PLUS: NEW LOCAL MUSIC YOUNEED TO HEAR.
New year, new music.
A slate of heavyweights — including Adele, Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott and Rihanna — are expected to release new projects in 2021. But if we narrow the focus a bit, there’s a city full of talent waiting to occupy space on your Spotify playlists.
Several Houston acts are readying singles and albums this year. Some have already been released. And per usual, they range from pop to rock to hiphop. Here are eight that you should pay attention to.
1. Andrew Karnavas
Title: “Sound of the Future” The song is “set in a dystopian future where people frequent oxygen bars and dance with robots that have taken their jobs,” Karnavas says. “Spinning in a ‘Blade Runner’ nightclub near you.”
Release date: Out now
2. J-Mike
Title: “Way Up”
J-Mike calls his new single a hip-hop “anthem of perseverance, on a hype, trap-style beat with fire lyrics.”
Release date: Out now
3. Lizi Bailey
Title: “Run Away” This song was composed, recorded, mixed and mastered at home. It’s described as a “chilling, haunting, thought-provoking” song with “supernatural depth.”
Release date: January
4. Crank Up The Silence
Title: Singles “Amygdala” and “Falling Through the Clouds”
This new rock band plans to shake up the local scene with a series of original songs.
Release date: February
5. Haunter
Title: “Illuminate”
The pop/rock single was produced and co-written by Grammy-nominated producer Tyler Smyth and should appeal to fans of Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons and Demi Lovato. “We wanted to write about those quiet moments when you breathe in and realize you’ve fallen hopelessly in love,” says guitarist Enoma Asowata. “Something in the way your partner looks at you just ignites this fire. We’re fascinated by that magic.”
Release date: Feb. 25
6. Bigg Fatts
Title: “The Mill Prep” “This album is about being ready for success, preparing yourself for everything that you’ve been working for,” rapper Fatts says. It features Z-Ro, Dougie D, Killa Kyleon, Ronnie Spencer and others.
Release date: Spring
7. Imagine Box
Title: “Songwriter’s Notebook” Electronic music with a groove and pop vibe, grounded in standard form to showcase songwriting skills.
Release date: March 22
8. Something Else
Title: TBD
Catchy rock with some retro punk and garage flavor.
Release date: November or December