Music Connection offers a variety of ways for unsigned artists to receive recognition for creating exceptional music. Each month, for example, our New Music Critiques area spotlights the recordings of a dozen unsigned recording artists. The cream of the 2025 crop is here on the pages before you. 25 remarkable recording artists. Independent recording artists of all genres are welcomed to sign up for a free critique at musicconnection.com/reviews/new-music-critiques.
LOVECOLOR . . . 9.0
Web: lovecolorband.com
Style: Alt-Pop
LOVECOLOR is the result of the combined might of singer, songwriter and producer Vanessa Silberman, and musician and actor Ryan Carnes. They are, their bio says, “a musical force of sultry alt pop, dark synth, dance and rock sounds, centered around exploring the many aspects of love.” Silberman’s sweet, expressive vocals shine throughout, especially on the sultry pop brilliance of “Crazy Love.”
As a duo, LOVECOLOR works beautifully, a creative force that sees the pair bounce off each other playfully, while always making the song the priority. Their debut album dropped in December, so expect a significant 2025.
The Soft Parts . . . 8.7
Web: Spotify
Style: Sophisti-Pop, Avant-Lounge, Jazztronica
The brain behind “faux-jazz/funk avant-lounge sophisti-pop” (their words) project The Soft Parts is composer and creative producer Robert Dilemma, and boy, what a brain he has. While these instrumental pieces all clock in at close to-or-over 10 minutes, the classical electro-funk opuses never outstay their welcome.
There are are elements of electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream, Kraftwork, and Jean-Michel Jarre at play, as Dilemma takes us on a journey through tracks like “Riviera,” “Abyssinian,” and “Innuendo.” Any one of them could be a film or TV score, as Dilemma takes us through a full range of emotions without uttering a single word.
Jess Jocoy . . . 8.6
Web: jessjocoy.com
Style: Country, Folk
Nashville’s Jess Jocoy reminds us what country music is meant to feel like—authentic, soulful, and grounded in story. On “Cul-de-Sac Kid,” she sings, “I have to believe country needs a country song from a cul-de-sac kid like me,” and she’s absolutely right. Her vocals carry lived-in wisdom and her lyrics resonate with honesty and heart. Tracks like “You Sure Showed Me” and “I Could Live On That Alone” showcase a natural twang and folky nuance, making every note feel intentional. Jocoy’s music isn’t showmanship—it’s genuine storytelling that lingers long after the song ends.
Clay and Kelsy . . . 8.4
Web: clayandkelsy.com
Style: Electronic, Pop
Clay and Kelsy describe themselves as instrument designers, performing artists, and music producers, as well as “proudly queer.” “Our dream was to make cute instruments that inspire new ideas and feelings to create music with.” With that in mind, they designed the Osc Collection, which is worthy of your attention.
But beyond all that, they also create epic, ethereal electronic pop music, which is largely staggering. “You Hurt Me” is an incredible tune that carries the listener away on a magic carpet of hypnotic beats and insistent melodies. “I Miss You” is equally devastating, as this impressive pairing take the opportunity to flex.
Afrodite . . . 8.4
Web: afrodite-singer.com
Style: Atmospheric Pop, Indie
Born in 1989 in Rhodes, Afrodite “studied at the Music School of Rhodes, graduated from the Department of Music and Art at the University of Macedonia, studied Jazz Vocals at ArtEZ University of the Arts in the Netherlands, has a degree in Contemporary Music from the Greek Conservatory and is continuing her studies at the Postgraduate Studies Program at the University of the Aegean.”
That’s an impressive background in education, and her songs are more intriguing still. There’s a country element to the indie rock that nods at artists such as Maria McKee. Haunting tales that blend real life with legend.
Shining Glass . . . 8.4
Web: shiningglass.bandcamp.com
Style: Indie-Rock
There’s a foreboding, sinister feel to Tucson, AZ indie band Shining Glass’ “Drawing Fires.” That, despite the apparent simplicity of the musicianship. Or perhaps because of it. There’s a chant-like quality and a magnificent drone to songs like “Three Died” and “Bald King of the Old World” that is both beautiful and horrifying, like a Lynch movie (RIP).
