British and Irish artists to watch in 2025

from: english derby
Label: start
pay attention to: Even upon arrival, Alessi Rose seemed destined for a brilliant future. Last year, the 22-year-old came out of the gate with a sense of spontaneity: Early in her career as an artist, she hosted intimate studio gatherings to ask her closest followers what they thought about the new music she was creating. The view is. Her work and its pop melodramas are heavily influenced by the sounds and aesthetics of Generation Z online culture, allowing her to explore how the online world mediates relationships and notions of identity.
Key tracks: “Eat me alive”

from: Bournemouth, UK
Label: start
pay attention to: The empathy in Chloe Slater’s music has a razor-sharp edge as she calls on young people to unite against the forces of shallow ignorance. “I will choose my own life” She weeps on the stunning, stirring single “The Fig Tree,” a song that details the dizzying intensity of trying to find yourself in a turbulent world—the kind of song that makes you lean against it The bold concept of the y-groove quietly blends into the bass. Slater has a diary full of UK festival dates and her profile is set to grow this summer with ample opportunities to showcase her engaging live performances and clear intentions.
Key tracks: “Fig Tree”

from: London, UK
Label: independent
pay attention to: In just a few months, Chy Cartier has been co-signed by many British rap stars: Dave, Stormzy, Skepta, Central Cee and Little Simz. The North London artist first won praise online for how she bends jagged beats to her will, making her flow look light and free. The UK rap explosion in recent years has mostly prioritized TikTok-related songs and countless samples, but Chy offers a refreshing focus on experimentalism. She’s currently working on her debut mixtape, so stay tuned for more.
Key tracks: “Shhh”

from: Cork, Ireland
Label: independent
pay attention to: You could easily argue that Irish music is booming like never before. Fontaines DC have hit the scene; Kneecap have an award-winning biopic named after them; and a host of homegrown bands (NewDad, Gurriers, Search Results) are pushing back against the long-held notion that guitar rock is passé. Led by the hypnotically malleable vocals of Iona Lynch, Cliffords is the next in line to lead the charge. Their musical output so far has been sparse, but the five songs available on Spotify are all excellent, full of atmospheric, full-bodied indie music in the style of Sharon Van Etten.
Key tracks: “Broken glass”

from: Fife, Scotland
Label: island
pay attention to: Encouraged by silvery sounds and gently strummed guitars, Jacob Alon’s music can evoke an inner sense of hope. Born in Fife but settling early in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, Aaron experienced alienation and homelessness early in his career, learning firsthand how to cope with adversity through songwriting. They won over crowds at Brighton’s The Great Escape festival last May, diluting the sadness in their songs with some down-to-earth charm and humour. A lengthy UK tour in January is already in the works, as well as appearances at SXSW and Eurosonic.
Key tracks: “The Fairy in the Bottle”

from: London, UK
Label: island
pay attention to: Lola Young’s star power crystallized in intense moments. The south Londoner may have been on “ones to watch” lists for the past five years, but in late 2024 she finally broke through and became a success in the United States at an alarming rate. debut album Anyway, this isn’t for youshe sounds confident and nuanced as she navigates her newfound eclecticism in the music world, winning over SZA and Tyler, The Creator along the way. Album highlight ‘Messy’ is currently sitting at number three on the Official UK Singles Chart, making for a dazzling start to Young’s biggest year yet.
Key tracks: “Messy”

from: Liverpool, UK
Label: island
pay attention to: The enigmatic ballad of “Luvcat” is bold and sexy without even really trying, partly because the Liverpool-based artist (née Sophie Morgan) has already locked herself into a dark corner of the pop realm. “He’s My Man” has 8 million plays and was an interesting twist on last year’s viral “Mob Wives” trend, spawning a number of career-rising moments, from the “Last Supper Party” European tour Support slots for global festival bookings. After signing a major label record deal, the singer is looking to double down on her efforts this year by getting into the process of working on her debut album.
Key tracks: “He is my man”

