Before I begin this list, if you’ve been listening to these artists for years, or “you’ve been hip since (insert year),” then that’s great! I’m not claiming to be the first person to ever mention these people. These artists found me THIS year, and I’m wishing them good exposure in 2025 :)
Sasami
Sasami opening for Destroy Boys at the 9:30 Club on November 17, 2024. Photo by Carolin Harvey/Parklife DC The musical powerhouse, Sasami Ashworth, known simply as “SASAMI,” is a badass you need to have on your radar in 2025. The former member of Cherry Glazerr is making waves as a solo artist. I saw her open for Destroy Boys in November 2024, and was absolutely blown away (quite literally by her french horn). She commanded ferocity from the crowd, but also playfully bantered with them, remarking about how they felt like her “best friends.” Sasami can effortlessly switch from metal guitar shreds to gentler ballads, and even throw in a little french horn. The single “Slugger” off her upcoming third record, Blood on The Silver Screen, is an ear-worm I’ve been blasting since seeing her live. "Honeycrash" is a powerful song professing love for someone who may or may not have moved on-- play it loud and feel all the feelings. A press release from Domino Music states that Blood On The Silver Screen is “the all-out SASAMI pop record” and for that I am incredibly excited. The record drops March 7th, 2025.
Meg Smith
Indie-pop artist, Meg Smith, has had quite the year, and more people should know her name. I saw her perform as the opening act for Baby Queen, and was in awe of her stage presence; she strutted out in a turquoise-blue prom dress with sparkles galore, and big blonde curls reminiscent of early Taylor Swift. That same year, I saw her open for Zolita, and would’ve seen her open for MisterWives (my MisterWives tour date was tragically canceled). Her new EP The Gospel According to Meg Smith is 25 minutes of modern-day relationship turmoil with clever lyrics and religious euphemisms. Spotify included her song “jesus christ in a mini skirt” in Pop Rising’s best Pop Songs of 2024, and it’s deserved– campy and dramatic, it’s a perfect pop hit complete with a saxophone solo. Meg posted a reel on insta saying how she feels like Hannah Montana; has a sneaky pop hit, but is simultaneously interviewing for nanny jobs. I’m wishing Meg name recognition and a “best-of-both-worlds” life in 2025.
INJI
INJI headlines Webster Hall in New York City on September 22, 2024. Photo by Ines Valencia (@inesvalenciaphoto)/Musik Mirage INJI, the Turkish singer-songwriter, has some of the best hyper-pop dance tracks you should be listening to. “Gaslight” was her debut release, and if you haven’t heard it, where have you been the past 2 years? That single along with “Madeline” graced TikTok in 2022, launching INJI to prominence. I’ve been hearing both songs all over since 2022, but didn’t put names to an artist until I saw her live this year. Hearing that song made me and my concert coworkers go “OHHH this is her.” In 2023, she released her debut EP LFG (stands for let’s fucking go), which belongs in every party pregame and self-confidence playlist. The follow-up We Good just dropped with “Nice To Meet Ya” featuring Flyanna Boss, which has a reggaeton flair and a whistle hook. I remember when INJI introduced the song “Sexy 4Ever” at her show, she said she wrote it after a man told her she didn’t have much time left to “make it” in the music industry, despite only being 23-years-old…safe to say she’s made it.
Chokecherry
Chokecherry opening for Destroy Boys at the 9:30 Club on November 17, 2024. Photo by Carolin Harvey/Parklife DC For fans of Mannequin Pussy, Wednesday, and Destroy Boys, Chokecherry are here to satisfy your shoegazey grunge-pop needs. The San-Francisco trio consists of Izzie Clark (guitar/vocals), Scarlett Levinson (bass/vocals), and Abri Crocitto (drums). The band took off in 2023 after their debut song “Glass Jaw” had its moment on TikTok. Their EP Messy Star came out in October, and “Mirror Mirror” is easily my favorite track– full of fuzzy guitars and feral screams, while maintaining a whimsical aura. I saw them open for Destroy Boys, and I found their thirty-minute set immensely impressive. I was obsessed with the coquette/goth vibes they gave off while supremely shredding their guitars– more femme rockers in 2025 please!
Spiritual Cramp
Spiritual Cramp is an alt-rock punk band from San Francisco with ALL the energy. I saw them open for Rise Against in October, and I need to see them headline ASAP. Unfortunately, the crowd was not nearly as hyped as they should’ve been. Their self-titled album came out in 2023, and its twenty-six minute runtime packs a punch with songs like “Herberts On Holiday” and “Better Off This Way.” My favorite is “Talkin’ On The Internet,” which has a frisky guitar riff that reminds me of The Hives. They released two collab singles with White Reaper in May, “Shimmy” and “Whatever You Say Man.” The singles effectively combine White Reaper’s emo-rock guitar sound with Spiritual Cramp’s bombastic vocals. Wishing Spiritual Cramp a headlining tour in 2025. Fingers crossed.
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