After attending a OneRepublic concert in November, I have been thoroughly enjoying music from Judah and The Lion, a small group of two artists, Judah Akers and Brandon Macdonald. They have great music that I can’t imagine my life without anymore. After discovering that group, I set out to find more unappreciated small artists. Here are a few I found after my searches so that you don’t have to.
Judah and The Lion
I mentioned a bit about these guys above, but I would like to go more in-depth as to why they deserve more listeners. The first thing that intrigued me was the unique voice of Judah Akers, the lead singer. Some would describe it as raspy, but I would call it raw and authentic. Not many others are able to sing with such versatility.
Their newest album, The Process, is my favorite, but this shouldn’t deter you from listening to their other albums as well. Judah lost his aunt to suicide in 2017, and later his uncle to suicide as well during the pandemic; after all of that, his marriage to his wife ended after nearly seven years of being together. Although these are unfortunate events, this led Judah and Brandon to create one of the most touching and heartfelt albums I have ever listened to.
Glass Animals
There was a time when I couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when we were all stuck inside. I would hear it lots of times during my endless social media scrolling. When I was thinking of music artists that I didn’t know much about, Glass Animals came right to my mind.
They are an English indie rock band consisting of Dave Bayley, Drew MacFarlane, Joe Seaward, and Edmund Irwin-Singer. After listening to their new album, I Love You So F***ing Much, I know I will be listening to a lot more of their other songs. The vibe of all their songs is very optimistic, with lots of upbeat drums and guitar in the background. When I listen to their music, I immediately forget about the cold and snow right outside my window and instead feel like I’m sitting on the sand next to the ocean. Their songs are the perfect cure for any winter blues you might be facing.
The Lumineers
The Lumineers do have quite a large following but are generally overlooked. They are an American alternative folk band based in Colorado. The only two current members are Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz, although others have come and gone in the past. The band is most well known for its popular singles, such as “Ophelia,” “Ho Hey,” and “Stubborn Love.” Their emotional lyrics, story, and innovative instrumentals put them over many other bands. With the honesty and depth of their music creation, The Lumineers deserve more recognition for their creativity than other topping artists of their time.
Rosé
Roseanne Chae-young Park, whose stage name is Rosé, is a 28-year-old singer based in South Korea. She is currently a member of the South Korean all-girl pop quartet called BLACKPINK. Again, she has a large Instagram following but doesn’t have the recognition she deserves. When I asked all my friends if they could name a single song of hers, all of them said no. She has a very soft and soothing voice that is great as background music when hanging out with friends, driving, or having a late-night study session.
I am trying to shed some light on a few artists who deserve more attention and love for all of the hard work that they pour into their craft. It isn’t easy for anyone to take a risk and put themselves out there.