from: Bristol, UK
Label: Palo style
pay attention to: The twenty-somethings have roots in Bristol’s passionate guitar scene, establishing themselves in the city’s many independent venues and close-knit DIY community. Now, the band seems ready to begin to break away from its “underground attention” status and aims to become a cult independent musician. If you’re curious about their sound, in a recent press release, frontman Isaac Allen-Stroud described their latest effort, Man Of III Repute, as The Kinks. Kinks’ “A Well Respected Man” – a searing song.
Key tracks: “The Clockwork Merchant”

from: Luton, UK
Label: RCA
pay attention to: With bittersweet melodies and pop songcraft, Miles Smith distills pure emotion—heartbreak, hope, and everything in between—into songs that accentuate his soaring voice. Last year, the hit single “Stargazing” broke into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, leading to sold-out shows on both sides of the Atlantic. Inspired by his humble upbringing in Luton (30 miles outside London), Smith busked weekly in local pubs, developing a warm, affable performance style that would appeal to generations.
Key tracks: “Stargazing”

from: London, UK
Label: polydor
pay attention to: Nia Smith’s voice can brighten the darkest of days. The 20-year-old ditches the flashy falsetto and focuses on delivering stunning emotional honesty through a rich, captivating timbre. As a teenager, the soul singer bounced between a series of prestigious music schools, including the BRIT and the East London College of Arts and Music. However, she has the vocals and lyrical ability to back up all and any premeditated industry support. Early highlight “Don’t Cry” is a gorgeous paean to self-discovery and surrender to artistic imperfections – a tantalizing taste of things to come.
Key tracks: “Don’t cry”

from: London, UK
Label: Brownswood Recordings
pay attention to: During Ezra Collective’s 2023 Mercury Prize acceptance speech, drummer Femi Koleoso praised the UK’s musical youth clubs, including the capital’s Tomorrows Warriors and Kinetika Bloco. It was these institutions that nurtured Oreglo, a London four-piece band whose sensibilities span jazz, Italian fusion, dance, demo and rock. You never know what you’re going to hear in an Oreglo song, but there are always moments of confusion—like that crazy switch in the middle of a song that makes you feel like your speakers are about to collapse.
Key tracks: “Opec”

from: London, UK
Label: RCA
pay attention to: Pozer’s music makes a bold impression, blending drill, jersey club, grime and road rap with a relaxed but cool style. Last April, the sensation made chart history when he became the first British rapper to have two top singles on the chart at the same time (“Kitchen Stove,” “Malicious Intentions”). Details about his background may remain elusive — Bozer has yet to reveal his real name — but it’s clear that the young gun wants the music to do the talking: His recent collaboration with hot “Heaterz” AJ Tracey suggests he’ll Become a sought-after collaborator in 2025.
Key tracks: “Kitchen Stove”

from: London, UK
Label: independent
pay attention to: Following the success of Black Country and New Road, The Orchestra (For Now) stands out among many young baroque pop bands for their humor and irreverence. In November, they hosted a “birthday party” for Carly Rae Jepsen at London’s famed Windmill venue, performing covers of the Canadian pop star’s hits amid raucous karaoke. Meanwhile, lead single “Wake Robin” feels like a group of friends engaging in a wild jam session, pushing each other emotionally and creatively. After winning the Green Man Rising competition, they are expected to hit the UK music festival scene this year.
Key tracks: “Wake Robin”

from: Manchester, UK
Label: partisan
pay attention to: has caught the attention of Mercury Prize-winning English teachers with his offbeat, confrontational guitar music, TTSSFU – aka Manchester’s Tasmin Nicole Stephens – slides between shoegaze, noise rock and twisted lo-fi to create her own dynamic style. 2024 EP Me, Jed and Andy. She explores themes of composure in ever-expanding ways, bringing former lovers into trouble on the casually relentless “I Hope You Die” and “Baggage.” “Take what you want, no apologies,” she sang, a message that resonated with fans who were already wearing handmade “TTSFU for President” T-shirts.
Key tracks: “I hope you die”