If you’re looking for new music recommendations, and you like to listen to Frank Ocean, Brent Faiyaz, or Steve Lacy, you should check out these other artists.
Dominic Fike:
With 17.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Dominic Fike is a newer artist with two albums and an extended play (EP) available. His debut EP, Don’t Forget About Me, Demos was released in late 2018, and since then he has released the albums What Could Possibly Go Wrong and Sunburn. He played at Coachella in April and on his “Don’t Stare at the Sun” tour through the summer. In addition to recording, Fike played the role of Elliot in season two of Euphoria.
I would most recommend his second album, What Could Possibly Go Wrong, specifically the tracks “Wurli” and “10x Stronger.” Off of his latest album, “Think Fast” feat. Weezer and “Mama’s Boy” were my personal favorites, standing out from the 15 tracks. Songs off of his debut EP, like “Babydoll” and “3 Nights,” are deservedly the most widely popular, and are good starting points for listeners.
PawPaw Rod:
PawPaw Rod is an Oklahoma City-based Indie artist. He launched his very first single in 2020, and has released only three EPs for a total of thirteen songs. He has 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His music is a summery blend of beats and 60’s soul, with a slight bounce to both his lyrics and melody. The single “Lemonhaze” off of A PawPaw Rod EP was featured in the sixth episode of season three of Outer Banks.
I think the best song off of his new release, and my favorite song of his, is “Is It Magic?” Other great songs of his include “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS” and “Lemonhaze,” both off of his first EP. I think that PawPaw Rod’s work is perfect to complete a poppier playlist, and his branding and overall style are really eccentric and distinctive.
Thundercat:
Boasting close collaborations with famous artists such as Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat is an LA-born musician who composes progressive jazz and R&B crossovers. He has been releasing music since 2011, his electronic jazz themes carrying from his debut The Golden Age of Apocalypse to his latest releases. He both produced for and featured on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, a critically acclaimed album.
My favorite tracks of Thundercat’s are some of the most famous, “Them Changes” and “Funny Thing.” I also really enjoy “Interstellar Love” and “Friend Zone,” both of which sound almost space-inspired. Thundercat’s discography is very easy to listen to, and is pleasant background music for both when you are paying attention and not.