But it’s utterly addictive. When the discomfort is amped up, it’s impossible not to feel drawn in. Meanwhile, Drew Johnson’s voice, in harmony with his bandmates, is quite hypnotic. Like the Arizona desert, it’s all both bleak and gorgeous.
Lips Speak Louder. . . 8.4
Web: lipsspeaklouder.com
Style: Alt-Rock
Nashville-based rock duo Lips Speak Louder have found the perfect balance of hard rock crunch and power-pop melody. It's the blend of sugar and spice, the broken glass in the ice-cream, that makes the pair’s music so utterly enjoyable. There are elements of Aimee Mann/’Til Tuesday in there, some Bangles, some Heart. But it’s the strong dashes of themselves (Rachel Brandsness and Angela Lese) in there that makes it all so special. The duo has also backed Emily Wolfe on the road, but there’s enough here to suggest that they will be headlining reasonably sized venues by themselves soon enough.
Terry Blade . . . 8.4
Web: terryblademusic.com
Style: Blues
Chicago-based bluesman Terry Blade is already a four-time Telly Award winner, two-time Hollywood Music in Media Award nominee, and the first-place winner of the Blues category of the American Songwriter 2023 Song Contest. He’s been compared to the likes of Meshell Ndegeocello, Tracy Chapman, and Amos Lee, and it’s clear when listening to the songs he submitted—“Getting Tired of You,” “Tell ‘Em," and “Be Around No More”—that his take on the genre is as real as real can be. His voice is rich and quite beautiful, his lyrics emotive, and his songs hit the spot. Can’t ask for more than that.
Sophia Eliana . . . 8.4
Web: sophiaeliana.com
Style: Indie-Folk, Dream-Pop, Singer-Songwriter
Sophia Eliana describes herself online as a “Denver-based queer folk musician, florist, and dancer originally from Monterey, CA.” With that sort of a rich history, one might imagine that she has some stories to tell, and one would be right. Songs such as “Praying Mantis” and “Curious Critter” are overflowing with heartfelt introspection. That, blended with her talent for recognizing effective melody plus her frankly gorgeous voice make for a wonderful listening experience. “I treat each waking moment as ‘studio time,’ drawing inspiration for my artwork from the intricacies held within subjectively mundane moments,” she says. It shows!
Erittage . . . 8.4
Web: Spotify
Style: Afro-Fusion, Nigerian Hip-Hop
According to his Spotify bio, Erittage is, “a young and talented emerging artist from Delta State, Nigeria, who is making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of contemporary sounds and engaging lyrics.” It’s the blend, the cultural hot-pot, that makes this music so special. Traditional Nigerian sounds meet head-on with modern hip-hop. The beats are impeccable, the production sublime, and the lyrics on-point. A song like “No Reason” is an uncompromising, rapid-fire, aggressive rap beast, while “Demons” is an introspective gem that showcases just how dynamic and diverse Erittage’s sound can be.
Joshua Josué . . . 8.4
Web: joshuajosuemusic.com
Style: Americana, Chicano-Rock
There’s so much warmth emanating from the music of Joshua Josué that one could practically use it as a heat source during the winter months. His blend of traditional Chicano sounds, Americana and rock results in something that sounds like Tom Petty fronting Los Lobos. Nothing wrong with that, especially when we get a song as earthy, heartfelt and well-executed as “La Chica Me Cantó.” The mix of Spanish and English is extremely welcome, and the songs are memorable enough that it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand either language. The new Beneath the Sand album has just dropped, so look out for that.
Jake Worden . . . 8.4
Web: jakewordenmusic.com
Style: Orchestral Doom Metal
First of all, it’s unusual to find an artist from the more extreme end of the metal scale who goes by his actual name. On his website, we see the words “Jake Worden” in a scary metal font, and we’re here for it. The music is superb; grandiose and overblown in all of the right ways, Worden’s super-deep voice has a Pete Steele (Type O Negative) croak, lending a gothic-metal edge to the proceedings that recalls Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, as well as Type O. A song like “Born Into Black” is dark, operatic, intensely heavy and a tone of fun.
