorful hair clips, frilly socks with Mary Janes, and a pastel shoulder bag for good measure. You’re officially floating in flowerovlove’s soft-girl universe.

HotWax is the soundtrack to slamming your bedroom door and blasting your speakers until the walls shake. Their gritty alt-rock sound is raw, rebellious, and dripping with attitude — like teen angst with a guitar. It’s loud, it’s grungy, and it’s exactly what you put on when you want to feel like the coolest person at the dive bar (or just in your room).

The Look: Effortlessly messy with major edge. Think distressed jeans that hang just right, an oversized tee that feels like it was swiped from your favorite band’s merch table, and a flannel tossed on top. Finish it off with chunky shoes, chipped nail polish, and perfectly undone bedhead. Zero effort, maximum impact — just the way HotWax likes it.

Scowl brings the kind of energy that hits like a bass drop in a basement show — raw, loud, and totally magnetic. Having emerged from the hardcore scene, their current sound feels more polished while keeping punk rock at its core. It’s angsty, high-energy, and made to be screamed along to — whether you’re in the pit or just moshing in your mind.

The Look: Their style goes hard, but with a twist — tough with flashes of femininity, like if riot grrrl met alt-it-girl. To get the look, grab your most beat-up cargo skirt or slouchy jeans, pair them with a cropped graphic baby tee, and layer on a chunky zip-up hoodie or bomber. Scowl style is all about clashing softness with strength — like you could start both a mosh pit and a movement.

Ready to hit play? These rising artists aren’t just making noise — they’re setting the tone for what 2025 is going to sound (and look) like. Whether you’re chasing that late-night anthem, a dreamy daydream, or something to scream along to, this lineup has you covered. So plug in, dress up, and get ahead of the curve — because being early never looked (or sounded) so good.